AM Best Radio Podcast

Craig Martin, executive director, insurance intelligence, J.D. Power, discusses findings from a 2025 Independent Agent Satisfaction Study showing despite an improving market, many agents feel underserved by carriers, citing poor communication, unclear risk appetites and a lack of partnership.

In the latest edition of his book “Inside the Insurance Industry,” Risk and Insurance Services Consulting President Kevin Glaser discusses how data, AI and shifting risks are transforming insurance and reshaping how insurers serve customers.

Brendan Zyvoloski, manager of P&C content and Jamie Nelson, senior director, both of Zywave, discuss findings from the 2025 Broker Services Survey, highlighting how brokers must move beyond transactions to become trusted advisers through proactive communication, tailored risk management, and data-driven client support.

Ben Tucker, CEO, Munich Re Specialty Global Markets in North America, discusses expanding marine and cyber business lines, the evolving underwriting landscape, and how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping risk and opportunity.

Stephen Buonpane, president, Everest Evolution, explains that innovation, AI adoption and talent development are critical for excess & surplus insurers seeking to thrive amid social inflation, complex risks and rapid market change.

Matthew Berninger, principal cyber analyst at Marsh McLennan's Cyber Risk Intelligence Center, explains how regular incident-response exercises and robust control implementation strengthen recovery from cyberattacks and correlate with fewer and less severe breach-related claims.

Reena Batra, vice president, data science, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, explains how falling rates, regional dynamics and direct digital channels are fueling a sharp rise in U.S. auto insurance shopping, with retention challenges pushing insurers to adopt more data-driven, customer-focused strategies.

Stefan Heck, founder and CEO, Nauto, explains how AI driver monitoring and predictive safety tools are helping fleets cut collisions, protect against multimillion-dollar verdicts and ease mounting insurance and labor pressures in the commercial trucking sector.

Brian Jorgensen, CEO of MetLife's pet insurance business, details the growth of that business line and how its mobile app can help with pet care including, veterinary telehealth.

Sabine VanderLinden, managing partner & CEO of venture lab Alchemy Crew, says AI spending is wasted when companies don't prepare staff for tech launches.

Lauren Magro, financial analyst, AM Best, said mutual insurers' premium growth is outpacing rising loss costs and driving improved loss ratios. Magro spoke with AM Best TV at the 130th annual NAMIC convention, San Diego.

Raj Bector, senior partner, and Piyush Sharma, partner, both of McKinsey & Company, explain how AI could cut costs by up to 40%, shift roles from “doers to reviewers,” and create a competitive divide between firms that embrace full-scale transformation and those that fall behind.

Bryan Hodgens, senior vice president and head of LIMRA research, explains why standalone long-term care coverage remains scarce, and how hybrid products are emerging as key solutions to help families and younger consumers manage rising caregiving and retirement risks.

Subramanian Sankaran, chief operating officer at Xceedance, said artificial intelligence is a multiplier, and if operations are fragile, AI multiplies fragility.”

Amar Reganti, managing director and fixed income and global insurance strategist at Wellington Management, said insurers enjoy the benefits of higher yields right now, but they should also make sure they are getting diversification across their entire spectrum of investments.

Aaron Hillebrandt, principal and consulting actuary for Pinnacle Actuarial Resources, spoke with Best's Review about the importance of brokers and broker relationships.

Through the Predict & Prevent podcast, Peter Miller, president and CEO, The Institutes, spotlights how data, AI and collaborative innovation can help the insurance industry move beyond risk transfer to proactive resilience and loss prevention.

Tim Grant, AVP auto insurance, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, explains how advanced segmentation and violation insights help insurers price risk, boost retention and improve road safety.

Michael van Wegen, head of client and market insights international, Gallagher Re Global Strategic Advisory, discusses how reinsurers are balancing strong returns with rising catastrophe losses and market headwinds.

Diane Delaney, executive director, Private Risk Management Association, discusses how insurers can guide affluent homeowners in managing coverage gaps and preparing for evolving risks.

Ann Modica, AM Best director of credit rating, criteria, research & analytics, unpacks the significance of the Federal Reserve's latest rate cut, key takeaways from its projections, and how shifting payroll data and tariffs may complicate policy ahead. 

In his book, “Sell Like a Pro,” Daniel Sarappo, a broker at Retirement Planning Specialists, discusses how building trust, mastering products and creating referral-driven systems are keys for agents to thrive in today's competitive insurance market.

Jay Feinman, professor emeritus at Rutgers Law School, discusses the structural failures in disaster insurance markets, the growing impact of climate change and the critical role of government in creating resilient, equitable coverage. 

Paul Vacquier, CEO, Beagle Services, discusses why non-weather water damage remains a top property loss for insurers, how evacuations worsen claims and how technology can help reduce preventable losses.

Karen Clark, co-founder and CEO, Karen Clark & Co., discusses why the United States remains vulnerable to a $100 billion hurricane, with rising coastal property values amplifying exposure risks for insurers.

In the book Faith & Purpose, industry veteran Brian Duperreault shares lessons from five decades in insurance, reflecting on crisis leadership, innovation and the enduring role of purpose and integrity.

Lauren Darr, partner, Johnson Lambert, shares how electronic-only statutory filing is reshaping statement preparation for insurers.

Jennifer Nuest, SVP, transportation practice leader, Amwins, discusses how rising costs, capacity pressures and legal risks are challenging transportation insurers and how technology is helping to reshape strategies.

F&G CEO Chris Blunt discusses the company's Retirement Reconsidered survey, which reveals that 70% of Americans over 50 are delaying retirement or even returning to the workforce.

Brent Skiles, SVP of insurance operations, Philadelphia Insurance Cos., shares how insurers can streamline process, leverage technology and balance efficiency with strong underwriting discipline.

Managing General Agents' Association CEO Michael Keating discusses how MGAs are fueling industry growth, advancing innovation and deepening collaboration across the insurance market.

Sam Haynes, vice president of data analytics at Verisk Maplecroft, discusses how political violence and civil unrest are reshaping insurance portfolios, highlighting new analytic tools such as the first U.S. Strikes, Riots, and Civil Commotion catastrophe model.

The self-described "Insurance Nerds," Nick Lamparelli and Tony Cañas, share the origin, growth, and enduring impact of the Profiles in Risk podcast, a grassroots platform that has educated, entertained, and influenced a generation of insurance professionals through authentic storytelling and passionate industry advocacy.

Stephen Crewdson, senior director of global insurance intelligence at J.D. Power, said rising premiums are challenging small commercial insurers, but service quality, communication and understanding customers' businesses are now the top factors keeping clients loyal.

Brent Skiles, SVP of insurance operations, Philadelphia Insurance Cos., shares how insurers can streamline process, leverage technology and balance efficiency with strong underwriting discipline.

Nicole Murphy, nonprofit directors and officers liability product manager, Travelers, outlines the key risks facing higher education leaders, including funding shortfalls, donor scrutiny, campus unrest and governance challenges

Kevin Smith, senior vice president, NFP, said that with multimillion-dollar "name, image and likeness” contracts raising the stakes, traditional malpractice coverage is proving inadequate as schools, physicians, and conferences face mounting legal and financial exposures.

Terra CEO and Co-Founder James Benham discusses the power of AI and automation in reducing manual tasks, improving decision-making and reshaping the future of workers' compensation.

Steven Rodriguez, vice president of Philadelphia Insurance Companies E&S, said that construction has been a standout and now makes up about 60% of their book of business.

Travis MacMillian, president – Americas at Xceedance, said that E&S market participants today are more open than ever to alternative distribution strategies.

David Nelson, executive vice president for E&S Wholesale at Nationwide, said the company's strategic priorities are enhancing the customer experience, delivering with operational excellence, and managing the business for sustained financial strength and stability.

Reinsurer rankings shift as Swiss Re implements IFRS 17, according to a new Best's Market Segment Report. Chris Pennings, financial analyst, AM Best, discusses the research.

Lisa Miller, founder of the Florida Insurance Roundup podcast, shares how decades of public service and private sector leadership inspired a mission to demystify insurance, champion resilience, and give voice to the issues shaping Florida's market.

Tanguy Catlin, a senior partner at McKinsey & Co., discusses how insurers can boost performance by integrating AI across operations, focusing on workflow redesign, technology reuse and strong leadership to ensure successful adoption.

EY America's Life and Group Insurance Transformation Leader, Chris Morbelli, breaks down the latest LIMRA-EY Workplace Benefits Report, highlighting how rising costs, a shifting workforce and growing demand for wellness and leave solutions are driving a transformation for brokers, carriers and employers.

Gene Lanzoni, head of enterprise content, Guardian Life, discusses how rising financial stress is driving insurers to offer holistic mental, physical and financial wellness solutions.

David Blades, associate director, AM Best, reflects on the lessons Hurricane Katrina taught the insurance industry, leading to advancements in catastrophe modeling, underwriting practices and public-private partnerships.

George Hosfield, VP and GM of home insurance, and Tanner Sheehan, VP and GM of U.S. claims, LexisNexis Risk Solutions discuss how advanced technology, evolving consumer expectations, and smarter partnerships are reshaping home insurance strategies from underwriting to claims.

Appearing on The State of the Line Podcast, National Council of Compensation Insurance Executive Director and Senior Economist, Stephen Cooper, discusses the most recent U.S. jobs report and how key labor market statistics could potentially impact workers' compensation insurance.

Sumit Taneja, leader of the AI consulting practice, EXL, highlights how insurers are using generative AI to speed up underwriting, streamline claims and enhance customer service while emphasizing the growing need for strong governance, regulatory awareness and thoughtful integration with legacy systems.

AM Best's Lee McDonald and Sridhar Manyem discuss the company's 2026 Student Challenge, which invites college and graduate students to develop creative, real-world solutions to pressing insurance issues, including AI risk, flood coverage gaps, gig economy protection needs. Prizes and industry exposure are offered for the next generation of insurance leaders.