AM Best Radio Podcast

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.

Kevin LaCroix, creator of The D&O Diary and executive vice president of RT ProExec, built a following for the blog nearly 20 years ago during the stock options backdating scandal. With tariffs, regulatory changes and emerging technological risks, there have been no shortage of topics to cover.

Stephen Crewdson, managing director, Global Insurance Intelligence Group, JD Power, explains that rising homeowners and renters rates, especially among bundled customers, continue to fuel switching behavior and pose retention challenges for insurers.

Srini Koushik, president, AI and sustainability, Rackspace Technology, discusses AI's impact on insurance through enhanced service, efficiency and ethical use in a shifting regulatory landscape.

Paul Kottler, U.S. president of Crawford & Company's Global Technical Services, discusses how insurers are combining advanced technologies with expert adjusters to manage the growing complexity and cost of large-loss claims.

Steve Bowen, chief science officer, Gallagher Re, discusses the drivers behind 2025's elevated catastrophe losses and what they signal for future climate and insurance risk.

Michael Balarezo, CEO of Adjusto and wildfire survivor, shares how personal loss, industry frustration, and emerging technology are reshaping the insurance claims process to be faster.

Steve Firko, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance, explains how mutual insurers' policyholder-focused structure, long-term stability and deep industry ties uniquely position them to serve niche markets.

Shannon Woods, chief legal and compliance officer, Mutual Group, discusses the evolving regulatory landscape, the growth of AI, and how strategic partnerships and innovation are helping mutual insurers seize long-term opportunities.

Kimberly Landry, associate research director, LIMRA, discusses how insurers can support employers in boosting benefit satisfaction and addressing changing workforce needs through tailored offerings and improved communication.

Ann Modica, director credit rating, criteria and research at AM Best breaks down the recent decline of the US dollar, its fiscal drivers, and what the volatility means for insurers with global exposure.

Earlier this year, Pinnacle Actuarial Resources and CARFAX announced the release of a new vehicle scoring and automobile pricing tool called the CARFAX Vehicle Build Score (VBS). Pinnacle Senior Consulting Actuary Gary Wang discussed the value of the VBS solution for automobile insurers with AM Best TV.

James Crinnion, Vice President Commercial Surety at Philadelphia Insurance Companies, said that over the last five years, there's been an explosion in surety-backed letters of credit. “There's always been a push and pull between the surety industry and the banking industry,” he said.

Mark Friedman, PwC's U.S. insurance deals leader, discusses the rise in insurance deal value in 2025, driven by strategic megadeals, strong investor interest and sector resilience.

Jason Ott, president, Aon Private Risk Management, discusses how affluent clients are proactively adapting to climate volatility through fortified properties, strategic insurance planning and evolving risk mitigation to safeguard high-value assets.

Kevin Sandelin, senior risk consulting engineer at Allianz Risk Consulting, discusses the growing frequency and severity of wildfires, their impact on industries like agriculture, utilities, and construction, and how insurers and clients can use emerging technologies and mitigation tools to better manage wildfire risk.

Melissa Carmichael, head of U.S. cyber, Beazley, discusses rising AI-driven cyberrisks and supply chain challenges, highlighting the critical role insurers play in strengthening cyber readiness and safeguarding businesses against evolving threats.

Shane Riedman, president of antifraud analytics at Verisk, discusses trends as outlined in recent company reports highlighting the sharp rise in collision severity, evolving subrogation strategies, and the growing role of data and AI in helping insurers improve speed, accuracy, and recovery outcomes.

Dale Porfilio, formerly chief insurance officer of the Insurance Information Institute, discusses the ongoing threat of lightning-related losses, insurer mitigation efforts and shifting storm patterns impacting risk.