AM Best Radio Podcast

Robert Lewis, CEO, INTX Insurance Software, discusses the need for end-to-end policy management systems in property/casualty insurance, and the challenges of legacy software.

Swiss Re Chief Underwriting Officer-Casualty, Laure Forgeron, breaks down short- and long-term forces, including inflation, tariffs, evolving mobility patterns and emerging technologies that are redefining risks and strategies in the $2.2 trillion global motor reinsurance sector.

Sridhar Manyem, senior director, industry relations Americas, AM Best, discusses regulatory sandboxes for testing products, and how AI is being used in pricing and claims. Manyem spoke with AM Best TV at the InsurTech Hartford Symposium 2025.

Eleanor Bragg, a research analyst with Verisk Extreme Event Solutions, discusses how systemic risks including “forever chemicals” litigation, climate change liability and artificial intelligence are reshaping the insurance industry's approach to modeling and mitigation.

Bill Ross, CEO, Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, discusses key takeaways from the 2025 IICF Philanthropic Roundtable, where industry leaders from 26 insurance organizations explored innovative ways to integrate corporate social responsibility, enhance volunteerism and strengthen community leadership across the sector.

Stephen Crewdson, senior director, J.D. Power, discusses how stabilized switching rates despite high shopping activity signal a shift in consumer behavior, prompting insurers to focus on retention, digital engagement and identifying high-value customers in the auto and homeowners insurance market.

Joan Woodward, who joined Travelers 16 years ago from Goldman Sachs, discusses her role in leading the Travelers Institute's podcast initiative, which explores the intersection of business, insurance and public policy.

Ivan Gonzalez, CEO, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, said companies are turning to parametric solutions, catastrophe bonds and captive arrangements that offer custom coverage. Gonzalez spoke with AM Best TV at the RIMS RISKWORLD conference, held in Chicago.

William Mule, global risk solutions practice leader, Hub International, discusses how multinational companies are adapting to geopolitical instability, climate change and evolving ESG regulations through proactive risk management and innovative insurance solutions.

Allen Kirsh, head of claims, judicial and legislative affairs, Zurich Insurance, discusses the growing impact of social inflation and legal-system abuse on insurance, and how his team is working with policymakers and industry leaders to champion meaningful tort reform.

Mark Popolizio, vice president of Medicare Secondary Payer compliance at Verisk, discusses key 2025 CMS policy updates, new reporting requirements and strategies insurers can use to stay compliant, reduce costs and mitigate liability under the evolving MSP framework.

AM Best Chief Ratings Officer Ken Johnson unpacks the latest industry outlooks, the growing impact of private equity and offshore reinsurance structures, and the importance of transparency and balance sheet discipline amid evolving global regulations in this repost of the InsuranceAUM.com.podcast.

Brittney McLaughlin, vice president of underwriting for human and social services at Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY), said the landscape for human and social service risks is constantly changing. As the landscape continues to evolve, PHLY remains committed to providing innovative solutions that help human and social service organizations manage risk effectively, she said.

Keith Golembiewski, assistant vice president and head of LIMRA research, said that strong interest rates, market performance and growing awareness among plan sponsors fueled a record-breaking year for pension risk transfer deals.

Dawn Walker, associate director, AM Best, warns of privacy concerns as the sector increasingly adopts automation technologies. Walker spoke with AM Best TV at the InsurTech Hartford Symposium 2025.

Mike Antognoli, Allstate's mobile product director, said the insurer's app, which has five million monthly users, uses driving information to tailor risk management and offer cost savings for safe driving. The app also aims to build connections to alert customers to where to park, cheap fuel, and potential weather hazards, he said. 

AM Best Director Ann Modica discusses the implications of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's decision to hold interest rates steady, and what the bond market is telling us about the future of monetary policy this year.

Aaron Hillebrandt, principal and consulting actuary, Pinnacle Actuarial Resources, said diversification of risk is important—and a great strategy.

Craig Schioppo, global head, Marsh's Transactional Risk Group, discusses how a resurgence in M&A activity, growing demand for tax insurance, and expansion into emerging markets like Dubai and Latin America drove significant global growth in the transactional risk insurance market in 2024.

Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Nathan Houdek said the largest risks for property/casualty insurance are tied to severe weather and cyber. Another concern is consolidation in the health market with rising costs pressuring health insurance buyers. Houdek spoke at ReConnect 2025, a reinsurance conference in the Cayman Islands.

Natalie Kelly, head of life & health global underwriting, Swiss Re, explains why long-term health benefits from blood sugar regulators also depend on sustained behavior change, personalized underwriting and the strategic use of behavioral science.

AM Best Director Ann Modica explains that with first-quarter GDP unexpectedly shrinking by 0.3%, the Federal Reserve faces mounting pressure to navigate between curbing persistent inflation and avoiding a deeper economic slowdown.

In a book he co-authored, Sustainability and the Insurance Market: Trends and Challenges, University of Valencia's Juan Bataller-Grau explores sustainability's impact on insurance, shaping risk management, responsibility and profitability.

Brandon Nuttall, chief digital and AI officer for Xceedance, said generative AI is becoming more integral for insurance executives' technology strategy, but moving from “buzz to business value” remains a challenge.

Louis Gritzo, chief science officer and staff senior VP, FM, said a new Science and Technology Center in Luxembourg, set to open in 2027, will drive innovation and risk mitigation in commercial property insurance across EMEA.

Lisa Harris, EVP of natural resources, CAC Specialty, discusses the insurance ramifications of the Keystone Pipeline spill, exploring risk mitigation strategies, environmental liability and how brokers and insurers can better collaborate with energy clients to manage critical infrastructure risk.

Michel Léonard, chief economist and data scientist, Triple-I, explores how inflation, interest rates, third-party litigation and global tariff uncertainty are reshaping underwriting, investment strategies and the industry's protection gap.

Carter Lawrence, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, said choices and competition in a business-friendly environment will help the insurance market meet the needs of the state's growing population. Lawrence spoke with AM Best TV at the CIRCA ReConnect Conference in Grand Cayman.

Srdjan Todorovic, head of political violence and hostile environment solutions at Allianz Commercial, discusses key findings from the latest Allianz report, including terrorism trends, sabotage threats and the growing complexity of civil unrest that businesses face worldwide.

Jordan Barker, climate risk specialist, Beazley, discusses how rising economic uncertainty is pushing sustainability lower on the corporate agenda, despite growing exposure to extreme weather and energy transition risks.

Bryan Hodgens, head of research, LIMRA, discusses how economic pressures, remote work trends, and rising employer expectations are transforming benefits brokers into data-driven, consultative partners.

Raju Seetharaman, technology chief, Legal & General America, discusses how AI, data analytics and digital innovation are transforming life insurance by streamlining underwriting, empowering agents and expanding access for customers with complex health profiles.

Climate risk, supply chain and geopolitical risk continue to be major concerns, said Christopher Majka, staff vice president of data visualization, FM. He noted that proprietary cybersecurity data has been introduced into the index this year.

Neil Sprackling, CEO of Life and Health Re US at Swiss Re, explores how breakthroughs in personalized medicine, metabolic health and early disease detection are transforming longevity expectations and underwriting in the insurance industry.

AM Best Associate Director Jason Hopper and Industry Analyst Kaitlin Piasecki discuss a new Best's Special Report that finds eligibility redeterminations after public health emergencies are leading to a mismatch between acuity and rates.

John Dickson, CEO and president of Insurmark, discusses the rising frequency and severity of tornadoes, wind, and hail storms, the evolving insurance landscape, and the critical steps homeowners and agents should take to mitigate risk and ensure adequate coverage.

Aaron Hillebrandt, principal and consulting actuary, Pinnacle Actuarial Resources, said diversification of risk is important—and a great strategy.

In his book, Claims-Made Insurance: The Policy That Changed the Industry, Fisher Consulting President Frederick Fisher explores the intricacies of claims-made policies, offering a comprehensive guide to their evolution, components and challenges.

John Lopes, executive vice president, Nationwide Alternative Ventures and Emerging Markets, said that given the size and scope of the company, Nationwide is one of the most diversified carriers in the U.S.

Wai Tang, senior director, and Matt Tuite, director, both of AM Best, discuss a new Best's Special Report that finds ILS capacity reached a record high in 2024, as did issuance of 144A natural catastrophe bonds.

Suzanne Williams-Charles, CEO of Bermuda International Long-Term Insurers and Reinsurers, discusses how the island is balancing robust regulation with innovation in life and annuity markets.

While cyber is becoming more of an operational risk, increased severity trends and emerging technologies such as AI are raising concerns, said Ziad Kubursi, head of Financial & Executive Liability, Hartford Financial.

Justin Hakes, senior vice president of public affairs, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, discusses the success of the Insurance Uncovered podcast, its role in delivering key industry insights, and how it keeps members informed on pressing insurance issues.

Rapid premium rate increases, coupled with pockets of higher reinsurance pricing, also expands the need for higher capital, said Jason Hopper, associate director, AM Best, discussing a new Best's Special Report.

AM Best Director Edward Kohlberg highlights a new Best's Market Segment Report that determines that economic conditions, regulatory frameworks and engaging products will reshape the future of the Life/Annuity market.

David Meinen, CIO at SIAA, discusses how artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and high-quality data are revolutionizing independent insurance agencies, enabling them to enhance customer relationships, improve underwriting, and drive business growth in an increasingly competitive market.

With over 14,000 YouTube subscribers and 21,000 LinkedIn connections, Prasath Parthiban, host of the PNC Insurance Helpline, is on a mission to make insurance concepts accessible by empowering small business owners, newcomers, and industry professionals alike through short, insightful, and non-monetized videos.

Paul Giliberto, head of management liability, private non-profit, Zurich Insurance, discusses the evolving private directors and officers insurance market, highlighting increased competition, the impact of M&A slowdowns and emerging risks such as rising bankruptcies and interest rate pressures. Giliberto spoke with AM Best TV at the PLUS D&O Symposium in New York City.

Justin Baker, AVP of life insurance, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, discusses how the industry is leveraging electronic health records and real-time health insights to enhance underwriting, improve risk assessment, and expand access to coverage.

AM Best Senior Director Jacqalene Lentz outlines a new Best's Market Segment Report that finds despite weather-related catastrophe losses, overall P/C underwriting results improved in 2024, and AM Best expects the industry to build on its solid rebound in 2025.

Franklin Manchester, global insurance strategic advisor at SAS Institute explais how insurance leaders face a growing ethical responsibility to close the global protection gap — leveraging AI, data, and technology to build resilient communities while overcoming trust barriers and adapting to climate-driven risks.