AM Best Radio Podcast

Follow AM Best Radio Podcast
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Insurance news, interviews, rating announcements and more.

A.M. Best Company


    • Jul 20, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 11m AVG DURATION
    • 1,726 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from AM Best Radio Podcast with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from AM Best Radio Podcast

    BestWire: State Farm, New York Life Hold Top Spots in AM Best's Mutual Insurer Rankings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2026 4:35 Transcription Available


    Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill breaks down the latest Best's Rankings of the nation's largest mutual property/casualty and life/health insurers, highlighting State Farm's commanding lead in P/C, New York Life's continued dominance in L/H, and notable shifts among the top writers.

    BestWire: NAIC Cyber Breach Exposed Public Data, Regulators Say

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2026 4:54 Transcription Available


    Senior Associate Editor Terry Dopp discusses his BestWire reporting on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which is responding to a cybersecurity breach that investigators have linked to the ShinyHunters hacking group.

    Constangy's Godfrey: Businesses Seek More-Tailored Cyber Protection as Risks Escalate

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2026 8:36 Transcription Available


    In a book she co-edited, “A Practical Guide to Cyber Insurance for Businesses,” Lauren Godfrey, partner, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, discusses cyber insurance, including evolving threats and data-driven underwriting and claims.

    Triple-I's Worters and Lightning Protection Institute's Collins: Lightning Losses Strike Harder as Claim Costs Climb

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2026 14:16 Transcription Available


    Loretta Worters, VP, media relations, Insurance Information Institute, and Kelley Collins, director, business development and communications, Lightning Protection Institute, discuss rising lightning losses, claim trends and risk mitigation.

    Amwins Benefits' Robinson and Caldwell: Rising Costs, Regulatory Shifts Reshape Employee Benefits Market

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2026 16:40 Transcription Available


    John Robinson, VP, strategy, and Abigail Caldwell, SVP and health actuary, Amwins Benefits, discuss how insurers and employers are adapting to rising benefit costs and an evolving employee benefits risk landscape.

    BestWire: Progressive Widens Lead as Nation's Top Auto Insurer in AM Best Rankings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2026 3:41 Transcription Available


    Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill details her BestWire reporting showing Progressive strengthened its position as the nation's largest auto insurer in AM Best's latest rankings, increasing its market share while pulling further ahead of State Farm.

    AM Best: First Look – Three-Month 2026 US Life/Annuity Financial Results

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2026 3:04 Transcription Available


    Net income grew during the first three months of 2026, according to a new Best's Special Report discussed by Kaitlin Piasecki, industry research analyst, AM Best.

    ACLI's Chavern: Retirement Readiness Becomes Leading Indicator of Financial Resilience

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2026 11:44


    David Chavern, president and CEO, ACLI, discusses key findings from ACLI's latest Financial Resilience Index survey and what they reveal about retirement readiness, financial resilience, consumer concerns about the future and retirement priorities.

    Cambridge Mobile Telematics Co-Founder Explains How AI, Sensors Affect Auto Safety

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2026 22:36 Transcription Available


    Hari Balakrishnan, MIT professor and co-founder of Cambridge Mobile Telematics, developed technology used in more than 50 million vehicles that is changing auto safety, insurance underwriting and could underpin a “universal driving score.” 

    BestWire: Chubb Leads Latest Cyber Rankings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2026 2:33 Transcription Available


    AM Best Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo discusses his BestWire reporting showing the 2025 rankings of U.S. standalone cyber insurers, highlighting Chubb's rise to the top spot, Beazley's dramatic climb, and continued growth in the cyber insurance market.

    Mutual Group's Troy: Capital, Technology and AI Can Help Mutual Insurers Thrive

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2026 10:55 Transcription Available


    Tom Troy, the Mutual Group's CEO, discusses how the organization is helping mutual insurers preserve their independence while gaining access to capital, technology modernization and AI capabilities needed to compete in a rapidly evolving market.

    AM Best: Specialty Legal Professional Liability Insurers Continue to Grow, Despite Varied Performance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2026 9:08 Transcription Available


    A new Best's Market Segment Report discussed by AM Best Associate Director David Blades finds that for smaller LPL firms, the key aggregate underwriting ratios are highly variable, largely attributable to the size of most of these insurers.

    Issues & Answers: PHLY's Underwriting Edge

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2026 7:20 Transcription Available


    Kristin Stein, VP of PHLY E&S Insurance Solutions, spoke with Best's Review about how insurers are adapting their underwriting strategies and identifying new opportunities for growth.

    Issues & Answers: Precision Protection

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2026 9:49 Transcription Available


    Marcy Pelecky, SVP, Casualty and Professional Liability Programs, Nationwide E&S Specialty, spoke with Best's Review about how growing risk complexity is driving demand for highly specialized insurance products.

    AM Best Rankings Spotlight Growth Trends Across P&C, Life/Health Markets

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2026 6:31 Transcription Available


    AM Best Senior Associate Editors Renee Kiriluk-Hill and Terry Dopp discuss new Best's Rankings highlighting growth across the property/casualty and life and health sectors, including standout results from Progressive and Athene.

    AM Best's Modica and Creedy-Smith: Central Banks Signal a Tougher Stance on Inflation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2026 14:34 Transcription Available


    AM Best's Ann Modica and James Creedy-Smith examine the latest moves by the European Central Bank and Federal Reserve, discussing inflation risks, potential rate hikes, and what investors should watch in the months ahead.

    Author: Rising Risks Demand Smarter Commercial Property Coverage Decisions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2026 26:14 Transcription Available


    In his book "How to Acquire, Understand, and Make a Successful Claim on a Commercial Property Insurance Policy," Barry Zalma, founder, Barry Zalma Inc., explores how clear policy communication and strong claims handling reduce coverage gaps.

    AM Best: US D&O Liability – Still Profitable but Warning Signs Are Evident

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2026 10:17 Transcription Available


    AM Best Director David Blades and Senior Industry Analyst Christopher Graham discuss a new Best's Market Segment Report that finds favorable underwriting margins may dissipate if adverse reserve development trends persist.

    Triple-I's Nibbelin: Pet Insurance Growth Accelerates Amid Rising Veterinary Costs, Liability Risks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2026 10:35 Transcription Available


    Lewis Nibbelin, research writer, Insurance Information Institute, discusses the rapid growth of the pet insurance market, rising veterinary costs and evolving liability, and coverage gaps shaping risks for insurers and pet owners.

    Insurance Banter Podcast: Cutting Through Industry Noise With Candid Conversations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2026 12:58 Transcription Available


    Insurance Banter Podcast hosts Chris Burand and Paul Borup share how their long-running podcast delivers sharp real-world insights from industry insiders, helping insurance professionals navigate emerging risks, market shifts and the future of the business.

    BestWire: Former Insurance Executive Sentenced to 12 Years for Fraud, Bribery, Related Schemes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2026 4:24 Transcription Available


    Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo reports that former insurance executive Greg Lindberg has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for orchestrating a $2 billion fraud scheme that evolved to include money laundering and bribery.

    AM Best: Florida Reforms Are Positive Developments; Underwriting Discipline Remains Essential

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 7:00 Transcription Available


    AM Best Senior Financial Analyst Lauren Magro highlights a new Best's Special Report that finds the Florida property insurance market has become increasingly manageable due to recent legislative reforms, along with a light weather year that drove substantial earnings in 2025.

    PRMA's Delaney: Growing Inland Flood Risks Drive More Proactive Client Conversations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2026 8:47 Transcription Available


    Diane Delaney, executive director, Private Risk Management Association, discusses how expanding inland flood risks are reshaping insurance conversations and reinforcing the need for more proactive client education on coverage gaps and preparedness.

    LIMRA's Golembiewski: US Annuity Sales Top $100B for 10th Straight Quarter in 1Q 2026

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2026 23:55 Transcription Available


    Keith Golembiewski, AVP, director, annuity research, LIMRA, discusses sustained strength in U.S. annuity sales, driven by market volatility, higher interest rates and demand for protected growth and retirement income solutions.

    MIT's Budden: Future Insurance Leadership Drives Innovation Through Customized Executive Development

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2026 9:47 Transcription Available


    Phillip Budden, MIT Sloan School of Management, discusses how tailored leadership programs, aligned with AM Best's approach to assessing innovation, help insurers harness AI, digital transformation and growth mindset strategies.

    AM Best: Personal Auto, Homeowners Markets' Stabilization Evident Despite Decline in Approved Rate Changes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2026 10:51 Transcription Available


    AM Best Director David Blades and Associate Analyst Dylan Catania discuss a new Best's Special Report that finds 2025 marked a significant shift back to pre-pandemic levels after years of large rate increases to keep up with elevated losses.

    AM Best: P/C, Health Insurers Exceed Cost of Capital; Life Insurers Narrowly Miss

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2026 4:41 Transcription Available


    Helen Andersen, industry research analyst, AM Best, outlines a new Best's Special Report that finds P/C insurers make record returns while health and life/annuity segments are challenged.

    AM Best: US Medical Professional Liability Premium Growth Slows Further

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2026 6:21 Transcription Available


    A new Best's Market Segment report discussed by AM Best Associate Directors Connor Brach and Vicky Riggs, finds that MPL insurers have generated an underwriting loss in each of the past five years, reflecting slippage in rate adequacy and increased loss severity.

    BestWire: Acrisure Plans to Lay Off 11% of Workforce as Tech, AI 'Fundamentally' Change Business

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2026 3:14 Transcription Available


    Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill explains how global broker Acrisure plans to lay off about 11% of its workforce as advancing technology and artificial intelligence are fundamentally changing how businesses operate, according to a memo distributed to employees.

    LexisNexis' Donaldson: Auto Insurance Shopping Cools Slightly, but Remains Near Record Highs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2026 12:52 Transcription Available


    Greg Donaldson, senior vertical market manager, market intelligence, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, discusses evolving auto insurance shopping trends, consumer behavior, affordability pressures and shifting retention dynamics.

    BestWire: Industry Warns of Rate Increases Following Illinois Senate's Passage of Auto Insurance Bill

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2026 3:48 Transcription Available


    Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo discusses his reporting that details how the Illinois Senate's passage of an automobile insurance rate bill is triggering warnings from insurance industry trade groups of impending rate increases should the legislation be enacted.

    Flood Insurance Reform Proposals Aim to Reduce NFIP Debt, Boost Competition

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2026 4:52 Transcription Available


    AM Best Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo discusses proposed FEMA and National Flood Insurance Program reforms that could expand the role of private flood insurers, reshape risk-based pricing and increase consumer flood coverage options.

    LIMRA's Terry: US Individual Life Insurance Market Posts Strong 1Q Growth as Insurers Adapt to Shifting Demand, Economic Headwinds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2026 11:20 Transcription Available


    Karen Terry, corporate vice president, head of insurance research, LIMRA, discusses 2026's strong start in the U.S. individual life insurance market, with a 10% rise in first-quarter sales driven by demand, distribution growth and underwriting.

    Aon Edge's Dickson: Rising Flood Risks Reshape Insurance Preparedness, Coverage Strategies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2026 10:43


    Aon Edge President and CEO John Dickson discusses how rising flood exposure, shifting weather patterns and growing protection gaps are reshaping underwriting, risk management and coverage strategies across the insurance industry.

    Issues & Answers: Staying the Course

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2026 14:15 Transcription Available


    Elizabeth Henderson, head of fixed income; Principal and director of corporate credit at AAM said that the integration between research and trading allows the company to pair strong credit conviction with efficient execution.

    Issues & Answers: Infrastructure Debt Edge

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2026 6:40 Transcription Available


     Sarayli, head of Barings North America Infrastructure Group spoke with Best's Review to explore how infrastructure debt is being used within insurer assets. 

    Geneva Association's Schernberg: Insurers and Governments Urged to Rethink Risk-Sharing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2026 23:15 Transcription Available


    Hélène Schernberg, director of public policy and regulation at the Geneva Association, outlines how rising climate, cyber, and systemic risks are widening the gap between economic and insured losses.

    ABIR's Huff: Catastrophe Losses, Capital Shifts Reshape Global Reinsurance Landscape

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2026 11:56


    John Huff, CEO, Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, discusses trends shaping the global reinsurance market, including catastrophe capacity, climate risk, alternative capital and Bermuda's leadership in risk transfer innovation.

    AM Best: Artificial Intelligence Appears to Be Ready, but Most Insurers Are Not

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2026 9:16 Transcription Available


    Edin Imsirovic, director, and Kaitlin Piasecki, industry research analyst, both of AM Best, discuss the results of a recent AM Best survey that evaluates the industry's position on strategy and implementation of artificial intelligence.

    U of Wisconsin's Collier: Climate Shocks Push Insurers to Rethink Small-Business Coverage

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2026 17:56 Transcription Available


    Benjamin Collier, associate professor, risk and insurance, University of Wisconsin-Madison, discusses research he co-authored on Hurricane Harvey, showing how severe climate events strain small businesses and create opportunities for insurers.

    CIRCA's Romer: ReConnect Growth Highlights Rising Interest in Cayman Reinsurance

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2026 13:15 Transcription Available


    Record attendance, expanded programming, and growing global participation underscore increasing interest in Cayman's reinsurance market and its evolving regulatory framework, said Faramarz Romer, CFO, Greenlight Re, and chair, CIRCA. Romer spoke with AM Best TV at the CIRCA ReConnect Conference in Grand Cayman.

    Teneo's Kajiwara: Geopolitical Risks Drive Need for Agility and Scenario Planning

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2026 7:20 Transcription Available


    Kevin Kajiwara, global chair, political risk advisory, Teneo, discusses how shifting global dynamics are influencing insurance markets, underscoring the importance of adaptability and strategic risk assessment. Kajiwara spoke with AM Best TV at the CIRCA ReConnect Conference in Grand Cayman.

    Issues & Answers: From AI Experimentation to Measurable Impact

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2026 8:24 Transcription Available


    Brandon Nuttall, chief digital and AI officer at Xceedance, said insurers must align AI initiatives to measurable business outcomes and embed governance into their deployment strategies to move beyond pilot programs and achieve enterprise-scale value.

    Issues & Answers: Double-Edged Innovation in the Insurance Industry

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2026 7:23 Transcription Available


    Rob Walling, principal and consulting actuary at Pinnacle Actuarial Resources, reminds us that actions have consequences, both foreseeable and unexpected. It would serve captive insurers well to understand that innovation and change come with unexpected outcomes. He asserts that while AI, for example, brings efficiency, it will likely bring some things that may be considered unwelcome: a classic double-edged sword.

    Author: Embedded Insurance, Tech Partnerships Fuel Asia's Insurance Growth

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2026 12:08 Transcription Available


    In her book “The Future of Insurance, Volume IV: Asia Rising,” Theresa Blissing, co-founder, Asia InsurTech Podcast, explores how Asia is driving the next wave of insurance innovation through digital-first and embedded solutions.

    AM Best's Modica: Warsh's Fed Leadership Could Be Shift Toward Leaner Central Bank Intervention

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2026 9:28 Transcription Available


    AM Best Director Ann Modica explains that Kevin Warsh could steer the Federal Reserve toward a smaller balance sheet, stricter limits on quantitative easing, and a more traditional approach to central banking.

    Making Automation Work for Agents

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 9:50 Transcription Available


    Philadelphia Insurance Cos. is leveraging automation and AI to streamline operations and strengthen agent relationships—all while maintaining the flexibility needed for complex risks. Brent Skiles, chief transformation officer, discusses how the company is balancing efficiency with flexibility in a rapidly evolving market.

    BestWire: Prudential Expects Two-Year Financial Hit From Japan Sales Suspension Could Reach $1 Billion

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2026 3:49 Transcription Available


    Senior Associate Editor Terry Dopp discusses his BestWire article that shows Prudential Financial Inc. could see an impact of about $1 billion over two years from a voluntary suspension of new sales the life insurer instituted after disclosing employee misconduct.

    Cayman Premier Ebanks: Reinsurance Growth Boosting Economy, Workforce Development

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2026 6:52 Transcription Available


    Expanding reinsurance activity is strengthening Cayman's economy while creating new career opportunities and driving investment in regulatory and technological innovation, said Andre Ebanks, premier of the Cayman Islands. Ebanks spoke with AM Best TV at the CIRCA ReConnect Conference in Grand Cayman.

    Triple-I and Fenix24 CEOs: Cyberrisk, Recovery Dominate Insurer Focus Amid Rising Threat Complexity

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2026 19:08 Transcription Available


    Sean Kevelighan, CEO, Insurance Information Institute, and Mark Grazman, CEO, Fenix24, discuss the evolving cyberthreat landscape and insurers' increasing focus on resilience, recovery and preparedness.

    AM Best's Manyem: Social Inflation Meets Economic Inflation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 13:13


    AM Best Senior Director Sridhar Manyem discusses a presentation he gave at RIMS RISKWORLD in Philadelphia that looked at how combined social and economic inflation are creating challenges for the insurance industry and how insurers are responding.

    Claim AM Best Radio Podcast

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel