AM Best Radio Podcast

Nathan Riedel, SVP, federal government affairs, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, discusses how social inflation and litigation funding drive claims costs and premiums, and how agents can educate clients and advocate for reforms.

Matt Blackley, president and CEO, MapleTech, discusses how the company is leveraging AI, cloud-native platforms and intelligent automation to transform insurance operations while keeping client relationships and human trust at the forefront.

Lawrence “Lars” Powell, director, Alabama Center for Insurance Information & Research, University of Alabama, said a study has found that trees caused nearly half of Hurricane Sally claims, even in fortified homes. Powell spoke with AM Best TV at the 130th annual NAMIC convention, San Diego.

Nate Baseman, head of data and technology, CAC Group, discusses the company's third-quarter market update and the latest trends and challenges insurers face heading into 2026.

Innovation and transformation coach Ibeth Ayala discusses in her book “No Risk No Fun: The Human Side of Innovation in Insurance” how people-centered leadership helps insurance leaders conquer fear, unlock creativity and lead change.

Ben Rose, co-founder and president of reinsurtech Supercede, said firms lose time pulling data from inconsistent spreadsheets, highlighting the need for cleaner information. Rose spoke with AM Best TV at the Rendez-Vous de Septembre conference, Monte Carlo.

John Menefee, enterprise cyber lead, and Lauren Winchester, head of cyber risk services, both of Travelers, discuss key findings of the 2025 Travelers Risk Index, which shows cyberthreats are the top concern for businesses.

Steve Kinion, captive insurance director, Oklahoma Insurance Department, said OneNexus Insurance was assigned an AM Best Credit Rating. Kinion spoke with AM Best TV at the 2025 Vermont Captive Insurance Association Conference, Burlington.

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.

William Koppelmann, president and CEO, Standard Premium Finance Management Corp., discusses how federal disaster programs, AI and resilient infrastructure can help insurers manage risk, stabilize premiums and better serve communities.

Meredith Brasher, insurance underwriter turned actor and podcast host shares how a quest to perfect her accent during lockdown unexpectedly evolved into “Insurance vs. History,” a podcast that uncovers how insurance has shaped pivotal moments from the Atlantic slave trade to the terror attacks on 9/11.

Dale Hoppe, vice president, workers' compensation programs, Nationwide E&S/S, said that partnering with return-to-work experts has shown that getting an employee back to work quickly and safely is both psychologically and economically beneficial after an injury.

Professors Patricia Born and Dana Telljohann discuss a Florida State University study on how insurers adjust coverage, filings, and regulatory engagement in response to severe natural disasters, highlighting implications for market stability, policyholders, and the evolving risks of climate change

Anna Tan, head of wholesale casualty, Axis Capital, said persistent loss pressures, evolving AI-driven operations and deepening broker specialization are reshaping casualty insurance.

Johnson Lambert's Chief Innovation Officer Dave Fuge explained how insurers can strengthen data quality, redesign workflows, and balance innovation with governance to fully harness the power of AI.

Vineet Bansal, chief Information and technology officer, The Mutual Group, said mutual insurers can still gain a competitive edge with AI if they focus first on strong core systems, quality data and trust-centered implementation.

Dave Sterner, senior vice president, research & development, ACORD, said top-performing specialty insurers excel through data-driven decision-making, strong distribution partnerships and incremental innovation.

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.