A.m. Best Radio Podcast

AM Best expects the profitability of London Market companies to moderate over 2026 but remain positive, subject to normal catastrophe experience in the remainder of the year, according to a recent Best's Market Segment Report discussed by Kanika Thukral, associate director, analytics, AM Best.

Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo details his BestWire reporting that shows Oklahoma and Georgia emerging as pivotal political battlegrounds where debates over regulation, accountability and affordability are shaping the future of insurance oversight.

Amelia Fitch, president of the Society of Insurance Research, and host Tony Cañas discuss the SIR’s new podcast, which highlights behind-the-scenes insurance careers, fosters member engagement, and shares industry insights. 

Nancy Moussa, associate research director, LIMRA Insurance Product Research, discusses key trends shaping the Canadian life insurance market, including recent growth drivers, product performance and expectations for continued industry momentum.

News Editor Dave Pilla discusses his BestWire reporting that details how a new $40 billion U.S.-backed reinsurance facility, led by Chubb, aims to stabilize maritime trade through the Persian Gulf as shippers navigate ongoing geopolitical risk and safety concerns.

Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill discusses her BestWire story explaining Farmers’ plans to add new agency owners to its ranks, some for their new high net worth “Elite Owner Program.”

Susan Ghalili, SVP and chief underwriting officer at Pacific Life, explains how insights from the 2026 Underwriting Outlook Survey show insurers embracing AI as a powerful tool to enhance efficiency and decision-making while emphasizing that human expertise remains essential to maintaining trust, credibility, and sound risk assessment.

A new Best's Special Report discussed by AM Best Associate Director Jason Hopper finds the 2025 net income for U.S. life/annuity industry rose to the highest level in the past five years.

Lynn O’Leary, president of Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions, explains that in 2026, business leaders should strengthen their short-term risk awareness and long-term resilience.

Sr. Associate Editor Steve Hallo reports the National Association of Insurance Commissioners is requiring insurers to submit detailed homeowners data from 2018–2025 to assess affordability, carrier strength, and the impact of rising climate and litigation-driven costs.

AM Best Senior Director Wai Tang and Director Matthew Tuite discuss a new Best's Special Report that finds that the ILS market is expected to grow in 2026, albeit slower than 2025.

Michael Barrett, principal/agent, Trusted Choice board member, Vermont national director for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, discusses how few Americans review their insurance annually, leaving coverage gaps and opportunities for agents to engage clients proactively.

Helen Andersen, industry research analyst, discusses two new Best's Special Reports that find upgrades and downgrades both declined for the P/C segment in 2025, while life and health insurers saw an increase in upgrades but not downgrades.

Joseph Roethel, director, AM Best, discusses two Best's Special Reports that found no catastrophe-driven P/C impairments following three years of elevated storm losses, while recent health impairments include a number of troubled affiliates.

Ben Diaz-Clegg, associate director, analytics, AM Best, discusses a Best's Special Report that finds the stability of macroeconomic conditions through 2024 and 2025, in addition to generally robust levels of profitability in many segments, underpinned the strengthening of key balance sheet strength fundamentals.

Jason Ragsdale, AVP risk management technical specialization at Nationwide, discusses a company survey revealing while more than 90% of commercial property owners are confident in their buildings’ structural integrity, fewer than 40% feel fully protected against severe weather, highlighting a gap between awareness and preparedness.

David Blades, associate director, AM Best, discusses a new Best's Special Report that finds muted insured catastrophe losses during the second half of 2025 significantly benefitted net underwriting income for the year.

Hollie Campe-Astridge, assistant vice president in the Sports & Recreation Department at Philadelphia Insurance Cos., said health and wellness trends are continuing to support demand for outdoor experiences.

David Bock, associate vice president, head of Midwest and West Public D&O for Nationwide’s commercial liability team, discusses how micro- and small-cap public companies differ from larger public companies in risk profile, claims activity and governance structure.

Brian Botkin, chief underwriting officer at MSIG USA, said that the company’s growth has come through a very disciplined underwriting approach and a build-out of its specialty underwriting capabilities.