A.m. Best Radio Podcast

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.