A.m. Best Radio Podcast

Rob Schimek, group CEO, Bolttech, said the insurtech firm, which operates on four continents, emphasizes collaboration as crucial to addressing the global protection gap. Schimek spoke with AM Best TV at the Global Insurance Forum in Miami.

Michel Leonard, chief economist and data scientist, Insurance Information Institute, acknowledged concerns about rising premiums while emphasizing insurers' responsibility to maintain solvency. Leonard spoke with AM Best TV at the GIF conference.

Global medical costs are projected to rise by over 10% in 2025 for the third consecutive year, driven by advancements in medical technology, rising pharmaceutical prices, and increasing reliance on private health care. Linda Pham, global health and risk leader at WTW, discusses regional variations, the growing role of mental health services, and strategies for insurers and employers.

Phillip Maddox, a workers’ compensation senior consultant with Nationwide, highlighted the company’s long history of success with workers’ compensation, emphasizing the importance of embracing technology.

Patrick Foy, senior director of strategic planning, TransUnion, discusses the recent surge in auto insurance shopping activity, driven by increased advertising and competition in auto and property lines, marking record highs in consumer inquiries.

Kim Mobley, a partner in business advisory services, and Matthew Kroniske, managing director, both of Johnson Lambert, delve into the evolving intersection of technology, regulation and insurance. They share their expertise on leveraging emerging technologies that enhance audit processes, manage cyberrisks and navigate regulatory landscapes without losing a client-focused approach.

Marc Adee, CEO, Crum & Forster, is positioning his book as a cautionary tale for the next generation of insurance professionals. He hopes to prevent the cyclical pattern of learning and forgetting industry lessons.

Dana Sutton, flood practice lead at NFP, discusses the evolving landscape of flood insurance, the misconceptions surrounding flood risk, and how both the private market and National Flood Insurance Program can work together.

Andrea Keenan, EVP and chief strategy officer, AM Best, expressed confidence in the sector's adaptability, citing its evolution from horse-and-buggy to automobile coverage. Keenan spoke with AM Best TV at the Global Insurance Forum in Miami.

Chris Blunt, CEO of F&G Annuities and Life, discusses the findings of the company's new 'Risk Tracker' that shows events of the past year have impacted views on retirement and risk for the year ahead. Notably, it found that 80% of U.S. investors continue to cite inflation as the top concern.

Michael Bacon, Head of US L&H Globals and US L&H Transaction Origination, Swiss Re, discussed tailored transactions.

Angela Yeo and Mahesh Mistry, both of AM Best, outline the increasingly complex nature of global risk assessment in the insurance industry. Both spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Tresa Stephens, regional head of cyber at Allianz Commercial, discusses the surge in large cyber claims, attributing it to increased data breaches, evolving AI-powered threats, and the growing need for robust cyber hygiene practices.

Jose Berenguer and Romeo Berti, both of AM Best, said insurers' adoption of IFRS-17 has not substantially altered the fundamentals of operating performance. Both spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings.

Matt Zender, Senior vice president, workers’ compensation strategy at AmTrust Financial Services, discusses key findings from the 2024 Restaurant Risk Report, revealing the substantial impact of back injuries, burns, and strains caused by work-related insurance claims.

Todor Kitin and Morgane Hillebrandt, both of AM Best, said growing economic uncertainty and escalating geopolitical conflicts have led to an anticipated increase in the frequency of cyberattacks.

Edin Imsirovic, director, AM Best, said improvements in computing and data availability have created critical mass for AI development. Imsirovic spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Stephen Crewdson, senior director at J.D. Power, details the firm’s latest Loyalty Indicator & Shopping Trends report, conducted in collaboration with TransUnion. The report provides an overview of insurance shopping and loyalty behavior. The third quarter started slowly before rebounding in August and September. 

Anthony Silverman and Konstantin Langowski, both of AM Best, said that while IFRS-17 represents a significant step forward in insurance reporting, the industry can expect continued refinement and development in reporting practices.

Marcus Daley, technical co-founder of NeuralMetrics, explores the transformative impact of autonomous AI assistants in insurance, highlighting how these advanced agents enhance efficiency, adapt to complex tasks and empower underwriters to improve risk assessments and customer engagement.