A.m. Best Radio Podcast

Western & Southern Financial Group Chairman, President and CEO John F. Barrett reviews his 37-year tenure, during which a regional insurance company transformed into a diversified financial services enterprise.

AM Best Associate Director David Blades and Senior Industry Analyst Chris Graham discuss a new report on the U.S. commercial auto insurance segment, which experienced a $5 billion net underwriting loss in 2023 and worsening conditions in early 2024.

Michael Wakefield, EVP, CAC Specialty, discusses how rising M&A activity is impacting pricing, coverage and new insurance solutions, including warranties, tax, and contingent risk insurance.

Michael Parcelli, senior vice president, Xceedance, said the flexible nature of managing general agents allows them to embrace technology, which is now an essential ingredient to remaining competitive. Parcelli spoke with AM Best TV at Target Markets' 24th Annual Summit, held in Scottsdale.

Mick Moloney, partner, Oliver Wyman, cited the growing influence of private capital and the evolution of asset management-led insurance models. Moloney spoke with AM Best TV at the Global Insurance Forum in Miami.

Dr. Mathilde Jakobsen and Tim Prince, both of AM Best, said the reinsurance sector has maintained a positive outlook, upgraded from stable earlier in the year, primarily driven by performance. Both spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best's Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Mark Garrett director of insurance industry analytics, JD Power, discusses the growing focus on digital enhancements in the insurance industry, particularly in claims processing.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple highlighted four key property insurance reforms passed in his first regular session. Temple spoke with AM Best TV at the Joint Industry Forum 2024 in Miami.

Joshua Landau, president, International Insurance Society, said data is an increasingly valuable currency in the industry as companies seek to build larger datasets to support analytical capabilities. Landau spoke with AM Best TV at the Global Insurance Forum in Miami.

Greg Carter, managing director, analytics, EMEA & Asia Pacific, said national scale ratings in markets including India, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam, aim to better differentiate between companies within specific territories. Carter spoke with AM Best TV at the 20th Singapore International Reinsurance Conference.

Jess Fung, managing director and North American cyber analytics lead at Guy Carpenter, and Emma Ye, At-Bay vice president of risk, discuss a joint research report that explores the limitations of cyber catastrophe modeling for small- and medium-size businesses.

Senior AM Best analysts discuss 2025 outlooks and key factors that will impact the insurance industry in the coming year.

Stan Smith, CEO of Gradient AI, explores the transformative impact of generative artificial intelligence on the insurance industry, predicting innovations in claims management, underwriting, and operational efficiency for 2025 and beyond.

AM Best Financial Analyst Helen Andersen reviews a new report that shows higher premiums and lower combined ratios have improved the results of personal auto insurers in the United States. 

Chris Williams, EPL Product Manager at Travelers, warns employers about the heightened risks of employee-related claims during the holiday season, including issues around holiday parties, temporary staffing, and workplace stress, and provides practical steps to manage these exposures through careful planning and up-to-date EPLI policies.

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.