A.m. Best Radio Podcast

The pace of change will never be this slow again, said Mo Tooker, head of Enterprise Sales & Distribution, Global Specialty, and Middle & Large Commercial, Hartford Financial, referencing the insurer's new Risk Monitor Report.

Allianz Report Identifies Major D&O Risk Trends Vanessa Maxwell, global head of financial lines for Allianz Commercial, discusses the company's recently released report that identifies the major directors and officers risk trends for 2024, including insolvencies, artificial intelligence and geopolitical risks.

Standard and nonstandard auto insurers are challenged by higher repair costs, labor and supply chain issues, and rising fatalities, said AM Best Associate Director David Blades and Associate Analyst Nasheeta Mahbub.

The direct incurred loss ratio for the first half of 2023 was more than three points above the prior year despite a 10.5% rise in premiums, said AM Best Associate Director David Blades and Senior Industry Analyst Christopher Graham.

Tresa Stephens, North American Head of Cyber for Allianz, details a new company report that looks at trends in cybersecurity. Trends show an increase in attacks that exploit software vulnerabilities and aim at digital supply chains.

Shireen Gammoh, global head of capital advisory and modeling, Gallagher Re, said insurers must consider volatility and tools to protect capital segments. Gammoh spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best’s Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Cameron Parker, head of P/C structured solutions, EMEA, Swiss Re, said investor appetite has shifted in search of higher returns. The insurance industry's recent performance has also sharpened concerns about delivering stable returns. Parker spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best’s Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Andy Moore, London Market leader and UK insurance regulatory leader, PwC, said higher rates and increasingly complex, interconnected risks require insurers to pay close attention to how they deploy capital. Moore spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best’s Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Adrian Cox, chief executive officer, Beazley, said the role of insurance extends beyond just pricing risk; it includes providing insight, risk management, and enabling progress. Cox spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best’s Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Kanika Thukral and Michael Dunckley, both associate directors, AM Best, also review changes to AM Best's holding company capital methodology. Both spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best’s Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Tony Silverman, director, credit rating criteria, research & analytics, AM Best, said combined ratios in non-life insurance will change, improving the quality of financial indicators. However IFRS 17 will mean that comparisons with other accounting standards such as US GAAP will require interpretation. Silverman spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best’s Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Mahesh Mistry and Angela Yeo, both senior directors and heads of analytics, AM Best, said global insurers face scenarios of polycrisis and permacrisis that are redefining markets and broadening the risk environment. Both spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best’s Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Greg Carter, managing director, analytics, AM Best, said reinsurers are refocusing on traditional role of balance sheet protection rather than on smoothing earnings or managing income statements. Carter spoke with AM Best TV at AM Best’s Europe Insurance Market & Methodology Briefings – London.

Tony Fenton, vice president of underwriting and product at Nationwide Property & Casualty, discusses a new survey that shows that while most business owners feel prepared for severe weather, their insurance agents aren’t so sure.

Alison Salka, senior vice president, director of research, LIMRA and LOMA, said life insurance execs name profitable growth and leveraging technology as top challenges; less than a third consider their companies well equipped to meet that challenge. 

Insurers have expanded their multi-strategy allocations for greater diversification benefits, said AM Best Associate Director Jason Hopper and Industry Analyst Helen Andersen, referencing a new Best’s Special Report.

Artificial intelligence has the potential for disruption as well as process breakthroughs in the insurance industry, said AM Best Director Edin Imsirovic, referencing a new Best's Commentary.

Doug Caccese, president of risk assessment at Verisk, said discussion is increasing in and around the insurance industry about equity and fairness.

Dave Fuge,  chief Innovation officer, Johnson Lambert, discusses how the insurance industry is deploying artificial intelligence right now, and how it could improve customer experience and data privacy in the future.

David Nelson, executive vice president, E&S Wholesale, Nationwide, said there's significant growth opportunities in the excess and surplus marketplace.