A.m. Best Radio Podcast

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.

Matt Cullina, Head of Transunion's Global Cyber Insurance Business discusses how prevalant cyberattacks have become and how insurers are addressing the problem for small business owners.  

Mark Garrett, director, Insurance Intelligence Practice, J.D. Power, discusses the company’s Auto Claims Satisfaction Study that finds that overall satisfaction with the auto insurance claims process has improved from last year.

Navigators Head of Wholesale Michael Garrison discussed the impact of inflation and catastrophes in the property market, and social inflation on the wholesale market. He spoke to AM Best TV at the 2023 WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego.

Michael Carr, head of U.S. excess and surplus property, Axis Wholesale, said dislocation in the marketplace is driven by increased frequency and severity of cat events, and a continued influx of submission activity. Carr spoke with AM Best TV at the 2023 WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego.

John Lavin, executive vice president, E&S property, U.S. insurance, Sompo International, said he expects continued rate increases from reinsurance programs and increased retentions ahead. Lavin spoke with AM Best TV at the 2023 WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego.

Lowell Bassett, casualty underwriter, Admiral Insurance, sees a return of bars and restaurants post-COVID and the rise of new liquor liability risks at ax throwing facilities. Bassett spoke with AM Best TV at the 2023 WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego.

Lauren Tredinnick, president, public entity risk solutions, Munich Re Specialty Insurance, said law enforcement excessive force is a unique challenge for municipalities. Tredinnick spoke with AM Best TV at the 2023 WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego.

Aon Edge President John Dickson said weather is winning the race between flood risk maps and the changing peril. He spoke with AM Best TV at the 2023 WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego.

Michael Parcelli, senior vice president, Xceedance, said cautious optimism abounds in the industry about implementation of artificial intelligence and ChatGPT. He spoke with AM Best TV at the 2023 WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego.

David Zell, vice president, specialty programs, QBE Insurance, said if a verdict goes awry, insurers sometimes audit the files of the defense attorney they hired, then seek recovery of some of the loss. Zell spoke with AM Best TV at the 2023 WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego.

Sam Baig and Jeff McNatt, both of Amwins, said the insurance property market is still recovering, while cyber coverage remains a challenge to the casualty sectors. Both spoke with AM Best TV at the WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego.

Jodie Kaufman Davis, EVP, H.W. Kaufman Group, said the insurance industry is providing opportunities to educate college students and graduates about what it has to offer. She spoke with AM Best TV at the 2023 WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego.

Brenda (Ballard) Austenfeld, national property CEO & president, RT Specialty, and a WSIA board member, said the continued growth of the surplus lines sector increases both the demand and opportunities for insurance talent.

A panel of industry experts at the 2023 WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego discussed how climate and technology are driving new and emerging exposures, and how innovation in excess & surplus makes that market well equipped to handle those risks.