A.m. Best Radio Podcast

Stephen Crewdson, managing director, Global Insurance Intelligence Group, JD Power, explains that rising homeowners and renters rates, especially among bundled customers, continue to fuel switching behavior and pose retention challenges for insurers.

Srini Koushik, president, AI and sustainability, Rackspace Technology, discusses AI’s impact on insurance through enhanced service, efficiency and ethical use in a shifting regulatory landscape.

Paul Kottler, U.S. president of Crawford & Company’s Global Technical Services, discusses how insurers are combining advanced technologies with expert adjusters to manage the growing complexity and cost of large-loss claims.

Steve Bowen, chief science officer, Gallagher Re, discusses the drivers behind 2025’s elevated catastrophe losses and what they signal for future climate and insurance risk.

Michael Balarezo, CEO of Adjusto and wildfire survivor, shares how personal loss, industry frustration, and emerging technology are reshaping the insurance claims process to be faster.

Steve Firko, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance, explains how mutual insurers’ policyholder-focused structure, long-term stability and deep industry ties uniquely position them to serve niche markets.

Shannon Woods, chief legal and compliance officer, Mutual Group, discusses the evolving regulatory landscape, the growth of AI, and how strategic partnerships and innovation are helping mutual insurers seize long-term opportunities.

Kimberly Landry, associate research director, LIMRA, discusses how insurers can support employers in boosting benefit satisfaction and addressing changing workforce needs through tailored offerings and improved communication.

Ann Modica, director credit rating, criteria and research at AM Best breaks down the recent decline of the US dollar, its fiscal drivers, and what the volatility means for insurers with global exposure.

Earlier this year, Pinnacle Actuarial Resources and CARFAX announced the release of a new vehicle scoring and automobile pricing tool called the CARFAX Vehicle Build Score (VBS). Pinnacle Senior Consulting Actuary Gary Wang discussed the value of the VBS solution for automobile insurers with AM Best TV.

James Crinnion, Vice President Commercial Surety at Philadelphia Insurance Companies, said that over the last five years, there’s been an explosion in surety-backed letters of credit. “There’s always been a push and pull between the surety industry and the banking industry,” he said.

Mark Friedman, PwC’s U.S. insurance deals leader, discusses the rise in insurance deal value in 2025, driven by strategic megadeals, strong investor interest and sector resilience.

Jason Ott, president, Aon Private Risk Management, discusses how affluent clients are proactively adapting to climate volatility through fortified properties, strategic insurance planning and evolving risk mitigation to safeguard high-value assets.

Kevin Sandelin, senior risk consulting engineer at Allianz Risk Consulting, discusses the growing frequency and severity of wildfires, their impact on industries like agriculture, utilities, and construction, and how insurers and clients can use emerging technologies and mitigation tools to better manage wildfire risk.

Melissa Carmichael, head of U.S. cyber, Beazley, discusses rising AI-driven cyberrisks and supply chain challenges, highlighting the critical role insurers play in strengthening cyber readiness and safeguarding businesses against evolving threats.

Shane Riedman, president of antifraud analytics at Verisk, discusses trends as outlined in recent company reports highlighting the sharp rise in collision severity, evolving subrogation strategies, and the growing role of data and AI in helping insurers improve speed, accuracy, and recovery outcomes.

Dale Porfilio, formerly chief insurance officer of the Insurance Information Institute, discusses the ongoing threat of lightning-related losses, insurer mitigation efforts and shifting storm patterns impacting risk.

Keith Golembiewski, assistant vice president, director of annuity research, LIMRA, discusses strong annuity sales, rising demand for guaranteed income and how insurers are adapting to meet evolving retirement needs.

Erika Melander, head of Nationwide’s national manufacturing practice, discusses how supply chain shifts are creating new risks for manufacturers and how insurance advisers can help manage them.

Stephen Cross, founding partner of McGill and Partners, CEO of McGill and Partners Europe, discusses the U.K. government’s new captive-friendly regulations and their potential to boost London as a top global captive insurance hub.