A.m. Best Radio Podcast

Professors Patricia Born and Dana Telljohann discuss a Florida State University study on how insurers adjust coverage, filings, and regulatory engagement in response to severe natural disasters, highlighting implications for market stability, policyholders, and the evolving risks of climate change

Anna Tan, head of wholesale casualty, Axis Capital, said persistent loss pressures, evolving AI-driven operations and deepening broker specialization are reshaping casualty insurance.

Vineet Bansal, chief Information and technology officer, The Mutual Group, said mutual insurers can still gain a competitive edge with AI if they focus first on strong core systems, quality data and trust-centered implementation.

Dave Sterner, senior vice president, research & development, ACORD, said top-performing specialty insurers excel through data-driven decision-making, strong distribution partnerships and incremental innovation.

Craig Martin, executive director, insurance intelligence, J.D. Power, discusses findings from a 2025 Independent Agent Satisfaction Study showing despite an improving market, many agents feel underserved by carriers, citing poor communication, unclear risk appetites and a lack of partnership.

In the latest edition of his book “Inside the Insurance Industry,” Risk and Insurance Services Consulting President Kevin Glaser discusses how data, AI and shifting risks are transforming insurance and reshaping how insurers serve customers.

Brendan Zyvoloski, manager of P&C content and Jamie Nelson, senior director, both of Zywave, discuss findings from the 2025 Broker Services Survey, highlighting how brokers must move beyond transactions to become trusted advisers through proactive communication, tailored risk management, and data-driven client support.

Ben Tucker, CEO, Munich Re Specialty Global Markets in North America, discusses expanding marine and cyber business lines, the evolving underwriting landscape, and how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping risk and opportunity.

Stephen Buonpane, president, Everest Evolution, explains that innovation, AI adoption and talent development are critical for excess & surplus insurers seeking to thrive amid social inflation, complex risks and rapid market change.

Matthew Berninger, principal cyber analyst at Marsh McLennan’s Cyber Risk Intelligence Center, explains how regular incident-response exercises and robust control implementation strengthen recovery from cyberattacks and correlate with fewer and less severe breach-related claims.

Reena Batra, vice president, data science, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, explains how falling rates, regional dynamics and direct digital channels are fueling a sharp rise in U.S. auto insurance shopping, with retention challenges pushing insurers to adopt more data-driven, customer-focused strategies.

Stefan Heck, founder and CEO, Nauto, explains how AI driver monitoring and predictive safety tools are helping fleets cut collisions, protect against multimillion-dollar verdicts and ease mounting insurance and labor pressures in the commercial trucking sector.

Brian Jorgensen, CEO of MetLife’s pet insurance business, details the growth of that business line and how its mobile app can help with pet care including, veterinary telehealth.

Sabine VanderLinden, managing partner & CEO of venture lab Alchemy Crew, says AI spending is wasted when companies don’t prepare staff for tech launches.

Lauren Magro, financial analyst, AM Best, said mutual insurers' premium growth is outpacing rising loss costs and driving improved loss ratios. Magro spoke with AM Best TV at the 130th annual NAMIC convention, San Diego.

Raj Bector, senior partner, and Piyush Sharma, partner, both of McKinsey & Company, explain how AI could cut costs by up to 40%, shift roles from “doers to reviewers,” and create a competitive divide between firms that embrace full-scale transformation and those that fall behind.

Bryan Hodgens, senior vice president and head of LIMRA research, explains why standalone long-term care coverage remains scarce, and how hybrid products are emerging as key solutions to help families and younger consumers manage rising caregiving and retirement risks.

Subramanian Sankaran, chief operating officer at Xceedance, said artificial intelligence is a multiplier, and if operations are fragile, AI multiplies fragility.”

Amar Reganti, managing director and fixed income and global insurance strategist at Wellington Management, said insurers enjoy the benefits of higher yields right now, but they should also make sure they are getting diversification across their entire spectrum of investments.

Aaron Hillebrandt, principal and consulting actuary for Pinnacle Actuarial Resources, spoke with Best’s Review about the importance of brokers and broker relationships.