Podcasts - Insurance Journal

Closing the Gap, Fixing Pricing, and Facing Catastrophic Risk

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:01 +0000

Chris Methven breaks down the three defining challenges in today’s cyber insurance market: a massive protection gap, growing pressure on pricing adequacy, and the looming inevitability of a catastrophic cyber event that could reshape the entire industry. In this sneak peek, check out what Chris Methven, CEO of CyberCube has to say about the industry as he talks with Carrier Management’s Deputy Editor and the Insuring Cyber Podcast host Elizabeth Blosfield.

To view the entire episode, visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/26534/

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EP. 113: An Inside Look At CyberCube’s Next Chapter

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:00:06 +0000

In this episode of The Insuring Cyber Podcast, Chris Methven talks about recently stepping into his new role as CEO of CyberCube and shares how a major investment is fueling the company’s long-term vision. He unpacks the biggest challenges facing cyber insurers today—from the protection gap to pricing pressures and looming catastrophic risk—while exploring how AI is reshaping the threat landscape. Check it out!

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Quantifying Investment in Brand

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:00:22 +0000

We all love our favorite consumer brands. We feel like they understand us, like good friends. Why? In part because for years they’ve invested in branding targeted to us. Those investments are often difficult to explain to insurance finance pros, as insurance organizations typically grow by buying talent, books of business, and other firms. Insurance industry branding guru Lorraine Jeckells joins us to research she says will tie long-term branding investments to growth—specifically in the insurance industry. That’s just the ammo insurance marketers need, she says. “Share of voice equals share of market. The data is there, but mostly in the B2C world.” While insurance leaders are reassured by ROI showing results of tactical digital marketing campaigns, “on the brand level you’re still see a lot of underinvestment.” Lorraine is incoming chair of the Insurance Marketing & Communications Association, which hosts its annual conference in June. She will unveil the research results at the conference. Lorraine also outlines reasons for young people to join a dynamic industry like insurance. She encourages young professionals to “be brave, even if you doubt yourself. Everyone doubts themselves. It doesn’t matter how senior or impressive they are, they always have the little worry of failure. The difference is doing it anyway.”

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Fun with Financials

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:00:42 +0000

What could an insurance company finance guy bring to the On Point Podcast table? Turns out a lot of insight about the business… And some fun as well. We chat with Rob Looney, Westfield’s CFO. Rob grew up destined to be a numbers whiz—his mom was an insurance exec herself and his dad a banker. He is rooting for his peers around the insurance business to be more strategic, analytical and long-term focused—versus just crunching numbers. Finance professionals “are no longer in silos,” Rob says. “We used to just audit what happened in the past. Now we really require a focus on next year and the year after that.” He says an ideal state is for insurance leaders to be “calling finance before they make a decision… instead of just asking about last year.” Rob sees his leadership role as helping people do their jobs better and faster. “It’s very important to make decisions with sometimes imperfect information and stay calm under pressure,” he says, adding: “I tell people I want to hear about bad news right away. I’m not going to kill the messenger. I learned early on that clarity matters. I cannot possibly micromanage people who work for me, so I need to know what matters and teach them to make decisions and take risks—as long as they can back it with reasoning.”

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AI on Trial: Navigating the New Frontier of Legal E&O and Professional Liability

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The Insuring Cyber Podcast host Elizabeth Blosfield talks with Jencap’s Sean Burke about how generative AI is reshaping the legal landscape, forcing a radical evolution in E&O exposure as firms balance cutting-edge innovation with emerging malpractice risks. To watch the full episode with Sean Burke, and even more insights with Andy Sambandam of Clarip, visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/26478/

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EP. 112: Balancing the AI Tightrope of Innovation vs Liability

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:00:53 +0000

In this episode of The Insuring Cyber Podcast, two guests explore how AI is reshaping risk, governance, and liability across industries. Andy Sambandam, founder and CEO of Clarip, shares how insurers can strengthen data governance, improve data quality, and build privacy frameworks that support AI innovation while managing risk. Sean Burke, managing director at Jencap, also breaks down how generative AI is impacting the legal industry, from attorney use cases to evolving professional liability and E&O exposure. Check it out!

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Middle Ground is Collapsing

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:00:19 +0000

After working at carriers for 20 years, strategic consultant Brando Guerrero offers up some strong opinions on the future of insurance distribution. Listen as he dishes out some tough love. Driven by tech and competitive forces, the model is splitting into two very different paths, he says. Path 1 is high-touch, relationship-driven distribution, with independent agents providing consultative advice, deep expertise in complex risks, and higher premiums justified by service and risk selection. Path 2 is low-touch, tech-enabled distribution, with direct-to-consumer platforms, straight-through processing, and volume play with razor-thin margins. “Trying to be both won’t work, Brando argues. “Carriers that try to compete on price and service end up being mediocre at both.” He outlines ways carriers can get out of the middle. Who are the real winners in all of this? Probably MGAs and program administrators, Brando says. “They can bridge both sides with narrow risk classes. Their entire model is built around specialization. They don’t have the legacy problems carriers have. They can gin up capacity and go to the market very fast.” Agents and brokers too must face the music: Specialization is key. “If you’re a generalist agency trying to be everything to everyone, you’re in the same trap as a generalist carrier.” Brando is bullish on the future of the IA channel, especially for more complex risks. “Relationships have become more important. You need a human who understands the risk. AI can’t do that.”

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Inside Today’s Claims Departments: Caseloads, Culture, and Change

Ashley Waldrop — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:00:22 +0000

A behind-the-scenes look at how claims organizations are using data, training, and teamwork to balance caseloads, manage rising litigation pressures, and support adjusters in a rapidly evolving claims environment. To watch the full interview with Claims Journal’s Don Jergler and Broadspire’s Rob Evans visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/26270/

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‘Scrappy’ Learner Champions AI in Claims

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 10:00:20 +0000

Here’s an engaging chat with Heather Wilson, who challenged herself early to grow in her career—starting with Girl Scout cookie sales in grade school. Then, professional work beginning as a teenager in health care and financial services consulting in Japan and Russia launched a tech career. “I was just mesmerized” by data, she says. “I had a knack for language and…data was a language to me. I had an epiphany, and it was: This is the future. Not just for financial services, but for every industry.” Today, Heather is CEO of CLARA Analytics. The firm provides AI-driven models for carriers and self-insured firms to improve back-to-work and litigation reduction in BI claims. The claims process will improve, she says. Today, the adjuster’s load is very task oriented and administrative. “We will see AI take those over. Then the adjuster can really spend time with the patient and gain trust…” Heather says the insurance business doesn’t get enough credit for adopting change. “I find insurance executives are right there with other industries. They’re in their labs trying new things. All of them are just trying to figure it out, given the environments they’ve inherited…” In the same way she was mentored by teachers and bosses, Heather outlines some advice for young professionals: “You are going to have to do some grunt work and be scrappy at times. Learn the details. Have a work ethic. Be the eager beaver, be a listener and learner. Sign up for more, go the extra mile. Attitude is so worth it.”

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EP. 06: Making The Most of Technologies And Trends Impacting Adjusters

Ashley Waldrop — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:00:43 +0000

Being “really intentional” about ensuring that companies are using artificial intelligence to actually helping adjusters and not hindering their work or replacing them should be the ultimate goal of new technology adoption. That’s according to Rob Evans, director of claim process technology with Broadspire. Evans, who’s been in claims for more than 25 years, spoke about everything from the benefit of litigation prediction models to AI notifications to the retirement cliff to balancing adjuster workloads in the latest podcast episode with Claims Journal’s Don Jergler!

This episode is brought to you by Eagleview. Eagleview offers accurate roof and wall measurements, over 100 property data attributes and high-resolution aerial images to help adjusters process claims accurately and quickly. Learn how Eagleview helps property adjusters reduce cycle times and close more claims by visiting eagleview.com/insurance.

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AI Is Supercharging Ransomware. Is Cyber Insurance at Risk?

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:00:05 +0000

Beazley’s Head of U.S. Cyber, Melissa Carmichael, breaks down the mounting pressures in the 2026 cyber insurance market and explains how insurers are balancing profitability, coverage, and emerging risk with Insuring Cyber Podcast host Elizabeth Blosfield. To watch the full interview with Melissa, visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/26356/

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EP. 111: Navigating AI-Driven Risk and Cyber Market Pressure in 2026

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:00:35 +0000

In this episode of The Insuring Cyber Podcast, Beazley’s Head of US Cyber Melissa Carmichael discusses the mounting pressures shaping the cyber insurance market as it heads into 2026, including low pricing, rising ransomware severity, and the accelerating influence of artificial intelligence. She explains how Beazley is balancing profitability with broader coverage while using long-term claims data to guide underwriting discipline. Check it out!

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Underwrite People First and Foremost

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:00:58 +0000

We check in with Joe Zuk, an insuretech guru with private equity firm Altamont Capital Partners. It’s an “exciting” time to evaluate new and established firms, he says. After a bit of a lull in insuretech chatter over the last few years, “Now we’re seeing a resurgence.” Joe outlines several categories of action: Augmented underwriting vendors using third-party data to bring risk fidelity and granularity in underwriting and claims. Data organizers using large language models to organize foundational data in the insurance value chain. Predictive AI in climate, weather tech and liability. Category disruptors working to upset the value chain in going direct to consumer or truncating the value chain with AI or other technology. And the MGA and program sectors remain hot. At the same time, AI is not a panacea, Joe cautions. “We still work in a heavily regulated industry… A lot of folks are saying lets slap AI onto everything and surely that’ll be the fix. I’m really worried about a loss of institutional knowledge and foundational and fundamental skills in underwriting, risk selection, aggregation management and claims. And let’s not forget the relationship aspect of it.” In his PE work, Joe likes to “underwrite people first and foremost” when choosing where to invest in firms. He loves insurance. “I get to never be bored. I get to challenge my mind to solve problems daily. I see it as a big puzzle. It’s a very addicting and fun industry.”

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Work is Not Meant to Love You

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:00:22 +0000

Imagine a world where we all loved our work. And work loved us back! Okay, that’s just not gonna happen, says professional development and executive coach Jenn Urso. And this is okay, because employees and employers still can reach a peaceful coexistence and understanding amidst a stressed-out world. On this engaging conversation Jenn unpacks lots of insight for improving work focus, productivity and personal happiness, which are tightly connected. Jenn built her company, The Leadership Project, after a six-month sabbatical traveling the world. During her time abroad she learned that people in all cultures and countries share a deep connection with their work; and, simultaneously, they feel “frustrated and burned out and swallowed up by work.” Jenn believes that “work is not meant to love you.” A profit-making organization doesn’t always align with many employees’ yearn for warm-and-fuzzy emotional connections. Over the last 100 years, and evolving more recently, “work originally was about survival, and then stability, status, self-actualization, and now a state of stress,” Jenn says. Listen as this leader whisperer outlines what we can do about the stress, with On Point host Peter van Aartrijk!

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Guaranteeing Property Insurance Cost

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:00:38 +0000

When the insurance market gets tough—and it has been in recent years—the entrepreneurs get going. New products, new coverage alternatives and new service bolt-ons are created. Dylan DiMarchi is in the middle of it. He emerged from the real estate world, frustrated with the unpredictable cost of insurance, and developed Premium Lock, which guarantees insurance cost on a property for up to three years. “If a fixed-rate 30-year mortgage is a thing, why not at least a three-year guarantee for an insurance policy?” he says. Premium Lock is not insurance per se. Customers pay an average of $20 per month and are reimbursed if premiums rise over the agreed amount. His firm reviews a number of sources to predict how every carrier will price every piece of property in the U.S. That includes macro-economic factors like construction cost inflation, carrier profitability, regulatory behavior, and weather dynamics. Dylan believes Premium Lock is educating consumers on the impact of climate change. He also credits his fellow insuretech founders who are working to prevent property losses, such as fortifying homes. “Right now it’s expensive to do, but I have hope that carriers will show real financial ROI” on investments in mitigating property risks,” he says. Listen to this new On Point episode with host Peter van Aartrijk today!

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EP. 104: 280E Is Key to Understanding Impact of Federal Shift on Cannabis

Ashley Waldrop — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:00:55 +0000

The effects of the change in the federal stance on the scheduling status of cannabis may have many impacts on what insurers and those who service the industry do. However, if you don’t know what it means for the 280E tax code and the changes that may follow, then you should pay attention to what Griffin Basden has been talking about to clients following a December 2025 presidential executive order to expedite rescheduling. Basden with AlphaRoot talked about the changes for this episode of the podcast with host Don Jergler.

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Up Your Sales Game

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:00:57 +0000

Happy New Year, On Point Nation! Let’s start with a fresh look on improving your sales techniques. Let’s face it: We are all in sales in some way, right? And our guest Amy Reczek is a terrific sales coach. On this recording Amy unveils some techniques she discovered herself along the way as a trainer and speaker. Your posture, what you’re doing with your hands and eye contact are three critical nonverbal tools to master, she outlines. People buy from people, and not from companies, she adds. They are looking for people they can emotionally connect with. “Don’t pack in a lot of words,” Amy advises. “Ask more questions like, ‘Tell me about X?’ They answer. Then you say, ‘Can you tell me more about X? And about this?’ Stay with the client. Ask ‘why’ multiple times. You are gaining knowledge. Don’t flip right to the solution. Sit with the client more to really discover what’s happening. All value is what really matters to the client; it has nothing to do with you. We need to listen more on that.” Bonus: Amy outlines a number of sales-killing words we typically say and write. “Just checking in…” and “Just following up…” are, well, “just” two of them!

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Wildfires, Lawsuits, AI, and M&A: A Look Back at Insurance in 2025 | The Insurance Wrap-Up

Ashley Waldrop — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 10:00:49 +0000

Insurance Journal recaps the biggest stories of 2025, from record-breaking wildfires and climate losses to broker mega-deals, litigation reform, cyber threats, AI-driven layoffs, and signs of recovery in key insurance markets heading into 2026. Watch this end-of-year exclusive with Carrier Management’s Elizabeth Blosfield, Insurance Journal’s Ezra Amacher, and Insurance Journal’s Allen Laman! Catch up on all of the Insurance Wrap Up episodes at https://www.insurancejournal.tv/channels/the-insurance-wrap-up/

Top Insurance Journal News of 2025:
1. Brown & Brown to Acquire Risk Strategies, One80 Parent for $9.8 Billion https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2025/06/10/826916.htm
2. California Wildfires Will Likely Lead to Large Economic and Insured Losses https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2025/01/08/807438.htm
3. As in Florida, Georgia Saw Big Jump in Lawsuits Ahead of Major Litigation Limits
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2025/11/10/846976.htm
4. Deadly Floods Reinforce Texas’ Challenge as Crisis Epicenter
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2025/07/07/830367.htm
5. Can a More Unified Front Be Formed Against Legal System Abuse?
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2025/10/17/843927.htm
6. With Uber Boost, Group Seeks Reforms to Lower New York’s High Insurance Costs
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2025/01/15/808302.htm
7. Don’t Look Now, But Citizens Is No Longer the Largest Property Insurer in Florida
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2025/11/03/846101.htm
8. Jamaica Catastrophe Bond Has Now Triggered, Government Says
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2025/11/03/846093.htm
9. Acrisure to Lay Off 400 Employees, Citing Tech Advancements and AI Integration
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2025/10/08/843154.htm
10. Marsh Sues Aon, Ex-Team Leader Over Exit of 20 Construction Surety Employees
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2025/04/22/820698.htm
11. Erie and Philadelphia Insurance Still Working on Restoring Their Networks
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2025/06/16/827897.htm
12. Tariffs Will Negatively Affect Insurance Industry, Says AM Best
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2025/03/06/814597.htm

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Inside the 2025 Claims Digital Experience Study

Ashley Waldrop — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:01:30 +0000

A deep dive into JD Power’s 2025 Claims Digital Experience Study, revealing how customers use digital tools during the claims process and what makes those channels clear, helpful, and easy to use.

To watch the full episode with host Don Jergler and J.D. Power’s Mark Garrett visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/26137/

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EP. 05: Digital Claims Experience Still A Work in Progress, But Pointing Up

Ashley Waldrop — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:00:25 +0000

Claims functionality in mobile apps is one of the biggest investment areas for carriers, which are seeing the fruits those investments continue to grow. New data show that customers using these digital claims reporting tools are more satisfied with the process. We spoke with Mark Garrett with J.D. Power about the intelligence firm’s new Claims Digital Experience study to see what they found and what these numbers tell us.

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Cracking the Code: How AI Turns Messy Insurance Docs into Underwriting Gold

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:00:50 +0000

In this episode preview with Kasey Roh, the U.S. CEO of Upstage AI, Kasey breaks down how AI-powered document intelligence handles messy loss runs and inconsistent supplemental applications, giving carriers a major speed and accuracy advantage in underwriting.

Watch the full episode with Carrier Management’s Elizabeth Blosfield as host of the Insuring Cyber Podcast at https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/26109/
To view all of the podcast episodes visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/channels/insuringcyber/

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EP. 16: The Whopper Lawsuit, Pineapple Drama & Insurance Legends Unite

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 19:42:53 +0000

Join our Golfertainment hosts George Jack, Patrick Wraight, and Kevin Amrhein alongside special guest Frank Pennachio—Florida insurance pro, author, Tampa Bay Rays fan, and all-around great conversationalist—as they dive into a festive mix of holiday cheer, standout insurance cases, and bold predictions for the year ahead. Frank brings wisdom, big personality, and plenty of laughs as the crew unpacks what’s shaping the industry and what could be coming next. Plus, expect a little golf banter woven throughout. It’s a spirited, can’t-miss conversation happening now!
To watch more Golfertainment episodes visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/channels/golfertainment/

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‘Authenticity Travels Well’

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:00:46 +0000

Jennifer Palmieri is chief people officer at Westfield, which certainly isn’t a regional p/c carrier anymore. She has witnessed growth in specialty lines and international risks. It’s nearing $5 billion in revenues and 4,000 employees. We checked in with Jen on how human resource strategies are playing out. “My leadership philosophy centers on authenticity, shared accountability and purpose,” she says. “That means being able to lead with transparency and deeply listening. And to really understand what motivates people. When that happens, you see people flourish and develop and transform companies, businesses, cultures in an exceptional way.” Listening is something Jen prioritizes daily. “We live in a highly distracted world. One thing I learned early in my career — and it’s an old leadership philosophy — is, ‘Be here now.’” The employer brand is on her mind as well, especially with talent needs and expectations differing by region. “Employer branding in a competitive talent market obviously is essential. We like to reflect on our purpose. Being authentic — that travels well.” With five generations working side-by-side, she notes that “each brings something valuable. Boomers have deep experience and history and perspective. Younger people are highly digital and focused on flexibility. How do we create a culture that honors the differences and… creates something that we can all harness together?” So Westfield fosters mentorship across generations. Finally, Jen advises younger professionals: “Be more curious, ask more questions, ask more about ‘the why.’ Be more thoughtful and intentional about your work.”

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EP. 103: What Insurers Should Know About Banking for Cannabis Companies

Ashley Waldrop — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:00:22 +0000

Banking in the cannabis industry is a niche that few people may understand. It’s not without risk, but there are hundreds of banks offering their services to cannabis operators. In our latest episode, we talk to specialty banker Peter Su with First Central Savings bank about cannabis banking and what insurance and claims professionals should know about it. Listen to this interview with Insurance Journal’s Don Jergler and Peter Su with First Central Savings!

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EP. 110: Solving Insurance’s ‘Document Chaos’ with Agentic AI

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:00:53 +0000

In this episode of The Insuring Cyber Podcast, Kasey Roh, U.S. CEO of Upstage AI, discusses how AI is transforming some of the most complex and time-consuming workflows in insurance. Kasey breaks down how Upstage’s document intelligence technology is aiming to reshape underwriting and claims operations, as well as the evolving balance between human expertise and automation. Check it out!

This episode is brought to you by RPS. RPS helps brokers drive client success in the E&S space. See how RPS delivers tailored, data-driven insurance, benefits and underwriting solutions at RPSins.com.

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How CISA Data Is Shaping Smarter Cyber Risk Decisions

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:01:12 +0000

CISA’s threat data helps companies and insurers sharpen their cyber-risk strategies by sharing real-time insights on attack patterns, emerging threats, and proactive defense tactics. Watch this sneak peek at the Insuring Cyber Podcast with host Elizabeth Blosfield and guest Brent Rieth of Aon – to watch the full interview visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/26052/

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Live from Applied Net: Geico and AI Observations

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:00:17 +0000

On this installment we tee up three segments from our onsite discussions at Applied Net 2025, a leading insurance tech conference held recently in Vegas. First: Why was the Geico Gecko basking in the crowd at an independent agent channel exhibit hall? This is intriguing! Take a listen as another direct-response carrier takes an interest in appointing agents. Next, insuretech expert, advisor and pundit Mark Breading joins On Point to reflect on AI’s impact on the industry. Are we heading toward a future where the traditional carrier model becomes obsolete? Or will it adapt and thrive? Mark weighs in. Finally, Brenna Johnson, an executive with agency management system EZ Lynx, walks us through how AI can free up producers and agency service staff for “hero work” — instead of busy work.

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EP. 109: The Future of Cyber Risk Without CISA: How Insurers and Businesses Can Adapt

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 10:00:44 +0000

Aon’s Brent Rieth discusses the ripple effects of the Cyber Information Security Act (CISA) not being renewed, warning that insurers now face a major data gap in assessing cyber threats and pricing risk. Without this vital information-sharing platform, both carriers and businesses must find new ways to access real-time insights into emerging attack trends. Rieth emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and diversified data strategies as key to sustaining a resilient cyber insurance market. Check it out!

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Care for Musicians

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:00:09 +0000

Yours truly has met many interesting people in my 43 years of hanging around the insurance business. Few are as fascinating, complex and rule-breaking as Peter Anderson. He leads a dominating musical instrument insurance program with 18,000 customers in the U.S. and around the world—90% of them arriving via the website. Listen to his origin story (starting at age 4) of falling in love with playing instruments, singing in church and eventually earning a spot with the Boston Symphony Orchestra Chorus (aka Boston Pops). And then how he got into retail insurance to protect his musician friends. “I was a music major who needed a day job,” he says. Like a lot of high-value and collectible things, musical instruments and related equipment aren’t properly covered by standard policies. That’s where the Anderson program comes in. Some of the stated values of the instruments are astonishing. At age 73, Peter is going strong and offers listeners some interesting rants. As for instruments, the tuba is his favorite. “A ton of personality.”

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Inside Allianz’s Cyber Report – Supply Chain Risks on the Rise

Ashley Waldrop — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 10:00:10 +0000

From ransomware to technical breakdowns, Allianz identifies supply chain disruptions as a major factor behind losses across manufacturing, retail, and professional services sectors. To watch the full interview with Caitlin Ewing, a complex claims analyst in cyber/financial lines with Allianz, visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/25973/

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EP. 04: Expert: Contingent Business Interruption Becoming A Bigger Player in Cyber Claims

Ashley Waldrop — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 10:00:30 +0000

Losses caused by a cyber event at a third-party location, somewhere along the supply chain or a key customer, have continued to big a bigger portion of cyber claims. According to Allianz, 6% of claim values were from contingent business interruption last year—this year that’s already up to 15%. “And I think it will continue to be a driver of claims and losses,” said Caitlin Ewing, a complex claims analyst in cyber/financial lines with Allianz. She appeared on the Claims Journal podcast to talk about these and other cyber data and what they mean for claims professionals.

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Breaking Big Problems Into Smart Agents

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 10:10:22 +0000

Instead of relying on one giant model to do it all, insurers are now building interconnected AI agents that tackle complex insurance tasks step by step, delivering more reliable and scalable automation. Watch this clip from the Insuring Cyber Podcast as host Elizabeth Blosfield talks with John Kain, director of financial services market development at AWS.

Watch the full episode here https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/25916/

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Understanding the Best in People

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:00:32 +0000

Bringing out the best in workplace teams is a passion for organizational consultant Emma Corcoran. On this episode she outlines her journey at Selective Insurance to provide a shared customer experience program for appointed agencies as well as policyholders. Emma discovered the joy of helping teams evaluate customer research and outline actionable steps to improve the experience. She helped producers and CSRs work more closely together. Today, Emma’s programs cover DiSC, a behavioral assessment on communication preferences and styles, which is useful for firms working through a merger; Kolbe, which measures how you accomplish things when you’re free to be yourself; and design thinking, a non-linear, iterative process for teams to solve difficult problems. Emma also has a passion for bringing other insurance women together. Overall, 60% of industry professionals are women, yet the ratio flips to 40/60 for women in leadership positions. Her first meeting in 2017 brought 20 agency women together. “The vulnerability was really, really cool in the room,” she says. “They felt they could all share. It was all about lifting one another up.” Emma expanded the reach as Covid required virtual programming. The group grew to 800 women.

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EP. 108: How Agentic AI is Supercharging the Insurance Workforce

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:00:51 +0000

In this episode, John Kain, director of financial services market development at AWS, shares how insurers are moving beyond traditional generative AI toward intelligent, autonomous workflows that can make decisions, execute tasks, and work together like human employees. From customer service and claims processing to training and onboarding, he says agentic AI is accelerating transformation and making employees more effective, not obsolete. He explains why insurance is uniquely positioned for this shift. Check it out!

This episode is brought to you by RPS. RPS helps brokers drive client success in the E&S space. See how RPS delivers tailored, data-driven insurance, benefits and underwriting solutions at RPSins.com.

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MGA No Longer a ‘4-Letter Word’

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:00:22 +0000

Lloyd Yavener, president and COO of Sutton National Group, believes in the future of delegated underwriting authority. It wasn’t always that way. “MGA was a four-letter word when I first got into the business,” he says on this recording. “It was a broker model, which was to write more insurance, while the underwriter’s goal was to write more business profitability.” Over time, program administrator and MGA models emerged with “highly sophisticated” underwriting and compliance talent that originated in the traditional insurance market. “It looks just like an insurance company without the balance sheet,” Lloyd says. Moreover, the MGA model has been able to adapt quicker to emerging risks. Sutton writes homeowners in cat-prone areas as well as trucking, contractors, ocean and inland marine, and some other specialty lines. Listen as Lloyd shares his thoughts on leadership and working with others, just like with a well-tuned band.

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EP. 15: From Panic to Purpose: Finding Humanity in a Changing Industry (and on the Mini Golf Course!)

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 18:59:16 +0000

In this lively Golfertainment episode, hosts George, Kevin, and Patrick welcome inclusive leadership expert and author Amy Waninger to explore her new book Moving from Panic to Purpose – a candid, emotional, and inspiring guide to leading with empathy through change. Between heartfelt conversations about resilience, thoughts on the Ryder Cup, laughter over mini golf hazards, and reflections on adapting in a fast-evolving insurance world, this episode reminds us that leadership, like golf, is all about how you handle the hazards. To watch more Golfertainment episodes, visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/channels/golfertainment/

Grab Amy’s new book here: https://amzn.to/4npreyw

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AI Actuaries and the Next Frontier in Insurance

Ashley Waldrop — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 10:00:23 +0000

AI is moving beyond pricing models to transform insurance operations—especially claims, where automation can cut costs, speed decisions, and boost customer satisfaction. Alena Kharkavets – North American head of claims for WTW’s insurance consulting and technology business – joined to discuss the shift from AI assistants that handle day-to-day, simple tasks, to fully fledged AI actuaries and agents that are planning, decision-making and executing higher level tasks. To view the full podcast interview with host Elizabeth Blosfield, visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/25781/

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Humans and AI Fight Fraud Together

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:00:19 +0000

Claims fraud is getting more sophisticated. Carriers can fight back with AI to sift through huge amounts of data and find patterns, says Ashley Fong, VP with Carpe Data. Injury fraud thrives in areas where strong legal networks, high population density, heavy tourism, economic hardship, and legal loopholes create opportunities for fraudulent claims to flourish, Carpe Data research finds. Younger adults are more likely to commit fraud; riskier behaviors and cultural pressure to overshare on social media channels are likely reasons. “Insurance fraud is a costly and a persistent problem,” Ashley says. In 2023 alone, an estimated $300 billion was lost to fraudulent claims—equivalent to 10 Hurricane Helene disasters, she notes. Advances in technology are essential, but ultimately human judgement and creativity will continue to be needed to mitigate fraud, she says. “Human roles will evolve to areas that require more brainpower, judgement, creativity—things that a computer can’t necessarily do. Traditionally, carriers reviewed only 4% of open claims with a manual, rules based, tedious and expensive process. But with AI and human intervention, insurers can generate 10 times the reviews.”

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EP. 107: From Assistants to Actuaries, AI’s Next Leap in Insurance

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 21:03:36 +0000

On this episode of The Insuring Cyber Podcast, Alena Kharkavets – North American head of claims for WTW’s insurance consulting and technology business – joined to discuss the shift from AI assistants that handle day-to-day, simple tasks, to fully fledged AI actuaries and agents that are planning, decision-making and executing higher level tasks. WTW is a global advisory, broking and solutions company. Alena spoke about how this tech is being used at WTW and AI’s evolution overall in insurance, particularly claims, as well as some of the challenges that still exist. Check it out!

To view this episode and more of The Insuring Cyber Podcast with Elizabeth Blosfield, visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/channels/insuringcyber/

This episode of the Insuring Cyber Podcast is sponsored by AM Best Information Services. Turn to AM Best for solutions to the complex challenges you face—with ratings, research, news and data analytics to cover the insurance industry. Visit https://web.ambest.com/information-services/products-and-services-directory for more info!

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SPG’s Jonah Lipin on AI, Broker Relationships & New Wholesale Division | WSIA Conference

Ashley Cochrane — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 17:15:16 +0000

At the WSIA Annual Marketplace, Peter Van Aartrijk, host of the On Point podcast by Insurance Journal, sits down with Jonah Lipin, Chief Sales Officer at SPG. They discuss how brokers value personal contact with underwriters even as AI enters the industry, and how technology can enable faster, more effective communication without replacing human expertise. Jonah also explains the strategy behind SPG’s new wholesale division.

Discover details on Insurance Journal’s upcoming summits here:

https://insuringcannabissummit.com/

https://riskyfuture.com/

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WSIA Annual Marketplace: Peter van Aartrijk Interviews Mary Rimbey, Cardinal E&S

Ashley Cochrane — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:52:26 +0000

At the WSIA Annual Marketplace in San Diego, Peter van Aartrijk, host of the On Point podcast by Insurance Journal, interviews Mary Rimbey, VP of Wholesale National Distribution at Cardinal E&S. They explore why AI is an efficiency tool rather than a threat, how broker-underwriter relationships remain the backbone of the industry, and where opportunities are thriving. Mary also shares the strategy behind CNA’s launch of Cardinal E&S℠, emphasizing creative solutions and dedicated growth.

Discover details on Insurance Journal’s upcoming summits here:

https://insuringcannabissummit.com/

https://riskyfuture.com/

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Progressive’s Core Values Guide Decisions

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

On this installment we visit with the HR pro who oversees a team fielding tens of thousands of job applications each year at Progressive. Neil Lenane joined the carrier 35 years ago. His love of coaching sports got him interested in a career in human resources. “Leadership carries over to sports and HR. You’re recruiting that talent, onboarding, coaching, developing, and rewarding and recognizing that talent.” Technology is changing the entire notion of work, Neil says: “Not just what I do, but where I work and when I work. You might come in on a limited-time basis and contribute 20 hours on a particular project. The gig economy will become more real.” Neil attributes Progressive’s growth to following a “clearly defined set of core values that goes all the way back to the 1970s.” The five values include messaging like, “We value and respect our differences, act with kindness and caring, and treat others as they want to be treated.” Neil says his associates approach business problems with the question: ‘What would our core values expect us to do?’” You’ll enjoy listening to his take on how people should compete for jobs. His personal mantra: “Risk, learn, grow.”

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Defining AI Risk: A Key Challenge for Insurance Regulators

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:00:52 +0000

In this Insuring Cyber podcast excerpt, the discussion highlights one of the biggest hurdles facing insurance regulators: defining the type of risk AI presents. Regulators are taking a risk-based approach, recognizing that not all risks are the same, with special attention on areas such as life insurance, unfair practices, and algorithmic bias. A major concern is third-party risk—the reliance on external data, models, and vendor tools that insurers use to deploy AI. Since regulators have limited oversight over these third parties, the challenge becomes ensuring proper governance and accountability. To watch the entire episode with host Elizabeth Blosfield and Peter Dugas, executive director at Capco, visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/25643/

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U.S. AI Action Plan vs. EU AI Act: Competing Approaches to Global Leadership

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:00:07 +0000

In this Insuring Cyber podcast highlight, the discussion shows the key contrasts between the U.S. and EU strategies for artificial intelligence. The U.S. AI Action Plan is positioned as a forward-looking roadmap designed to establish America as a global leader in AI innovation, infrastructure, diplomacy, and security. In contrast, the EU’s AI Act takes a more regulatory approach, setting rules and compliance frameworks to govern AI use. Elizabeth Blosfield, host of the podcast and Deputy Editor at Carrier Management talks with Claire Davey, senior vice president and head of product innovation and emerging risk at Relm Insurance in this clip. To view the entire podcast interview visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/25643/

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Young Founder Seeks Insurance ‘Transparency’

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 10:00:22 +0000

Could insurance providers forge a new bond of trust with policyholders? Valkyrie Holmes, age 21, is working toward that better world. She founded an insuretech called Faura to help carriers collect more verifiable data on property risk in disaster-prone areas. The industry currently relies primarily on often-outdated data sources. Instead, Faura engages the homeowner to walk around the property, taking photos and video. That detail is coupled with sources such as satellite images and public databases. Homeowners receive a Faura “Survivability Score,” providing recommended action items to mitigate risks, retain coverage and qualify for discounts. “People are more satisfied when they play a role in the report,” says Valkyrie. “We are in the insurance industry to help people. Insurance is a very unique financial mechanism that gets people to change.” Valkyrie is an engaging, enthusiastic professional with a fresh view on insurance—and you’ll enjoy her take on life and business as well.

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Tariffs, Supply Chains, and Inflation: Challenges Ahead for Insurance Claims

Ashley Waldrop — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:00:45 +0000

In this Claims Journal Podcast excerpt with Paul Kottler, U.S. president — global technical service, with Crawford and Company, he discusses the mounting pressures on the insurance claims sector as global events ripple through supply chains. From tariffs and public unrest to ongoing wars and extreme weather, these factors are driving material cost inflation—particularly in building supplies sourced from overseas. With disruptions affecting both commercial and residential claims, staying agile and informed week-to-week has become essential for property claims professionals.

Watch the full interview from the new Claims Journal Podcast with Don Jergler here: https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/25582/

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EP. 106: Navigating State, Federal and Global AI Regulation

Ashley Waldrop — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:00:29 +0000

On this episode of The Insuring Cyber Podcast, Claire Davey, senior vice president and head of product innovation and emerging risk at Relm Insurance, and Peter Dugas, executive director at Capco, spoke about the latest news regarding the AI Action Plan in the U.S., what insurers should know about AI regulation both at the state and federal level, and how the approach to regulating AI in the U.S. differs from the E.U. Watch this episode with host Elizabeth Blosfield, Deputy Editor at Carrier Management and more at insurancejournal.tv. Check it out!

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Applied Eyes AI in Commercial Lines

Ashley Waldrop — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 10:00:30 +0000

Anupam Gupta, chief product officer at Applied Systems, offers an update on how the tech provider continues to experiment and roll out AI-embedded tools for independent agents. Commercial lines workflows are a major pain point for agents and carriers and thus a focus of his team’s efforts, he says. Insurance professionals are wrestling with back-and-forth communications with carriers, repeatedly filling out forms and supplementals for new and renewal business. That needs to stop. “We are convinced that AI will add game-changing value,” Anupam says. “It’s not hype. We are all-in on AI, even though it’s early in the product game.” He advises us to “get curious and experiment” with insurance-specific AI tools. “See how it impacts your daily work. Give feedback. Building trust with AI is really important.” Anupam shares advice he’s learned from others: “Ideas are easy. Execution is everything.” And, “Don’t be a know-it-all. Be a learn-it-all.”

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EP. 03: The Rest of 2025 Won’t Be Boring for Claims Handlers, Says Crawford Exec

Ashley Waldrop — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 10:00:48 +0000

What’s left of 2025 won’t likely make for uninteresting times for claims professionals: steadily increasing claims frequency across several categories, nuclear verdicts, larger loss events that can include entire communities being hit by natural disasters like wildfires in California and other western states, not to mention the uncertain potential of the hurricane season, as well as supply chain disruptions from tariffs and political unrest. We asked Paul Kottler, U.S. president — global technical service, with Crawford and Company to come on the latest episode of our podcast to talk a little about what he expects the claims universe to look like for the remainder of the year. Check out this episode and more hosted by Claims Journal’s Don Jergler here: https://www.insurancejournal.tv/channels/claims-journal-podcast/

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EP. 14: Fake Nurse Treats Thousands + Happy Gilmore 2 Review

Ashley Waldrop — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:40:58 +0000

In this episode of Golfertainment with the Florida Insurance Men, George, Patrick, and Kevin, jump into a bizarre Florida case where a woman treated over 4,000 hospital patients using a stolen nursing license, sparking legal, ethical, and insurance implications. Plus, a lively review of Happy Gilmore 2, praising Adam Sandler’s updated yet nostalgic approach, celebrity cameos, and comedic golf world references, with the consensus that it’s a fun, worthy sequel!

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