Sidecars Surge as Reinsurers Seek Capital Flexibility and Investor Appetite Grows
In this episode, AM Best’s Dave Pilla explains why reinsurance sidecars are experiencing a surge, driven by heightened investor appetite and the need for capital flexibility among reinsurers. He outlines how sidecars—special‑purpose vehicles funded by investors—are expanding capacity for property, casualty, and other lines, and how brokers like Guy Carpenter are creating dedicated teams to manage these transactions. Pilla also discusses the technical and risk‑management challenges insurers face when integrating sidecars, and notes that while pricing remains market‑driven, the influx of alternative capital is reshaping capacity dynamics and long‑term stability in the reinsurance sector.
Issues & Answers: An Environmental Shift
In this episode, John Weber interviews Melissa Mulhern, Assistant Vice President of Environmental Underwriting at Philadelphia Insurance Companies, to demystify environmental insurance. Mulhern explains that environmental risk isn’t limited to heavy industry—real estate, healthcare, schools, and senior living facilities also...
Issues & Answers: Program for Success
In this brief episode, John Weber interviews Brooke Shirazi, Vice President of Property and Ocean Marine Programs at Nationwide E&S Specialty, about insurance programs in the P&C market. They define a program as a niche insurance product requiring specialized underwriting...
AM Best: Caribbean Insurers’ Reinsurance Costs, Capacity Constraints Moderate, Although Climate Vulnerability Remains
In this episode, AM Best analysts Bridget Mayer and Ann Modica discuss their latest report on Caribbean insurers, highlighting that reinsurance costs and capacity constraints have eased due to a low catastrophe year and softer property reinsurance pricing. Insurers have...
INTX’s Lewis: Radical Automation Shapes Future of Insurance Workforce
In this episode, John Weber talks with Rob Lewis, CEO of Intex Insurance Software, about Chubb’s plan to automate 85% of underwriting and claims functions and cut 20% of its workforce. Lewis explains that legacy core systems have hit a...
MGAs Tighten Discipline as Softer Market Signals Emerge
In this episode, John Weber interviews Terrence Dopp about recent signs that the MGA market is softening after a period of rapid growth. Dopp notes a shift toward more selective underwriting and tighter capital management, with MGAs becoming more closely...
AM Best’s Briefing – Health: Medicare Advantage – Challenges and Opportunities
The episode provides an overview of the current Medicare Advantage (MA) landscape, highlighting regulatory changes, enrollment trends, and financial pressures facing insurers. It examines challenges such as rising cost of care, tighter network requirements, and the impact of the Medicare...
AM Best: Administration’s Executive Order Could Provide Impetus Towards Stabilizing the Cannabis Insurance Market
The episode reviews the Biden administration’s recent executive order aimed at fostering a more stable cannabis insurance market, highlighting how the policy could encourage insurers to offer coverage to cannabis businesses. It explains the current challenges—such as regulatory uncertainty and...
Massachusetts OKs Liberty Mutual Affiliate Reorganization
The episode provides a brief news recap announcing that Massachusetts regulators have approved Liberty Mutual's affiliate reorganization, a move that will streamline the company's structure and potentially enhance capital efficiency. It outlines the regulatory rationale, noting the state's focus on...
Resilience’s Long: 2026 Cyberthreat Landscape Poses New Challenges for Insurers
The episode examines the evolving cyber‑threat landscape of 2026 and its implications for insurance carriers, focusing on rising ransomware, supply‑chain attacks, and AI‑driven exploits. It highlights how insurers must adapt underwriting criteria, pricing models, and claims handling to address more...
Microinsurance Network’s Genazzini: Big Carriers Find Opportunity in Tiny Policies
The episode explores the rise of microinsurance, focusing on how large carriers are tapping into the market for low‑value, high‑volume policies. It highlights the Microinsurance Network’s Genazzini platform as a case study, detailing its technology‑driven approach to underwriting and distribution....
AM Best: 3Q25 Snapshot – Personal Lines Momentum Continues to Drive P/C Underwriting Result Improvement
In the brief AM Best 3Q25 Snapshot, the host highlights the continued momentum in personal lines, which is driving improvements in property and casualty underwriting results. The episode notes that stronger pricing discipline, higher retention rates, and favorable loss trends...
Coalition’s Toomey: Rising Cyber Interconnectedness Pushes Insurers to Boost Detection, Response
In this episode, AM Best’s Toomey discusses how the growing cyber interconnectedness among businesses is forcing insurers to enhance their detection and response capabilities. He highlights the rising frequency and complexity of cyber incidents, the need for real‑time monitoring, and...
NFIP Misses Deadline Again as DHS Funding Fight Fuels Uncertainty
The episode discusses the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) repeated failure to meet its congressional deadline for a new flood map update, highlighting how ongoing funding battles within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are stalling progress. It explains the...