Today's Insurance Pulse
AI Elevates Workers’ Compensation from Automation to Strategic Augmentation
Artificial intelligence is shifting workers’ compensation from basic digitization to strategic augmentation, letting adjusters concentrate on high‑value tasks such as fraud detection and biopsychosocial care. Early‑intervention tools powered by wearables, IoT and computer vision are reshaping safety and claim outcomes. AI‑driven claim summarization and generative models speed up case resolution.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Korean Re raises $75M via multi‑peril retrocession
Lilly, Novo Dip as Proposed Medicare Coverage for GLP-1 Pilot Thrown Off Balance
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has indefinitely postponed its BALANCE financing model, a pilot intended to expand Medicare coverage for GLP‑1 obesity drugs. The delay triggered a roughly 2% drop in Eli Lilly’s share price and a 4% decline for Novo Nordisk. Analysts estimate a near‑term revenue loss of up to $500 million for Lilly, potentially rising to $3.3 billion if all pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) stay out. Meanwhile, CMS extended its interim Bridge program through December 2027 to maintain limited GLP‑1 access.
2026 Top Business Risks for Construction and Engineering Companies
The 2026 Allianz Risk Barometer, based on 3,338 risk professionals, places natural catastrophes as the leading threat for construction and engineering firms, with insured losses projected at $107 billion. Climate change climbs to the second spot, highlighting how extreme weather and...
Kyrgyz Republic & Tajikistan Parametric Cat Bonds From the ADB Could Upsize Slightly
The Asian Development Bank is upsizing its first parametric catastrophe bonds for the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan to between $75 million and $80 million each. The earthquake sub‑limit will rise to $65‑70 million while the extreme‑precipitation cover remains at $10 million. Investor risk margin...
CT Insurance Dept. Cracks Down on Rogue Insurance Companies
Connecticut's Insurance Department announced that the state’s five largest health insurers—Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Connecticare and UnitedHealthcare—were fined for violating the state’s mental‑health parity law. The penalties are capped at $625,000 per carrier, but the department has not disclosed the exact...
Employers Face ‘Patchwork’ of Heat Regulations for Workers
Virginia has become the latest state to mandate heat‑illness prevention rules, directing its Safety and Health Codes Board to finalize regulations by May 1, 2028. The new law requires water, rest breaks, training and emergency protocols for indoor and outdoor...
Blackwell Captive Solutions Launches Group Stop Loss Captives for Cannabis Industry
Blackwell Captive Solutions has launched a homogeneous group medical stop‑loss captive tailored for cannabis growers and operators. The new structure pools risk across participating firms, aiming to curb the historically high insurance premiums that have plagued the sector. While cannabis...
Acrisure Re Integrates Capital and Captives Division to Form Alternative Risk Solutions Platform
Acrisure Re has merged its Capital and Captives division into a new platform called Acrisure Re Capital and Captives, creating an end‑to‑end alternative risk solutions offering. The unit consolidates more than 275 captive specialists in North America and Bermuda under...
NAIC Overhauls Insurer Investment Rules, Redefines Bonds and CLO Capital
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has restructured its investment oversight bodies and launched a principles‑based bond definition that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2025. The changes also move the CLO capital model closer to implementation, forcing insurers to reclassify holdings and...
Arkansas ACA Marketplace Enrollment Drops 12% as Subsidies Expire
Effective April 15, Arkansas enrollment in the ACA marketplace slipped to 134,310, a 12% decline from a year earlier, following the end of the federal enhanced premium tax credits. The drop is steeper in rural counties and coincides with premium...
Medicare Obesity Drug Pilot Extended After Insurer Pushback
The Trump administration has pushed back the start of the Medicare GLP‑1 Bridge pilot by a year after insurers fell short of the 80% enrollment target. The federal government will continue to cover drugs such as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, Eli Lilly’s...
How Earnix Elevate Data Accelerates Pricing and Underwriting Decisions
Earnix introduced Elevate Data, a modern data‑management layer that centralizes and automates data preparation for insurers and banks. The platform connects to enterprise sources like Snowflake, Amazon S3, and Databricks, delivering automated profiling, transformation, and governance. By refreshing datasets in...
AI Agents Create Unprecedented, Unpredictable Insurance Risk
AI agents present an unprecedented insurance challenge because of their unpredictable behavior, which cannot be compared with business perils such as hurricanes "where the parameters of the threat are easier to define" @FT https://t.co/3mdMpPESBl
How Insurers Can Identify Tariff Gaps and Improve Pricing Strategy
Insurance pricing in Brazil is shifting from intuition‑based methods to data‑driven, actuarial modelling. Akur8 highlights tariff‑gap analysis as the bridge between raw data and profitable pricing, comparing current premiums to expected loss. The article outlines a four‑step process—mapping tariffs, calculating...
Allianz Turkiye Uses Nettle AI to Speed up Risk Engineering Reports
Allianz Turkiye has partnered with Nettle to automate its commercial‑property risk engineering workflow. A pilot showed the AI platform can process inspections up to three times faster, delivering same‑day structured reports, risk scores and underwriting guidance. The mobile app, built for...
Abaxx Exchange Lists World’s First Solar Irradiance Futures Contract
Abaxx Exchange will list the Enwex Germany Solar (GSM) futures contract on April 23, marking the world’s first exchange‑cleared solar irradiance product. Developed by German energy exchange Enwex, the contract lets participants hedge Germany’s solar irradiance risk in a standardized,...
ING Launches MGA Insurance Model Powered by Qover
ING has transformed into a managing general agent (MGA), allowing the bank to accept insurance applications, collect premiums and manage claims directly for its 800,000 policyholders. The new model is powered by InsurTech platform Qover, which provides an orchestration layer...
Twelve Securis “Cautious, but Optimistic” About El Niño’s Influence on Hurricane Season Risk
Twelve Securis, a specialist ILS manager, says a potentially record‑strong El Niño will likely suppress Atlantic hurricane activity in the 2026 season. Early forecasts point to below‑average storm numbers—about 12 named storms, five hurricanes and two major hurricanes—yet warm sea‑surface temperatures...
Insurance Must Improve Decision Velocity
Insurance leaders warn that traditional underwriting cycles are too slow for today’s volatile environment. The article argues that decision velocity—making pricing and coverage choices at the speed of change—is the industry’s biggest constraint, not model sophistication. It calls for continuous...
Australia’s 2025 Extreme Weather Insured Losses Climb to AUD $4.8bn: ICA
The Insurance Council of Australia reports that insured losses from extreme weather surged to AUD 4.8 billion (≈US$3.2 billion) in 2025, a 727% jump from the prior year. Claims exploded to 294,000 – six times 2024 – with Queensland alone responsible for over...
Alignment Health Plan CEO: Sometimes When MA Plan Is Pulling Out, the Provider Is to Blame
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are retreating from markets as hospitals demand excessive reimbursement, prompting a "fundamental reset" in the sector. Alignment Health Plan CEO Dawn Maroney argued that hospital systems, not insurers, are the primary cause of plan pull‑outs, citing...
Adjusters: Why the Indemnification Clause Should Stay Top of Mind
The article explains that an indemnification clause in construction contracts determines which party bears defense costs and liability, but its enforceability hinges on precise drafting and state law. Anti‑indemnity statutes, such as Texas’s 2011 act, can nullify overly broad clauses,...
Spoofed Tankers Are Flooding the Strait of Hormuz. These Analysts Are Tracking Them
A surge of spoofed tankers is disappearing through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting analysts to piece together fragmented data to monitor movements. US satellite providers recently restricted high‑resolution imagery of the area, forcing firms like TankerTrackers.com to revive older sources...
Government Backs Fertiliser Imports, Farmers Gain Certainty, Taxpayers Take the Exposure
The Australian government has introduced an underwriting scheme to backstop fertilizer imports amid supply disruptions caused by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The policy guarantees losses for importers who lock in cargoes at high global prices, shifting downside risk...
Why Do Rideshare Drivers Need Special Car Insurance?
Rideshare driving remains a popular gig, but personal auto policies typically exclude commercial use, leaving drivers exposed. Uber and Lyft only provide limited liability when drivers are logged in, creating a coverage gap that can force out‑of‑pocket expenses. Specialized rideshare...
War Risk Insurance Costs Surge for Middle East Offshore Projects
Rising war‑risk insurance premiums for vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz are inflating costs on critical offshore oil and gas projects across the Middle East. The surge follows recent attacks that have heightened geopolitical tension and disrupted logistics. Contractors now...
Beyond the Deal: Why Risk Assessment Is the Foundation of Business Success
Risk assessment is increasingly vital for businesses and creators across entertainment, media, and technology. The article argues that evaluating legal, financial, and reputational hazards early—rather than after a problem emerges—creates a solid foundation for deals. It outlines a four‑question framework...
Employers Launches First Workers’ Comp Quoting App in ChatGPT Directory
Employers Holdings (NYSE:EIG) rolled out a workers’ compensation quoting app inside the ChatGPT App Directory, letting small‑business owners obtain instant premium estimates through a conversational interface. The move marks the first known insurance carrier to embed a quoting tool in...
Amerisafe Inc (AMSF) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Amerisafe Inc. posted a 20.5% return on average equity and a 90.6% combined ratio for the quarter, underscoring strong underwriting profitability. Voluntary premiums surged 10.6% while gross written premiums rose 7.2% to $80.3 million, driving a 6.2% increase in net earned...
RLI Corp (RLI) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
RLI Corp posted Q1 2026 operating earnings of $0.94 per share and GAAP earnings of $0.99, driven by stronger underwriting, lower storm activity and higher investment income. The combined ratio improved to 82.6, and the company celebrated its 30th consecutive...
CMS Orders Medicaid Audits in Data-Driven Fraud Crackdown
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ordered all 50 states to submit a provider revalidation plan within 30 days, aiming to verify Medicaid providers and target high‑risk areas for waste, fraud and abuse. Administrator Mehmet Oz emphasized data‑driven...
State Farm Paid a ‘Hail’ of a Lot of Claims in 2025
State Farm reported $5.6 billion in hail‑related claim payments for 2025, a 12% rise from the prior year, with Texas alone accounting for $1.4 billion after a 27% jump. The top ten states contributed about 75% of the total payouts, a slight...
UnitedHealth to Expand Rural Payment Acceleration Pilot Program
UnitedHealth Group announced the expansion of its Rural Payment Acceleration Pilot, targeting faster Medicare Advantage reimbursements for rural hospitals. The initiative will extend accelerated payments to additional independent facilities in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia immediately, and aims to...
Insurers Reject Medicare Obesity Coverage, Govt Steps In
The insurers didn't want to play ball on Medicare + obesity med coverage, so the govt will pick up the tab. "Balance" program indefinitely delayed, Max reports (after rushing out of the award lunch where he just won for his...
The Case for Cyber Insurance in State Government
State governments handle massive volumes of sensitive data, making cyber risk a top priority. More than half of the states (53%) already carry commercial cyber insurance, supplementing mandatory supplier coverage. Effective policies require coordinated input from CIOs, CISOs, procurement and...
Medicare Indefinitely Delays Pilot Plan to Cover Weight Loss Drugs
Medicare’s Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced an indefinite postponement of its pilot program to cover prescription weight‑loss medications. The pilot, originally slated to test coverage for drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound, was halted after participating insurers raised...
Your Insurance Renewal Is Going to Be Worse Than Last Year. Here Is Why — and What You Can Actually...
Trucking insurers have faced 14 straight years of losses, forcing market‑wide premium hikes and tighter underwriting. Insurance costs rose to a record $0.102 per mile in 2024, translating to over $12,000 per truck annually. A surge in "nuclear" verdicts—135 cases...
STAT+: Insurers Refuse to Join Medicare Pilot Offering Weight Loss Drugs to Seniors at Steep Discount
The Trump administration negotiated a $245‑per‑month price with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk for obesity drugs, intending to offer seniors a $50 monthly copay through a Medicare pilot called BALANCE. Insurers refused to join, arguing the program would strain their finances. Consequently,...
Medi-Cal Immigrant Enrollment Falls by 100,000 as Policy Uncertainty Spurs Disenrollment
California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, lost almost 100,000 undocumented immigrants between June and December, accounting for a quarter of all disenrollments. Researchers link the drop to heightened policy anxiety and renewed eligibility checks, while officials point to administrative factors.
Court Rules Micro-Captives Not Listed Transactions
A Texas federal judge struck down the IRS’s designation of micro‑captive insurance as a “listed transaction,” eliminating the presumption of tax shelter abuse and the associated $200,000 penalties. The court retained the “transaction of interest” label, which still requires limited...
Insurers Eyeing AI Risk at CPA Firms
Professional liability insurers covering CPA firms are increasingly flagging artificial intelligence as a nascent risk that requires formal governance. While no substantive AI‑related claims have emerged, underwriters are beginning to ask firms about AI policies, data security, and oversight procedures....
CMS’ Chris Klomp, Stephanie Carlton Talk Affordability, Prior Authorization, Drug Pricing
CMS Deputy Administrator Chris Klomp and Chief of Staff Stephanie Carlton outlined the agency’s recent policy agenda, emphasizing four pillars—fraud reduction, affordability, health‑initiative programs, and AI‑driven streamlining. They highlighted a voluntary agreement to overhaul prior‑authorization processes and a 2025 most‑favored‑nation drug‑pricing pledge...
Resilience Is the New Strategic Investment, Not a Cost
🌟 Systemic risk is the new hidden tax on growth. With Q1 global catastrophe losses surpassing $20B, resilience is no longer a compliance cost—it’s a strategic investment. Leaders who understand this will define the next decade. Read my latest newsletter...
How Commercial Insurers, Self-Insured Employers, PBMs, and Manufacturers Are Turning GLP-1 Pharmacy Benefits Into Active Managed-Access Operating Systems and Where...
Commercial insurers, self‑insured employers and PBMs are overhauling GLP‑1 pharmacy benefits as the class erupts in cost and utilization. KFF data shows 43% of firms with 5,000+ employees now cover GLP‑1s for weight loss, up from 28% a year earlier,...
The Onset of 'Death by AI' Claims
Gartner predicts more than 2,000 legal claims worldwide by year‑end linked to "death by AI," as software errors or faulty implementations cause fatalities. The health‑insurance segment is poised to feel the first wave, given the rise of AI‑driven diagnostics and...
Physician-Owned Hospitals Get a Narrow CMS Opening
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Request for Information (CMS‑1849‑P) asking whether its Innovation Center can waive the ACA’s Section 6001 to let physician‑owned hospitals voluntarily join the Transforming Episode Accountability Model. A 2023 study found these...
Labor Dept Demands PBM Payment Transparency Amid Legal Pushback
The Labor Department wants pharmacy benefit managers to disclose, for the first time, all the different ways they get paid. PBMs are warning this proposal is illegal. Supporters want the proposal to go further. The black box of Rx prices...
Alabama Governor Signs New Captive Law That Could Help End DOI Moratorium
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 415, a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s captive insurance framework. The law raises the minimum capital for pure captives to $250,000 and sets a $1 million floor for risk‑retention groups, while granting the insurance...
The Cyber Insurance Conundrum
Cyber insurance premiums have slipped 5‑7% over the last 11 quarters, with some policies 22% cheaper than their 2022 peak, even as ransomware attacks surged 34% in 2025, accounting for 44% of breaches. The average cost of a data breach...
Looking for Cheap Home Insurance? Don’t Buy a Period Home
A new study by price‑comparison site Compare the Market shows owners of period homes—properties built before 1911—pay significantly more for home insurance than owners of new‑build houses. The average combined contents and buildings premium for period homes is £376 (about...
Berkshire Hathaway vs Lemonade: Traditional Giant vs Insurtech Challenger
Berkshire Hathaway leans on a $373 billion cash pile and a diversified portfolio that includes GEICO, while Lemonade scales with AI, 3 million customers and a 53% revenue jump in Q4 2025. The comparison underscores how technology is reshaping underwriting, distribution and profitability...