Today's Insurance Pulse
Heritage trims reinsurance program, saving $63.2M
Heritage Insurance Holdings renewed its 2026 reinsurance and catastrophe‑bond program with a total limit of $2.2 billion, down from $2.5 billion placed in 2025. The renewal includes $712 million of multi‑year coverage, $550 million from cat bonds and $162 million from private markets. Pricing softness allowed Heritage to cut renewal costs by $63.2 million.
Also developing:
Register: Risky Future AI Tools for MGAs ‘Demo Day’ on March 11
Insurance Journal’s Risky Future series is hosting a free "AI Tools for MGAs" Demo Day on March 11, 2026. The online event will feature 15‑20 minute product demonstrations from Guidewire, Dyad, Joshu and Vertafore, highlighting AI‑driven workflow automation, underwriting, policy administration, claims and analytics. Attendees can evaluate practical solutions designed to modernize wholesale, program‑manager and delegated‑underwriter operations. Registration is open via the event website.
Medicaid Loopholes Fuel ABA Therapy Exploitation Crisis
Outstanding WSJ story on the explosion of ABA/autism therapy -fueled by lax Medicaid payment and often non-existent compliance policies, $20/hr RBTs credentialed after a 40-hour online course, and annual staff churn of 50–100%. Our “pay and chase” reimbursement system assumes...
Strait of Hormuz Ship Insurance: Power Shift Looms
Who will control/dominate the insurance business of ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz once energy is consistently flowing again?
Improving Understanding of Risk Appetite
Insurance firms are turning to AI‑driven risk‑appetite scoring to streamline underwriting, achieving efficiency gains exceeding 30% across property and casualty lines. Traditional static documents like PDFs and spreadsheets fail to provide real‑time guidance, leading to misaligned submissions and slower quoting....
War Insurance Boom as Gulf Datacenters Seek Coverage
Leigh Harris says Insurance industry could make out big over the Iran War. Lots of Datacentres are being built around the Gulf and they now want Warfare Insurance cover.
Oil Tanker Risk, Not Insurance, Drives Sky‑High Premiums
Leigh Harris, Insurance Writer at FT, says the Oil Tanker problem in Strait of Hormuz is not due to Insurance. Underwriters are insuring Ships but can be 12x the usual rate. The problem is risk of being sunk and to crew...
Navigating the Regulatory Challenges for UK Insurers in 2026
UK insurers face heightened regulatory pressure in 2026, driven by the FCA’s Consumer Duty and broader compliance mandates. The FCA now expects firms to prove positive customer outcomes, not just procedural compliance, raising operational costs. Technology adoption, especially data analytics...
Weird Health Insurance Concepts | Out-Of-Pocket
The article explains three emerging health‑insurance tactics—intercompany eliminations, copay accumulators/maximizers, and reference‑based pricing—that reshape cost flows and patient liabilities. Intercompany eliminations let insurers count payments to owned providers toward medical loss‑ratio requirements, effectively boosting margins. Copay accumulators prevent manufacturer coupons...
Obamacare Enrollment Is Plunging as Costs Soar, Pushing Down Stocks Like Centene
Centene announced that roughly 40% of its Affordable Care Act members will drop coverage by year‑end, confirming a 36% enrollment decline in Q1 2026. The drop follows the expiration of enhanced ACA tax credits, which has pushed premiums higher and...
SCO, ECO, and the Probability of Regret
The 2026 analysis highlights growing interest in Supplemental and Enhanced Coverage Options (SCO and ECO) as higher subsidy rates make them attractive. Producers can replace the standard RP‑85% policy with a lower RP‑75% base plus SCO/ECO at a 95% coverage...
Beazley Buys kWh Analytics to Boost Renewable Underwriting
Beazley acquires kWh Analytics to scale renewable energy underwriting #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/HU8MHQTedQ
If I Was Appointed CRO Today
Norman Marks outlines a pragmatic onboarding plan for a first‑time chief risk officer. He emphasizes a listening tour to grasp the organization’s culture, decision‑making processes, regulatory mandates, and existing risk infrastructure. The approach prioritizes swift regulatory compliance using minimal resources,...
OSHA Workplace Violence Prevention Plan to Face Audit
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General has added a fiscal year 2026 audit to its work plan, targeting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) workplace violence prevention program. The audit will evaluate OSHA’s actions since a...
Illumend Launches AI Platform and Broker Referral Program to Address Insurance Compliance Gaps
illumend has introduced an AI‑first insurance compliance platform and a Broker Referral Partner Program to help brokers and their SMB clients manage certificates of insurance and policy endorsements proactively. The solution, powered by the conversational AI engine Lumie, automates document...
The Hartford Again Uses Catastrophe Bonds to Extend Reinsurance Tower Higher
The Hartford has deepened its reliance on catastrophe bonds, issuing a $270 million Series 2026‑1 bond that attaches at $1.6 billion and exhausts at $1.9 billion of per‑occurrence losses. This new layer sits above the 2023‑1 bond, which now attaches at $1.29 billion and exhausts...
Captive Owners Use Hybrid Structures to Add Stability
Hybrid insurance and reinsurance structures that blend traditional coverage with alternative risk transfer are gaining traction among captive owners seeking flexibility and cost stability. Experts highlighted that such hybrids let companies leverage markets, create arbitrage, and retain control of their...
The Due Diligence Item That Makes or Breaks Cash Flow After Closing
Investors often overlook real insurance quotes during rental property due diligence, assuming generic numbers will hold. In reality, underwriting factors such as roof age, electrical panels, plumbing materials, and geographic hazards can dramatically inflate premiums after closing. Securing an actual...
U.S. Safety Agency Seeks Comments on Zoox Petition to Deploy Steering Wheel-Less Robotaxis
U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a public comment period on Amazon‑owned Zoox’s petition to operate up to 2,500 steering‑wheel‑free robotaxis. Zoox seeks exemptions from eight federal vehicle‑safety standards designed for human‑driven cars, arguing its purpose‑built autonomous...
Group Captives Evolving, Still Have ‘Headroom for Growth’
Group captives have transformed from a niche risk‑financing idea into a fast‑growing segment of U.S. commercial insurance, now generating about $6.5 billion in premium. Over 90 captives serve the market, accounting for roughly 6.5 % of the $100 billion commercial casualty space. Retention...
Insurance That Covers Male Infertility Procedures Improves Opportunities for Family Building
A new study published in *Urology* shows that states mandating insurance coverage for male infertility procedures, alongside female care, experience six times higher IVF utilization and the greatest number of IVF‑born babies per 100,000 women. Male factor infertility accounts for...
Medicare Advantage Overpayments Add $13.4B to Seniors' Premiums
“Overpayments to Medicare Advantage insurers increased Part B premiums by $13.4 billion in 2025, the committee said, a cost mostly borne by seniors.”
EU Regulators Asked to Comment on Green Taxonomy Reporting Rules
EU regulators have opened a public consultation on the European Union’s green taxonomy reporting rules, seeking comments on proposed amendments to key performance indicators. The review focuses on reporting obligations for banks, insurers and large corporations, aiming to tighten alignment...
Insurtech Akur8 and RSM Extend Partnership to Enable Data-Driven Regulatory Intelligence Solutions
Insurtech Akur8 has expanded its strategic alliance with RSM US LLP, deploying the Akur8 Discover module across the consulting firm’s entire North American practice. The AI‑powered solution converts unstructured regulatory filings from SERFF and state departments into searchable, actionable data,...
DUAL and LSM Form Property and Financial Lines Partnership in Latin America
DUAL Latin America has teamed up with Liberty Specialty Markets Latin America to expand Property and Financial Lines capacity for middle‑market brokers across the region. The alliance targets Property lines in Mexico and Central America while offering Financial Lines coverage...
Navigating the Challenges of a 2026 Surety Market: The Importance of Financial Management for Contractors
Contractors face a tightening 2026 surety market as underwriting standards grow stricter, prompting a renewed focus on disciplined financial management. The article outlines how preserving project profitability, rigorous cash‑flow forecasting, prudent debt mitigation, and retained‑earnings targets can safeguard bonding capacity....
Property Cat Terms Hold Firm at 1/1 as RenRe Preserves Key Structural Gains: Execs
RenaissanceRe reported that property catastrophe rates slipped low‑teen percentages at the January 1 2026 renewals, but the firm’s higher retentions and tighter terms held steady. Executives highlighted that the structural improvements achieved over the past two years remain intact, cushioning risk‑adjusted returns....
Markel Adds Jamie Smith as London Underwriting Manager – US Cyber Lead
Markel Insurance has appointed Jamie Smith as London Underwriting Manager – US Cyber Lead, reporting to Dan Fox. Based in London, Smith will oversee the US cyber segment of Markel’s London Market portfolio, driving growth and broker engagement. His responsibilities...
New Risk Factor Makes Strait of Hormuz Too Costly.
"There's another big reason why shipping companies and insurers aren't willing to risk the Strait of Hormuz" https://t.co/vQRVNaMtNL https://t.co/xPjkCzHB0U
Aon Signs Multi-Year Deal with VIPR to Automate Delegated Authority Processes
Aon has signed a multi‑year agreement with VIPR Solutions to automate its delegated authority operations across its global reinsurance platform. The partnership will deploy VIPR’s cloud‑native suite for bordereaux management, data analytics, and coverholder administration, aiming to improve transparency, data...
Alabama Passes Legislation Requiring Insurers to Cover Supplemental Breast Imaging
Alabama enacted House Bill 300, requiring insurers to cover medically necessary supplemental breast imaging—contrast‑enhanced mammography, ultrasounds, and MRIs—without patient cost‑sharing. The law, signed by Gov. Kay Ivey on March 5, joins roughly 30 states that have passed similar mandates. Advocacy groups,...
Hormuz Has Exposed Shipping’s New Visibility Divide
The recent missile and drone attacks in the Strait of Hormuz exposed a stark visibility divide in maritime logistics. While insurers pulled war‑risk coverage and AIS signals were jammed, some operators leveraged digital twins and scenario modelling to reroute traffic...
Greenlight Re Reports Record Underwriting Income in 2025
Greenlight Capital Re posted a record net income of $74.8 million for 2025, up from $42.8 million in 2024, driven by an 11% rise in gross premiums written to $773.3 million. Net underwriting income swung to $35.7 million from an $8.2 million loss, pushing the...
Beazley to Acquire US Renewable Energy MGA kWh Analytics
Beazley announced the acquisition of U.S. renewable‑energy MGA kWh Analytics, embedding the firm into its Marine, Accident & Political (MAP) Risks team. CEO Jason Kaminsky will report to MAP head Tim Turner, reinforcing Beazley's transition‑underwriting strategy. The deal adds kWh’s...
Under Financial Strain, Primary Care Doctors Unite
Primary care physicians are feeling the squeeze from projected Medicaid cuts and low insurer reimbursement rates, prompting practices like Valley Medical Group in western Massachusetts to lay off 40 staff members, roughly 10% of its workforce. To regain bargaining power...
Aspire Adopts AI FNOL System with Liberate
Aspire General Insurance has partnered with AI platform Liberate to launch an AI‑powered First Notice of Loss (FNOL) system, integrated with its existing Snapsheet claims management tool. Policyholders can report incidents via the AI voice agent Nicole or a web...
Fidelis Entered Into Long-Term, Portfolio-Wide Partnership with OAK Global at Jan 1
Fidelis Insurance Group completed an investment in Oak Global late last year and announced a portfolio‑wide partnership effective with the January 1 2026 renewals. The deal provides Fidelis capital to Oak’s Lloyd’s syndicates, including the newly launched Syndicate 1440 for retrocession and Syndicate 2843...
Wakam UK Partners Principal for Motorcycle Cover
Wakam UK has teamed up with specialist intermediary Principal Insurance to launch a digital‑driven motorcycle insurance programme in the UK. The partnership blends Wakam's automated underwriting platform with Principal's deep distribution network and rider‑community relationships. Both firms say the collaboration...
AI-First InsurTech Gaining Traction in France
Where does AI-first InsurTech stand in France ? → https://t.co/I7HgWDOnBV That's a question we discussed recently, together with Alexandre Pengloan, following an analysis of the InsurTech dynamic in France. https://t.co/2QX0LCBiTo
IRDAI Approves Registration of Allianz Jio Reinsurance & Kiwi General Insurance
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) granted registration to Allianz Jio Reinsurance Limited and Kiwi General Insurance Limited at its 134th meeting on March 9, 2026. Kiwi, co‑founded by former Tata AIG CEO Neelesh Garg, had cleared the R1...
Louisiana Regulation Sets Mandatory Discounts for Fortified Homes
Louisiana's Department of Insurance adopted Regulation 136, requiring insurers to offer hurricane‑only premium discounts to homes that achieve the IBHS Fortified designation. Discount rates differ by geographic zone and Fortified tier, ranging from 16 % in the north to 49 % in the...
7th Circuit: Church Not Owed Replacement-Cost Payment for Fire Damage
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Church Mutual does not owe Lighthouse Tabernacle Church replacement‑cost insurance for fire damage because the policy required the insured to begin repairs promptly, which the church failed to do. The insurer had already...
Gulf Firms Seek Millions In Political Violence Coverage Amid Rising Tensions
Companies across the Gulf are rapidly purchasing political violence insurance as regional fighting intensifies, with hundreds of inquiries flooding insurers and brokers. Premiums have jumped to roughly five times pre‑crisis levels, turning a $10 million cover for a $20 million project into...
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,...
Ep292 Miguel Rosa CEO Mapfre Re: Write the Client
In this episode, Mark Gagan talks with Miguel Rosa, CEO of Mapfre Re, about the reinsurer’s outlook as the market softens faster than expected. Rosa explains Mapfre Re’s dual role—serving internal group needs while growing a third‑party portfolio—and emphasizes its...
Insurify’s Founders Discuss Evolution of Insurance Shopping With AI
Insurify launched the first AI‑powered insurance app on OpenAI’s directory, prompting a brief dip in the S&P 500 Insurance index. The founders emphasized the rollout as an evolutionary step rather than a disruptive threat, noting that the app currently provides estimated...
Florida House Gives Final Approval to Much-Debated Citizens Clearinghouse Bill
The Florida House approved Senate Bill 1028, establishing a clearinghouse to transfer Citizens Property Insurance commercial policies to admitted and surplus‑line carriers. The measure passed 88‑19 despite objections from agents, brokers, and the state insurance commissioner. Amendments added regulatory oversight...
Report Shows Wind Turbines Are The Biggest Driver of Offshore Claims
A new AXIS Capital report finds wind turbines account for 57% of offshore loss claims. Drive‑train component damage makes up two‑thirds of turbine‑related claims, while inter‑array cables represent 14% with a $6.8 million average cost. Foundation claims are the third‑largest driver...
State Farm’s California Homeowners Rate Request: It’s Settled— Almost
State Farm, the California Department of Insurance and Consumer Watchdog have reached a settlement that leaves a 17% emergency homeowners‑insurance rate increase in place while providing refunds with 10% interest for condo and landlord policies. Renter‑insurance rates will rise slightly...
Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd (PANL) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Pangaea Logistics Solutions (Palomar) posted a record $2 billion gross written premium for 2025, a 32% increase, and adjusted net income of $216.1 million, up 62% year‑over‑year. Adjusted return on equity rose to 25.9%, surpassing its 2x target. The company completed the...
Union Pushes to Cut Insurers From Medicaid Home Care Payment System
The 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers East union is rallying for the Home Care Savings and Reinvestment Act, which would strip private insurers from New York's Medicaid home‑care payment system and replace them with a state‑run fee‑for‑service model. Proponents claim the change...