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
Oklahoma Adds 14 New Captives in 2025
The Oklahoma Insurance Department licensed 14 new captive insurers in 2025, while four existing captives were dissolved, delivering a net gain of ten captives for the state. Among the new formations are HK Captive, backed by The Hanor Company of Wisconsin, ARassurance from Fred Leeds Asset Group, and Strategic Risk Protection owned by Total Environment. This activity underscores Oklahoma’s continued appeal as a domicile for captive structures. The growth reflects both regional demand for tailored risk solutions and a supportive regulatory climate.
Investor Lawsuits Push Back on SEC Changes That Gave Firms More Power
In November the SEC altered its proxy‑vote rule, shifting approval from staff reviewers to company executives, giving firms broader discretion to exclude shareholder proposals from proxy statements. The change has sparked at least three high‑profile lawsuits—against AT&T, Axon Enterprises and...
Canada Life Completes £80m Pensions Buy-In with Safeway Pension Scheme
Canada Life has completed an £80 million buy‑in transaction for the Safeway Pension Scheme, covering more than 350 deferred members and 1,450 pensioners. The deal was brokered by Aon, with Hymans Robertson providing investment advice and Clifford Chance and Gowling WLG handling...
Medicare Advantage Reckoning Hits 2026 Enrollment: Mark Meiselbach, PhD
New research predicts that nearly 3 million Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees—about 10 % of the market—will be forced out of their plans in 2026 as payment reforms curb historic over‑payments. The exits will hit rural beneficiaries hardest and will deepen the divide...
Lemonade Launches AI BS Detector to Cut Insurance Hype
Many insurers are issuing AI press releases. It's all very exciting. So at @lemonade_inc we built an AI BS detector: three KPIs, public data, no spin. It won't boost our popularity. It might boost your returns. https://t.co/Ua8vWxkObh https://t.co/xzazrKJ9zB
Businesses Now Face Material Threat From Rising Gray-Zone Aggression, Says Willis
A new Willis Research Network report warns that gray‑zone aggression has become a material threat for businesses across all sectors. Previously limited to aviation and shipping, these ambiguous, deniable tactics now disrupt supply chains, insurance coverage and operational continuity. The...
4 Stocks to Watch From the Prospering Insurance Brokerage Industry
The insurance brokerage sector is riding a wave of better pricing, disciplined underwriting and rising demand for a broader range of policies, pushing industry revenue higher. Digitalization and AI adoption are sharpening margins and enabling faster scale, while a wave...
Rokstone Launches Rokstone Velocity and Appoints Senior Casualty Specialists
Rokstone has launched Rokstone Velocity, a new division dedicated to underwriting complex casualty risks emerging from the digital economy, beginning with the U.S. market. The unit is led by Andrew Cooper, a veteran with 25 years of insurance experience, and...
The TPA’s Role in Avoiding Unnecessary ERISA Litigation
Third‑party administrators (TPAs) must ensure that a self‑funded health plan’s formal document and its Summary Plan Description (SPD) are perfectly aligned. Gaps or missing clauses—especially around subrogation—can expose both the TPA and plan sponsor to ERISA class‑action lawsuits costing tens...
Hong Kong to Move Forwards with Tax Exemption for ILS Investments
Hong Kong's Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui announced plans to broaden the SAR's preferential tax regime to cover insurance-linked securities (ILS) such as catastrophe bonds. The proposal expands the definition of “funds” to include pensions, endowments and single‑investor vehicles, and adds...
Elementum Advisors Grows ILS AUM to $3.8bn, Despite White Mountains Investment Declining
Elementum Advisors entered 2026 with assets under management rising to $3.8 bn, a $100 m increase from the start of 2025. While White Mountains still holds a 26.6% equity stake, its investment in Elementum’s ILS funds fell from $161 m in 2023 to...
Insurance-Linked Securities Market Soars Amid Capital Influx
The insurance‑linked securities (ILS) market posted a historic 2025, with new issuance climbing to $24.7 billion and total outstanding notional near $60 billion. Capital inflows of $12.3 billion and a benign loss year drove a 13.5% compound annual growth rate since 2020, while...
Chowdeck Taps MyCoverGenius to Introduce Accident Insurance for Its 20,000 Riders
Chowdeck has rolled out a personal accident insurance scheme for more than 20,000 active riders, partnering with Nigerian insurer MyCoverGenius. The auto‑enrolled policy covers accidental medical expenses, temporary disability benefits, and compensation for lost earnings. Launched in November 2024, the...
Philippine Bank Deposits Hit ₱21 Trillion as Account Numbers Surge
Total deposit liabilities in the Philippine banking system climbed to ₱20.9 trillion at the end of Q3 2025, a 7.3% year‑on‑year rise driven by a 20.4% surge in deposit accounts to 166.6 million. The increase followed a March 2025 decision to double...
Steadfast’s Underlying Revenue Rises 14.6% to $1bn in H1’26
Steadfast Group reported underlying revenue of $1 billion for H1 2026, a 14.6% year‑on‑year increase. Underlying EBITA rose 12.6% to $293.6 million, while NPATA and NPAT grew 6.3% and 7.3% respectively. The Australasian Network brokers generated $6.4 billion in gross written premiums, up 4.4%,...
Delos and ROAR Partner to Deliver Comprehensive Disaster Risk Exposure Strategy
Delos Insurance Solutions and ROAR Partners have formed a strategic collaboration to deliver a full‑stack disaster risk exposure strategy for wildfire‑prone regions, beginning with California. The partnership targets low‑development‑risk zones, builds multi‑stakeholder alliances, and offers integrated investment, financial, and insurance...
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...
EPIC Names Miranda Rodriguez as Head of National Real Estate Practice
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants has created a new Program Development Leader role for its national real estate practice, appointing Miranda Rodriguez to drive growth and integration. Rodriguez will oversee program design, strategic partnerships, and technology initiatives while coordinating existing...
Four Practical, Data-Backed Steps for Preventing Nuclear Verdicts®
The article presents a data‑driven framework called “The Apex” that outlines four practical steps—personalize the defendant, accept responsibility, give a number, and argue pain and suffering—to curb runaway jury awards known as nuclear verdicts. Analysis of 100 real verdicts shows...
Baldwin Posts Fourth Quarter Loss; Carlisle Takes Over Underwriting Group
Baldwin Insurance Group posted a Q4 loss of $25.9 million, or 37 cents per share, widening its annual deficit to $33.8 million. Revenue slipped to $347.3 million, missing Zacks analysts’ $354.3 million estimate. CEO Trevor Baldwin signaled a turnaround for 2026, while Amy Carlisle took...
JPMorgan, Barclays, Fifth Third Sued by Investors for Missing ‘Giant Red Flags’ at Tricolor
Investors holding more than $230 million of Tricolor asset‑backed securities have sued JPMorgan Chase, Barclays and Fifth Third, alleging the banks ignored audit warnings and helped market fraudulent auto‑loan debt. The complaint claims the banks financed, securitized and misrepresented Tricolor’s loan receivables...
Carriers See Higher Claims Severity Amid Medical, Social Inflation and Growth in AI‑Generated Fraud
North American insurers are confronting a surge in claim severity as medical inflation, social inflation, and AI‑generated fraud drive costs upward. The Gallagher Bassett 2026 Carrier Report shows 64% of carriers see more complex claims, with 56% pinpointing rising medical expenses...
Tokio Marine Kiln Appoints Lauren Storer as Underwriter in Property & Motor Division
Tokio Marine Kiln has appointed Lauren Storer as an underwriter in its Property & Motor division, reporting to divisional head Neil Robertson. Storer brings over 13 years of underwriting experience, most recently as senior underwriter at Lancashire Insurance where she...
IRONSTAR Wins British Heat Of The ActInSpace 2026 Hackathon, Enabling New Qualification Of Space Risk Exposures
University College London’s IRONSTAR team won the UK heat of the ActInSpace 2026 hackathon, presenting an early‑stage model that prices space‑debris risk for satellite operators and insurers. The competition, hosted at Surrey Research Park, attracted 75 participants from academia, industry...
The Mental Health Crisis Is Changing — Here’s What Insurers Need to Know
Life‑science firms face heightened D&O liability as stock volatility spikes around clinical trial readouts and regulatory decisions. Shareholder lawsuits often begin with books‑and‑records demands that probe whether public statements matched internal knowledge. The article stresses disciplined, consistent disclosure and early...
James River Group Holdings Inc (JRVR) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
James River Group reported a net loss of $23.9 million for Q3 2021, driven by a loss‑portfolio‑transfer (LPT) of its commercial auto runoff and casualty reinsurance reserve developments. The company highlighted strong growth in its core E&S book, which expanded 25% to...
Critical Strait of Hormuz: Multiple Attacks Slash Transits
The @CMF_Bahrain Joint Maritime Information Center's has released their new advisory for the Strait of Hormuz as of 1 March 2026. The situation is deemed CRITICAL. They had three confirmed incidents in the past 24 hours: 1️⃣SKYLIGHT at anchor south of Hormuz, abandoned...
Aspen Leads Nation with Firefighting Drone Technology
Colorado is leading with practical wildfire solutions. Aspen is first in the nation using new tech to get ahead of fires and protect lives, landscapes, and communities. From tackling pine beetles to statewide wildfire mitigation, we’re keeping Colorado’s forests and people...
Skuld P&I Cancels War Risk Cover in Mideast Gulf
Skuld P&I announced the cancellation of its war‑risk coverage for vessels operating in the Middle East Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, citing a deteriorating geopolitical climate after US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory actions. The notice...
IASA Xchange 2026
The International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IASA) Xchange 2026 will convene June 7‑9 in New Orleans, bringing together insurance finance, risk, technology and executive leaders. The agenda spotlights NAIC and broader regulatory updates, practical tactics for stronger financial reporting, and operational...
Upgrading Your Insurance Playbook for 2026: Protecting Your Business When Costs Are Out of Your Control
Restaurant operators face rising food, labor, and utility costs, prompting many to trim insurance premiums. The article warns that focusing solely on price can create coverage gaps that jeopardize operations during claims, injuries, or closures. It advocates a smarter insurance...
Berkshire Cash Dips, Profits Plunge 30%
Berkshire Hathaway's cash pile drops to $373.31bn in 4Q down from $381.7bn in the previous quarter following after a rather disappointing quarter. Operating profits fell nearly 30% in Warren Buffett’s last quarter as CEO, as insurance underwriting earnings slumped. That metric fell by...
Hormuz Closure Turns Oil Crisis Into Prolonged Risk Game
Strait of Hormuz. Closed. The ‘crisis’ will be defined by the length of the war and by risk. Oil supply. Maritime and cargo insurance. Houthis. Freight rates.
FMCSA Spotlights Trucking’s Multi-Million Dollar Insurance Gap
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 2026 report warns that the trucking industry faces a massive insurance gap. While the number of active interstate carriers fell to 456,227, the median "nuclear" verdict for crashes jumped to $51 million, far exceeding the...
Understanding the Economics Behind Parametric Insurance
Parametric insurance economics 🧐 https://t.co/xsiFGRw3HV @jeffroth77 @GalenDShaffer @JimMarous @FGraillot @nigelwalsh @SpirosMargaris @jblefevre60 @robgalb @RonnoArnold @hedgequote @Nick_Lamparelli @antgrasso @hugues_bertin @globaliqx @psb_dc @an_battista @InsuranceEleph1
Illinois Risk Pool Bleeds From Fraudulent Chameleon Carriers
The Illinois State risk pool is an insurer of last resort. Unfortunately, due to the massive amount of fraud coming from chameleon carriers and fleets with fabricated safety records, it is bleeding out. https://t.co/PttPnIgNtk
UK Appoints Barclays Executive as Top Bank of England Regulator
The UK government appointed Katharine Braddick, a former regulator now Barclays group head of strategic policy, as the Bank of England's deputy governor for prudential regulation. Her five‑year term begins on July 1, 2026, succeeding Sam Woods. The move follows finance...
Science Predicts Disasters, Stabilizes Insurance, Saves Money
Turns out science helps predict disasters, keep insurance markets stable, and save people money. Who knew?
Alternative Life Capital in the UK - a Distant Dream?
The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has floated proposals to widen the pool of capital available to UK life insurers, encouraging the sector to tap alternative sources such as pension funds, sovereign wealth and private‑equity investors. Insurers welcomed the idea, seeing...
Corn Insurance Falls, Soybean Coverage Rises in 2026
🇺🇸2026 U.S. insurance guarantees: Corn: $4.62 per bushel (down 2% from last year) Soybeans: $11.09 per bushel (up 5% from last year) https://t.co/QFcJ5xrOCI
US Zones Rank Outside Top 10 in FM Resilience Index
The latest FM Resilience Index shows all U.S. zones falling outside the top‑10 rankings for the first time. The index, which evaluates climate adaptation, business continuity, and operational robustness, placed European and Asia‑Pacific regions ahead of the United States. Analysts...
Uncovering Hidden Fraud Networks
Entity resolution, knowledge graphs, and geospatial analytics together dismantle hidden fraud networks across government programs and insurance lines. By linking fragmented records—tax filings, social media, transaction logs—into unified 360‑degree profiles, investigators can spot duplicate registrations, synthetic identities, and collusive entities....
State Farm to Issue $136M in Dividends to Louisiana Drivers
State Farm announced a $136 million dividend distribution to Louisiana personal auto policyholders, averaging $138 per vehicle. The payout follows a stronger‑than‑expected underwriting performance nationwide and a 5.8% drop in Louisiana auto premiums in 2025. The dividend will be issued this...
Accelerant Expects Revenue to Rise 51% for FY’25
Accelerant Holdings announced a preliminary FY 2025 revenue forecast of $913 million, representing a 51% year‑over‑year increase. The company expects Q4 2025 revenue of $248 million, up 30% from the same quarter last year. Total exchange written premiums are projected at $4.19 billion, a 35%...
Galaxy Insurance Consultants (Singapore) Obtains MAS Reinsurance Broking Licence
Galaxy Insurance Consultants (Singapore) received a Reinsurance Broking Licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, allowing it to act as an intermediary for global reinsurance contracts. The approval strengthens Galaxy’s role as a trusted broker across the Asia‑Pacific region and...
Employer Can Contest Causation Before Authorizing Alternate Care: Iowa Appeals
The Iowa Court of Appeals reversed a district court ruling that forced LJ & J Corp. to approve a total knee replacement for employee John Henry. The court held that an employer disputing causation cannot be compelled to provide alternate...
Consilium Establishes Energy Risk Solutions Division and Names Johnny Hilliard as Managing Partner
Consilium, a global specialty re/insurance broker, announced the creation of an Energy Risk Solutions Division and the appointment of Johnny Hilliard as Managing Partner. Hilliard, who joins after a 16‑year career at Amwins Global Risks and other firms, will lead...
The BI Top 10 for the Week of Feb. 23, 2026
The week’s Business Insurance Top 10 highlighted Howden’s aggressive U.S. expansion, accompanied by litigation with Marsh, while AI‑related claims surfaced, prompting insurers to reassess policy language. Marsh secured a partial injunction against former staff, and EPIC added a former WTW real‑estate...
Aon Advises on Pension Risk Settlement for Mouchel Business Services Scheme
Aon acted as lead adviser on a risk‑settlement transaction for the Mouchel Business Services Money Purchase scheme, protecting the retirement benefits of its 220 members. The scheme combined a defined contribution plan with a defined benefit underpin, creating insurance‑coverage challenges...
Hinterland Insurance Appoints Kristine Hardy and Evan Krozy to Executive Roles
Hinterland Insurance, a niche MGA focused on hard-to-place risks, announced two senior leadership appointments. Evan Krozy joins as Chief Underwriting Officer, while Kristine Harding becomes Executive Vice President of Commercial Package and Property, reporting to Krozy. Both bring decades of...