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:
New Texas Law Requires Insurers Provide Reason for Declining or Canceling Policies
A Texas law, HB 2067, took effect on Jan 1 2026 requiring all property‑and‑casualty insurers to provide written reasons when declining, canceling, or not renewing auto or homeowners policies. The mandate rolls out in three phases—first residential property and private passenger auto, then commercial lines, and finally any remaining casualty lines. Insurers must submit quarterly reports to the Texas Department of Insurance detailing these reasons. Consumers can file complaints if insurers fail to supply explanations.
Synpulse Strengthens Global Leadership in Commercial Insurance & Reinsurance with New Promotions
Synpulse announced the promotion of Marcel Loetscher to Senior Partner and Joel Smith to Partner within its Commercial Insurance, Reinsurance, ILS and Delegated Authority (CRID) practice. Loetscher, a 16‑year veteran who founded the New York office, will now head the...
2026 Star Ratings Shift: 4 Strategies for MA Plans
CMS has unveiled a sweeping overhaul of the Medicare Advantage Star Ratings, targeting the 2028 and 2029 rating cycles. The agency will drop 12 administrative and two clinical measures, eliminate the Health Equity Index incentive, and introduce a depression‑screening metric....
Octave Specialty Group’s P&C Gross Premiums up 34% for Q4’25
Octave Specialty Group posted a mixed Q4 2025 performance, with its Everspan P&C unit boosting gross premiums 34% to $80 million while the combined ratio slipped to 99.4% due to a higher loss ratio. Total P&C premium production rose 15% to $303 million,...
How Camunda’s Skyflow Connector Helps Regulated Organizations Orchestrate Sensitive Data Safely
Camunda introduced a Skyflow connector that tokenizes and de‑identifies PII/PHI within BPMN workflows. The connector forwards selected fields to Skyflow’s vault, replaces them with tokens, and permits controlled re‑identification only at approved steps. This approach shrinks the cleartext data footprint...
The Car Warranty Chaiz: Reto Bolliger with Harm-Julian Schumacher
In this episode, Julian interviews Reto Bolliger, co‑founder and CEO of Chase, an online marketplace that lets consumers compare and purchase extended car warranties at prices up to 40% lower than dealership offers. Reto shares his eclectic entrepreneurial journey—from classical...
Marsh Risk Adds Angela Baker as Portfolio Solutions Leader for UK
Marsh Risk has appointed Angela Baker as the UK Portfolio Solutions Leader, reporting to Tom Davies. Based in London, Baker will collaborate with Marsh’s leadership and specialty teams to design and deliver portfolio solutions for clients. A key focus of...
A16z Speedrun Alum General Magic Secures $7.2 Million USD to Make Calling Your Insurance Company Less of a Slog
Toronto AI startup General Magic announced a $7.2 million financing round led by Radical Ventures with participation from a16z Speedrun and several angel investors. The company’s agentic AI texting platform automates insurance customer interactions across quoting, coverage queries, and claims, promising...
US P&C Industry Sees Decade-High Performance in 2025, AM Best Reports
The U.S. property‑and‑casualty (P&C) insurance sector posted its strongest results in a decade in 2025, with net underwriting income surging to an estimated $39 billion and the combined ratio improving to 95.0, down from 97.1 in 2024. Robust pricing momentum across...
Price Forbes Hires Davies to Lead Bermuda Property Division
Price Forbes has appointed Gareth Davies as Executive Vice President and Head of Property for its Bermuda operation, effective immediately. Davies brings three decades of property insurance experience, most recently as Head of Property at Lockton, and prior senior roles...
Financial & Legal
Financial & Legal, a UK‑based insurer founded in 1995, provides in‑house underwritten After the Event (ATE) and Before the Event (BTE) insurance alongside assistance and ancillary cover. The firm is regulated by the PRA and FCA, fully Solvency II compliant, and...
There’s a Silver Lining to Our Health Care Cost Crisis
Congress missed its Jan. 30 deadline to extend ACA subsidies, leaving roughly four million Americans without financial assistance and prompting a surge in uninsured individuals. The lapse underscores a broader health‑care cost crisis that has become a flashpoint ahead of the...
Plenum Investments Surpasses $2bn of Assets Under Management
Zurich‑based Plenum Investments announced that its assets under management have topped US$2 billion, roughly doubling the figure achieved in July 2023. The growth stems from four UCITS catastrophe‑bond and insurance‑linked securities funds, which now enjoy institutional‑scale assets. The firm’s organic expansion reflects...
California FAIR Plan Secures $400m Wildfire Reinsurance From Second Golden Bear Re Cat Bond
The California FAIR Plan secured a $400 million wildfire reinsurance cat bond from Golden Bear Re Ltd. (Series 2026‑2), priced at a 9.5 % spread and an expected loss of 2.65 %. The single‑tranche issuance runs three years to February 2029 and brings the plan’s...
Letting Agents and Landlords Seek Insurance Ahead of Renters’ Rights Act
Goodlord's analysis shows a 41% surge in rental‑insurance demand between September and December 2025 after the Renters’ Rights Bill received Royal Assent. A survey of 234 letting agents and landlords found 76% are now more likely to purchase protection insurance...
Universal Insurance Holdings Inc (UVE) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Universal Insurance Holdings reported a strong Q4 2025, posting adjusted EPS of $1.36 and a 30.6% adjusted ROE. Core revenue rose 4.9% to $400 million, driven by higher net premiums earned and investment income, while the net loss ratio improved to...
Slide Insurance Holdings Inc (SLDE) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
National MI Holdings reported a record 2025 year, posting $388.9 million net income (up 8%), diluted EPS of $4.92 (up 11%), and a 16.2% return on equity. Insurance in force reached $221.4 billion, while fourth‑quarter new insurance written hit $14.2 billion, driving total...
International General Insurance Holdings Ltd (IGIC) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
International General Insurance Holdings (IGIC) posted Q3 2025 net income of $33.5 million and $94.9 million for the first nine months, delivering a 20% annualized return on equity. The company saw gross premiums written dip 5% in Q3, driven by long‑tail pressure,...
Insurance Reform in Hawaii
United Policyholders helped draft a suite of six insurance reform bills for Hawaii after the 2023 Maui wildfires revealed systemic gaps in coverage. The legislation extends replacement‑cost and additional‑living‑expense timelines, mandates transparent mortgage‑proceeds handling, and eliminates inventory requirements for personal‑property...
Colorado Invests $6.9M in Wildfire Prevention, Jobs
Colorado is no stranger to devastating wildfires. This year, we are experiencing record drought numbers. Now more than ever, it is important to invest in wildfire prevention strategies to protect our communities. By investing $6.9 million into these local wildfire...
Two-Thirds of Independent Agencies Plan to Increase AI Use This Year, Survey Says
A new ACT survey shows that more than two‑thirds of independent agencies intend to increase AI use within the next 12 months, yet only 8% currently have AI embedded in daily workflows. Operational efficiency (60%) and staff productivity (52%) drive...
Most Agencies Use AI. Almost None Govern It.
Zurich posted record P&C earnings, prompting surplus capital to chase specialty growth through acquisitions rather than organic expansion, while an extended Beazley takeover deadline adds pressure on the market. In the personal lines space, roughly one‑third of independent agencies still...
McLarens Names Former Crisis24 Exec to Lead Crisis Management
McLarens has appointed former Crisis24 executive Kevin Moran as executive general adjuster and U.S. team lead for malicious assailant, war, terrorism and political violence within its crisis management practice. The newly created role will oversee incident investigation and insurance reporting...
RLI Now Has ‘A++’ Rating From AM Best
AM Best upgraded RLI Group’s financial strength ratings to A++ and its long‑term issuer credit ratings to aa+, reflecting superior balance‑sheet fundamentals and capital management. The insurer reported $1.9 billion policyholder surplus and $264.2 million underwriting income for 2025, marking the 30th consecutive...
Consequences of New MA and ACA Marketplace Regulations
CMS has released draft regulations that will reshape Medicare Advantage (MA) and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace operations beginning in the 2027 compliance year. The proposals tighten enrollment verification, mandate greater cost and benefit transparency, and introduce stricter documentation standards...
Protected: On-Demand Webinar — Using RMIS as a Strategic Enabler: How Risk Leaders Turn Information Into Better Decisions
Origami Risk hosted an on‑demand webinar titled “Using RMIS as a Strategic Enabler,” highlighting how risk leaders can turn risk‑management information systems (RMIS) data into better business decisions. The session detailed the platform’s ability to aggregate insurance, safety, and claims...
Cayman Reinsurance Assets Surpass $100bn, Says Cayman Finance
Cayman Finance reports that the Cayman Islands’ reinsurance sector has surged, with licensed companies increasing from 58 to 113 and total assets exceeding $101 billion at the end of 2025. Premiums written grew from $9.3 bn in 2020 to $30.2 bn, driven largely...
FIGA Moves to End 1% Assessment for Insolvent Insurer Claims 2 Years Early
The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) announced it will terminate the 1% emergency assessment on homeowners and commercial policies two years ahead of schedule, effective Oct. 1. The early end is attributed to a calm 2025 hurricane season, absence of insurer...
Canopius and Globex Underwriting Services Partner to Expand Global Marine Coverage
Canopius US Marine has teamed with Globex Underwriting Services to place local marine policies worldwide, extending admitted coverage to more than 200 countries and territories. The alliance taps Globex’s global network, digital infrastructure, and expertise in compliance, tax, claims handling,...
Volvo Cars to Recall 40,000 Electric SUVs over Battery Fire Risk
Volvo Cars announced a recall of 40,323 EX30 electric SUVs after discovering that the high‑voltage battery packs can overheat and pose a fire risk. The recall targets both single‑motor extended‑range and twin‑motor performance variants, requiring replacement of the faulty modules....
Tech Update: Zywave Unveils 4 New AI Agents; Cytora, Warren Group Partner to Improve Commercial Property Underwriting
Zywave unveiled four AI agents in its Winter 2026 release, already deployed with more than 35 insurance firms. The agents automate prospect identification, lead scoring, research enrichment, and outreach, while new platform features add TurboRater single sign‑on and expanded Benefits CPQ...
Permanent Insurance Rarely Worth It, Except Special‑Needs Cases
Ehh. This one is a bit too far. About ~5-10% of the time, a permanent insurance policy can be a good fit, and NO, I do not sell them. For example, if you have a business that has a partner...
Nevada Approves 21.6% Increase in Comp Loss Costs
The Nevada Division of Insurance approved a 21.6% increase in workers‑compensation loss costs effective March 1, citing state‑specific pressures rather than a national trend. Elevated large losses, flattening claim frequency, rising claim severity, and a $36,000 payroll cap that skews premium...
Crisis Management Teams Navigate Surge in Threats as Terrorism Insurance Prices Fall
WTW’s 2026 crisis‑management review shows a sharp rise in politically motivated threats in 2025, with U.S. incidents accounting for two‑thirds of the global surge. Despite active‑assailant attacks and high‑profile assassinations, the U.S. terrorism insurance market softened, delivering average premium cuts...
UIB to Strengthen Cyber Insurance Capabilities with CyberCube Partnership
United Insurance Brokers Limited (UIB) has partnered with cyber‑risk analytics firm CyberCube to bolster its cyber insurance offering. UIB will deploy CyberCube’s Broking Manager and Prep Module, giving its global practice data‑driven exposure insights. The collaboration targets accelerated growth in...
Prosecutors Allege UK Aircraft Parts Firm’s Fraud Caused Millions in Losses
London‑based airline parts firm director Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala forged documents to sell tens of thousands of CFM56 engine components, injecting roughly 60,000 suspect parts into the global supply chain. The scheme, spanning January 2019 to December 2023, generated £6.9 million in revenue for...
POS Malaysia Teeters on Insolvency After Nine Years Loss
POS Malaysia “Survival Before Recovery”. •Another Net loss RM209m FY25 •9 tahun berturut rugi. It’s a structural earnings problem, reflecting business model under sustained pressure. •Accum losses driven reserves to deeply negative ~RM1 bil •Net Asset per share only 11sen. Balance sheet now thinly...
AI Governance, Trust, and Safety Drive Future Innovation
The new frontier is not just adopting AI. It is mastering its governance. The companies that prioritize trust and safety will be the ones that lead the next decade of innovation. https://t.co/MqiUbVHQVO
Africa Specialty Risks Appoints Laxmeekant Walikar as Principal Officer & MD, India
Africa Specialty Risks (ASR) has named Laxmeekant Walikar as Principal Officer and Managing Director for India, tasking him with launching the firm’s operations through the GIFT City hub in Gujarat. His mandate includes establishing a Lloyd’s service company for Syndicate 2454, building...
AI Ambition Outpaces Governance, Threatening Shareholder Value
74% of firms will deploy agentic AI by 2028. Only 21% have mature governance. A 53-point gap between ambition and readiness. That is a ticking time bomb for shareholder value. https://t.co/TsiQpfm0tL
Economic Environment Remains Leading Emerging Risk in Q4’25, Reports Gartner
Gartner’s Q4 2025 Emerging Risk Report, based on a survey of 367 senior risk executives, identified a low‑growth economic environment as the top emerging risk for the second quarter in a row. Respondents linked the concern to financial instability, persistent trade...
ECB Steps Up Scrutiny of European Banks’ AI Industry Exposure
The European Central Bank has launched a focused inquiry into banks’ exposure to the artificial‑intelligence sector, requesting detailed loan information on data‑center financing and related AI firms. Parallel workshops are probing how banks deploy generative AI, covering governance, business models...
Stonybrook Launches New Excess Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance Program
Stonybrook Capital and Stonybrook Risk Management have launched a new Excess Hired and Non‑Owned Auto (HNOA) insurance program, with PT Edwards serving as the managing general agent. The structure is backed by reinsurance capacity from Florida Insurance and Reinsurance Co,...
Livestock Insurance Subsidy Harvest Costs More Than Direct Payments
New @nberpubs: "A Theory of Subsidy Harvesting in Livestock Price Insurance" https://t.co/a2BTA7aoME "The subsidy harvest is a pure rent and costlier than a direct payment because it requires administrative oversight and federally-subsidized delivery" https://t.co/gmAA7SjVyG
Disaster Preparedness, Responsible Tech Use Among NAIC 2026 Priorities
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) unveiled its 2026 strategic priorities, emphasizing stronger capital and investment frameworks, advanced data architecture, heightened disaster resilience, and robust AI model governance. Regulators will pursue a harmonized investment regime, expand analytics capabilities, and...
CMS Renews AHCH’s Deemed Status as Hospice Accreditor
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has renewed the Accreditation Commission for Health Care’s (ACH C) deemed status as an accreditor for both hospice providers and critical‑access hospitals. The six‑year renewal, effective through 2031, confirms that ACHC’s standards...
Global Parametrics Highlights How Parametric Products & Cat Bonds Can Scale Humanitarian Risk Financing
Global Parametrics’ new whitepaper argues that catastrophe bonds and parametric insurance can help bridge the widening humanitarian financing gap, which stands at roughly 36% of the projected $50 billion need in 2024. The report highlights that multi‑year cat bonds can unlock...
Insurers' Biggest Hurdle: Leveraging Tech for Incumbents
Which is insurers major challenge ? → https://t.co/YWi9QjcUaF It's not a matter of innovation per se but how tech could benefit incumbents. https://t.co/bJYiaUkE4h
LGT Reinsurer Lumen Re Secures $175m of Retro From Debut Photon Re 2026-1 Cat Bond
Lumen Re, the reinsurance arm of LGT ILS Partners, completed its debut Photon Re Series 2026‑1 catastrophe bond, locking in $175 million of fully‑collateralized retrocession protection against North American peak perils. The issuance was priced below the original guidance, with the...
Why 2026 Could See Mainstream Adoption of Prediction Markets
Prediction markets have evolved from niche mood indicators to liquid platforms handling billions in weekly turnover. Asset managers are increasingly viewing them as direct hedges for event risk that traditional derivatives cannot cover. Regulatory clarity, exemplified by CFTC approval of...