Amwins MGA Hires From Vantage
Applied Risk Capital, an Amwins-owned managing general agent, announced the appointment of Paul Livingstone as managing director and head of portfolio credit. Livingstone joins from Vantage Group, where he served as senior vice president for credit, mortgage and structured re/insurance. In his new role, he will lead the expansion of the firm’s leveraged finance non‑payment insurance practice into broader portfolio underwriting. The hire follows Amwins’ acquisition of Applied Risk Capital last year.
India Plans Sovereign Guarantees for Insurers as War Heightens Shipping Risks
India is preparing sovereign guarantee mechanisms to back insurers covering vessels transiting the Persian Gulf amid heightened war risks. The plan features a $1.5 billion government‑backed reinsurance fund and a $300 million industry‑contributed pool to manage liquidity and large claim payouts. War‑risk...
How AI and Automation Are Changing Home Insurance Claims in 2026
AI and automation have reshaped home insurance claims, slashing average processing time from ten days to 36 hours. Insurers now rely on drones, satellites, and AI models to assess damage, often without notifying homeowners, while fraud detection accuracy has risen...
FINEOS Wins MAIB Contract for Claims Platform Overhaul
Tasmania’s Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB) has selected FINEOS to replace its aging Motor Accidents Claims System with a modern, secure platform. The new solution addresses cybersecurity gaps, limited data access, and reporting constraints while aligning with MAIB’s client‑centric strategy....
Quandri Expands Integration Ecosystem with Vertafore AMS360 and HawkSoft, Broadening Access to Renewal Intelligence
Quandri announced new integrations with Vertafore AMS360 and HawkSoft, adding to its existing Applied Epic connection and extending its AI‑powered renewal intelligence to thousands of independent insurance agencies. The platform automates complex renewal workflows, generating real‑time quotes and context‑rich communications directly within...
EVs Should Be as Repairable as ICE, Thatcham Research Says
Thatcham Research, the UK’s leading vehicle assessment body, released an Electric Vehicle Blueprint aimed at making EVs as repairable as internal‑combustion‑engine cars. The initiative targets the high insurance costs caused by unnecessary write‑offs, noting that battery packs represent roughly 40%...
Extreme Weather Disrupts Workers’ Lives, Posing Underestimated Risk to Business Continuity
Deloitte’s Sustainability Signals survey shows extreme weather now disrupts workers daily, with 66% of respondents across 20 countries experiencing a significant event in the past six months and over half facing extreme heat. Absenteeism is rising—22% missed work, climbing to...
Medicare Advantage Left 3 Million Seniors without a Plan, and Options Are Shrinking
Medicare Advantage enrollment, once a growing staple, saw a sharp reversal in 2026 as nearly 3 million seniors were forced to leave their plans. Disenrollment rates surged to 10% of beneficiaries, driven by insurers exiting counties due to rising medical costs...
Zurich Lifts Turicum Re 2026-1 Cat Bond Target up to $150m, at Lower Pricing
Zurich has raised its target for the Turicum Re Ltd. Series 2026‑1 catastrophe bond to $150 million, up from the original $125 million. The price guidance for the Class A notes was also trimmed, with the risk‑interest spread now expected between 15.75% and...
Court of Appeals Weighs in on Vesttoo LOC Reinsurance Broker Responsibilities
The U.S. Court of Appeals reversed a district‑court dismissal, allowing Porch Group’s claim that reinsurance broker Gallagher Re failed to verify fraudulent letters of credit in Vesttoo transactions. The appellate panel held that Section 13 of the reinsurance intermediary‑authorization agreement likely...
Insurers Committed to Cutting Prior Authorizations Have Eliminated 11% so Far
Major insurers have trimmed 11% of prior authorizations, eliminating roughly 6.5 million requests for U.S. patients, according to AHIP and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The reduction is most pronounced in Medicare Advantage, where cuts exceed 15%. Insurers also report...
Boards Under Pressure, Insurers On Alert
Corporate boards are confronting a rapidly expanding risk matrix that includes tighter ESG and AI disclosure requirements, heightened geopolitical volatility, and a surge in shareholder activism. These pressures are driving an uptick in directors‑and‑officers (D&O) claims and causing premiums, which...
New Pilot Program From kWH Analytics Will Reward Hail-Ready Solar Projects with Lower Insurance Costs
San Francisco‑based kWh Analytics and its insurance arm have launched a pilot with tracker maker Nextpower that rewards solar projects using hail‑ready NX Horizon trackers with lower insurance premiums. The program shares real‑time and historical stow performance data, giving insurers...
Royal London Wins Approval to Deliver Targeted Support
Royal London has secured FCA approval to offer targeted support, a newly regulated service that bridges the gap between basic guidance and full financial advice. The mutual helped design the regime through industry working groups and direct engagement with the...
Florida Retirement System Pension Grows ILS Allocation to 1% of Fund, Around $2.23bn
The Florida Retirement System Pension Plan, managed by the Florida State Board of Administration, increased its insurance‑linked securities (ILS) and reinsurance allocation to 1% of total assets by the end of 2025, equating to roughly $2.23 billion. The fund, now over...
Cottage Season and Occupiers’ Liability: Familiar Principles in a Riskier Setting
As spring ushers in cottage season across Ontario, the Occupiers’ Liability Act continues to govern premises liability for seasonal homes just as it does for urban properties. Lawyers warn that increased foot traffic, alcohol consumption, and recreational activities raise the...
KWh Analytics to Reward Hail-Ready Solar Projects with Lower Insurance Costs
kWh Analytics has launched a data‑sharing pilot that lets solar developers provide real‑time tracker stow performance to insurers. By incorporating metrics such as 70° or 75° stow angles and heat‑tempered glass, the program demonstrates that resilient designs can slash projected...
National Partnership of Insurance Brokers and Its Former Subsidiary Agree to Pay Over $160 Million For Affordable Care Act Enrollment...
AP of South Florida (APSF) pleaded guilty to a major Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment fraud, admitting it enrolled thousands of vulnerable consumers in fully subsidized plans that they did not qualify for, resulting in $141.5 million in improper subsidies. The...
CII Reveals ‘Labelling Problem’ as Barrier to Effective Vulnerability Management
The Chartered Insurance Institute’s new Road to Consumer Trust report flags the industry’s “labelling problem” – advisers avoid recording client vulnerability because it triggers extra compliance steps. CII proposes a proportionate, practical approach that aligns FCA Consumer Duty expectations with...
Fake Buffett, Real Reputation Risk: How Deepfakes Are Reshaping the Cyber Landscape
In November 2025 a TikTok video featuring a hyper‑realistic deepfake of Warren Buffett promoted crypto giveaways, exposing how synthetic media can be weaponized for fraud. The clip amassed over 17,000 subscribers before the deception was uncovered, highlighting the speed at...
Bracing for Federal Cuts, some States Are Already Paring Back Medicaid Services
Montana postponed adding doula services to its Medicaid program after lawmakers approved up to $1,600 per pregnancy, citing a projected $146.3 million shortfall in federal Medicaid funds. The delay comes as the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, expected to trim nearly $1 trillion from...
SI Re Hires Simon Parten From Schroders Capital as ILS Portfolio Manager
Signal Iduna Reinsurance (SI Re) announced the appointment of Simon Parten as its ILS Portfolio Manager, effective June 1, 2026. Parten arrives from Schroders Capital, where he was senior underwriter and analyst for a large insurance‑linked securities portfolio. His expertise...
US-Based Insurance Broker Lockton to Expand Reinsurance Biz in India This Fiscal
Lockton, the world’s largest independent insurance broker, began operating in India on January 1, 2025 and now runs nine branches across major hubs. It serves more than 1,000 corporate clients with a team of 241 professionals, planning to expand to...
FIATA and Otonomi Partner to Bring Cargo and Delay Insurance to Freight Forwarders Worldwide
FIATA has teamed with insurtech Otonomi to offer freight forwarders digital cargo‑delay insurance across air, ocean and e‑commerce shipments. The platform delivers instant quotes and policy issuance through automated algorithms, letting users set delay triggers from three to 24 hours...
Connecticut Weighs P/C Insurance Surcharge to Fund Local Infrastructure Resilience
Connecticut lawmakers are debating a 5% surcharge on commercial property‑casualty insurance for fossil‑fuel infrastructure, aiming to create a climate resilience account that funds local flood‑risk and infrastructure projects. The measure, SB 453, cleared the Environment Committee and awaits fiscal analysis, with...
Clock Is Ticking: CMS LEAD Applications Due May 17 for Nursing Homes, but Complexity Demands Careful Review
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services opened applications for its new Long‑Term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) model, with a May 17 deadline and a Jan 1 2027 start date. LEAD replaces the outgoing ACO REACH program and promises broader inclusion of high‑needs...
CMS Finalizes 2.48% Medicare Advantage Payment Increase For 2027, Higher Than Proposed
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a 2.48% average increase in Medicare Advantage payments for 2027, translating to roughly $13 billion more than the agency’s modest 0.09% proposal earlier this year. When adjusted for risk‑score trends, the effective...
UnitedHealth, Humana, Health Insurers Jump On Higher Medicare Advantage Payments
The Trump administration announced a 2.48% increase in Medicare Advantage payments for 2027, adding roughly $13 billion to the CMS budget—far above the 0.09% proposal and the market’s 1% expectation. The surprise boost sent UnitedHealth Group up 7.7%, Humana up 11.1%,...
Trump Administration Finalizes Better-than-Feared Medicare Advantage Payment Rate in Boost to Health Insurers
The Trump administration approved a 2.48% increase in Medicare Advantage payments for 2027, adding roughly $13 billion to insurer reimbursements. This figure far exceeds the 0.09% hike originally floated in January. The larger rate boost lifted UnitedHealth, CVS Health and Humana...
CMS Finalizes Medicare Advantage Rates for CY 2027
On April 6, CMS finalized the 2027 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D payment rates, delivering a 2.48% year‑over‑year increase that translates to more than $13 billion in additional plan payments versus 2026. This figure far exceeds the agency’s earlier advance‑notice projection of...
CMS: More Flexible Plan Choices for Medicare Beneficiaries
CMS announced updates to Medicare Advantage and Part D plans for 2027, aiming to simplify star ratings, add a depression‑screening measure, and reduce regulatory burdens. The agency will streamline the star‑rating measure set, keep the Diabetes Care‑Eye Exam metric, and drop...
Understanding Risk Appetite
Risk appetite represents the amount of risk a firm is willing to accept in pursuit of value, and it is formalized through a Risk Appetite Statement or a comprehensive Risk Appetite Framework. The board typically sets limits on high‑risk customers,...
Experts Warn MA Auto Enrollment Would Limit Choice, Raise Costs
Health policy experts are warning that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is exploring automatic enrollment of Medicare beneficiaries into Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. They argue the move could curtail seniors' ability to choose alternative coverage and drive up...
Risk Mitigation Techniques
Risk mitigation requires coordinated internal controls across departments, anchored by enterprise risk management (ERM). Organizations must recognize and counteract cognitive biases that can distort risk assessment and response. Prioritization hinges on criteria such as adaptability, complexity, velocity, persistence and recovery,...
US Excess and Surplus Market Growth Slows to Single Digits as Commercial Property Premiums Decline
The U.S. excess and surplus (E&S) lines market surpassed $100 billion in direct premiums for the first time, reaching $105.31 billion in 2025, but growth decelerated to a single‑digit 7.8% increase. Commercial property premiums, once a growth engine, fell 2.8% to $27.69 billion...
Workers’ Comp Provider Networks Cut Total Claim Costs by 26%, Drive Faster Access to Care
A Workers’ Compensation Research Institute study of over seven thousand lost‑time claims across 34 states finds that provider networks lower total claim costs by 26%, saving roughly $11,820 per claim at 36 months. Medical payments drop 27%, about $3,500 per...
The 10-Minute Check UK Households Are Urged to Do to Avoid the £164m Home Insurance Claim Sending Premiums Soaring
UK insurers report a sharp rise in home‑insurance payouts, with average claim costs climbing 50% from 2021 to 2024. "Escape of water" incidents—burst pipes, faulty appliances and similar leaks—account for 29% of all claims, costing roughly $204.5 million over three years...
How Interconnected Risk Is Reshaping the Insurance Landscape
Interconnected risk is reshaping insurance as a single operational error can trigger global disruptions, illustrated by CrowdStrike's 2024 patch that halted airports, banks and transport across continents. Recent cyber incidents—CDK Global’s breach costing auto dealers nearly $1 billion and the Jaguar Land Rover...
OPM Leans Into 'Well Care' As It Reshapes Federal Health Plans for 2027
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) unveiled its 2027 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) agenda, branding it “well care” to broaden focus on physical and mental wellness. Key mandates include free access to all CDC‑recommended vaccines, required coverage of at...
EXIM Rubber-Stamps over $2 Billion for US LNG Export to Egypt
The Export‑Import Bank approved more than $2 billion in export‑credit‑insurance to back U.S. liquefied natural gas shipments to Egypt, covering contracts scheduled for 2026‑27. The authorization removes financing barriers for Hartree Energy’s deals with Egypt’s EGPC and aligns with the administration’s...
NeSL Enabling Real-Time Access to Digital Debt & Claims Data in Insolvency Cases
National E‑Governance Services Ltd (NeSL) is now providing real‑time digital records of default (RoDs) to adjudicating authorities for insolvency cases. The 2026 IBC amendment designates RoDs as sufficient evidence, turning NeSL into a mandated gateway for all insolvency proceedings. More...
Court Allows Insurers’ Contract Claims to Proceed in Cybersecurity Dispute
The Delaware Supreme Court reversed lower‑court dismissals, allowing insurers to pursue breach‑of‑contract claims against Blackbaud over its 2020 ransomware breach. Blackbaud, a nonprofit software provider, previously paid a $3 million SEC fine and $49 million to state attorneys general for misleading breach...
Court Sides With Insurers in Fight Over Captive Insurance Settlement Costs
In 2014 Chemical Solvents faced a bodily‑injury lawsuit and delegated its defense to insurers Greenwich Insurance and Illinois National. The insurers settled for $2.9 million, invoicing the company’s captive Alembic Inc. for $2.7 million, which depleted Chemical Solvents’ redemption account and left...
Court: Broken Glass Could Be a ‘Pollutant’ Under School’s Insurance Policy
A New Jersey federal court ruled that broken glass embedded in Oak Knoll School’s sports field qualifies as a “pollutant” under the school’s insurance policy, rejecting Utica National’s denial of coverage. The insurer had argued that only traditional environmental hazards trigger...
Political Risk Insurance to Surge Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
The US‑Israel conflict with Iran is exposing hotels, data centres, pipelines and other assets across the Middle East to heightened war‑related threats, prompting a sharp rise in demand for political risk insurance, according to GlobalData. Insurers anticipate a surge in...
2014 JKN Rollout Dented Private Insurance Uptake, ANU Study Finds
An ANU study using Indonesia’s Susenas data finds that the 2014 rollout of the National Health Insurance (JKN) program cut private health‑insurance enrollment by about 30 percent. The effect was strongest among middle‑income households, whose coverage value fell sharply relative to...
Insurer Flags ‘Sea Surge’ Risk for some Napier Parklands Estate Properties
Tower Insurance has refused to underwrite several homes in Napier’s Parklands residential estate, citing a high risk of sea‑surge flooding despite the development’s use of recent coastal inundation modelling and elevated ground levels. The insurer relies on address‑specific hazard modelling...
Maui, Malibu, Hawaii: How Insurers Failed Coastal Communities and Investors Moved In
Recent floods on Hawaii's North Shore and wildfires in Maui and Malibu exposed a systemic flaw: standard homeowners and renters policies exclude flood damage that rises from below, leaving many victims without coverage. Insurers have repeatedly denied or underpaid claims,...
Generali Hong Kong Automates Health Claims with CoverGo’s AI Agent
Generali Hong Kong has teamed with insurtech platform CoverGo to launch an Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) AI Agent that automates health‑insurance claim handling. The solution ingests claim forms, medical reports, invoices and receipts, converting unstructured files into structured, decision‑ready data...
In Drought-Hit Somalia, Savings Accounts Offer a Lifeline
A World Bank‑backed program called DRIVE is scaling across Somalia’s arid pastoral regions, pairing savings accounts with heavily subsidized livestock insurance. The scheme, run with Salaam Somali Bank and re‑insurer ZEP‑RE, automatically triggers cash payouts when satellite data confirms drought...