U.K. Sanctions Maritime Mutual over Dark Fleet Coverage
Britain has placed sanctions on New Zealand‑based Maritime Mutual Insurance Association and its Gibraltar affiliate, accusing them of insuring dark‑fleet tankers that transport Iranian and Russian oil. The measures include an asset freeze and the disqualification of company directors. Maritime Mutual has categorically denied the allegations. The sanctions reflect heightened enforcement of sanctions compliance in the maritime insurance sector.
Santam Hires Munich Re Exec as CEO
Santam, South Africa's leading insurer, announced the appointment of a senior Munich Re executive as its new chief executive officer. The move follows a strategic review aimed at accelerating growth and deepening reinsurance capabilities. The new CEO brings extensive global...
Y Combinator Grad and AI Insurance Brokerage Harper Raises $47M
Harper, an AI‑native insurance brokerage founded by Y Combinator alumnus Dakotah Rice, announced a $46.8 million Series A and seed round led by Emergence Capital. Launched in 2024, the platform automates underwriting, routing, and document collection, enabling it to process over 1,000 policies...
Exclusive: Charter Space Launches an Insurance Brokerage
Charter Space has launched the Charter Interplanetary Risk Corporation (CIRC), a nationally licensed brokerage dedicated to providing insurance for space missions and related commercial risks. Building on its mission‑management software and data‑driven risk analytics, CIRC will place policies ranging from...
How Will Evolving Customer Expectations Change InsurTech in 2026?
In 2026 insurers, MGAs and InsurTechs face a shift from tech experimentation to meeting hyper‑instant, personalized customer expectations. Research shows 80% of policyholders will demand real‑time updates and 75% prefer tailored experiences. Executives highlight the rise of "micro‑engagement," the need...
Beyond Catastrophes: The Untapped Potential of Predict & Prevent
Insurance firms face over $100 billion in annual natural‑disaster losses, prompting a shift toward predict‑and‑prevent technologies. While IoT sensors, fortified building standards, and AI‑driven flood detection are gaining traction, the article highlights a less‑visible opportunity in the cold‑chain supply‑chain. Technova Industries...
Allstate Secures $1.2bn Reinsurance with New Sanders Re Cat Bonds, Its Largest Placement Ever
Allstate has priced and closed two catastrophe‑bond series, Sanders Re IV Ltd. (2026‑1A) and Sanders Re III Ltd. (2026‑1B), delivering a record $1.2 billion of multi‑peril, multi‑year reinsurance in a single market visit. The issuance comprises four tranches—two four‑year and two...
Hiscox Capital Partners Grows ILS AUM to $1.5bn, Secured $330m of Inflows over Last Year
Hiscox Capital Partners lifted its insurance‑linked securities (ILS) assets under management to $1.5 billion as of 1 January 2026, driven by $330 million of new inflows over the past year. The inflows offset planned capital returns and boosted deployable capital for the January reinsurance...
Claims Handling Breakdowns From LA Wildfires One Year On
One year after the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, first‑party property claims are increasingly turning into legal disputes as insurers lag on replacement cost adjustments and customer service. Many carriers initially undervalued rebuild costs in California’s high‑price market, then froze allowances...
Root Inc (ROOT) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Root Inc. reported a record‑setting 2025, with revenue up 29% and net income rising 30% to $40 million, driven by a 1,619% jump in gross written premium and a doubling of policies‑in‑force. The company’s AI‑enhanced pricing lifted average customer lifetime value...
UWM Holdings Corp (UWMC) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
United Fire Group reported a record‑setting 2025 year, delivering $67 million underwriting profit, a 9% rise in net written premium to $1.3 billion, and a combined ratio of 94.8%. Investment income jumped 20% to $98 million, pushing return on equity to 13.7%, the...
Fidelis Insurance Holdings Ltd (FIHL) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Fidelis Insurance Holdings reported its strongest underwriting results to date, posting a 79% combined ratio—its lowest as a public company—and an annualized operating ROAE of 21.4%, up five points year‑over‑year. Gross premiums written rose 8% to $798 million, while the reinsurance...
Amerisafe Inc (AMSF) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Amerisafe Inc. reported Q4 2025 earnings with an 11.7% quarterly increase in gross premium written and a 6.7% year‑over‑year rise, driven by strong voluntary premium growth and a 93.7% renewal retention rate. The insurer posted a 18.5% return on equity...
TWFG Inc (TWFG) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Employers Holdings reported Q4 2025 gross premiums of $156.8 million, an 11% decline driven by weaker new business and audit premiums, while losses and LAE jumped 18.7% to $134.4 million. Net investment income rose 17.6% to $31.4 million after a strategic portfolio rebalancing...
Protected: The Mental Health Crisis Is Changing — Here’s What Insurers Need to Know
The mental health crisis is evolving, prompting insurers to reassess risk strategies. Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) highlights a multi‑faceted approach, offering product‑specific resources, alliances, and services such as safety program development, site audits, and interactive web‑based training. These capabilities aim...
TWIA Board Opts to only Buy Reinsurance and Cat Bonds up to 1-in-50 Year PML in 2026
At its Galveston meeting, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) Board voted to purchase reinsurance and catastrophe bonds only up to the statutory 1‑in‑50 year probable maximum loss (PML) level for 2026. The revised funding target of $4.3051 billion translates to...
Mexico’s Cartel Violence Could Hit Economy and Insurance Segment: AM Best
Cartel violence erupted in Mexico after the killing of leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, halting flights and disrupting tourism in Puerto Vallarta. Tourism, which contributes about 10% of Mexico’s GDP, faces short‑term setbacks and longer‑term perception risks. AM Best issued a negative...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
10 Do’s and Don’ts of a Smart ORSA Report
The article outlines ten practical do’s and don’ts for crafting a smart Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) report. It highlights that many insurance CEOs, CFOs, and CROs view ORSA as a burdensome compliance exercise rather than a strategic tool....
UK Floods Raise Specter of ‘Mortgage Prisoners’ Across Banks
UK banks are confronting mounting flood‑risk exposure as climate change pushes millions of homes into high‑risk zones. Nationwide led the way by halting loans to flood‑prone properties, prompting peers such as Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds and HSBC to map flood exposure...
Octave Specialty Group Inc (OSG) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Oscar Health reported a 28% revenue jump to $11.7 billion for 2025, driven by strong membership growth that lifted year‑end enrollment to 2 million and a total of 3.4 million members by February 2026. The company posted a $443 million net loss, largely from...
Primoris Services Corp (PRIM) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Palomar closed 2025 with a record $2 billion in gross written premium, up 32% year‑over‑year, and delivered adjusted net income of $216.1 million, a 62% increase that exceeded guidance. The company posted a 25.9% adjusted return on equity and a combined ratio...