AM Best Audio Podcast

Senior AM Best analysts discuss 2025 outlooks and key factors that will impact the insurance industry in the coming year.

Stan Smith, CEO of Gradient AI, explores the transformative impact of generative artificial intelligence on the insurance industry, predicting innovations in claims management, underwriting, and operational efficiency for 2025 and beyond.

AM Best Financial Analyst Helen Andersen reviews a new report that shows higher premiums and lower combined ratios have improved the results of personal auto insurers in the United States. 

Chris Williams, EPL Product Manager at Travelers, warns employers about the heightened risks of employee-related claims during the holiday season, including issues around holiday parties, temporary staffing, and workplace stress, and provides practical steps to manage these exposures through careful planning and up-to-date EPLI policies.

Rob Schimek, group CEO, Bolttech, said the insurtech firm, which operates on four continents, emphasizes collaboration as crucial to addressing the global protection gap. Schimek spoke with AM Best TV at the Global Insurance Forum in Miami.

Michel Leonard, chief economist and data scientist, Insurance Information Institute, acknowledged concerns about rising premiums while emphasizing insurers' responsibility to maintain solvency. Leonard spoke with AM Best TV at the GIF conference.

Global medical costs are projected to rise by over 10% in 2025 for the third consecutive year, driven by advancements in medical technology, rising pharmaceutical prices, and increasing reliance on private health care. Linda Pham, global health and risk leader at WTW, discusses regional variations, the growing role of mental health services, and strategies for insurers and employers.

Phillip Maddox, a workers’ compensation senior consultant with Nationwide, highlighted the company’s long history of success with workers’ compensation, emphasizing the importance of embracing technology.

Patrick Foy, senior director of strategic planning, TransUnion, discusses the recent surge in auto insurance shopping activity, driven by increased advertising and competition in auto and property lines, marking record highs in consumer inquiries.

Kim Mobley, a partner in business advisory services, and Matthew Kroniske, managing director, both of Johnson Lambert, delve into the evolving intersection of technology, regulation and insurance. They share their expertise on leveraging emerging technologies that enhance audit processes, manage cyberrisks and navigate regulatory landscapes without losing a client-focused approach.