AM Best Audio Podcast

Erik Wissig, COO of ICHRA health care platform SureCo, discusses a new set rules from the Biden administration that seeks to halt private health insurance companies’ use of prior authorization – a practice that requires insurance company permission before obtaining medication or having a procedure.

John Anthony, senior vice president, Contract P&C, Nationwide E&S Specialty, says he sees an ever-expanding opportunity in the surplus lines sector, “which is one of the things that we're looking to sophisticate on within the risk selection process to be able to handle a lot of these new and dynamic risks.”

Colin Daly, executive vice president, financial lines practice co-leader, CAC Specialty, discusses recent major shifts in the directors and officers insurance market, including significant rate declines, particularly in public D&O.

Meggin Thwing Eastman, managing director, global head of ESG policy and product research at MSCI, discusses a company report that shows with some insurers retreating from Florida and California, more expensive policies and fewer options could result.

Emmanuel Modu, managing director, insurance-linked securities, AM Best, said factors driving record cat bond issuance include investors' preference for risks attached at higher points and cat bonds' ability to avoid secondary perils. Modu spoke with AM Best TV at the Artemis ILS NYC 2024 conference.

Dale Hall, managing director of research, Society Of Actuaries Research Institute, discusses the organization’s plan to lend its actuarial expertise and participate in a Department of Commerce initiative to support the development and deployment of artificial intelligence.

NeuralMetrics Chief Underwriting Officer Chris Schrenk and Technical Co-Founder Marcus Daley said more smaller insurers are becoming interested in AI and the efficiency gains, accessibility and cost savings it offers.

InnSure Executive Director Charlie Sidoti said community-embedded insurance is an “innovative model” to improve access and deal with rising weather-related risks fueled by climate change.

Tony Fenton, vice president of product and underwriting for Nationwide, discusses the company's Agency Forward survey that reveals commercial property stakeholders – including property owners, builders and business owners – are desperate to shield their assets from the increasing threat of weather-related events.

The U.S. economy performed well in 2023, but there are signs of a potential slowdown ahead, said Ann Modica, director, AM Best, referencing a new Best's Special Report.