AM Best Audio Podcast

Adam Pichon, vice president and general manager of auto insurance for LexisNexis Risk Solutions, discusses the latest company report that examines shopping and buying trends that detail how both shopping and buying increased in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Jeff Huebner, chief risk officer for CSAA Insurance Group, discusses the company’s backing of a fund that supports the remediation of excess wood from California forests in an effort to mitigate the spread of wildfire.

Risk management and insurance are changing and so too must today's risk professionals, said Peter Miller, president and CEO, The Institutes. Going forward, more emphasis will be placed on pre-loss: risk mitigation and risk control.

Allister Yu, senior vice president of operations at Rhoads, a provider of insurance technology solutions, explains that as insurance markets rapidly change, companies must make sure their distribution partners are properly credentialed.

Despite new challenges on the horizon, U.S. life/annuity insurers navigated the pandemic and emerged with solid balance sheets, capitalization and liquidity, said Edward Kohlberg, director, AM Best, referencing a new Best's Market Segment Report.

Despite numerous economic challenges, surety bond underwriters have maintained profitability by keeping losses relatively low, said AM Best Associate Director David Blades and Senior Financial Analyst Robert Valenta.

Live audiences, effects and high-profile individuals are among insurers’ safety and order concerns for awards shows such as the Academy Awards, said Kurt Miner, managing director of Allianz Risk Consulting’s Entertainment Division.

U.S. title insurers' net underwriting income again grew 40% in 2021, but the segment faces several headwinds, said Kourtnie Beckwith, senior financial analyst, AM Best, referencing a new Best's Market Segment Report.

EVs can be heavier than combustion engine cars due to the weight of the batteries, said Robert Passmore, department vice president of personal lines, American Property Casualty Insurance Association. Electric vehicles also tend to accelerate faster.

A recent Broadridge survey found only 11% of consumers believe the insurance industry provides a quality customer experience and 26% are confused by insurers’ communications, said Matt Swain, head of communications insights and experience at Broadridge.