Speed is winning deals, but speed is also feeding fraud. We sit down with CRC Specialty Professional Lines Broker Mark Waldeck to unpack the messy middle where e‑signatures, legacy policy language, and decentralized bank controls collide. From the difference between a simple e‑signature and a cryptographically protected digital signature to why underwriters hesitate when controls vary by department, we map the risk pathways that turn convenience into claims friction.

We examine a headline‑grabbing fraud where a bank funded a multimillion‑dollar loan to an impersonator despite notary involvement and remote verification. The dispute with the insurer highlights a wider issue: policy forms born in the era of signature cards are being stretched to cover today’s remote closings, and the gaps show up at the worst time. If you work with financial institutions, you’ll get a practical checklist to help ensure your banking clients are protected, from enforcing MFA and encryption to tightening scrutiny as transaction size grows. 

Tune in to understand how small cracks in verification can become multimillion-dollar failures—and what you can do right now to help clients stay ahead of emerging fraud risks.

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Urban wildfires are rewriting the rules of home insurance, and the details matter more than ever. We sit down with Brittany Martin, Personal Lines Team Leader for CRC’s Western Region, to break down the construction features, spacing standards, and modeling tools that are redefining eligibility in California, Colorado, and beyond. From tempered glass and enclosed eaves to ember-resistant vents and Class A roofs, we get specific about what moves the needle with underwriters, and what can push a well-appointed home straight into the E&S market.

The conversation turns practical as we map a smart sequence of upgrades during renovations, helping clients elevate materials before renewal crunch time and signal stronger risk control to carriers. We also explore how carriers combine third-party data, AI, and wildfire modeling to evaluate homes at a parcel level. That precision opens doors for case-by-case underwriting even in tough counties with shrinking capacity. Agents will leave with actionable takeaways that can shift accounts from declines to competitive terms.

Subscribe for more retail agent insights, share this episode with your team, and leave a review with the wildfire upgrade that delivered the biggest underwriting win for your clients.

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Spills don’t wait for business hours, and neither should your coverage. We dig into transportation pollution liability with Mike Padula, President of Starwind Environmental, to discuss why relying solely on MCS-90 or CA 99 48 can leave painful gaps when real-world logistics meet environmental scrutiny. From remote cleanups to loading dock mishaps, we break down how TPL delivers true risk transfer, rapid response, and specialized claims handling that standard endorsements simply can’t handle alone.

We explore hidden exposures many teams overlook: loading and unloading, staging, third-party carrier use, and non-auto modes like rail and watercraft. If you advise motor carriers, shippers, or anyone moving goods, this conversation will help you turn compliance into real protection and keep operations moving when the unexpected occurs.

Subscribe for more specialist insights from CRC Group and share this episode with colleagues who handles transportation risks.

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What if repairs didn’t stall your schedule or drain your cash while invoices pile up? We sit down with Starwind Equipment Services’ president, Randi Glaszer, to unpack a smarter way to protect heavy equipment—one that matches the way contractors actually buy, finance, and fix their machines.

We break down how multi‑year physical damage insurance on admitted paper can be written to the life of a lease or loan, with rates locked, loss payees satisfied, and premiums often rolled into financing. Randi explains why Starwind pays 100% actual cash value up front instead of staging replacement cost, and how broad PDI protection follows the machine through real‑world risks like transit damage, overturn, flood, theft, and job site incidents. 

The real unlock is claims. Starwind assigns one adjuster to coordinate both PDI and ESC from day one, opening files together, paying verified labor during parts delays, and ensuring towing, cranes, and protection costs don’t slip through notice windows. We also talk eligibility, state availability, equipment age and exclusions, and why this model was built to advocate for small and mid‑sized contractors who can’t afford friction when iron is idle. If you want fewer surprises, faster releases from the dealer, and protection that keeps projects moving, this conversation is for you.

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Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to [email protected] today!

Sexual abuse and molestation claims have skyrocketed in recent years, creating significant financial and reputational risks for organizations across various sectors. The numbers are staggering – $651 million in settlements in 2023 alone, with each settlement exceeding $1 million. What's driving this dramatic increase, and how can organizations protect themselves?

Michelle Levine, SVP with CRC San Francisco, pulls back the curtain on this critical issue. The traditional assumption that general liability policies provide adequate coverage no longer holds true. Insurance carriers have responded to increasing litigation by cutting limits, non-renewing policies, or explicitly excluding sexual abuse coverage. This shifting landscape necessitates specialized solutions and a stronger risk management approach. While schools and religious institutions represent approximately 70% of claims, the exposure extends to any organization with third-party contact – from wellness centers to gyms to service providers of all kinds. The most effective protection combines comprehensive insurance coverage with proactive risk management – proper hiring practices, consistent training, and creating a culture where concerns can be raised and addressed immediately.

Don't wait for a claim to discover your organization's vulnerability. Reach out to your CRC specialty broker today to ensure you have the coverage and risk management tools needed to protect your mission, your finances, and most importantly, the people you serve.

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Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to [email protected] today!

ChatGPT reached a million users in just five days, while Bank of America's AI assistant Erica has handled over two billion customer interactions without human intervention. The AI revolution in banking isn't coming—it's already here, transforming how financial institutions operate and creating complex liability questions few insurance policies directly address.

Mark Waldeck, Team Leader and Broker with CRC Chicago, takes us beyond the marketing hype to explore the serious insurance implications of AI implementation in banking. While chatbots and automated systems promise efficiency and competitive advantage, they create significant exposures most banks haven't fully contemplated.

Current insurance policies remain largely silent on AI-specific risks, creating ambiguity about whether claims would fall under professional liability or cyber coverage. Employment risks also loom large as banks leverage AI to reduce headcount, potentially triggering discrimination claims if not handled properly.

Perhaps most concerning is the regulatory vacuum surrounding AI implementation. Without clear guidance from regulatory authorities, financial institutions are developing practices that may later require significant overhauls once regulations catch up with technology.

Connect with your CRC Specialty broker to better understand how your insurance program addresses these emerging AI risks and explore additional resources at crcgroup.com.

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Rising construction costs coupled with widespread labor shortages have created a perfect storm for homeowners facing property losses. The gap between insurance coverage and actual rebuilding expenses continues to widen, putting families at significant financial risk..

Mary Roy, Senior Underwriting Team Leader at CRC Group, breaks down the complex factors driving this trend. The fundamental difference between new construction and reconstruction after a loss creates much of this disparity. Rebuilding involves unique challenges – from debris removal and working around existing structures to scheduling complications and protection of remaining assets. These projects lack the economies of scale found in new developments, where contractors purchase materials in bulk and efficiently schedule labor across multiple properties.

Don't wait until disaster strikes. Connect with your clients today to review their homeowner's policies and ensure they have adequate protection against today's rebuilding realities. Subscribe to the Placing You First Podcast for more specialist insights on navigating the complex world of insurance coverage.

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In this conversation with Starwind Cannabis leaders Tony McIntosh and Eric Morrison, we unpack why traditional insurance approaches fall short for cannabis operations. From navigating the complex regulatory framework to addressing distinctive risk profiles like high-value crops and cash-heavy transactions, cannabis businesses face challenges that standard BOPs simply weren't designed to handle. The discussion tackles persistent misconceptions head-on and reveals how proper risk management and specialized broker knowledge can make this growing field both accessible and rewarding. We also explore what sets leading cannabis insurance programs apart. Whether you're already working with cannabis clients or considering this expanding opportunity, this episode provides practical insights from industry veterans who understand both insurance fundamentals and the unique demands of the cannabis marketplace. Discover how specialized knowledge can help you navigate this complex field with confidence.

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Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to [email protected] today!

Severe convective storms are reshaping America's insurance landscape, hitting communities harder and more frequently than ever before. What used to be a defined spring storm season has expanded into a year-round threat, leaving homeowners, businesses, and insurers scrambling to adapt.

Join hosts Amanda Knight and Scott Gordon as they dive into the growing crisis with guests Ben Tschepikow from CRC Group's Arkansas office and Rob Porter from Vave MGA. Their frontline experiences reveal how these intensifying weather patterns are creating unprecedented challenges across the country. The conversation tackles the painful reality of rising premiums and deductibles while exploring innovative solutions emerging to help property owners. Learn about deductible buyback products that can dramatically reduce out-of-pocket costs during catastrophic events.

Whether you're an insurance professional navigating these turbulent waters or a property owner seeking to understand your changing policy, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of property insurance. Education, communication, and partnership between insurers and insureds will be essential as we weather these storms together. Subscribe to the Placing You First podcast to stay ahead of the trends reshaping the insurance landscape and discover practical strategies for protecting what matters most.

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Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to [email protected] today!

Six years and 100 episodes later, the Placing You First podcast welcomes back Neil Kessler, CEO of CRC Specialty and Benefits, who was our very first guest in 2019. What a journey it's been! The transformation runs deep—while our collaborative, hustle-driven culture remains intact, we've become an entirely different organization.

Perhaps most significant has been our shift to an ownership mindset. Looking ahead, our focus intensifies on specialization, data utilization, and cross-business collaboration. Despite our two-decade history, we operate with startup energy—constantly evolving, building something special where everyone shapes our future. Follow the Placing You First podcast to join us on this journey and discover what's next for CRC!

Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace.

Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to [email protected] today!