Navigating the Evolution of a Captive Insurance Program in Construction

In this episode of The Edge of Risk podcast, host Joel Appelbaum welcomes Andy Stoelting, senior director of insurance and risk management at Webcor, to discuss the evolution of Webcor's Hawaii-domiciled captive insurance company, Paramount Insurance, Inc. Andy shares his journey from insurance defense attorney to risk management leader and provides an inside look at how Paramount transitioned from a pure captive to a sponsored captive with protected cells. The discussion explores how Paramount supports Webcor and its affiliates in managing construction risks, including innovative uses of the captive to address unique challenges, such as a 10-year performance obligation for the University of California, Merced project. Andy also highlights the benefits of domiciling in Hawaii, the influence of Japanese governance from Webcor's parent company, Obayashi Corporation, and the strategic considerations for balancing captive utilization with opportunities in the commercial market. Whether you're in the construction industry or exploring captives as a risk management tool, this episode offers valuable insights into the power of captive insurance in a complex and evolving landscape.