AM Best Audio Podcast

A new Best's Market Segment Report discussed by AM Best Senior Financial Analyst Christopher Pennings finds the California wildfires in January 2025 led to a rough start for the year, but nearly all reinsurers were able to book strong underwriting results by year end, a strong testament to the favorable pricing environment.

Amir Prodensky, CEO of Strada, said the organizations that will lead are treating artificial intelligence as an operational lever rather than a technology project.

Russ Johnston, president of Commercial, E&S and Specialty at Nationwide, said that one of the company’s fundamental pillars is its trust.

Brad Ash, Chief Underwriting Officer for ISMIE, said the forces of consolidation and the growing presence of private equity money within healthcare have affected all medical professional liability carriers.

Vikas Acharya is Senior Vice President of Global Products and Technology Solutions at Xceedance said organizations that struggle to move beyond pilots often treat AI as a technology initiative.

Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance has built its business around serving policyholders first. Lindsey DiGangi, senior vice president and chief operating officer, discusses how the mutual model supports long-term stability, stronger relationships and disciplined decision-making in today’s evolving insurance marketplace.

Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill details her BestWire reporting that shows MS&AD US Insurance Group vaulted from fourth to first among private U.S. flood insurers in 2026, growing premiums 31.8% to $175 million as the overall market declined 1.9%.

AM Best’s analytical staff and industry experts assess the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) in the insurance industry.

Terry Dopp, senior associate editor, AM Best, details the 2026 Best's Rankings of the U.S. group life in force top carriers.

Durable program changes have raised the floor for return on equity over the past three years, according to a new Best's Market Segment Report discussed by Helen Andersen, industry research analyst, AM Best.

AM Best Senior Vice President Lee McDonald and Senior Director Sridhar Manyem discuss the company’s 2027 Student Challenge, which invites college and graduate students to develop creative, real-world solutions to pressing insurance issues.

Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill details her BestWire story that reports Progressive Insurance Group tied State Farm Group for the largest share of the U.S. private passenger auto insurance market last year, based on direct premiums written.

AM Best analytical staff and industry experts explore dynamic developments within the delegated underwriting authority enterprise segment.

Global Captive Podcast host Richard Cutcher explains how firsthand insight from captive owners, risk managers and industry leaders help uncover emerging trends and innovative risk-financing strategies.

Professors Mary Kelly, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Anne Kleffner, University of Calgary, discuss their research on California wildfire risk, exploring how it is reshaping insurance and the role of risk-sharing in sustaining insurer participation.

Over 10,000 acres of uncontained, fast-moving wildfires have destroyed hundreds of homes, according to a newly released Best's Commentary discussed by AM Best Senior Director Sridhar Manyem.

The U.S. personal lines segment's underwriting profit almost quadrupled to more than $45 billion, and the commercial lines segment 's profit more than doubled to over $19 billion in 2025, according to Best's Special Report discussed by David Blades, associate director, and Christopher Graham, senior industry research analyst, both of AM Best.

Sidecars can diversify fee-based earnings versus spread-based earnings, according to a new Best's Special Report discussed by AM Best Associate Director Jason Hopper.

Professor Olivia Mitchell, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, explains how misunderstanding longevity risk fuels widespread retirement regret, and why better “longevity literacy” could reshape saving, annuitization, and Social Security claiming decisions.

Paul Tyler, host of That Annuity Show, discusses how his long-running podcast has become a platform for industry leaders to explore innovation, policy, technology and the evolving role of annuities in retirement planning.

A new Best's Special Report discussed by Wai Tang, senior director, AM Best, finds that no AM Best rated companies became impaired in 2025.

Katherine Antonello, president and CEO of Employers, says workers’ compensation is one of the healthiest P/C business lines, but the sector is facing difficulties in California. Antonello also discusses a new AI feature to get quicker price quotes for prospective customers.

Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill breaks down the latest Best’s Rankings of the nation's largest mutual property/casualty and life/health insurers, highlighting State Farm's commanding lead in P/C, New York Life's continued dominance in L/H, and notable shifts among the top writers.

Senior Associate Editor Terry Dopp discusses his BestWire reporting on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which is responding to a cybersecurity breach that investigators have linked to the ShinyHunters hacking group.

In a book she co-edited, “A Practical Guide to Cyber Insurance for Businesses,” Lauren Godfrey, partner, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, discusses cyber insurance, including evolving threats and data-driven underwriting and claims.

Loretta Worters, VP, media relations, Insurance Information Institute, and Kelley Collins, director, business development and communications, Lightning Protection Institute, discuss rising lightning losses, claim trends and risk mitigation.

John Robinson, VP, strategy, and Abigail Caldwell, SVP and health actuary, Amwins Benefits, discuss how insurers and employers are adapting to rising benefit costs and an evolving employee benefits risk landscape.

Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill details her BestWire reporting showing Progressive strengthened its position as the nation's largest auto insurer in AM Best's latest rankings, increasing its market share while pulling further ahead of State Farm.

Net income grew during the first three months of 2026, according to a new Best's Special Report discussed by Kaitlin Piasecki, industry research analyst, AM Best.

David Chavern, president and CEO, ACLI, discusses key findings from ACLI’s latest Financial Resilience Index survey and what they reveal about retirement readiness, financial resilience, consumer concerns about the future and retirement priorities.

Hari Balakrishnan, MIT professor and co-founder of Cambridge Mobile Telematics, developed technology used in more than 50 million vehicles that is changing auto safety, insurance underwriting and could underpin a “universal driving score.” 

AM Best Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo discusses his BestWire reporting showing the 2025 rankings of U.S. standalone cyber insurers, highlighting Chubb's rise to the top spot, Beazley's dramatic climb, and continued growth in the cyber insurance market.

AM Best's Ann Modica and James Creedy-Smith examine the latest moves by the European Central Bank and Federal Reserve, discussing inflation risks, potential rate hikes, and what investors should watch in the months ahead.

Lewis Nibbelin, research writer, Insurance Information Institute, discusses the rapid growth of the pet insurance market, rising veterinary costs and evolving liability, and coverage gaps shaping risks for insurers and pet owners.

Insurance Banter Podcast hosts Chris Burand and Paul Borup share how their long-running podcast delivers sharp real-world insights from industry insiders, helping insurance professionals navigate emerging risks, market shifts and the future of the business.

Expanding reinsurance activity is strengthening Cayman’s economy while creating new career opportunities and driving investment in regulatory and technological innovation, said Andre Ebanks, premier of the Cayman Islands. Ebanks spoke with AM Best TV at the CIRCA ReConnect Conference in Grand Cayman.

Sean Kevelighan, CEO, Insurance Information Institute, and Mark Grazman, CEO, Fenix24, discuss the evolving cyberthreat landscape and insurers’ increasing focus on resilience, recovery and preparedness.

AM Best expects the profitability of London Market companies to moderate over 2026 but remain positive, subject to normal catastrophe experience in the remainder of the year, according to a recent Best's Market Segment Report discussed by Kanika Thukral, associate director, analytics, AM Best.

Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo details his BestWire reporting that shows Oklahoma and Georgia emerging as pivotal political battlegrounds where debates over regulation, accountability and affordability are shaping the future of insurance oversight.

Amelia Fitch, president of the Society of Insurance Research, and host Tony Cañas discuss the SIR’s new podcast, which highlights behind-the-scenes insurance careers, fosters member engagement, and shares industry insights. 

Nancy Moussa, associate research director, LIMRA Insurance Product Research, discusses key trends shaping the Canadian life insurance market, including recent growth drivers, product performance and expectations for continued industry momentum.

News Editor Dave Pilla discusses his BestWire reporting that details how a new $40 billion U.S.-backed reinsurance facility, led by Chubb, aims to stabilize maritime trade through the Persian Gulf as shippers navigate ongoing geopolitical risk and safety concerns.

Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill discusses her BestWire story explaining Farmers’ plans to add new agency owners to its ranks, some for their new high net worth “Elite Owner Program.”

Susan Ghalili, SVP and chief underwriting officer at Pacific Life, explains how insights from the 2026 Underwriting Outlook Survey show insurers embracing AI as a powerful tool to enhance efficiency and decision-making while emphasizing that human expertise remains essential to maintaining trust, credibility, and sound risk assessment.

AM Best and industry experts share their 2026 outlook on the Medicare Advantage business segment, including the key drivers. (Event Date: January 15, 2026)

In his book, Agent to Agent: Revealing the Story and Strategy for Insurance People, BI&I Group Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Leo Bados Jr. shares tips for building an insurance business and leading a team with confidence.