Published: December 2020

The Entrepreneurial Agent/Broker

AM Best Research & Commentary: Despite Pandemic, Health Insurers Report Record 2Q Earnings: AM Best also comments on P/C impairments, LIBOR transition and Hurricane Eta.

AM Best TV & Audio: Nurses Could Face Liability Claims Due to COVID-19: The scope of legal immunity for nurses offered by some states has not been tested yet, reinsurance renewal discussions are starting earlier, and the shift to remote work opened vistas for hackers. ^AMBestTV and ^AMBestAudio report on stories from a number of sectors within the insurance industry.

AM Best Webinars: Global Events Affect Cyber, Tapping Vehicle Data and A Look at Crop Insurance: Experts explore current trends of cyber liability, how vehicle history information is changing policies and pricing, and an AM Best report that examines the challenges facing the crop insurance market.

At Large: The Gray Rhinos: Climate change could cause societal and economic crises just as COVID-19 did.

Auditors & Actuaries: Top Audit and Actuarial Firms: Ranked by loss reserves.

Auditors & Actuaries: Life Insurance: Rethinking Mortality: Life insurers and their actuaries find themselves, in some cases, revising down the initial estimates of extra mortality costs related to COVID-19, though there are still many unknowns regarding the pandemic.

Best's Rankings: Marine, Inland Marine and Fire & Allied Insurers: Ranked by 2019 direct premiums written.

Books: Driving More Value From Data: Pat Saporito’s book and workshop provide carriers with prescriptive, practical ways to evolve data and analytics skills.

Corporate Changes: Mergers, Name Changes, State Actions and Domiciliary Changes: Transamerica Premier Life, Gray, and Sutton National insurance companies are among the life/health and property/casualty groups in the United States that have experienced a merger, new name or other corporate change.

Entrepreneurial Agent/Broker: Insurtech Drives Distribution Innovation: Balancing technology and insurance expertise is the key to innovation—and success—for insurtech MGAs.

Entrepreneurial Agent/Broker: Programs That Produce: Insurance entrepreneurs say the program sector offers the opportunity to quickly build effective, scalable business.

Entrepreneurial Agent/Broker: Strength Through Specialization: Creating new markets and products to meet the challenge of emerging risks is at the heart of the excess and surplus lines market.

Executive Changes: Everest Re Names Group CFO and Group COO: AIG names chief diversity officer, WTW names director of climate transition risk, Guy Carpenter hires chief human resources officer, Starr Insurance gets new head of global aviation, and BCBSA names president, CEO.

From the Editor's Desk: Entrepreneurial Spirit: Best’s Review in December features interviews with top agent/broker innovators, our annual listing of auditors and actuaries, a feature on the marine insurance market and a look ahead to 2021.

In the News: NAMIC Questions California Nonrenewal Moratorium Order: The order affects 18% of the state’s residential insurance market.

In the News: Regulatory Update: Florida cuts workers’ comp rates, and delay sought in long-term contract changes.

In the News: Startup Reinsurer Aims For $1.1 Billion London Listing: Conduit targets an excess-of-loss and quota share book of treaty reinsurance business across P/C lines.

Industry Updates: A Better Connection: Lloyd’s CEO says Blueprint Two will achieve approved and clear data standards to support the next generation of placement platforms and solutions including a new Lloyd’s marketplace gateway.

Industry Updates: Chain Reaction: Allianz chief claims officer: Businesses look to repatriate supply chains.

Industry Updates: On the Horizon: AM Best: Food additives could be next A&E risk.

Insurance Agenda: What’s Ahead: As insurers look toward 2021, their priorities and concerns are shaped by the unusual events of 2020.

Insurance Agenda: Exec Interview: A Different View: Kevin Kelley’s move from insurance to private equity gives him a unique perspective on a changing industry.

Insurance Agenda: Life: Make It Personal: McKinsey: Life insurance carriers can grow by offering more personalized and flexible products.

Insurance Marketing: A Brand New Day: Advertising spending among many of the insurance industry’s top marketers decreased during the pandemic, and for the second year in a row Allianz is named the top insurance brand by Interbrand.

Marine Insurance: A Powerful Force: Large accumulation exposures, including an unprecedented pandemic, a spate of cargo vessel fires and a large port explosion in Beirut, have hard hit the marine insurance market in recent months and are driving changes in the line.

Next Wave: Staying Connected: A different approach can help boost networking when in-person interactions are rare.

Regulatory/Law: Cruise Lines And COVID: As the cruise industry deals with COVID litigation, a number of defenses have been successful.

Risk Adviser: The D&O Gamble: Plaintiff’s attorneys may have the upper hand in litigation, but insurers can turn the odds.

Technology: A Key To Success: Property/casualty insurers continue to unlock the true potential of artificial intelligence.

The Last Word: Giving Back: Insurers have found creative ways to reward their employees and give back to their workforces during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What AM Best Says: Mutual Strength: AM Best: Homeowners premiums are driving growth in mutuals.