The Expanding Reach of Excess and Surplus
AM Best Bookstore: Law, Markets and Public-Private Partnerships Shape Insurability of Risks: In a co-edited book, Tulane University professor Özlem Gürses examines how climate change, cyberrisks and AI are challenging insurance law and reshaping debates on insurability and public-private solutions.
AM Best Research: AM Best To Examine US Personal and Commercial Auto Sectors in New Reports: AM Best also plans to issue a retrospective report for the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
AM Best TV & Audio: Origami Risk Exec: As Captive Market Matures, Focus Turns to Governance, Tech, Long-Term Resilience: Professionals also explore how rapid medical advances are reshaping healthcare insurance and discuss growth in the specialty legal professional liability sector.
AM Best Webinars & Analytical Briefings : Panel Members To Review the State of the US Surplus Lines Sector: Professionals also will discuss AM Best’s rating methodology and examine factors shaping the U.S. captive insurance market.
Academic Research: Rising Storm Losses Reshape Risk Pricing in Capital Markets, Study Says: Alexander Braun, associate professor and director, Institute of Insurance Economics, University of St. Gallen, discussed his co-authored study on how severe storm risk is priced into equity markets.
App Store: AI-Powered App Aims To Simplify Workers’ Compensation Pricing: A few basic questions in the Employers’ ChatGPT app can provide businesses with workers’ compensation premium quotes.
Artificial Intelligence: AI: Rising Catastrophe Exposures, Emerging Risk Fuel E&S Market Growth: Artificial intelligence platforms view the expanding excess and surplus market as proof that increased specialization is a long-term fact.
Asset Management: AM Best: Bond Shifts Highlight Evolving Investment Strategies Among US Life/Annuity Insurers: The NAIC’s new principles-based bond definition went into full effect in 2025, according to a Best’s Special Report discussed by Kaitlin Piasecki, industry research analyst, AM Best.
Best’s Country Risk Report: AM Best: Colombia Insurance Outlook Is Negative Amid Economic Pressures: Colombia has a CRT-4 country risk rating from AM Best, according to a Best’s Country Risk Report.
Best’s Rankings: US Life/Health – 2025 Group Life In Force – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2025 group life business in force.
Best’s Rankings: US Life/Health – 2025 Group Life Issued – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2025 group life business issued.
Best’s Rankings: US Life/Health – 2025 Individual Life Average Policy Size and Lapse Ratios – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2025 individual life business issued.
Best’s Rankings: US Life/Health – 2025 Ordinary Life In Force – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2025 ordinary life business in force.
Best’s Rankings: US Life/Health – 2025 Ordinary Life Issued – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2025 ordinary life business issued.
Best’s Rankings: US Life/Health – 2025 Term Life In Force – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2025 term life business in force.
Best’s Rankings: US Life/Health – 2025 Term Life Issued – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2025 term life business issued.
Best’s Rankings: US Life/Health – 2025 Total Life In Force – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2025 total life business in force.
Best’s Rankings: US Life/Health – 2025 Total Life Issued – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2025 total life business issued.
Best’s Rankings: US P/C D&O Monoline Writers – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2025 direct premiums written.
Best’s Rankings: Mutual Insurers : Top 25 US Life/Health Mutual Companies – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2025 net admitted assets.
Best’s Rankings: Mutual Insurers : Top 25 US Property/Casualty Mutual Writers – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2025 net premiums written.
Best’s Rankings: Mutual Insurers : Top European Mutuals – 2026 Edition: Ranked by 2024 gross premiums written.
Best’s State Rate Filings: Oklahoma Homeowners Multiperil Approved Rate Filings by Overall Effect With Increases of 10% or Greater: Based on an effective date beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027.
Best’s State Rate Filings: Oklahoma To Host Homeowners Market Hearing Following File, Use Bill Signing: The Oklahoma Insurance Department will hold a public hearing on a bill that requires insurers in competitive markets to file rate requests and supportive material at least 30 days before the rates take effect, and 60 days in advance in noncompetitive markets.
Best’s Underwriting & Loss Control Reports : Underwriting Fast-Food Restaurants More Than Just a Drive-Through Process: Best’s Underwriting Reports and Best’s Loss Control Reports provide insights into the risks and lines of coverage for fast-food restaurants.
Captive Insurance: Best’s Briefing: Underwriting Discipline, Lower Costs Mean Captives Outperform Commercial Peers: AM Best’s Analytical Briefing – State of the US Captive Insurance Market focused on the trends currently shaping the captive insurance industry.
Corporate Changes: Helvetia Completes Merger of Swiss Entities: Helvetia Swiss Insurance Co. Ltd. and Baloise Insurance Ltd. were merged to form Helvetia Swiss Insurance Co. Ltd., the group said.
Economic Calendar: US Elections Likely To Generate Spending Debate as Congress Faces Budget Deadline: With the deadline to make a budget decision looming on Oct. 1, politicians are likely to make a battle out of spending, with threats of another government shutdown possible, AM Best’s Ann Modica says.
European Mutuals: Pushing the Edge: Europe’s Mutuals See Insurance as Force for Good, Social Change: Mutual insurers domiciled in Europe have a big footprint but they’re looking to grow, using what they say is a more inclusive and socially conscious approach that addresses global concerns.
Events Calendar: NAMIC Event a Chance for Mutuals To Learn, Network: The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies’ convention at the end of September will be followed closely by the NAIC Insurance Summit.
Executive Changes: AIG Hires Global CUO, Appoints Head of Specialty, North America: Geico names CFO, Axa XL welcomes new global chief underwriting officer and Ascot Group taps chief information officer.
From the Editor’s Desk: Conference Season Swings Into High Gear: Major events include Rendez-Vous de Septembre and ITC Vegas in September. The Wholesale and Specialty Insurance Association’s Annual Marketplace takes place in October.
Industry Research: Latest Reports Address El Niño, Cargo Theft and Food Safety: Karen Clark & Co. discusses the threats from the current El Niño, while Munich Re says cargo theft is evolving and WTW tackles food, beverage and agricultural concerns.
Issues & Answers: Artificial Intelligence: Issues & Answers: Strada Scales AI Success: Amir Prodensky, CEO of Strada, said the organizations that will lead are treating artificial intelligence as an operational lever rather than a technology project.
Issues & Answers: Artificial Intelligence: Issues & Answers: What Separates Agentic AI Hype From Business Impact: Vikas Acharya is Senior Vice President of Global Products and Technology Solutions at Xceedance.
Issues & Answers: Casualty Market: Issues & Answers: Rethinking Casualty: Jayson Taylor, Head of Casualty at MSIG USA, said by focusing on long-term portfolio quality and partnership, the company is well positioned to support brokers and clients as the casualty landscape continues to evolve.
Issues & Answers: Mutual Success: Issues & Answers: Growth Through Diversity: 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.
Issues & Answers: Mutual Success: Issues & Answers: Mutual Success: Russ Johnston, President of Commercial, E&S and Specialty at Nationwide, said that one of the company’s fundamental pillars is its trusted brand and reputation people can rely on.
Issues & Answers: Surplus Lines: Issues & Answers: The Specialty Advantage: Patrick Albrecht is WSIA Chair and President of Associated Insurance Administrators Inc.
Leading the Charts: Scouting for Growth Leads AM Best’s Top 30 Preferred Podcasters List: Predict & Prevent, Agency Intelligence, That Annuity Show and Insurance Covered broke into the top 10.
Life/Annuities: AM Best: Life/Annuity Success Leads to Strong Sidecar-Like Activity Growth: The Best’s Special Report Big Year of Growth for Life/Annuity Sidecar-Like Activity in 2025 says individual annuities have experienced significant growth amid rising interest rates.
Preferred Influencers: Sidestepping Career Burnout, Consultant Guides Insurance Leaders: Meg McKeen’s rerouted career path has led her to help industry employees be more honest with themselves to succeed.
Preferred Podcasters: Scouting for Growth Podcast Reveals Startup Culture: The insurtech podcast hosted by Sabine VanderLinden, co-founder and CEO, Alchemy Crew Ventures, reaches listeners in 60 nations.
Preferred Publishers: Risk Market News Founder Brings Deep Financial Journalism Background: With stints at Institutional Investor and TheStreet.com, Christopher Westfall has built clout with money managers as his publication examines the dynamics of investment and insurance markets.
Special Advertising Section: Mutual Values Drive Long-Term Success: 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.
Surplus Lines: Surplus Lines Insurers See Continued Growth as Industry Seeks Flexibility: The increasing frequency and severity of natural catastrophes contributed to seven straight years of double-digit premium growth in the nonadmitted market. That growth continues, despite a softening property market.
Top Global Reinsurers: Top Global Reinsurance Groups – 2026 Edition: Non-IFRS 17 companies ranked by 2025 gross premiums written. IFRS 17 companies ranked by 2025 gross insurance service revenue.
Trending: Best's News: Top Stories Include Rankings of Top Global Insurance Brokers, Top US P/C Writers and Top US Life/Health Insurers: Other popular stories include coverage of catastrophe-focused MGAs and an article about a TruStage cybersecurity incident.
Trending: Best's Research: Trending Research Includes Reports on US and Global Cyber Markets: Other trending research includes a 2025 P/C snapshot and a report on life/annuity sidecar-like activity in 2025.
Web Traffic: Web Traffic: Visits to Largest European Mutual Sites: HUK-COBURG Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs leads web analytics provider Semrush’s ranking of most-visited European mutual websites.
What AM Best Says: AM Best: Outlook for Cyber Stable Despite Modest Premium Growth: Two AM Best reports examine how submarkets have developed within the U.S. cyber insurance space and discuss the global cyber market.