Kevin O’Brien, President and CEO of the Inland Marine Underwriters Association (IMUA) discusses some of the major factors impacting inland marine including the economy and advances in technology “The inland marine industry is thriving.” said Mr. O’Brien “The commercial inland marine market has outperformed the property and casualty industry as a whole, by about 10 points and that trend seems …

Dr. Robert Hartwig, President of the insurance Information Institute (III) joins WRIN.tv for a broad discussion about the U.S. National Flood Insurance Program, Florida Citizen’s withdrawal from the hurricane insurance market, TRIA and cyberattacks and drone liability: Broke National Flood Program an entitlement mostly for coastal dwellers Florida Citizen’s withdrawal good news for insurers, and reinsurers State sponsored cyber-attacks fall …

Patricia Kwan, a Director at S&P Insurance Ratings, joins WRIN.tv to discuss the hurdles to revenue and profitability growth insurers face, outlined in a recent report by S&P entitled “Pursuing Global Insurance Profitability Amid Tempered Economic Growth.” According to Ms. Kwan, the most common headwinds impacting insurers’ quest for profitability are “interest rates, excess supply of capital, and tighter capital …

A report published by the Insurance Information Institute (III), suggests the world is “Awash in Capital.”  III President Robert Hartwig joins WRIN.tv to discuss the impact of capital that has turned to the insurance and reinsurance sector in a search for yield. Dr. Hartwig says the report looked at cash holdings of companies worldwide and found that “the world is …

The insurance industry gives millions each year to charity.  The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) unites the industry’s support for several worthwhile programs.  Here, IICF CEO Bill Ross summarized the Foundations efforts, as well as its international expansion plans. The mission of the IICF, according to Mr. Ross, is to “help communities and enrich lives.”  One example is the IICF’s …

In this edition of ACORD Tech Talk, host Johnell Johnson and her guests, Hartnett Advisors President Bill Hartnett, discuss how augmented reality and 3D printing are impacting the insurance industry. Mr. Hartnett sees virtual reality and augmented reality as very similar in nature.  Google Glass, for instance, enables user to have information presented in front of their eyes, no matter where …

An agreement between leading U.S. insurance providers and Transportation Network Companies, like Uber and Lyft would clarify how much ride-share services must insure drivers…anytime they are working. Ride-share companies have been criticized for gaps in their insurance coverage and cab drivers and local governments have sought regulations that would put companies like Uber and Lyft on a more level playing …

In highlights from the First Monday series, A.M. Best Assistant Vice President Joseph Zazzera and Senior Financial Analyst Bridget Maehr discuss how health insurance carriers are navigating health reform provisions that began in 2014, and the sector’s “stable” outlook. More than 11 million people have selected health plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2015, 3.1million more than in …

Luke Butler from All Risks, Ltd. speaks with WRIN.tv during the 2015 IRMI Energy Risk and Insurance Conference about the risk of loss to contractors from expensive drilling equipment. There are different types of Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA) used to give contractors both measurement and logging information.  They provide real-time data on the performance of the drill, where it is …

Scott Uhl, a SVP at EWI Specialty Casualty, speaks with WRIN.tv during the 2015 IRMI Energy Risk and Insurance Conference, about the challenges facing risk managers in managing operational risk, and the way Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) “should work.” Mr. Uhl says ERM in the post-BP (Deepwater Horizon) environment “still remains more aspirational…”  While there has been movement towards ERM, …

In highlights from the First Monday series, A.M. Best VP Robert DeRose, along with Senior Financial Analysts Greg Reisner and Mariza Costa, discuss the M&A trend among global reinsurers and the desire for scale and relevance. For some reinsurers, Mr. Reisner says M&As are part of a strategy, while others see it as an “ultimatum” because current strategies are not …

John Heft, an SVP at New Day Underwriting Managers, speaks with WRIN.tv during the 2015 IRMI Energy Risk and Insurance Conference about the use of new technologies, and risks they pose to oil and gas companies. According to Mr. Heft, there are many types of environmental risks that are typically covered under a standard energy General Liability (GL) policy. For …

Bijan Bijarchi, a VP at York Risk Services, speaks with WRIN.tv during the 2015 IRMI Energy Risk and Insurance Conference about trends in workers compensation. According to Mr. Bijarchi, “the price of oil has a direct impact on claims in the oil and gas industry and we are seeing a marked increase in claims frequency as a result of lower …

WRIN.tv speaks with Julia Palmer during the 2015 IRMI Energy Risk and Insurance Conference, a partner at the law firm of Gray Reed and McGraw, about claims litigation and emerging legal trends. According to Ms. Palmer, the advent of shale gas production brought with it concern about contamination of ground water. She says those cases are not going to trial, …

WRIN.tv speaks with Catherine Duffy, an SVP with XL Insurance (Bermuda), during the IRMI Energy Risk and Insurance Conference about emerging risks in the oil and gas industry. According to Ms. Duffy, the greatest threats to oil and gas companies “stem from the decrease in oil prices…which is creating talent scarcity and talent retention issues.“ The energy industry is letting …

WRIN.tv’s Monday Morning Headlines, compiled by SNL Insurance, is a video digest of the news you need to know about the U.S. Insurance industry. Today’s Monday Morning Headlines: U.S. regulators say international capital standard must be good for U.S. Premera Blue Cross working with FBI after cyberattack affecting 11 million NAIC keeps captive financials confidential to stem public confusion Life …

Tracy Alan Saxe, a partner at the law firm of Saxe Doernberger & Vita, speaks with WRIN.tv during the 2015 IRMI Energy Risk and Insurance Conference about litigation stemming from Builders Risk in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Saxe sees a number of litigation issues affecting the energy industry directly related to a recent court decision regarding additional insured’s …

Jeff Hubbard, Director of Environmental Practice at Towerstone, a wholesale insurance broker and MGA, discusses emerging environmental risks associated with drilling for oil and gas. Hydraulic fracturing (Fracking) and the risk to water supply have been concerns, but environmental risks to air quality are now complicated by government regulations at the federal and state level. The most pressing environmental issues …

WRIN.tv speaks with David Goodwin, a partner at the law firm of Covington & Burling, about trends in insurance litigation, during the 2015 IRMI Energy Risk and Insurance Conference.  Mr. Goodwin says insurance companies are afraid of litigation because juries do not like insurance companies  “…when an insurance company is in front of a jury, they know that they are …

There is a mixed outlook for the U.S. Property and Casualty industry according to A.M. Best. While the industry as a whole is on its second straight year to a strong performance competitive pressure and emerging risks could impact insurers bottom lines. Here, Group Vice President Anthony Diodato discusses the reasons for concern for the U.S. Property and Casualty Industry …