Kimberly Muccia, a Financial Analyst at A.M. Best Company, comments on the impact of catastrophic losses on the financial strength of insurers. Among the catastrophes affecting the auto and homeowner lines of business in 2018 were hurricanes and wildfires, resulting in about $17 billion for the Mutual Insurance segment alone. Despite the losses, Mutuals posted approximately a 6 percent increase …

According to Sean Kevelighan, President & CEO of the Insurance Information Institute (III), says catastrophes, both natural and man-made, are having a large impact on personal lines insurance carriers. An increase in natural catastrophe has an impact on auto and homeowner’s insurance, and the “vastly underserved” flood market continues to be an issue. The auto insurance market is being impacted …

AAIS President and CEO Ed Kelly discusses the major issues industry executives are concerned about heading into 2018, including technology, the new economy and buying behavior, as well as government regulation. While technology remains an enabler in the insurance industry, Mr. Kelly notes that the new uses of technology are the “disruptors.” “We’ve seen that with automation…the use if drones, …

Phil Reynolds, CEO and Co-Founder of BriteCore, outlines the disruptive nature of insurtech companies, and what traditional companies are doing to access new and emerging technology services. Mr. Reynolds describes an online experience he had with one insurtech company that asked for his home address and was able to assemble county records, a visual flyover, the home’s square footage and …

Emy Donavan, Global Head of Cyber at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, provides an update on the world of cyber risk, including an increase in attacks on consumer devices, malware as a business, and tips for risk managers looking to prepare for inevitable attacks. More recent developments in cyber risk include an increase in attacks on consumer devices such as …

Bryon Ehrhart , Global Head of Strategic Growth & Development at Aon Benfield, discusses the threats and opportunities in today’s insurance market. Mr. Ehrhart says the threats do not surround the same issues faced 20 years ago after Hurricane Andrew and the Northridge Earthquake.  Now that the industry has managed the risk down to lower levels of earnings and capital, …

AAIS President and CEO Ed Kelly speaks with WRIN.tv about technology challenges and opportunities posed by “disruptors.” While ‘retaining talent’ and ‘competition’ are among the major issues facing all insurers, Mr. Kelly sees technology as the biggest challenge. He says cyber risk is on everyone’s mind, particularly CEOs. Unfortunately, much of the focus for insurers revolves around legacy systems, and should be more about …

FEMA is in talks with lawyers representing Superstorm Sandy victims to settle customer allegations that insurers denied or underpaid Sandy-related claims based on falsified reports.