Insurance Speak

Four years ago, Chuck Chamness stepped away from his 18-year tenure as president and CEO of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. He looked around at the state industry he’d long worked for and with, and he saw a mélange of strong businesses facing seemingly insurmountable headwinds: Inflation, catastrophe costs, regulatory uncertainty, public perception problems, and the poky pace of technology adoption all served as fiscal stressors for insurance carriers; particularly smaller, regional, mutual insurance operators. In this January 2025 interview, Chamness expands on what he views as pressing business issues facing the insurance industry and offers ideas about how to move forward.

Deidre LeBlanc of Travelers joins us for a discussion on wedding worst-case scenarios and how insurance can safeguard a couple’s big day.

Grace Vandecruze, a seasoned M&A advisor in the insurance sector, and Tim Hardcastle, CEO of a no-code policy platform, share insightful reflections on how their hobbies enhance their careers. They illustrate the importance of skills gained through personal passions like mountain climbing and motorsport, emphasizing risk assessment and teamwork. The discussion reveals how these interests not only boost job satisfaction but also foster empathy for clients in niche markets, ultimately driving innovation in insurance.

In this episode of Insurance Speak, KwH Analytics CEO Jason Kaminsky talks about jiw company’s annual Solar Risk Assessment, a report that aims to advance the solar and renewable-energy storage industries. This research is designed intentionally for a non-technical financial community. It provides investors, insureds and insurance organizations with the latest insights on the evolution of solar facility risk and mitigation strategies.

Insurance protections for greenwashing and ESG claims Description: Carolyn Rosenberg of Reed Smith discusses how greenwashing claims have evolved and how businesses can protect themselves with the right insurance.

Today's CFOs worry about economic uncertainty, market competition, talent retention, cyber threats and a host of other operational concerns. It’s no wonder: These C-Suite leaders are taking on more responsibility than ever before, and that includes making decisions about insurance, according to the Travelers 2024 CFO Study. Being a CFO is “a much more complex role” than it used to be, explains Joan Woodward, executive vice president of Public Policy for Travelers and president of the Travelers Institute. She also hosts the topical weekly podcast, “Wednesdays with Woodward.” In this conversation, Woodward discusses the results of the 2024 CFO Study and shares insights about what it takes to succeed in today’s corporate world.

Roger Spears of Schneider Downs discusses how businesses can evaluate their cybersecurity practices and limit their vulnerability to online threats.

In 2024, cyber insurance prices are down and coverage options have expanded as carriers become ever more savvy regarding cybersecurity measures. Here, we look at how far the cyber insurance market has come over the last two years, with insights from Flow Specialty's midyear Cyber Insurance State of the Market Market Report, as compared to this archival interview with a HSB cyber expert.

Ken Huening, CEO of CoverSeal, discusses rodent-related vehicle claims and how drivers can proactively protect their rides from the climate change-driven increase in these incidents.

Influencer. It’s a word and an idea that a decade ago seemed like a fad. But thanks to the cross pollination of niche communities on the internet and digital-marketing smarts, today’s social-media celebrities are hotter than ever. Such "influencers" have built an industry that’s worth millions and hold sway over significant segments of humanity. With all of that influence comes murky and often misunderstood risk, liability and insurance concerns. On this episode of Insurance Speak, Katie Pope, vice president of Executive Lines at The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, illuminates the growing legal and liability concerns surrounding social-media influencers.