AM BEST'S MONTHLY INSURANCE MAGAZINE
WHAT AM BEST SAYS
AM Best: COVID-19 Pandemic Served Effectively as the Caribbean’s ‘Major Catastrophe in 2020’
The International Monetary Fund estimates that, in aggregate, tourism-dependent countries’ GDP contracted by almost 10% last year due to curtailed international travel.
- John Weber
- October 2021
AUTO INSURANCE
Maturing Auto Insurtech Segment Looks to Highlight Shopping Options, Education to Grow
AM Best: A positive outlook on innovation in the auto insurtech space is reinforced by a continued record-breaking flow of funding.
- Renée Kiriluk-Hill
- October 2021
THE LAST WORD
Live Entertainment Returns but With Some Big
Insurance Changes Due to COVID-19
Insurers are having to adapt to changes created by COVID-19, including the addition of communicable disease limitations to policies.
- Lori Chordas
- October 2021
CYBER INSURANCE
New Ransomware Worry: Insurance Can Present Both Solutions and Problems for Cybersecurity
Insurance policies could be a “guide” for cybercriminals to determine how much to demand in ransomware attacks, said Erik Weinick, attorney and co-founder, Otterbourg P.C.’s Privacy & Cybersecurity practice.
- Tom Davis
- October 2021
LIFE INSURANCE
Taking a Leap: Life Insurers Attract New Agents Seeking to Make Career Moves
Many are changing their careers in search of the flexibility, freedom and control that comes with being a life insurance agent. Here’s why.
- Lori Chordas
- September 2021
INSURTECHS
The Billion-Dollar Question: What’s the Allure of Investing in Insurtechs?
The scale of the insurance industry plus its lack of technological sophistication have venture capitalists eyeing insurtechs.
- Caribou Honig
- September 2021
LIFE INSURANCE
Retention Plans: How Life Insurers Are Getting Agents to Stay on the Job
Life insurers say they working to meet the challenge of retaining new agents.
- Lori Chordas
- September 2021
LIFE INSURANCE
Life Insurers Look for Big Things in Small Packages as They Target Middle Market in Online Sales
Online life insurance distribution picks up steam after more than a year of business disruptions forced the industry to quickly pivot. The companies are finding scale in smaller, direct-to-consumer policies.
- Terrence Dopp
- September 2021
ASSET MANAGEMENT
Insurers Increasingly Seeing Private Equity Enter Investment Portfolios and the Boardroom
Once seen as a realm of buyouts and structured finance, private equity firms are learning to appreciate insurers for the lower yield and reliable credit markets they represent. Meanwhile, insurers stung by low interest rates see a chance for higher investment yields with private equity.
- Terrence Dopp
- September 2021
AT LARGE
The Evolution of Work: Our Post-Pandemic Return to the Office
Employees want flexibility, but insurance is a relationship business. As the world returns to a new normal, companies that don’t prioritize relationships will be at a competitive disadvantage.
- Tony Kuczinski
- September 2021
RISK ADVISER
Health Apps Must Focus on Immediate Desires (Put Down the Doughnut)
Human motivation should be at the heart of digital wellness design.
- Leigh Allen, Peter Hovard and Carmela Tedesco
- September 2021
MUTUALS
NAMIC’s New President-CEO Embarks on a Mission ‘to Be the Voice of the Mutual Industry’
Neil Alldredge talks to AM Best TV about the organization’s future post-COVID and how mutuals’ unique business model serves them well.
- John Weber
- September 2021
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
Life Insurers Recruit Agents While Building Digital Sales Approaches
The September issue also includes AM Best’s exclusive ranking of the Top Global Reinsurance Groups as well as an interview with NAMIC’s Neil Alldredge.
- Patricia Vowinkel
- September 2021
REINSURANCE
Booming Housing Market Plus Low Interest Rates Boost Reinsurance and Private Mortgage Insurance
Private mortgage insurance has grown 19% from 2016 to 2020, reaching $6.4 billion in 2020, according to AM Best.
- Meg Green
- September 2021
BEST'S RANKINGS
Top 50 World’s Largest Reinsurance Groups – 2021 Edition
Ranked by unaffiliated gross premiums written in 2020.
- September 2021
BEST'S RANKINGS
Top 25 U.S. Life/Health Insurers – 2021 Edition
Ranked by 2020 ordinary life business issued.
- September 2021
BEST'S RANKINGS
Largest 25 U.S. Mutual Insurers – 2021 Edition
Ranked by gross premiums written.
- September 2021
WHAT READERS SAY
Cryptocurrency Feedback
Reader responses to The Question posed in the July issue of Best’s Review concerning the future of cryptocurrencies in the insurance industry.
- September 2021
THE LAST WORD
Cosby, Weinstein Attorney Advises Insurers to Clearly Define Policy Exclusions and Coverages
Recent sexual assault cases involving celebrities like Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein highlight the need for policies such as homeowners and personal excess liability insurance to cover defamation and civil claims.
- Lori Chordas
- September 2021
WHAT AM BEST SAYS
AM Best: Growing Interest in Identity Theft Coverage Compels Insurers to Evolve
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased exposure to the digital world and the frequency and severity of personal cyber crimes have become more prevalent.
- John Weber
- September 2021
BOOK STORE
Author Looks at the Future of Insurance for Startups
Bryan Falchuk’s latest book also addresses how a new generation of carriers is rethinking customers’ evolving needs.
- John Weber
- September 2021
APP STORE
Health Insurance Startup’s App Can Predict Cost of Any Medical Procedure
Sidecar Health CEO: Price transparency and incentives are changing health care.
- Meg Green
- September 2021
EXECUTIVE CHANGES
FM Global Names New President, CEO to Succeed Thomas A. Lawson, Makes Executive Appointments
Also, Westfield taps former Vantage Risk head to lead new specialty venture and Beazley names new chief operating officer.
- September 2021
INSURANCE MARKETING
Sponsorship Deal With PGA Continues; Insurance Advertisers’ Overall Spend Dipped Slightly in 2020
American Family Insurance extends its PGA Tour tournament sponsorship, and sectors like life insurance saw a drop in advertising spending last year during the pandemic while auto insurers slightly increased their spend.
- Lori Chordas
- September 2021
IN THE NEWS
UK Treasury, Lloyd’s Team Up on Reinsurance Scheme
The scheme covers costs incurred if lockdowns are reimposed that cause the cancellation of a live event.
- David Pilla
- September 2021
CANADA INSURERS
Coalition Enters Cyber Excess Market in Canada
The move follows on the heels of Coalition’s launch into the country’s insurance market in 2020.
- David Pilla
- September 2021
TRENDING: BEST’S RESEARCH
Trending Research Includes Reports on Private Equity and Ransomware
Other trending research includes a report on the impact of ESG factors on AM Best ratings and a report on Florida’s difficult market.
- September 2021
AM BEST WEBINARS
Panelists Examine a Global Reinsurance Market Grappling With COVID, Natural Disasters
Professionals also offer their thoughts on the captive insurance sector as well as current economic and industry outlooks for the Caribbean region.
- September 2021
CORPORATE CHANGES
Mergers, Acquisition, State Action and Name, Domiciliary and Ownership Changes
WellCare Health Plans of Tennessee, Universal and Western General are among the U.S. life/health and property/casualty insurers that have experienced a corporate change.
- September 2021
INDUSTRY UPDATES
VCIA: Vermont New Captive Licenses Experience Growth Spurt in 2020
The hard market in insurance has spurred many organizations to look at their risk and how to finance it.
- John Weber
- September 2021
INDUSTRY UPDATES
Partners Say Amazon Digital Insurance Network Offers Growth Potential
Marsh: Organizations are increasingly seeking to offer a variety of insurance products to third parties and customers, with a digital-first delivery strategy.
- Renée Kiriluk-Hill
- September 2021
WEB TRAFFIC
Visits to Top US Life/Health Insurers
Home Sweet Homepage: Web Analytics provider Semrush's ranking of homepage visits of the top US Life/Health Insurers based on admitted assets.
- September 2021
AM BEST TV & AUDIO
Insurers Can Make Their Voices Heard in Conversations Concerning Climate Change
Also, industry professionals examine the effects of human services staffing shortages and the relationship between diversity and inclusivity and profitability.
- September 2021
Most Read
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