Issues & Answers: E&S Builds Upward

Managing General Agents’ Association CEO Michael Keating discusses how MGAs are fueling industry growth, advancing innovation and deepening collaboration across the insurance market.

Sam Haynes, vice president of data analytics at Verisk Maplecroft, discusses how political violence and civil unrest are reshaping insurance portfolios, highlighting new analytic tools such as the first U.S. Strikes, Riots, and Civil Commotion catastrophe model.

The self-described "Insurance Nerds," Nick Lamparelli and Tony Cañas, share the origin, growth, and enduring impact of the Profiles in Risk podcast, a grassroots platform that has educated, entertained, and influenced a generation of insurance professionals through authentic storytelling and passionate industry advocacy.

Stephen Crewdson, senior director of global insurance intelligence at J.D. Power, said rising premiums are challenging small commercial insurers, but service quality, communication and understanding customers’ businesses are now the top factors keeping clients loyal.

Brent Skiles, SVP of insurance operations, Philadelphia Insurance Cos., shares how insurers can streamline process, leverage technology and balance efficiency with strong underwriting discipline.

Nicole Murphy, nonprofit directors and officers liability product manager, Travelers, outlines the key risks facing higher education leaders, including funding shortfalls, donor scrutiny, campus unrest and governance challenges

Kevin Smith, senior vice president, NFP, said that with multimillion-dollar "name, image and likeness” contracts raising the stakes, traditional malpractice coverage is proving inadequate as schools, physicians, and conferences face mounting legal and financial exposures.

Terra CEO and Co-Founder James Benham discusses the power of AI and automation in reducing manual tasks, improving decision-making and reshaping the future of workers’ compensation.

Steven Rodriguez, vice president of Philadelphia Insurance Companies E&S, said that construction has been a standout and now makes up about 60% of their book of business.

Travis MacMillian, president – Americas at Xceedance, said that E&S market participants today are more open than ever to alternative distribution strategies.