Intact’s O’Leary: Risk Management Priorities Leaders Should Not Ignore In 2026

Lynn O’Leary, president of Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions, explains that in 2026, business leaders should strengthen their short-term risk awareness and long-term resilience.

Sr. Associate Editor Steve Hallo reports the National Association of Insurance Commissioners is requiring insurers to submit detailed homeowners data from 2018–2025 to assess affordability, carrier strength, and the impact of rising climate and litigation-driven costs.

AM Best Senior Director Wai Tang and Director Matthew Tuite discuss a new Best's Special Report that finds that the ILS market is expected to grow in 2026, albeit slower than 2025.

Michael Barrett, principal/agent, Trusted Choice board member, Vermont national director for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, discusses how few Americans review their insurance annually, leaving coverage gaps and opportunities for agents to engage clients proactively.

Helen Andersen, industry research analyst, discusses two new Best's Special Reports that find upgrades and downgrades both declined for the P/C segment in 2025, while life and health insurers saw an increase in upgrades but not downgrades.

Joseph Roethel, director, AM Best, discusses two Best's Special Reports that found no catastrophe-driven P/C impairments following three years of elevated storm losses, while recent health impairments include a number of troubled affiliates.

Ben Diaz-Clegg, associate director, analytics, AM Best, discusses a Best's Special Report that finds the stability of macroeconomic conditions through 2024 and 2025, in addition to generally robust levels of profitability in many segments, underpinned the strengthening of key balance sheet strength fundamentals.

Jason Ragsdale, AVP risk management technical specialization at Nationwide, discusses a company survey revealing while more than 90% of commercial property owners are confident in their buildings’ structural integrity, fewer than 40% feel fully protected against severe weather, highlighting a gap between awareness and preparedness.

David Blades, associate director, AM Best, discusses a new Best's Special Report that finds muted insured catastrophe losses during the second half of 2025 significantly benefitted net underwriting income for the year.

Hollie Campe-Astridge, assistant vice president in the Sports & Recreation Department at Philadelphia Insurance Cos., said health and wellness trends are continuing to support demand for outdoor experiences.