SPFM’s Koppelmann: Natural Disasters Highlight Need for Federal Support, Risk Innovation

Gene Lanzoni, head of enterprise content, Guardian Life, discusses how rising financial stress is driving insurers to offer holistic mental, physical and financial wellness solutions.

William Koppelmann, president and CEO, Standard Premium Finance Management Corp., discusses how federal disaster programs, AI and resilient infrastructure can help insurers manage risk, stabilize premiums and better serve communities.

Meredith Brasher, insurance underwriter turned actor and podcast host shares how a quest to perfect her accent during lockdown unexpectedly evolved into “Insurance vs. History,” a podcast that uncovers how insurance has shaped pivotal moments from the Atlantic slave trade to the terror attacks on 9/11.

Dale Hoppe, vice president, workers’ compensation programs, Nationwide E&S/S, said that partnering with return-to-work experts has shown that getting an employee back to work quickly and safely is both psychologically and economically beneficial after an injury.

Professors Patricia Born and Dana Telljohann discuss a Florida State University study on how insurers adjust coverage, filings, and regulatory engagement in response to severe natural disasters, highlighting implications for market stability, policyholders, and the evolving risks of climate change

Anna Tan, head of wholesale casualty, Axis Capital, said persistent loss pressures, evolving AI-driven operations and deepening broker specialization are reshaping casualty insurance.

Johnson Lambert’s Chief Innovation Officer Dave Fuge explained how insurers can strengthen data quality, redesign workflows, and balance innovation with governance to fully harness the power of AI.

Vineet Bansal, chief Information and technology officer, The Mutual Group, said mutual insurers can still gain a competitive edge with AI if they focus first on strong core systems, quality data and trust-centered implementation.

Dave Sterner, senior vice president, research & development, ACORD, said top-performing specialty insurers excel through data-driven decision-making, strong distribution partnerships and incremental innovation.

Craig Martin, executive director, insurance intelligence, J.D. Power, discusses findings from a 2025 Independent Agent Satisfaction Study showing despite an improving market, many agents feel underserved by carriers, citing poor communication, unclear risk appetites and a lack of partnership.