Podcasts - Insurance Journal

On this episode of The Insuring Cyber Podcast, take a look back on four interviews recorded on site at RIMS 2025 in Chicago! This episode features Michael Von Gablenz, head of insure AI at HSB and Munich Re, Michelle Chia, Cyber Chief Underwriting Officer for AXA XL, Chris Mather, underwriting lead for Lloyd’s Market Association and Elizabeth Jenkin, Lloyd’s Market Association’s underwriting director. They’re discussing topics like AI in underwriting and claims, AI insurance, and how cyber is continuing to shake up the insurance world. Check it out!

The post EP. 105: What Insurance Experts Said Abo...

Cargo theft has been on the rise for the last several years, and bad actors are becoming more sophisticated and higher tech. The increased risk along the supply chain as the act of cargo theft is an ever more global endeavor. We spoke with Keith Lewis, Vice President of Operations for Verisk CargoNet, about the trends and what they’re telling us.

The post EP. 02 Expert: Cargo Theft up 20% in Last Five Years appeared first on Insurance Journal TV.

In this special podcast episode, Insurance Journal host George Jack sits down with Darren Nix, founder of Steadily, to explore how one burned-down rental property sparked a revolution in landlord insurance.

Darren shares his journey from tech founder to insurtech disruptor, diving into early missteps, key lessons, and how Steadily is building a “Geico for landlord insurance”—without cutting agents out of the picture.

You’ll learn:

On this installment we meet Olga Collins, CEO of the Worldwide Broker Network, or WBN. Olga is a true woman of the world, speaking six languages, including Polish from her native country. She relays a fascinating life and career story as well as business lessons she’s learned along the way. She says she fell in love with risk management and insurance—“a great combination of analytics and people.” Olga covers the evolving insurance market, captive solutions, enterprise risk management, and some interesting countries from which capacity is emerging. Under Olga’s leadership, WBN has grown into the largest independen...

In this episode of The Insuring Cyber Podcast, James Crask from Marsh discusses how companies can stay resilient in an era of rising tariffs, trade barriers, and global uncertainty. He shares his perspective on how supply chain risk is evolving and how organizations can leverage advanced technologies like AI to model risk scenarios and strengthen their resilience. Check it out!

The post EP. 104: Tariffs, Trade, and Technology: Navigating Supply Chain Risk appeared first on Insurance Journal TV.

Meet Spencer Mahoney, chief growth officer for CCIG, a Denver-based independent broker with 100 employees generating $30 million in revenue. The firm competes with the big boys in the commercial middle market for p/c and benefits, to include captive strategies. Spencer unpacks what it’s been like for he and his brother to work for dad, who founded the firm 40 years ago. First, they weren’t handed the business. Dad told the boys, “Go get your teeth kicked in somewhere else first,” Spencer relates. Working for a carrier, broker and wholesaler prepared them for a sales career at CCIG. Today, the firm...

High net worth individuals often carry public profiles that make them uniquely vulnerable to cyber threats. From executives and celebrities to board members and influencers, their visibility—and the digital footprint that comes with it—attracts sophisticated cybercriminals who may quietly monitor their online presence for months before striking. In this sneak peek of the Insuring Cyber podcast with Carrier Management Deputy Editor and Host Elizabeth Blosfield, Jason Ott, President of Aon Private Risk Management, discuss how cyber coverage is evolving to meet the specific needs of these high-profile clients and why seemingly harmless posts or photos can become secu...

Get ready for an exciting episode of Golfertainment with Golfertainment George, Patrick Wraight, and Kevin Amrhein as they sit down with Tony Cañas for a one-of-a-kind conversation!
🎤 Tony shares his career pivots, from underwriter to blogger, best-selling author/speaker, recruiter, and podcaster – and yes, even a magician! Hear all about his journey through the insurance world and beyond. Plus, the Golfertainment crew will react to George’s  take on the Happy Gilmore 2 trailer and explore some fun Father’s Day golf insurance gift ideas 🏌️‍♂️⛳️
Don’t miss out on this lively discussion and plenty of laughs!
#InsurTech #CareerPivo...

Would you relish reading insurance contracts on a Sunday afternoon so you can properly counsel your client on what they should buy? Do we hear a “Hell, no?” That’s okay. Self-described insurance nerd and recovering insurance attorney Dan Schuleman will save you the trouble. He cofounded the insuretech Qumis as an assistive-AI platform to quickly analyze policies and pull relevant information for claims, brokering and compliance. The idea: Arm insurance professionals with more detailed information, particularly in a time of suffocating legal action. “The increase in litigation is crazy,” Dan says. “The lawyers throw anything at the wall and see what...

In the second episode of the insurance wrap-up, the focus is on key insights from the 2025 InsurTech Summit, which showcased notable guests and discussions. Margo Giles highlights the importance of agentic AI in fostering collaboration within the insurance sector, while Alexis Vaughn points out education and job security fears as significant barriers. The episode emphasizes the necessity of trust and partnerships for agility and technological advancement, as discussed by Jean Finnegan. Additionally, James Benham addresses the challenges posed by legacy systems, advocating for modern solutions, and Ryan Griffin stresses the importance of regulatory compliance in the evolving landscape of...

In this episode, Jason Ott, President of Aon Private Risk Management, and Diane Delaney, Executive Director of the Private Risk Management Association, spoke about the biggest cyber risks faced by high-net-worth individuals and how insurers can help navigate them. From social engineering scams to fraudulent electronic fund transfers, the risk environment is every changing. These two guests unpack the critical distinctions between cyber and crime insurance and emphasize the importance of tailored coverage, proactive risk management, and education in a landscape where public profiles, smart devices, and lifestyle choices heighten exposure. They also share trends, coverage gaps, and strategies...

On this installment we’re joined by Itai Ben-Zaken, founder and CEO of Honeycomb, an MGA with AI-driven technology to analyze aerial photographs of commercial building roofs to assess their condition. Honeycomb launched with admitted markets but recently expanded to E&S, opening up more opportunities for retail agents to place tough risks. For example, many carriers are active in multifamily property but carve out anything older than 25 years. With 80% of these structures built before 2000, that means 80% of the market is underserved, Itai says. Honeycomb’s “roof model” is hyper-specific, giving underwriters more confidence to take on risks even in troub...

Has the adoption of recreational cannabis laws affected workers’ compensation claims? A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute seeks to answer that question and others related to cannabis use and workers. We spoke with Vennela Thumula, policy analyst at the WCRI and lead author of the study, to get lots of data for the latest episode of our podcast.

The post 102: How Recreational Cannabis Laws Have Affected Workers’ Comp Claims appeared first on Insurance Journal TV.

In the first episode of The Insurance Wrap-Up, Allen Laman, Elizabeth Blosfield, and Ezra Amacher dive into the evolving landscape of InsurTech, spotlighting trends in collaboration between startups and legacy carriers, innovations in AI, and the modernization of core systems. They highlight key articles and expert insights on AI’s role in fraud detection and underwriting. Check it out!

The post The Rise of InsurTech: 10 Moments Covering the Transformation of the Industry appeared first on Insurance Journal TV.

Do you truly understand your policyholders, distribution partners and employees? Do you have a clear lens into what competitors are doing? If your organization attempts to get feedback all by itself or relies on ad-hoc, anecdotal feedback from key stakeholders, you will miss opportunities to evolve and innovative. On this recording, research whiz Mackenzie Wilson unpacks best practices. Customer experience work “is the foundation of any business,” she says. “It doesn’t matter how big or small you are.” Yet, only about 30% of firms in any industry—and even lower in insurance—have a formalized program for voice-of-client experience. As much as the...

Special Live Podcast Episode! Join the Golfertainment crew – George Jack, Patrick Wraight, and Kevin Amrhein, – as they tee off on hurricane prep and its surprising connections to golf, rap, and insurance! 💥 🎤🎥 Special guest Curtis Goldsborough aka LO$$ RATIO (Insurtech Aficionado & 🎥 Creator) joins the conversation for an episode you won’t want to miss! #InsurTech #HurricanePrep

The post EP. 11: Teeing Off on Hurricane Prep: Live Golfertainment with Curtis Goldsborough! appeared first on Insurance Journal TV.

What happens when small-to-midsize insurers get fed up with clunky, overpriced legacy systems? They build their own. In this episode of the Insuring Cyber Podcast, we dive into how James Benham, tech entrepreneur and JBKnowledge Founder, spotted a massive market gap and created a clean-sheet solution that’s automating workflows, slashing costs, and modernizing comp-first carriers.
👉 Catch the full episode now at https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/25143/ — plus get details on the 2025 Insurtech Summit and claim your free ticket at https://theinsurtechsummit.com/

The post Can Cloud-Native Platforms Change the Future of Policy Management? appeared first on Insu...

A major workplace challenge is basic human communication among the age groups. How can we create a workplace culture where all four working generations thrive? “Culture Doctor” Warren Wright returns to On Point with insights. Generational conflict impacts teamwork, productivity and retention. Workplace preferences are varied: Boomers and GenXers value stability; Millennials and Gen Z seek rapid growth and flexibility. Younger generations thrive on innovative digital tools and quick feedback, while older generations want to stick with what works. On this recording, Warren also unpacks fascinating takeaways from new research on how consumers of different ages approach insurance buying — and how...

In this episode, tech entrepreneur and JBKnowledge Founder James Benham shares his journey from coding in his college dorm room to leading a multinational software company serving the insurance and construction industries. He opens up about the principles of bootstrapping, the inspiration behind his book, Be Your Own VC, and how lessons from his father shaped his approach to business. Check it out!

To sign up or apply to be a speaker for our InsurTech Summit 2025, visit theinsurtechsummit.com!

The post EP. 102: Bootstrapping Brilliance: Building a Tech Empire from the Ground Up appeared first on...

Hurricane Season 2025 Could Be Brutal — Here’s What You Need to Know:

Today we are launching a brand new podcast series, called the Claims Journal Podcast! In this inaugural episode, editor Don Jergler sits down with AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter to unpack the high-stakes forecast for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Will this year top 2024’s destructive run of major storms? Porter reveals AccuWeather’s projections of 13–18 named storms, a looming La Niña threat, and the US regions most at risk — including a sharp warning for the Carolina coast, Gulf states, and even parts of the Northeast. Fr...

The danger in writing all small commercial lines is becoming a generalist, says Bobby Touran, who a few years ago founded Rainbow, a restaurant-focused MGU insuretech. Rainbow distributes through independent agents—who he calls “critically” important. Listen as Bobby unpacks three strategic concepts behind Rainbow. “We wanted to be very specialized in classes of business,” he says. “We felt restaurants were a distressed category within small commercial. They were still reeling from COVID, lock-downs and inflation.” He observed other insuretechs taking “a very binary view on the role of technology: a tech-only or human-only experience. We didn’t see examples where pur...

As cyber threats evolve, the insurance industry struggles to keep pace, leading to shifting policies, increasing exclusions, and unexpected coverage gaps. Watch this highlight from the latest Cyber Insurance podcast with host Elizabeth Blosfield and guests Melissa Ventrone of law firm Clark Hill and Arthur Armstrong of law firm Reed Smith. To watch the full episode, visit https://www.insurancejournal.tv/videos/25038/

Topics covered:

Most insuretechs aren’t about flashy consumer-focused websites. They improve the plumbing — all the workflows behind the scenes never seen by agents and consumers. Sound exciting? Well, it sure is for Aaron Wright, director of strategy at Earnix, an insuretech supporting carriers’ pricing and underwriting with AI and machine learning. Aaron emerged from the carrier side, where he saw first-hand the inefficiencies plaguing the industry: “What did my well-paid actuaries spend 60% of their time on? Moving things between systems and validating if they copied and pasted things accurately from Excel. Much of this inefficiency and duplication of work was caused b...

In this episode, Melissa Ventrone of law firm Clark Hill and Arthur Armstrong of law firm Reed Smith joined The Insuring Cyber Podcast to unpack the Trump administration’s cybersecurity policies and explore their potential ripple effects on the cyber insurance landscape. In these conversations, Melissa and Arthur discuss how evolving federal strategies influence risk assessments, underwriting practices, and insurer liabilities. They also explore the intersection of politics, policy, and cyber risk, and what it all means for insurers navigating an increasingly complex digital threat environment. Check it out!

To sign up or apply to be a sp...

Dispensaries may be getting a bit of a break on employment practices liability insurance in recent times as capacity grows and insurers get better at evaluating the risks at these operations—and therefore become more comfortable with them. Nick Matsie, an assistant vice president at Berkley Select, is seeing a softer EPL market for dispensaries and other cannabis businesses. But he’s also seeing an uptick in claims frequency and severity.  “It’s not a matter if but when these claims come in,” he warned in our most recent podcast episode.

The post 101: A Softer EPL Market for Dispens...

On this recording we welcome back Dave Tralka, our knowledgeable and friendly banker who understands a thing or two about independent agents. Dave is CEO of InsurBanc, the financial institution launched by the Big “I” to support agents’ growth. Dave lucidly covers today’s business opportunities for agencies as well as the broader landscape over which they don’t have much control. Strategic loans to buy other firms or books, hire producers, and install new technology are available. But, “agents are generally debt-adverse,” Dave notes. “The most successful business models I have seen in 20 years of working with independent agents are that...

Cowbell’s Founder and CEO, Jack Kudale, shares his inspiring journey from growing up on a small farm to leading a cybersecurity insurance revolution, transforming risk management for small businesses.

This excerpt highlights the following:

Bridging Cybersecurity & Insurance – How Cowbell is pioneering innovation on the “right of the boom” by combining cybersecurity with tailored insurance solutions.
A Founder’s Journey – Jack’s transition from engineering to insurtech leadership, driven by determination and a passion for problem-solving.
Celebrating Milestones – With Cowbell’s five-year anniversary and 30,000+ customers served, the company continues to redefine cyber risk protection.

Join Golfertainment George, Patrick Wraight, and Kevin Amrhein as they tee off on Florida Man insurance fraud, bizarre cold-weather lizard claims, and the potential return of 1920s golf fashion! Plus a look at some Oscar show fashion!

Florida Man Strikes Again – A wild tale of insurance fraud, fake death certificates, and a $6M scheme gone wrong.

Falling Iguanas & Insurance Claims – When Florida temps drop, so do frozen lizards—what’s the risk, and who pays?

Should Knickers & Tweed Make a Comeback? – The case for reviving classic 1920s golf fashion on the modern course.

Not...

Here’s a chance to meet a driven, dynamic leader in Omari Aarons-Martin, who oversees the National African American Insurance Association. Omari outlines the history of NAAIA, founded by an independent agent 28 years ago. With 2,700 members and 24 chapters nationwide, NAAIA represents every industry sector and is dedicated to members’ professional development and empowerment. Your On Point host naturally asks the honest (if cringeworthy) questions you’ve come to expect on race and racial issues. And Omari deftly educates! Diversity means different things to different people, he says. Thus, he encourages insurance organizations to be specific about any talent gaps. “Give you...

In this special 100th episode of the Insuring Cyber podcast, tune into an exclusive interview with the three cofounders of InsurTech Cowbell— CEO Jack Kudale, Chief Operating Officer Trent Cooksley , and Chief Product Officer Rajeev Gupta. Together, they share Cowbell’s startup origins and its mission to revolutionize cyber insurance for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the personal journeys that inspired them to tackle the complexities of the cyber insurance field. From Kudale’s farm roots and vision for cross-industry innovation to Cooksley’s expertise in insurance technology and Gupta’s technical focus on risk quantification, the trio share...

When we started our “bimonthly trip into the intersection of two industries that couldn’t be more different,” we were in the grips of a pandemic and cannabis legalization was sweeping states across the country. Episode 1 aired in May 2020 with a few industry experts talking about how the industry would weather the pandemic and an eventual return to normalcy. Four years later and the industry is still kicking—though federal legalization is probably about as far away now as it was then. One of our first podcast guests was Morgan Fox, who is now the political director NORML. To mark 100...

Property losses and coverage woes are all over the national news: fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods. As a result, new home buyers are fearful of the risks and costs of owning property. On this recording, we hear key findings from consumer research on home ownership from Kimberly Burdi-Dumas with DocuSketch. The insurance industry has an opportunity to educate Generation Z on home protections, the research  suggests.  DocuSketch provides accurate, consistent views of property losses to eliminate claim disputes. Kimberly says was “born and bred in insurance. My parents started a restoration company back in the 1980s before restoration was even a th...

The Insuring Cannabis Podcast launched at a time of uncertainty — pandemic lockdowns, shifting regulations, and a rapidly growing cannabis industry. Now, 100 episodes later, we’re still here, still talking, and still looking ahead!

For this milestone episode on Feb. 20th, we’re bringing back one of our early episode guests: Morgan Fox, Political Director at NORML, to discuss what the future holds for cannabis policy in 2025 and beyond.

Tune in Thursday, February 20th as we reflect on where we’ve been—and where we’re headed.

#Podcast100 #StillLookingAhead

The post The Insuring Can...

On this installment, we check in with Luke Bills, president of independent agent distribution for Liberty Mutual’s U.S. retail markets. Luke outlines challenges for agents, including consolidation and pricing. Agents have had to deal with suffocating rate increases in recent years—“there was nowhere to hide from that,” Luke says. While auto rates are stabilizing, property is another story: “I don’t see a soft market coming,” he adds. Looking down the road, he says he is “very bullish on the IA channel. This [hard] market has shown the value of the independent agent.” With homeowners having to manage more ris...

Join Elizabeth Blosfield, Allen Laman, and Ezra Amacher as they recap the top 10 episodes of the Insuring Cyber podcast, highlight industry-shaping conversations, and share exciting news about their 100th episode milestone.

Don’s miss the Insuring Cyber Podcast’s 100th episode on February 26th!

#InsuranceInnovation #AIRegulation #CyberRisk

The post Top Podcast Moments: Insights, AI Regulation, and What’s N...

Mark your calendars! On February 26th, the Insuring Cyber Podcast hits a major milestone with its 100th episode, and we’re celebrating in style!

Join us for an exclusive interview with the visionary cofounders of InsurTech Cowbell: CEO Jack Kudale, COO Trent Cooksley, and CPO Rajeev Gupta. They’ll take you behind the scenes of Cowbell’s remarkable journey—from its startup roots to becoming a trailblazer in cyber insurance for small and medium-sized businesses.

Hear firsthand about:
– How Cowbell is revolutionizing cyber underwriting using advanced data and AI.
– The personal stories and experiences...

Join Carrier Management Deputy Editor and host of The Insuring Cyber Podcast, Elizabeth Blosfield, Wells Media Content Editor Allen Laman, and Insurance Journal’s Midwest and South Central Editor Ezra Amacher for a special episode of The Insuring Cyber Podcast that explores the most viewed episodes of 2024 to start the year. Check it out!

To sign up or apply to be a speaker for our InsurTech Summit 2025, visit theinsurtechsummit.com!

The post EP. 99: 2024’s Top Cyber Insurance Insights Wrapped appeared first on Insurance Journal TV.

Who remembers when you’d never think to “bring your whole self to work?” Boomers do! But today’s workplace is vastly different. Bosses need to watch for signs of employees’ mental health issues. On this recording, we hear from Travelers’ Joan Woodward, who highlights key findings of a new study on the pervasiveness of mental health in the workplace. Joan oversees the Travelers Institute, a public policy platform within the carrier to educate the public about all things insurance. Joan provides actionable, step-by-step guidance for managers on how to properly meet their workers in this space. Some 66% of managers hav...

Insuring cannabis is far from a straightforward endeavor, so one would expect cannabis insurance claims to be a complex subject. One would be correct. Corey Tobin, a director with Symphony Grow, has seen some interesting—and big—claims. Tobin is also formerly a licensed cannabis operator. We spoke to Tobin about cannabis insurance claims for our latest podcast.

The post 99: Cannabis Insurance Claims – Insight from a Producer and Former Operator appeared first on Insurance Journal TV.

Replay Insurance Journal’s Emergency Podcast discussion, hosted on X, covering the Los Angeles Wildfires and it’s impact on insurance.

Join Patrick Wraight, Director of the Academy of Insurance, Ezra Amacher, the Midwest/South Central Editor of Insurance Journal, and George Jack, Customer Success Manager of the Academy of Insurance as they talk about recent events and how the industry is responding.

Read some of the articles discussed in the event:
Insured Losses From Los Angeles Wildfires Rising: $8B to $20B by Don Jergler

Los Angeles Fires Become Existential Test for Cali...