Claim OwnershipThe Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI
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Trusted Risk Management and Insurance Research That Empowers You To Be the Expert!
152 Episodes
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In this episode of The Edge of Risk podcast by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum welcomes Courtney Boles, director of operations at Management Services International (MSI), one of the largest captive managers in North Carolina. Courtney brings her unique perspective on how small businesses can harness organizational alignment to maximize the success of their captive insurance programs. Drawing on her experience in both commercial insurance and captive management, Courtney discusses the importance of identifying internal champions, demystifying the captive formation process, and addressing common skepticism among business owners and their advisers. She highlights the value of communication, education, and cultural buy-in as cornerstones of long-term alignment. The conversation also explores real-world examples of successful captives, strategies for balancing emerging risks with conservative growth, and the role of innovation—from parametric solutions to artificial intelligence-driven tools—in shaping the future of small-business captives.
Reinsurance can be complex and confusing. However, in this 21-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, Larry Schiffer, attorney at Schiffer Law & Consulting PLLC, helps you understand the basics. In plain talk, Mr. Schiffer breaks down important reinsurance concepts as they relate to agricultural risks. After this podcast, you'll understand the importance of Mr. Schiffer's philosophy of "say what you mean, and mean what you say."
A winning strategy for Liberty Mutual is to have professionals with farming backgrounds serve in its farm and ranch division. It helps to understand your client's needs when you understand your client's lifestyle and daily reality. This 16-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Jenn Powell, farm and ranch senior territory manager, Liberty Mutual Insurance.
This episode unpacks the challenges farmers face and the important work Liberty Mutual is doing to help protect the farmers' families and livelihood.
In this episode, The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI welcomes Anuja Patil, risk control consulting director at CNA, for an insightful discussion with practical strategies in creating supportive and future-proof work environments in construction. In this nearly 25-minute episode, Ms. Patil provides an examination of the multigenerational and multicultural workforce and explains how understanding the nuances of a workforce can help develop effective safety solutions on construction sites. Ms. Patil provides practical advice and action items to address the challenges in communication, work styles, and physical demands that may vary with diverse jobsites.
In this episode of The Edge of Risk by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum speaks with Dr. Marcus Schmalbach, CEO of RYSKEX, about a groundbreaking application of captive insurance and parametric risk transfer to support carbon sequestration. The discussion centers on the Arx Veritas project, which monetizes environmental restraint by leaving fossil fuels in the ground—turning unmined coal into a verifiable and tradable asset.
Dr. Schmalbach explains how the captive structure, paired with blockchain-based verification, artificial intelligence, and satellite imagery, creates trust and financial credibility for this emerging asset class. The conversation explores how parametric triggers address complex, forward-looking risks, why third-party validation is essential, and how similar models could scale to oil, gas, and rare earth minerals. He also shares his perspective on the paradigm shift needed for risk professionals to work effectively in the evolving carbon economy.
Join Tom Britten of Travelers as he discusses the evolving risks, quality challenges, and technological advancements in battery energy storage systems on the Edge of Risk podcast. If you want even more education on energy risks, the 2025 IRMI Energy Risk & Insurance Conference is available on demand at IRMI.com.
In this episode of The Edge of Risk by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum sits down with Joe Rosenberger, chief captive analyst at the North Carolina Department of Insurance, to discuss how one of the leading US captive domiciles is evolving to meet the needs of modern risk management. Mr. Rosenberger shares his journey into regulation, the key drivers behind North Carolina's growth, and how the state has positioned itself as a business-friendly but credible regulator.
Listeners will gain insights into how the state balances responsiveness with oversight; how it's adapting to emerging risks like cyber and environmental, social, and governance; and why its consistent analyst engagement model sets it apart. Mr. Rosenberger also addresses trends in captive formations, provides a glimpse into potential innovations like crypto premium models, and outlines tech-forward priorities for improving efficiency and transparency.
This month's episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI welcomes Ryan Powers, head of construction at QBE. Listen in as Mr. Powers discusses the top risks that construction insureds worry the most about but often feel the least prepared for. In this 13-minute episode, Mr. Powers provides manageable action items to address cyber risks, addresses the benefits and challenges insureds face with technology, and discusses how collaboration in risk mitigation has resulted in reduced frequency in losses in the construction industry.
We know the effects of the Baltimore bridge collapse on transportation. But what was the agriculture effect? Explore how the Baltimore bridge collapse disrupted global supply chains and agricultural shipping. This 19-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Chris Montez, underwriting director at U.S. Marine Insurance Group. The episode unpacks the ripple effects of the disaster—including its complex implications for the insurance industry—and highlights just how interconnected risk really is.
Builders risk policy forms vary significantly, and one of the most misinterpreted elements of these forms is the "delay in opening" coverages. Join The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI with Jake Parsons, managing director of disputes, claims, and investigations at Stout, in an informative discussion on time element losses in builders risk policies. In this 24-minute episode, Mr. Parsons provides a high-level summary of the three main types of delay in opening coverages, highlights important coverage extensions, and gives examples of typical yet significant exclusions. He also offers helpful tips for insureds to navigate a delay claim.
Why is there such a rising phenomenon of nuclear verdicts? This 17-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Nick Lucas, executive director of research and data analytics at the US Chamber of Commerce Institute of Legal Reform.
Listen to this important discussion on how massive jury awards have surged in popularity, and learn the underlying factors driving this trend. After this podcast, you will also understand that almost no industry escapes the effects of nuclear verdicts—even agriculture.
In this episode of The Edge of Risk by IRMI, we explore one of the most complex and consequential aspects of captive insurance: tax qualification and compliance. Host Joel Appelbaum is joined by Allan Autry, CPA, and partner at Johnson Lambert, who brings deep experience advising hundreds of captive insurance companies across the country.
Mr. Autry breaks down the essential criteria for qualifying as insurance for federal tax purposes, clarifying how those differ from regulatory requirements. The discussion covers key tax considerations in captive formation, the impact of entity type, and scenarios where tax qualification may not even be necessary. Mr. Autry also flags common pitfalls—from failing the risk distribution test to overlooking self-procurement tax—and shares thoughts on evolving tax strategies as captive insurance companies take on climate, cyber, and supply chain exposures.
Whether you're involved in captive formation, management, or as an adviser, this episode offers actionable guidance on compliance, structure, and strategic planning.
In this episode of The Edge of Risk by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum speaks with David Beyer, director of risk management at Alaska Airlines and board chair of ASA Assurance, Inc., the airline's Hawaii-based captive insurance company. David shares the story behind the creation of ASA Assurance, including why Hawaii was chosen as a captive insurance domicile and how long-term education efforts helped gain board approval.
Listeners will learn how Alaska Airlines uses its captive insurer to manage a wide range of complex exposures—from workers compensation and aircraft damage to cyber liability and auto risk. David offers insights into how Alaska balances innovation with its conservative risk posture, including the use of artificial intelligence to analyze safety trends and avoid losses before they occur. He also touches on governance strategy, the role of third-party administrators, and key considerations for companies exploring a captive of their own.
Whether you're in aviation, transportation, or simply curious about how captive insurance can transform enterprise risk management, this episode provides a grounded, strategic perspective from a seasoned captive owner.
Why are affordability and tech advances important to farmers? This 24-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Craig Smith, vice president of Agribusiness and Food Services for Alliant Insurance Services and a keynote panelist for the 2025 IRMI Emmett J Vaughan Agribusiness Conference. Listen to this impactful discussion of these challenges and what's happening on the family farm. After this podcast, you will have even more appreciation for the importance of strong advocates for farmers and ranchers.
Private equity is investing in the construction industry—but what does that mean? In The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, join Rob Langtry, global private equity director at Liberty Mutual, as he provides clarification as to why private equity is interested in the construction industry. In this 15-minute podcast, gain an understanding of the typical structure of a private equity program in construction and learn how insurance is generally addressed in such transactions.
Join Joel Appelbaum, chief content officer at IRMI, as he dives into the real economic impact of global trade and tariffs with special guest Bob Passmore, department vice president of personal lines at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.
In this short, 12-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, you'll explore how tariffs influence claims costs, repair cycles, and underwriting strategies.
In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast, host Joel Appelbaum speaks with Steven Bauman, head of global programs and captive practice for AXA XL in North America. With over 35 years in the insurance industry, Steven brings a depth of expertise on how multinational organizations can structure captives to navigate regulatory complexity, diversify risk, and support global growth strategies.
The conversation covers best practices for aligning captive programs with parent company objectives, the importance of selecting the right partners, and how emerging risks—from cyber threats to climate exposures—are influencing the future of captive insurance. Steven also shares reflections on his long career and offers final advice for companies looking to launch or expand their global captive footprint.
Water damage is a perpetual risk for all insureds but significantly so for contractors. This month, The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI welcomes Tony Grieser, technical director of construction loss control at Nationwide, for a thorough discussion of water damage mitigation programs. In this episode, learn about key tools a construction insured can utilize to reduce water damage losses and gain clear action items to establish and implement a water damage mitigation program for contractors of every size.
What's the raison d'être of American Farm Bureau, and how does California Farm Bureau fit into that? This 24-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Dan Durheim, chief operating officer, California Farm Bureau, and 2025 IRMI Emmett J Vaughan Agribusiness Conference (AgriCon) keynote panelist. Listen as Mr. Durheim explains the value proposition of Farm Bureau and why it continues to remain strong since its start in 1919. After this podcast, you will have even more appreciation of the organization that serves as the "voice of the farmer."
In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum sits down with Jeremy Colombik, president of Management Services International (MSI), to explore how captive insurance can solve hard-to-place risk challenges. Drawing from over 2 decades of industry experience, Jeremy unpacks the advantages of integrating unrated and nonadmitted paper into captive structures, including cost efficiency, greater flexibility, and custom coverage solutions.
The conversation dives deep into fronting arrangements, regulatory considerations, and the evolving use of captives across high-risk sectors. Whether it's environmental exposures, cyber liability, or excess layer risks, Jeremy explains how businesses can use captives to craft tailored strategies that go beyond what the traditional market offers. Tune in for insights on quarterbacking a successful captive, structuring reinsurance relationships, and ensuring compliance while building innovative programs that stand the test of time.
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