Placing You First Insurance Podcast by CRC Group

These days utilizing only a Virtual Private Network may not be enough to qualify for a cyber insurance policy. Insurers want companies to have not only a VPN but also Multi-Factor Authentication in place for remote network access. Unfortunately, many clients don’t understand the need to use both together. Many assume a VPN is enough to protect against cyberattacks, but that could turn out to be a costly mistake. Amanda and Scott are joined by Dan Myer, a Director with CRC Group’s ExecPro Practice Group and a Broker from the Tampa, FL office. He’s going to fill us in on the importance of using a VPN and MFA together. Featuring:Dan Myer - Director & Broker, CRC Tampa Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

The pandemic exacerbated healthcare staffing shortages, pushing many organizations to rely on staffing agencies for help. However, this can increase the risk of claims. Because claim severity continues to be an issue, many markets have narrowed their appetite or chosen to exit the sector entirely, creating a harder insurance landscape for healthcare staffing. We're going to talk about all this and more with our guests Jason Lewis, President of CRC Denver and National Healthcare Practice Leader for CRC Group, Shavarra Davis, a Broker with CRC Group’s Norcross, GA office specializing in Professional Liability and Medical Malpractice, and Josh Anderson, an Associate Broker with CRC Group’s Chicago Office specializing in Healthcare Liability. Featuring:Jason Lewis - Office President, CRC DenverShavarra Davis - Broker, CRC NorcrossJosh Anderson - Associate Broker, CRC Chicago Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

From electronic logging devices (ELDs) to logistics and maintenance software, trucking companies are utilizing innovative technologies to improve efficiency and connectivity. Unfortunately, this often leads to increased cyber risk. In this episode we talk with two of CRC Group’s brokers - Chris Hunter, a Broker specializing in Transportation with CRC Group’s Houston, Texas office, and McCulle Wright, an ExecPro Broker with CRC Group’s Dallas, TX office - to explore this emerging issue in depth.Featuring:Chris Hunter - Inside Broker, CRC HoustonMcCulle Wright - Associate Team Leader, CRC Dallas Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

Behavioral healthcare providers can help mitigate growing violence rates by adequately assessing the risk of violence a patient presents toward others. The right behavioral healthcare assessments can help protect people from harm and prevent professional liability claims. In this episode, we’re joined by Sue Cohen, the Executive Vice President of Negley Associates, a CRC Group company focusing on behavioral healthcare, addiction, and social services as well as Ron Zimmet, a Florida trial lawyer, and General Counsel for the Mental Health Risk Retention Group who has practiced risk management for many years. Ron discusses the importance of using the right behavioral healthcare assessments to help prevent violence against others.Episode Links:Negley AssociatesMental Health Risk Retention Group Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

In 2021, 19-year-old Orlando student Miya Marcano was tragically killed in her apartment by a 27-year-old maintenance employee with access to her apartment complex’s master key fob. In response to this tragedy and a growing trend of violence, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 898, known as “Miya’s Law,” at the end of June 2022.   The new law took effect July 1, 2022, and seeks to strengthen renter safety measures.In this podcast episode, we discuss potential issues to watch for and what agents need to know before placing a habitational business in Florida.Featuring:Corey Friedman is a Broker with CRC Group’s Boca Raton, Florida office where he specializes in Real Estate and Habitational risks. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

Hurricane Ian has proved to be a significant event for the insurance industry. In this episode, we talk with Nationally Renowned TV Meteorologist James Spann from ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, AL.  Also, Chris Carlson, the property practice leader for CRC Group, joins us to talk about the damage estimates and what this means for the insurance industry.About James Spann:James has served as the Chief Meteorologist for ABC 33/40 for 25 years and can be seen on weeknights at 4, 5, 6, and 10 o'clock. In all, James has been a television weather anchor for 44 years.James has received the two highest awards in the nation for a broadcast meteorologist.One is the national "Broadcaster of the Year" by the National Weather Association. According to the NWA, James was selected for the award "For his passionate dedication to serving the Central Alabama community with critical weather information for over thirty years, especially during the deadly April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak."James also was the winner of the AMS (American Meteorological Society) "Award for Broadcast Meteorology." The AMS stated he was the winner partly because of "his tireless efforts to advance the public's awareness of and engagement in the science of meteorology, particularly severe weather forecasting and response."James has earned multiple Emmy awards over the years. He was elected to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle, representing outstanding achievement spanning at least 25 years in the broadcast industry with a proven record of mentoring and community involvement.Link: See James' Coverage of a significant tornado in Tuscaloosa in 2011. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

Uncertainty can prove costly when it comes to purchasing property insurance. When pricing catastrophe risks, underwriters must be able to quantify them accurately. Where uncertainties arise, underwriters often adjust prices in an attempt to compensate for the unknown or decline the risk entirely. Uncertainty also tends to drive up the loss estimates produced by CAT modeling tools used to help underwrite property coverage today. To avoid paying unnecessarily high prices, insureds should provide detailed data that creates a complete and accurate picture of their exposures in a schedule of values. Complete submissions based on more precise data are likely to receive a warmer welcome from underwriters who have seen an increase in submission volume in the current market. Brokers that can provide a detailed catastrophe risk assessment report using the latest modeling technology can help clients make more informed decisions about risk transfer strategies and better position them to achieve the most cost-effective insurance program.Learn about CRC Group's CAT modeling tools and processes, and why the company is uniquely positioned to give you the edge when it comes to property risk.Featuring: Colin Morris is a Senior Risk Analyst with CRC Group’s Red Bank, NJ office.David Pagoumian is the President of CRC Group’s Red Bank, NJ office. David specializes in property placements and is an active member of the Property Practice Advisory Committee. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

After a year of slashed demand in 2020, global oil demand surged in 2021 as the world began to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. In 2022, energy demand and commodity prices are still up, indicating that the energy industry is strong (source 3). Refineries are operating at approximately 95% capacity, and many companies would like to expand operations conservatively. But, like other industries all across the country, energy companies are struggling to find and hire qualified employees to fill positions. They’re also grappling with ongoing supply chain problems that make it difficult to obtain materials and purchase or repair vital equipment. As the insurance marketplace continues to contract, prices are rising for several product lines. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

Senior Living Market Easing but Reprieve May be BriefAfter a year or two of hardening, the insurance market for senior living facilities took another hit in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s new wave of compounding challenges. Brokers working with these healthcare organizations were warned to keep a wary eye on increased liability and tighter underwriting moving into 2021.Throughout the challenging market in 2020 and 2021, accounts of varying quality were often painted with the same brush in an effort to improve underwriting profitability through widespread price hikes of 20% or more. This was frustrating for higher-quality accounts, and the sector saw a subsequent rise in the secondary market as risk retention groups (RRGs) were priced slightly lower than traditional marketplace offerings. However, the impact of RRGs began to wane at the end of 2021 as new entrants began joining the space, allowing better accounts to be considered on their own merit.As we move into the second half of 2022, there are signs that the senior living insurance marketplace may be easing as 3 - 4 new insurers have now entered the space, and some legacy carriers have become more aggressive in an effort to rebuild their books after balancing portfolios. This means the pace of rate hikes may decelerate, which is good news for many operators experiencing post-COVID fatigue after significant premium increases. However, price sensitivity is still through the roof, and many insureds are looking for a better deal. The marketplace is seeing some clients choose to leave multi-year insurance relationships in favor of a lower price, but that leap may prove detrimental for insureds in the long run.Featuring:Rusty Hughes is a Senior Broker with CRC Group’s Birmingham, AL office specializing in the healthcare and assisted/ senior living sectors.Lee McClure is a Senior Broker with CRC Group’s Birmingham, AL office specializing in healthcare professional liability.Conner Madey is a Broker with CRC Group’s Chicago office where he specializes in healthcare. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

Matthew Rosencrans from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center takes us through the future of property risk, including hurricanes, climate change, and more.  Is climate change causing sea levels to rise?  The answer may surprise you!How many named storms will we see in 2022?According to the best data, what can we expect in the next 5 to 10 years?After talking with Matthew, we check in with Chris Carlson, Property Leader for CRC Group, to understand the future of property insurance.Featuring:Matthew RosencransNOAA Climate Prediction CenterClimate Testbed DirectorChris CarlsonCRC Group Property Leader Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

The REDY® Index leverages CRC Group’s collection of actionable data – the wholesale industry’s largest. It provides critical pricing analysis monthly, giving you a snapshot of the marketplace. The REDY® Index generates instant intelligence on pricing trends by industry or coverage, enabling our retail partners to set accurate data-driven expectations with their clients. Removing the guesswork empowers CRC team members to negotiate competitively, consistently producing better outcomes, better deliverables, and better results.View the Full Cyber REDY® Index Report at https://www.redyindex.com.  Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

In today's economic environment, many companies have difficulty hiring and retaining sufficient staff to operate. More small and mid-sized companies without dedicated internal administrative or HR staff partner with Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) to help offload administrative burdens. In addition to providing HR, benefits, and payroll administration, PEOs often offer Employment Practices Liability (EPL) coverage to protect client companies against employee claims of wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment, discrimination, or other workplace claims.Featuring:Mike Edmonds is an Assistant Vice President with CRC Group's Seattle office, where he specializes in Cyber & Technology, E&O, Healthcare, and Management Liability as part of the Seattle ExecPro Team. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

Over the last decade, third-party litigation funding (TPLF) has evolved into a $17 billion industry worldwide, and 52% of that money is being spent in the U.S., making TPLF a key contributor to social inflation, hiking up jury awards and claim settlements that may have a significant impact on insurance prices and coverage availability.What is it?  How does it work?  What effect is it having on pricing?   Where do we go from here?Featuring:Bob Greenebaum is an Executive Vice President, Central Region Director, and Casualty Practice Leader located in CRC Group’s Chicago, Illinois office. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

The deadly collapse of a 12-story beachfront condominium north of Miami Beach sent shockwaves through the Florida insurance market. One wing of the 40-year-old Champlain Towers in Surfside, Florida, crumpled to the ground suddenly on June 24, 2021, killing 98 people. Several carriers have exited the Florida property market as total settlements rise to more than $130 million, and others are pulling back on property and liability coverage. Faced with the potential for steep losses, insurers are raising rates and deductibles and becoming much more selective. In such a challenging market, it’s crucial to work with experienced, knowledgeable brokers who can provide guidance through a more complex, demanding placement process.Featuring:Sim Bridges is Vice President-Underwriting with Coastal Insurance Underwriters located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.ABOUT COASTAL INSURANCE UNDERWRITERSCoastal Insurance Underwriters is a program administrator specializing in designing, creating, and managing insurance products for various business classes, including condominium associations, homeowner associations, and golf and country clubs. Coastal has become one of the largest Managing General Underwriters in the United States focused on community association products with over 8,000 homeowners and condominium associations currently insured. Coastal Insurance Underwriters is a subsidiary of Constellation Affiliated Partners, LLC. Learn more at www.ciuins.com. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

Flooding continues to be the most expensive and the most common natural disaster in the United States, resulting in billions in economic losses every year. According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), 90% percent of all U.S. natural disasters involve flooding.In October 2021, the NFIP implemented its Risk Rating 2.0 program, one of the most significant changes from a rate modeling and underwriting standpoint in more than 50 years. In the past, FEMA flood zones and rates were much more generalized. However, the NFIP is striving to implement advanced technology and geocoding to more accurately rate flood risks. While these changes are vital to keeping the NFIP afloat, significant premium increases are coming because many policies have been severely underpriced for years. As the NFIP continues to evolve, retail agents face a prime opportunity to protect clients against the economic impact of flood damage with private insurance options.Featuring:Ben Tschepikow is a Broker with Argenia, a CRC Group Company located in Little Rock, AR, and is a member of the Personal Lines Practice Advisory Committee. Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

Transitioning markets make for tougher renewals. Rising prices, carrier repositioning, and stricter underwriting are combining to make this year’s renewals more challenging. Seeking to tame natural catastrophe losses, carriers are changing appetites, scaling back capacity in some markets, and exiting others. Those changes have helped drive submission activity to levels not seen since 2005 and are further exacerbated by new market entrants that are causing a movement of underwriting talent not seen in recent times. In this market, communication is critical for successful renewals. Experienced brokers can make the difference by helping clients put together more compelling submissions with the best available data and provide up-to-the-minute guidance on market moves.Featuring:Chris Carlson is the Director-Property Practice located in CRC’s Norcross, GA Office.Subscribe to CRC Group on YoutubeSubscribe to Tools & Intel (email newsletter)Read Past Tools & Intel ArticlesFollow CRC Group on LinkedIn Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

Contractors may assume they don’t need professional liability coverage. But, as the traditional construction delivery model evolves and the lines of responsibility between contractors and design firms blur, contractors face increased exposure. Fortunately, professional liability insurance is available to help protect contractors from the risks that accompany industry changes.Featuring: David Finneran is an Assistant Vice President and Broker with CRC Group’s Boston, Massachusetts office where he specializes in the areas of Pollution, Professional Liability, and Product Recall.Subscribe to CRC Group on YoutubeSubscribe to Tools & Intel (email newsletter)Read Past Tools & Intel ArticlesFollow CRC Group on LinkedIn Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

Following a soft market cycle characterized by marked underpricing, an excess casualty market that was hardening in 2019 is now firm. Underwriters continue to look for rate increases and cut capacity as large claims climb the tower.Three CRC Group Producers who specialize in Casualty weigh in on the current conditions of the market.Featuring:Jason Howard is a Senior Vice President located in the San Francisco, CA office where he specializes in construction, environmental, life sciences, and excess limits.Ben Wright is a Senior Casualty Broker and Vice President with the Houston, Texas office where he focuses on liability placements in the energy, construction, and industrial service sectors.Craig Nettles is a Broker in the Atlanta, Georgia office, handling a large portfolio of General Liability, Casualty, and Environmental Insurance business all across the country.Subscribe to CRC Group on YoutubeSubscribe to Tools & Intel (email newsletter)Read Past Tools & Intel ArticlesFollow CRC Group on LinkedIn Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

Healthcare is a diverse industry, ranging from individual practitioners and home health nurses to ambulatory care centers and integrated systems with revenues in the billions of dollars. The risks along that spectrum also vary widely, but the insurance marketplace for healthcare organizations has been almost uniformly tight. Several insurance companies that underwrote healthcare business for decades have withdrawn from some classes, citing high loss ratios. In their place, new sources of capacity have emerged. Historically, the presence of new entrants has signaled competition and a loosening of terms, conditions, and rates. Unfortunately for insureds, that is not happening in the current marketplace. It's a challenging environment that requires retailers to approach the renewal process differently.Featured in this Episode:Bob Allen is president of Pro-Praxis, a CRC Group company providing specialty programs to large healthcare organizations, based in New York.Rusty Hughes is a senior broker in the Birmingham, Alabama, office of CRC Group.Alex Gould is a broker in the Birmingham, Alabama, office of CRC Group.Subscribe to CRC Group on YoutubeSubscribe to Tools & Intel (email newsletter)Read Past Tools & Intel ArticlesFollow CRC Group on LinkedIn Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

Costly litigation alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) has made coverage hard to get for businesses that contact customers and prospects by phone or text. We explore why markets for TPCA risks are scarce and how to work with a knowledgeable wholesale broker to help insureds.Featuring:Harold Field is Office President of CRC New York and a member of the ExecPro practice group.Subscribe to CRC Group on YoutubeSubscribe to Tools & Intel (email newsletter)Read Past Tools & Intel ArticlesFollow CRC Group on LinkedIn Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace. Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!