(Re)thinking insurance

WTW

In (Re)thinking insurance we discuss the issues facing P&C, Life, and composite insurers around the globe, as well as exploring the latest tools, techniques and innovations that will help you to re-think insurance.

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22 episodes
Avg 25 min
English

Episodes 22

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S5 · E9
September 17 · 35 min
Between the model and the claim: Bridging the cat gap
A catastrophe model may estimate a $20 billion loss, but what does that event look like for insurers managing claims on the ground? In this episode of (Re)thinking Insurance, Alena Kharkavets is joined by Scott St. George, Head of Weather and Climate Research at the Willis Research Network, and Andrew Leeds, Chief Claims Officer at Plymouth Rock, to explore the disconnect between modeled losses and operational reality. They discuss where models fall short, how different types of catastrophes impact claims teams, the increasing use of AI in claims processing and the wider industry challenges of affordability, resilience and risk mitigation.
S5 · E8
August 5 · 28 min
Health, Technology and Transformation: Closing the execution gap
Technology transformation in health insurance is no longer a future ambition - it's a present-day imperative. In this episode of (Re)Thinking Insurance, host Lisa Balboa, Senior Director in WTW's Global Health Advisory Practice, sits down with Algirdas Dineika and Tawhid Rahman to explore what's really driving change in health insurance - and what separates meaningful transformation from expensive theater.
S5 · E8
June 15 · 32 min
How Agentic AI is reshaping insurers' core technical functions?
While Generative AI is already reshaping customer service and claims, the real opportunity lies deeper in pricing, reserving, and portfolio management. Yet for most insurers, the full potential of Agentic AI remains largely untapped. In this episode, Charlie Samolcyzk, Technology Sales Lead speaks with Duncan Anderson, Global Leader, Technology to explore how Agentic AI is set to redefine the technical core of insurance, shifting not just how work gets done, but who owns decisions and how expertise is applied. Having witnessed every major technological shift in the industry, Duncan believes we are now at a genuinely unprecedented inflection point. Together, they discuss the distinction between Generative and Agentic AI and what it means for performance, capital management and competitive advantage.
S5 · E7
May 27 · 28 min
The dust has settled — now what? Navigating Canada's IFRS 17 day 2
In this episode, Mary Bahna-Nolan, Erika Dochney, Martin Laframboise and Jane Seward share practical strategies for optimizing operations, improving disclosures and unlocking greater value, as well as exploring how AI and automation are reshaping the future of insurance reporting.
S5 · E6
May 20 · 48 min
WTW & Anthropic: Beyond Insurance AI Hype. A Talking Tech Special
In this episode, Charlie Samolczyk, Global Technology Sales Leader, is joined by guest speaker André Balleyguier, Applied AI Leader at Anthropic, and WTW's Pardeep Bassi, Global Proposition Leader for Data Science, to discuss how AI is transforming the insurance industry.
S5 · E6
May 5 · 16 min
From back office to boardroom: Modernizing the actuarial function
In this episode of (Re)thinking Insurance, host Erika Dochney is joined by expert Poojan Shah to explore how modernizing actuarial operations — through cloud platforms, advanced analytics and centralized data — is reshaping the way life insurers manage M&A, reinsurance and capital decisions. No longer a back-office function, the actuarial team is now at the center of value creation, enabling faster scenario testing, greater transparency and smarter risk strategy. Discover what it takes to move beyond the numbers to proactive business leadership — and why modernization is the competitive advantage insurers can't afford to ignore.
S5 · E5
April 23 · 24 min
Innovation, analytics & the future of health insurance customers
In this episode of Rethinking Insurance, host James Haybyrne is joined by WTW experts Jessica Plewes and Lisa Balboa to explore how innovation, analytics, and digital transformation are reshaping the future of health insurance. The discussion examines shifting customer expectations, the rise of personalised digital health solutions, and how insurers are moving beyond one size fits all propositions to deliver greater value and engagement. The episode also dives into the role of AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics in customer retention, pricing, product design, and profitability. With insights on preventative care, value based healthcare, partnerships, and sustainability, this conversation highlights what the health insurer of the future may look like and the strategic actions insurers should take now.
S5 · E4
April 13 · 15 min
Beyond chatbots: How AI agents are transforming insurance
Unlike traditional chatbots, AI agents can plan multi-step tasks, use tools, and collaborate like employees. In this episode of (Re)thinking Insurance, Rick Hayes is joined by Amanda Hug, Salma Galván, and Eddy Trivedi to explore how these intelligent systems are enhancing actuarial modeling, automating documentation and streamlining claims processing. The discussion covers Retrieval Augmented Generation, prompt engineering and real-world applications. From code writing to fraud detection, AI agents are creating specialized teams that work alongside humans to transform insurance operations.
S5 · E3
February 20 · 17 min
The Role of AI in Financial Reporting: Hype or Reality?
In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence within the actuarial and financial reporting landscape. While the buzz around AI is everywhere, we move beyond the hype to explore how these technologies are becoming practical partners in enhancing speed, consistency, and insight for insurers.
S5 · E2
February 13 · 20 min
Bureau rates vs. proprietary data: Finding the right pricing balance
In this episode of (Re)thinking Insurance, Rafael Costa is joined by Farah Ismail and Ben Williams to explore the strategic role of bureau rates as a foundational tool for the commercial insurance sector. They discuss how these standardized data sets provide a reliable starting point for carriers — especially startups — to avoid data gaps and stay aligned with industry trends. The podcast addresses the critical balance between using advisory loss costs and developing proprietary pricing models, highlighting both the advantages of aggregated industry data and the potential pitfalls that require a more tailored, data-driven approach.
S5 · E1
January 20 · 24 min
The hidden costs: Unpacking legal system abuse in the U.S. insurance market
In this episode of (Re)thinking Insurance, Rafael Costa is joined by Dale Porfilio and Joey Daryanani to explore legal system abuse within the U.S. insurance landscape. The experts explain it as practices that unnecessarily inflate costs and prolong claim settlements, ultimately impacting policyholders. The discussion highlights how trends like "nuclear verdicts" and aggressive litigation are driving up premiums across various insurance lines and make it challenging for actuaries to predict future losses. Looking ahead, the conversation explores proactive mitigation strategies, including the strategic use of AI for claims processing and the crucial role of consumer education in fostering awareness around this pervasive issue and its financial implications.
S4 · E34
Nov 14, 2025 · 15 min
Bermuda's insurance and reinsurance market insights
In this episode of (Re)thinking Insurance, Rick Hayes is joined by Nick Komissarov, Martin Laframboise and Cédric Thibault to discuss Bermuda's significant role in the global reinsurance sector. They explore the jurisdiction's robust regulatory framework, political stability, and financial expertise. Key topics include the Bermuda Economic Balance Sheet (EBS), recent updates to the Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement (BSCR) and new public disclosure requirements. The experts advise insurers to prepare for these changes by enhancing their modeling and governance frameworks and reviewing asset portfolios.
S4 · E33
Nov 13, 2025 · 32 min
The role of leadership and culture in commercial insurance transformation
Louise Smith OBE is joined by Kate Markham, CEO of Hiscox London Market, to explore how leadership and culture are driving meaningful transformation in commercial insurance.
S4 · E32
Sep 29, 2025 · 35 min
Recent developments in Florida residential property insurance, part 2
In part one (episode 31) of our two-part series, Klayton Southwood and Travis Miller covered the condition of Florida's property insurance market before major legislative changes were introduced in 2022. In part two, they discuss the post-reform environment, the effects of the changes and potential actions for the future.
S4 · E31
Aug 18, 2025 · 18 min
Recent developments in Florida residential property insurance, part 1
In this episode of (Re)thinking Insurance, Chris Zanoni is joined by Klayton Southwood and Travis Miller to explore the Florida property insurance market. The state faces significant challenges due to hurricanes, litigation and assignment of benefits. Historically, the market was disrupted by major hurricanes like Andrew in 1992 and Irma in 2017. As a result, Florida saw increasing losses, litigation and insolvencies among carriers. In response, the Florida legislature implemented reforms in 2022 to stabilize the market and improve the availability and affordability of property insurance.
S4 · E30
Jul 3, 2025 · 25 min
The nearshoring advantage: A life insurance case study from WTW
In this episode of (Re)thinking Insurance, Inna Kogan is joined by Marcela Abraham, Duncan Briggs and Shankar Raman to discuss nearshoring for life insurance companies. Competition for talent and technological advances are leading companies to explore different ways for getting work done. One viable solution that has surfaced is nearshoring. The benefits of nearshoring range from streamlined time zones to cultural alignment. Challenges also arise, such as teams exhibiting resistance to change. This conversation draws from WTW's own journey with their actuarial team in Mexico City.
S4 · E27
Jul 1, 2025 · 15 min
Improving performance in portfolio trading
In this episode of (Re)thinking Insurance, WTW's Anand Patel discusses with Will Archer Shuter, George Lewkowicz and Lewis Matthew the bifurcation of the specialty insurance market, focusing on portfolio underwriting and its growing importance.
S4 · E29
Jun 23, 2025 · 16 min
Proposed changes to Valuation Manual-22 for non-variable annuity products in the U.S.
Inna Kogan, Karen Grote and Rick Hayes discuss the proposed updates to Valuation Manual (VM)-22 for non-variable annuity products in the U.S. They highlight the shift to a more flexible framework that prioritizes actuarial judgment, asset-liability management and strong governance. The changes have the potential to affect product design, reinsurance and capital management. With a deadline of January 1, 2026, life insurers need to prepare now.
S4 · E26
Jun 9, 2025 · 24 min
Rapidly evolving landscape of health insurance
In this episode of (Re)thinking Insurance, WTW's James Haybyrne and Jess Plewes burn dive into the evolving world of health insurance. From rising medical costs and the shift to proactive healthcare models, to the impact of AI, digitization, and changing customer expectations, they explore how insurers can adapt. The topics they cover include personalization, data-driven insights, public-private dynamics, and strategies to engage younger audiences. Listen now for a fresh perspective on the future of health insurance.
S4 · E26
Jun 9, 2025 · 24 min
Global health insurance trends
In this episode of (Re)thinking Insurance, WTW's James Haybyrne and Jess Plewes burn dive into the evolving world of health insurance. From rising medical costs and the shift to proactive healthcare models, to the impact of AI, digitization, and changing customer expectations, they explore how insurers can adapt. The topics they cover include personalization, data-driven insights, public-private dynamics, and strategies to engage younger audiences. Listen now for a fresh perspective on the future of health insurance.

Showing 1–20 of 22 episodes