News
Powerful nor'easter slams Northeast with damaging winds, coastal flooding
A state of emergency has been declared in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County in New York as a powerful nor’easter that was tearing up the East Coast slammed portions of the Northeast on Sunday and Monday with powerful winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding.
The nor'easter first slammed areas of the Southeast and Carolinas over the weekend, dumping several inches of rain and producing tropical-storm-force wind gusts from an already-battered North Carolina coast up to the Jersey Shore.
A state of emergency has been declared in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County in New York as a powerful nor’easter that was tearing up the East Coast slammed portions of the Northeast on Sunday and Monday with powerful winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul made the announcement on Sunday evening.
US P&C insurance underwriting profitability to persist in 2025: Triple-I and Milliman
According to analysis from the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and Milliman, the US property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry is set to expand more rapidly than the wider economy in 2025 and is projected to sustain underwriting profitability for a second consecutive year.
The findings are based on Insurance Economics and Underwriting Projections: A Forward View, a joint analysis by the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and Milliman, an actuarial and consulting firm known for its expertise in risk assessment and financial modelling.
The report, presented during a members-only briefing, expressed cautious optimism about the economic environment, assuming there are no significant changes in monetary or public policy.
“P&C economics and the US economy have outperformed expectations in 2025,” commented Michel Léonard, Ph.D., CBE, Chief Economist and Data Scientist at Triple-I. “Even though the tariffs’ impact is less severe than originally expected, the question remains whether the full negative impact has been avoided or simply pushed back to 2026.”
Léonard added: “The P&C industry is benefiting from stronger-than-expected underlying growth, pushing premium volume up, and replacement costs that remain below overall inflation. But ongoing risks, including tariffs, labour market softening, and persistent inflation, make the 2026 outlook especially important to monitor.”
GEICO accuses Florida clinics of orchestrating sweeping PIP fraud scheme
A major auto insurer is taking on a group of Florida medical providers, alleging a sweeping scheme to bilk millions from its PIP coverage through fraudulent claims.
GEICO and its affiliates have filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, naming Annie Lyn Casta, M.D., several medical clinics, and associated individuals as defendants. The suit alleges that these parties orchestrated a calculated operation to submit fraudulent, unlawful, and non-reimbursable personal injury protection (PIP) insurance claims. The complaint, spanning more than 100 pages, paints a picture of a network of clinics and providers that, according to GEICO, systematically misrepresented who performed medical services, the severity of injuries, and the legitimacy of treatments.
At the heart of the allegations is the claim that Dr. Casta and her associates falsely represented that she performed or directly supervised many of the services billed to GEICO. The insurer claims that many of these services were carried out by massage therapists or unlicensed and unsupervised individuals – an explicit violation of Florida law, according to the complaint.
The clinics named in the complaint, including CIMA Medical Center, CIMA Med Center Miami Springs, Castellon Medical Center, and Community Choice Health Network, are accused of serving as vehicles for this billing scheme.
Commentary/Opinion
Applied Systems CEO Taylor Rhodes on the Intelligent Insurance Era
At Applied Net 2025, Rhodes outlines the company’s evolving strategy around AI, data, and the agent’s central role in the digital ecosystem.
“Will AI live up to the hype as humankind’s greatest assistant?” Taylor Rhodes, CEO, Applied Systems, asked the question during his opening keynote at the Applied Net 2025 user conference at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas this week.
“In just three years, it’s already delivering more productivity and intelligence—faster and faster. I’m tempted to bet yes. That’s why our theme this year is The Intelligent Insurance Era—combining powerful models with deep insurance expertise and access to insurance datasets to create vertical AI.”
This year’s Applied Net conference offered more than 250 breakout sessions and over 100 exhibitors, with a growing emphasis on hands-on labs and advanced classes. Rhodes praised the Applied Client Network (ACN) and event sponsors, calling Applied Net “a conference designed by many of you, for you.” Special guests included Martha Stewart, who was slated to speak on brand-building and leadership, and entertainment highlights ranged from Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE to a closing-night takeover of the Palms’ KAOS nightclub.
Pictured: Taylor Rhodes, CEO, Applied Systems, on stage at Applied Net 2025 at the Aria in Las Vegas.
How Agents Can Thrive With Leaner Teams
As experienced insurance professionals retire and fewer newcomers enter the industry, agencies are being pushed to do more with less. For independent agencies, this isn't just a hiring challenge—it's a shift in how business gets done.
That's where technology comes in. Modern agency management systems (AMS) aren't just digital filing cabinets. They work as force multipliers, helping lean teams stay organized and efficient. These tools don't replace human expertise. Instead, they help teams move faster, make smarter decisions, and stay ahead in a competitive market.
Here's how independent agents can use technology to make the most of their workforce and stay competitive, even with fewer boots on the ground.
1. SMARTER CROSS-SELL OPPORTUNITIES WITHOUT EXTRA WORK
Tracking the client journey after a quote can be tough when leads are managed manually or spread across different platforms. Today's agency management tools solve this by centralizing lead tracking. Agents can easily follow prospects through every stage, from first contact to quoting, policy review, and final conversion.
Brenna Johnson, EZLynx senior vice president, product management
AI in Insurance
Laws and Regs Already Protect Insureds From AI Missteps, Insurance Reps Say
Despite the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in the insurance sector, along with claims of widespread errors and even discrimination by algorithms, A.I. is becoming vital to the industry – but insureds will be protected by existing statutes, insurance advocates told Florida lawmakers Tuesday.
“If a practice is prohibited for a human to do on behalf of an insurance company, it is prohibited for A.I. to do,” said Paul Martin, vice president of state affairs for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.
“Artificial intelligence is not an end run for insurance companies around a state’s statutes or its regulations.”
Research
Life Insurance Customer Satisfaction Varies Widely Based on Carrier and Distribution Channel, J.D. Power Finds
Mutual of Omaha Ranks Highest in Individual Life Insurance Satisfaction
Overall customer satisfaction with individual life insurance providers remains steady this year, but that apparent stability masks significant year-over-year swings in customer experience across individual brands.
According to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study,SM released today, the customer satisfaction gap between the highest-performing and the lowest-performing life insurance providers is 118 points (on a 1,000-point scale), and 70% of insurers have experienced double-digit increases or decreases in customer satisfaction scores year over year. Much of that volatility can be attributed to differences in relationship management strategies and how life insurance policies are purchased.
“Customer satisfaction with individual life insurance providers is not just about the product; it’s also about the customer experience, and those experiences can vary dramatically both at a brand and a relationship level,” said Craig Martin, executive director, global insurance intelligence at J.D. Power.
“When J.D. Power analyzes the data, findings show there are significant gaps between customer expectations and reality, particularly when life insurance is purchased and serviced through local agents or financial advisors. The customer experience gets a bit more predictable and standardized when working through centralized, direct-to-customer channels, but still can have challenges. Regardless of the relationship dynamics, life insurers have a lot of opportunities to enhance the customer experience in ways that build greater trust and engagement that will help grow the business and the bottom line.”
Telematics, Driving & Insurance
Best's Review Reports on Insurance Technology That Is Driving Toward Innovation
The October issue of Best’s Review examines the impact of autonomous cars, the growing role of insurtechs and the threat of “data poisoning”:
“Self-Driving Shift Comes With Early Costs, Changing Landscape for Insurers” investigates the potential impact of autonomous vehicles on the insurance industry.
“It’s Not Just AI: Tech Advancements Are Boosting Insurance Industry’s Future” features interviews with insurers about their views on technological advances.
“AM Best: AI Model Poisoning Emerges as New Threat to Insurance Data Integrity” looks at a form of AI manipulation that corrupts training data.
Also included:
“Meanwhile CEO: Bitcoin Drives Innovation, New Opportunities in Life Insurance Market” offers an interview with Zac Townsend, co-founder and chief executive officer of Meanwhile, who talks about how bitcoin is transforming life insurance.
“Growing Number of Insurers Outsourcing Their Investment Management Needs” discusses how the investment shift by the life/annuity insurance industry to structured assets, private credit and other alternative asset classes has led to a greater need for outsourcing.
“AM Best: Momentum Continues for Dedicated Reinsurance Capital” features an interview with AM Best Associate Director Antonietta Iachetta about the research that finds traditional capital increased from $468 billion at year-end 2023 to $500 billion at year-end 2024.
Best’s Review is AM Best’s monthly insurance magazine, covering emerging issues and trends and evaluating their impact on the marketplace. Access it here.
The impact of vehicle technology on insurance: What drivers need to know in 2025
The impact of vehicle technology on insurance: What drivers need to know in 2025
It's 2025, and tech-driven cars aren't just futuristic; they're everywhere. From intelligent dashboards to constantly connected systems, today's vehicles are changing how insurers determine rates and manage claims.
Tools like telematics, advanced driver-assistance systems, electric drivetrains, and real-time data streaming are influencing premiums and shaping the customer experience.
For drivers, that means understanding how these features affect not just your safety but also your insurance costs. With that in mind, CheapInsurance.com has compiled the details you need to know before purchasing a vehicle with newer technology.
Climate/Resilience/Sustainability
Most insurance leaders say industry isn’t adapting fast enough to climate risk: ZestyAI
A new ZestyAI survey finds that the insurance industry is falling behind in preparing for climate-driven risks, with 61% of executives saying the sector is not adapting quickly enough, even as natural disasters become more frequent, severe, and costly.
ZestyAI recently released its 2025 State of Property Insurance survey, which includes insights from more than 220 property and casualty (P&C) executives.
The report underscored the growing impact of climate volatility, with wildfires increasingly hitting urban areas, hailstorms setting new records with billion-dollar damages year after year, and water damage rising in frequency and severity. Yet much of the industry continues to model risk as if little has changed.
The survey found that 64% of executives believe their company is adapting to climate-driven pressures faster than the broader industry, but far fewer are confident in the sector’s collective progress, with 61% saying the industry overall is not adapting fast enough.
Nonetheless, 68% of executives say advanced AI models help manage climate-related losses more effectively, and nearly three-quarters report that AI creates new revenue opportunities and improves underwriting.
InsurTech/M&A/Finance💰/Collaboration
Insurance Office of America Secures Strategic Investment from Madison Dearborn Partners and Navacord
Under the agreement, IOA will maintain its independence while leveraging the partnership to accelerate both organic growth and mergers and acquisitions across the U.S. insurance brokerage sector.
The company will continue to be led by its existing leadership team: Heath Ritenour as Chairman, Jeff Lagos as Chief Executive Officer, and Rob Motley as President. MDP and Navacord will join as shareholders, supporting the firm’s next phase of growth and ownership evolution.
Founded in 1988 by John and Valli Ritenour, IOA has grown to become one of the largest privately held insurance brokerages in the United States.
Payments
Transamerica and One, Inc. strategically align to modernize life insurance payments
Strategic integration sets the stage for a more intuitive and secure customer service.
Transamerica is advancing its digital transformation with a strategic integration of One Inc's PremiumPay® solution, demonstrating a strong commitment to innovation. This milestone reflects Transamerica's dedication to operational efficiency and delivering intuitive services that meet the evolving expectations of policyholders.
The integration will enable policyholders to manage premium payments through Transamerica's My Life Access℠ portal, offering a faster, more accessible, and notably user-friendly experience. While the full rollout of electronic bill pay will be detailed in a formal announcement early next year, today's news reflects the company's broader strategy to leverage digital solutions that simplify and enhance customer experience, while also improving operational efficiency.
“We’re making life insurance easier to manage,” said Chris Fleming, chief operating officer at Transamerica. “With One Inc., customers get a simpler way to make payments — whether it’s a one-time or recurring — all in one place. They’ll have more payment options, like using a credit or debit card for eligible products. And the overall experience is smoother: fewer phone calls, faster transactions, and more control over their coverage.”
"One Inc is proud to support Transamerica in delivering the future of insurance today," said Ian Drysdale, CEO of One Inc. "Their decision to embrace digital payments isn't just innovative; it's a clear competitive differentiator that positions Transamerica at the forefront of a rapidly modernizing market."
Awards
Privacy4Cars named Top Global Star by U.S. Chamber of Commerce | Auto Remarketing
Privacy4Cars is not just a business. It’s a star.
The privacy tech company was selected as the Top Global Star by CO—, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s digital platform for small businesses. The award is part of the CO—100, the platform’s list of America’s top 100 small businesses, which was announced this week during the annual Small Business Forum in Washington D.C.
Privacy4Cars was named the top company among CO—’s 10 Global Stars, honoring businesses that have made “remarkable strides in expanding their reach across international borders and increasing their global footprint over the last year.”
The company was also one of 10 businesses chosen as Top Honorees overall.
“The entire Privacy4Cars team is honored to be recognized as one of the Top 10 small businesses in America by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,” CEO and founder Andrea Amico said. “It’s always been our mission to solve the growing privacy, security and safety risks modern vehicle technologies pose and to protect both consumers and companies in the broader automotive industry.
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