National
Under writer
COMMeRCIAL AGeNCy
OF THe yeAR AWARDS
Three top firms showcased for
their best practices in sales, client
service, tech and recruitment
Page 12
TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
Industry Legend Calls for
Innovation to Address New Risks
Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of
Ryan Specialty Group, contends that new
risks have either not been addressed or
have been excluded by the industry—but
through innovation and a better spread of
these emerging exposures, the surplus-lines
sector is in line for expansion. E Page 6
Could Reinsurers’ Bundling of
Risks Lead to Financial Debacle?
A study of the issues currently facing
reinsurers questions whether the bundling
of an increased number of potentially
unrelated risks by fewer reinsurers could
lead to financial disaster. E Page 6
Court Says AIG Subsidiary Must
pay Retailer’s Hacking Claim
A U.S. appeals court has rejected one
insurer’s “direct loss” defense and ruled
that a national retailer is entitled to recover
nearly $7 million in damages. E Page 10
Survey: Claim Officers Want More
Investment in Technology Solutions
Towers Watson says insurers’ chief claim
officers feel they are benefiting from
improvements in technology, but a more
integrated approach to claim management
is needed to help carriers improve their
financial results. E Page 10
Quality Distribution navigates past a truckload of transportation
risk-management challenges under the leadership of Mike McDonald
See page 22
e&S/SpeCIALTy
LINeS UpDATe
executives discuss migration of
Cat exposed property and other
business lines to specialty insurers