What does this momentum signal for insurance broker M&A activity in the year ahead? Which trends are taking shape, which core fundamentals remain steady, and what potential risks may be emerging on the horizon?

Key Takeaways //��

• An overview of current market activity and expectations for the year ahead
• The latest trends in valuation multiples and deal structures
• An update on the most active buyers and how the buyer landscape is evolving
• Key factors that continue to drive valuation outcomes in a sale

Presenters //��

Michael Fletcher
Managing Partner at Sica | Fletcher

Pete Herman
Managing Director at Sica | Fletcher

Sean Napoli
Managing Partner at Sica | Fletcher

The post Insurance Broker M&A Update: Navigating the Opportunities and Challenges in 2026 appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

Leading insurers are shifting fraud detection earlier in the lifecycle using a simple 3-step approach:

• Verify identity upfront to stop synthetic fraud before policies are issued
• Monitor risk continuously with network intelligence
• Validate claims with transaction data to reduce soft fraud

By combining identity verification with real-time network and transaction data, insurers can catch more fraud before it enters the workflow.

The post Carrier Checklist: How to Move Fraud Prevention Upstream appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

Use this 35-page guide as a reference to help your clients build stronger, more defensible HR practices:

• Section 1: Introduction and Disclaimers
• Section 2: Managing Employment-Related Exposures in Housing Organizations
• Section 3: Employee Safety and Health
• Section 4: Employee Handbook
• Section 5: Recruiting and Hiring Employees
• Section 6: Selection and Screening
• Section 7: Performance Management
• Section 8: Employee Development and Training
• Section 9: Strategic Human Resources
• Appendix: Human Resources Compliance Checklists

Don’t wait for an EEOC complaint or a wrongful termination suit to expose gaps in your clients’ employment practices. Equip yourself and your team with the practical frameworks needed to hire smarter, manage consistently, and reduce liability at every stage of the employee lifecycle.

The post The Ultimate Employment Practices Guide appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

This 35-page guide gives agents and risk managers a practical framework for helping housing clients build a volunteer program that protects the organization, its residents, and the volunteers themselves.

Section 1: Managing Volunteer Exposure in Public Housing
Section 2: Parts of a Volunteer Policy
Section 3: Screening Documents

Also included is this collection of ready-to-use templates:

• Volunteer Position Description Worksheet & Sample
• Volunteer Application
• Volunteer General Agreement – Worker’s Comp
• Volunteer General Agreement – No Workers’ Comp
• Volunteer Orientation Agenda
• Authorization to Use Privately-Owned Vehicles
• Department Orientation Checklist
• Orientation Checklist
• Volunteer Time Sheet

From understanding the Volunteer Protection Act to navigating workers’ compensation for unpaid helpers, this guide covers the liability questions your housing clients need to answer — before an incident forces them to.

The post The Ultimate Volunteer <br/>Program Guide appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

🚀 Next Generation: Why Education, Culture and Opportunities for Growth Matter

🤖 AI Disintermediation

⚖️ SMBs Particularly Exposed to Rise in Privacy Litigation, Report Says

📉 Meta Loses Insurance for Defense in Major Social Media Addiction Litigation

✈️ About to Take Off? Legal Fights Emerge Over Toxic Fumes on Flights

🏛️ How Delaware Courts Shape D&O Exposure

🔍 What Matters in Recruiting

🌍 Oh, the Places You Can Go in Insurance

📈 Loss Trends Outpacing Pricing Assumptions: Other Liability Analysis

🐘 Insurance Broker Valuations: The Elephant in the Room

❓ Is It Covered?: Insuring Agreements vs. Exclusions

…and more!

A special thank you to this issue’s sponsor, Dyad.

The post Special Report: The Next Generation (Insurance Journal April 13 Issue) appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

In this case study, you’ll learn how an admitted insurer in non-standard auto transformed its risk selection and saw results within six months:

• How replacing static rules with real-time risk intelligence drove a 14-point improvement in ultimate new business loss ratio
• Why claim frequency dropped 18% and property damage losses fell 29% — without sacrificing growth or tightening appetite
• How dynamic scoring created a faster feedback loop on rate changes, letting the insurer see the impact of pricing adjustments in days instead of months

Your underwriting rules got you here. Dynamic intelligence gets you where you need to go. Download the case study to see how.

The post 14-Point Loss Ratio Improvement: How an Insurer Transformed Risk Selection with Dynamic Intelligence appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

In this case study, you’ll learn how a leading regional auto insurer broke that tradeoff, and what it means for your next competitive move:

• How a ~10% rate cut drove 2.9x new business volume while actually improving loss ratio by 3 points
• Why policy-level precision beats blunt underwriting restrictions, and how real-time portfolio shaping replaces the “good risk vs. bad risk” mindset
• How the model scaled from Dallas to Houston, identifying twice the percentage of inadequately rated risks in a more challenging territory

The growth-profitability tradeoff isn’t inevitable — it’s an infrastructure problem. Download the case study to see how Soteris Precision AI solved it.

The post How a Leading Insurer Grew 2.9x Without Sacrificing Profits — Even in a Soft Market appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

This session brings together industry claims veterans, Chantal Roberts and Fred Fisher for a conversation all about the case for staffing a claims team with experienced claims professionals who have the margin to truly work each claim. Moderated by Academy Director Patrick Wraight, this conversation is one that claims professionals and industry executives should clear their calendars for.

Meet the Speakers //��

Chantal M. Roberts, CPCU, AIC, RPA
Chantal M. Roberts, CPCU, AIC, RPA is dedicated to providing trustworthy, valuable assistance in order to give her clients a clear understanding of claims standards and practices. She has over 20 years’ experience as an adjuster. As an expert witness, she strives to turn this complex topic into an easy-to-understand concept.

Chantal’s background also includes educating claims departments and overseeing adjuster training. Due to her excellent reputation in the industry, Chantal had the privilege of speaking at the Western Zone Committee Meeting of the NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) and three CPCU Society chapter meetings. She routinely speaks at universities and at continuing legal education credit events discussing claim handling practices, standards, and procedures. She’s published 12 articles in national insurance journals. Her first book, The Art of Adjusting: Writing Down the Unwritten Rules of Claims Handling, was released in July 2021.

Frederick Fisher, J.D., CCP
Frederick J. Fisher, J.D. is currently the President of Fisher Consulting Group, Inc. and was the Founder of E.L.M. Insurance Brokers, a Wholesale & MGA facility specializing in Professional Liability and Specialty Line risks. He is a Member of the Editorial Board for Agents of America; a Faculty Member of the Claims College, and Member of the Executive Council, School of Professional Lines sponsored by the Claims & Litigation Management Association and Instructor for the Academy of Insurance.

Since his career began, Mr. Fisher focused on one vision: providing financial security to the client. The result was a successful 40-year career in Specialty Lines Insurance. In 1975, Mr. Fisher began his career on the service side, as an Independent E&O claims adjuster. In 1982, he bought the Company, continued with claims, while expanding the firm’s services to include qualitative claim auditing, risk management & loss control services, and acting as a TPA. In only 4 years, the annual billings increased by 400%. His claim auditing techniques and recommendations resulted in substantial client savings (including the SCRTD now known as the Los Angles MTA). Many Insurers and self-insureds adopted not only the performance standards raised in the audits but adopted his recommended Attorney Management Guidelines as a base, which are still in use today by many major insurers.

In 1995, he formed what is now known as ELM insurance Brokers, a firm that has acted as an MGA and Wholesale Broker of Professional Liability Insurance and Specialty Lines. From nothing, the firm grew rapidly to a $30 Million dollar facility when sold in 2008. He has lectured extensively on professional liability issues since 1978 and authored over 64 articles in trade journals and periodicals. He is the author of BROKER BEWARE, Selling Real Estate within the Law. He designed a program to conduct on-site pre-underwriting risk management assessments of a clients’ professional liability exposures. In 1993, he was elected to the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) Board of Trustees. After serving in all Officer capacities, he was elected President in 1997. He remains a Special Materials Expert for several RPLU courses and is the Senior Technical Advisor for The Professional Liability Manual, first published by the International Risk Management Institute in 1990. He has taught over 100 CE classes and lectures. He testifies regularly as an expert witness in cases dealing with the duties and obligations of professionals as well as on coverage and claims-made issues.

Moderator: Patrick Wraight, CPCU, ITP, CIC, CRM, AU
Patrick is the Director of Education at Insurance Journal’s Academy of Insurance, bringing together his deep industry know-how and love for teaching. He began his insurance career as a commercial underwriter for an MGA, focusing on niche markets like fire departments, ambulance companies, and home medical equipment dealers. It didn’t take long for him to discover his knack for educating others, and soon he was designing and rolling out a new underwriter training program. He then became a trainer at one of Florida’s largest property insurers, training underwriters, agents, and claims professionals.

Patrick has written numerous articles for Insurance Journal and My New Markets and is the co-author of Risk-Proof Your Business – The Complete Guide to Smart Insurance Choices. He speaks to audiences online and in-person all over the United States, including insurance professionals, the insurance curious, commercial lending professionals, and insurance executives from other countries. He is a collector of industry designations, including CPCU, ITP, CIC, and CRM, highlighting his dedication to lifelong learning.

When he’s not immersed in the world of insurance, Patrick loves hitting the road with his bride, spending time with his family, and helping his adult sons navigate the rollercoaster ride of adulthood.

The post The ROI of Claims Staffing appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

For insurance carriers, incremental tech upgrades are no longer enough — outdated infrastructure is quietly blocking the speed, data access, and flexibility your business needs to compete.

Get this guide to explore:

• Why so few insurers have successfully scaled AI, and what’s really standing in the way
• How different platform architectures stack up when it comes to cost, agility, and innovation readiness
• The key questions every C-suite leader should be asking before making a modernization move

The path from legacy drag to AI-driven growth starts with the right foundation. Read the guide to find out what modernization really takes.

The post Beyond Legacy Tech: A Modernization Guide for the AI Era appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

• Just starting out? This guide will help you avoid foundational mistakes that would cost you dearly down the road.
• Well on your way? See what steps you need to take now so you don’t turn off prospective buyers later.
• Nearing a transition? Then strap in and gear up your agency with smart strategies that will pay huge dividends.

The post From Start to Sale: The Growth Guide for Independent Agencies appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

😰 Stressing Out Over the Right Risks

💰 Buyer’s Market: Low Terrorism Insurance Pricing Despite Rising Instability

⚪️ The ‘Gray Zone’

⚖️ Meta Loses Insurance for Defense in Major Social Media Addiction Litigation

🤖 Study: AI May Be Tempering Insurer Hiring

🍽️ Restaurants & Bars: Liquor Sales, Risk Transfer & Other Trends

📝 A Tip on Vendors: Contractual Risk Transfer

🧠 Preparing for an AI Native Future

…and more!

The post Insurance Journal March 23, 2026 Issue appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

In this report from Ian H. Graham, you’ll discover:

• One emerging animal-related exposure that sits at a complex intersection of federal, state, and local law, and why even good-faith board decisions can trigger litigation
• The fiduciary duty gap that’s putting associations at risk of serious claims, and how recent legislation is raising the stakes
• An often-overlooked policy language difference that could determine whether your clients’ defense costs are covered when contract disputes arise

Community association D&O is a specialized class that demands specialized insight. Download the report to get ahead of the trends shaping 2026, and learn how the right program administrator partnership can make all the difference.

The post 3 Association D&O Claims Drivers to Watch in 2026 appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

In this session, Lexie Tonelli from Fulcrum and Kelly Planeta from Heffernan Insurance Brokers break down what it looks like to adopt AI-powered workflows in a real brokerage environment. From evaluating tools to rolling them out across teams, they’ll cover what works, what doesn’t, and how to see value from day 1.

Key Takeaways //

• Why brokerages are adopting AI workflows now (and what’s driving urgency around capacity, consistency, and E&O risk)
• What “day 1 value” looks like in practice, even without deep integrations or months of training
• How to evaluate AI tools for your agency: where to start, what to avoid, and what to measure
• A real operator perspective from Kelly Planeta at Heffernan Insurance Brokers on adoption and outcomes
• A live Fulcrum demo showing how these workflows work in practice

Speakers //

Lexie Tonelli
Head of Strategy & Operations at Fulcrum

Lexie Tonelli joined Fulcrum in 2025 as a member of the founding team and now serves as Head of Strategy & Operations. She leads go-to-market and operational strategy as Fulcrum builds AI-powered systems to modernize and scale complex commercial insurance workflows.

Previously, Lexie spent over five years at McKinsey & Company in the Banking and Financial Services practice, where she led large-scale operational transformations and technology implementations for leading financial institutions, with a focus on AI-enabled change.

Lexie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, with a minor in Computer Science, from Vanderbilt University, and received her MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

Kelly Planeta
Heff Direct, Vice President of Operations at Heffernan Insurance Brokers

Kelly Planeta has been a dedicated professional in the insurance industry since 2006, beginning her career as an Insurance Agent with a small agency, where she honed her skills over nearly 12 years. In 2017, she joined Heffernan Insurance Brokers as an Account Manager, quickly demonstrating her expertise and leadership abilities.

Over the years, Kelly has taken on increasingly responsible roles at Heffernan, including Commercial Lines Manager and Small Business Operations Manager. In these positions, she has been instrumental in driving efficiencies in day-to-day operations through the strategic use of technology, refined processes, and teamwork, all aimed at enhancing client service. Her work with Broker Tech Ventures and HG Innovate has further solidified her reputation as a leader in leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform business operations.

In February 2026, Kelly was promoted to Vice President of Operations, where she continues to lead with a focus on innovation and operational excellence. Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to optimizing workflows and leveraging technology to better serve clients.

Kelly is a proud alumna of the University of New Mexico, where she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration. Outside of her professional life, she cherishes her love for all things Disney and delights in watching her two daughters grow and develop their unique personalities.

The post AI for Account Management: <br/>Creating Value from Day 1 appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

Watch this fast-paced session of back-to-back demos featuring modern billing and payment platforms designed for how insurance actually works — from premium collections and installment billing to claims disbursements and digital payment experiences.

Built for Insurance Billing – Every demo features billing and payment platforms designed for insurance-specific workflows, from premium finance and automated invoicing to policyholder self-service and real-time payment processing.

See New Tools in Action – Get a firsthand look at how these platforms actually work to simplify payments, not just a sales pitch.

Save Weeks of Research – One session of demos replaces weeks of vendor calls and trial sign-ups.

Watch now to discover new solutions to reduce receivables, cut manual processing, improve cash flow, and deliver a modern payment experience that keeps policyholders happy.

Vendors: Want to demo your billing or payment solution to hundreds of insurance professionals? Contact advertise@insurancejournal.com for sponsor info.

The post Better Billing & Payments for Insurance Demo Day appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.

In “Negotiation Reclaimed,” our complimentary 6-pack of unlocked articles from Carrier Management, senior industry voices diagnose the problem and chart a path forward:

• Introduction��// ��Taking Back Negotiation:��Why claim professionals must lead the next chapter
• Part I // ��Negotiation Is the Job: Reframing defense work in an AI-enhanced era
• Part II // ��The Power of the First Offer:��Anchoring, evidence, and the battle for perception
• Part III // ��Rebuilding Negotiation Talent:��Why this skill is missing and how to fix it
• Part IV // Negotiation by Design: Why writing > talking
• Part V // From Skill to System:��The next chapter in insurance claims negotiation

Whether you lead a claims team, manage defense litigation, or set strategy for a carrier, this series offers a practical framework for turning negotiation from an overlooked skill into a lasting competitive advantage.

The post The Art of Negotiation: How to Lower Claims Costs by Controlling Social Inflation Internally appeared first on Insurance Journal Research.