AM Best is positioning itself to provide critical market intelligence to insurance executives at the upcoming Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB) Insurance Leadership Forum. Scheduled for October 2, 2026, in Colorado Springs, the briefing aims to dissect complex shifts in capital structures and underwriting models. This presentation serves as a strategic touchpoint for brokerages and carriers navigating evolving global risk landscapes.
AM Best Analysis of Reinsurance and Capital
AM Best senior management will deliver a technical briefing focusing on the trajectory of the global reinsurance market and the upcoming January 1, 2027, renewal season. Stefan Holzberger, executive vice president and chief operating officer, plans to evaluate the current softening cycle and the influence of insurance-linked securities and alternative capital. The session is designed to identify the specific forces likely to dictate market conditions as the industry approaches a major renewal period. Additionally, Andrea Keenan, executive vice president and chief strategy officer, will provide a broader market overview. Her analysis is expected to highlight the integration of artificial intelligence, the expansion of private credit, and the increasing utilization of captives and alternative risk transfer vehicles within the current financial ecosystem.
DUAE Performance and Fronting Market Trends
The briefing will also address the maturing delegated underwriting authority enterprise (DUAE) market, specifically focusing on managing general agents (MGAs) and fronting market trends. Greg Williams, a managing director at AM Best, intends to present benchmarking data regarding DUAE and MGA performance. This data is intended to help carriers identify the specific performance factors and goal alignments they value most when engaging with these entities. By providing this granular data, AM Best is offering a framework for carriers to assess the stability and efficacy of delegated authority models. This segment of the briefing targets the operational complexities of how MGAs interact with traditional carriers, providing a data-driven perspective on a sector that is increasingly central to commercial property and casualty distribution.
Key Takeaways
- AM Best will present an insurance market briefing on October 2, 2026, at the CIAB Insurance Leadership Forum.
- The briefing will evaluate the global reinsurance market's softening cycle and the impact of insurance-linked securities.
- Managing Director Greg Williams will provide benchmarking data on DUAE and MGA performance to assist carrier alignment.
FinanceInsyte's Take
In our view, AM Best’s decision to focus heavily on the January 1, 2027, renewal season and DUAE benchmarking signals a period of heightened scrutiny for delegated authority models. As the reinsurance market navigates a softening cycle, carriers are likely to demand more rigorous data to justify their partnerships with MGAs. This briefing suggests that the industry is moving toward a more disciplined approach to alternative capital and delegated underwriting, where performance metrics and goal alignment will become the primary drivers of institutional trust.
Questions & Answers
How will the January 1, 2027, renewal season impact market discussions?
AM Best intends to examine the forces influencing market conditions leading up to this date, specifically focusing on the reinsurance market's trajectory and the role of alternative capital.
What specific technologies and financial instruments are being monitored?
The briefing will highlight the use of artificial intelligence, the growth of private credit, and the expansion of insurance-linked securities and alternative risk transfer vehicles.
What value does the DUAE benchmarking data provide to carriers?
The data provided by Greg Williams is intended to help carriers identify the specific performance factors and goal alignments they value most when working with MGAs and other DUAE entities.
Who is the primary audience for this market briefing?
The briefing is tailored for broker executives in the commercial property/casualty industry, carriers, and strategic partners attending the CIAB Insurance Leadership Forum.
Source: Businesswire
