Insurance Business ReviewMARCH 20266Copyright © 2026 ValleyMedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustrations without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the magazine and accordingly, no liability is assumed by the publisher thereof.Managing EditorRaven Mcguire*Some of the Insights are based on the interviews with respective CIOs and CXOs to our editorial staffEditorial StaffAaron Pierce Ava GarciaAlex D'Souza Abhinov PunnakkalJoshua ParkerSarah FernandesEditorialRaven McguireManaging Editoreditor@insurancebusinessreview.comInsurance markets are being reshaped by volatility, tighter underwriting, rising claim severity, and the demand for measurable performance. In this edition of Insurance Business Review, we examine how leading firms are responding with disciplined strategy, analytical rigor, and advisory depth that extends beyond transactional coverage.Our cover story features Associates Insurance Group, recognized as Top Custom Business Insurance Service 2026, for repositioning workers' compensation as a strategic financial lever rather than a commodity expense. Under Mark Sheedy's leadership, the firm has built an education-led advisory model that integrates policy design, payroll classification, deductible structuring, and proactive claims coordination. Its in-house nurse-led claims division and active audit participation demonstrate how early advocacy and operational alignment directly influence loss outcomes and long-term cost control.We also honor Hecht-Stout Insurance Agency, Top Business Insurance Service 2026, for its judgment-driven, human-centered approach in tightening commercial markets. Gregory Gerontes' emphasis on multi-carrier flexibility and practical interpretation of coverage underscores the enduring value of experience in complex liability environments.Complementing this, Richardson Marketing Group, Top Insurance Lead Generation Service 2026, advances a cost-per-acquisition model that restores economic clarity and scalability to insurance distribution.In actuarial leadership, Christopher Monsour, Chief Actuary at CompScience, recognized among the Top Chief Actuaries 2026, exemplifies the integration of predictive analytics, computer vision, and underwriting insight to strengthen risk control and pricing discipline.Leadership perspectives further enrich this issue. Kelley Shapiro of Lightstone examines property insurance volatility and reinsurance capacity constraints, while Michele Adams of Walmart reframes claims management as a technically dynamic and advocacy-driven profession.A consistent theme runs throughout this issue. Disciplined execution, strategic rigor, data-informed decision-making, and experienced judgment define the next phase of insurance leadership. These insights establish a disciplined approach to strengthening risk architecture amid tightening markets and rising loss severity. The Advisory Future of Insurance VisualizersMichael WayneChris LynnMARCH 2026, Vol 05 Issue 02 (ISSN 2837-1763) ValleyMedia, Inc. To subscribe to Insurance Business ReviewVisit www.insurancebusinessreview.com Email:sales@insurancebusinessreview.comeditor@insurancebusinessreview.commarketing@insurancebusinessreview.com
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