2008-11-07 21:14:03 -

www.ambest.com - Audio, video and transcript coverage of an Oct. 30 webinar in which four insurance speakers updated producers and others on the state of the specialty insurance market is now available.

Video and a transcript of the one-hour presentation, including text in mobile-compatible format, is posted to www.ambest.com/multimedia/specialty08.html.

Audio is posted to www.bestdayaudio.com.

The Oct. 30 joint presentation by the A.M. Best Co. and the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO) drew more than 1,000 registrants for the one-hour presentation, hitting capacity.

Presenters included:

-- Anthony F. Markel, Vice Chairman, Markel Corp.;

-- Christopher M. Treanor, President and CEO, Mercator Risk Services Inc.;

-- E.G. Lassiter, Chairman

and CEO, RSUI Group; and

-- Daniel Ryan, Vice President in A.M. Best's property/casualty rating division.

The panel of insurers, wholesalers and analysts examined the changing landscape for specialty insurance, known in various forms as surplus lines, excess & surplus or nonadmitted coverage. Specialty insurance includes coverages typically not available through standard commercial or personal insurance products. Best's Review magazine will feature a package on specialty coverage in its February edition, including complete content from Thursday's webinar.

Topics covered included:

-- Changing loss trends for the specialty lines industry;

-- Financial strength of the specialty lines industry, along with a look at impairment trends;

-- The impact of AIG, which in recent years has held the largest share of the U.S. market for specialty coverage;

-- How pricing and capacity is changing for specialty lines segments, particularly in light of recent financial developments;

-- The outlook for wholesale brokers and how their role is changing in the current market;

-- What producers are experiencing regarding placement and how that may change; and

-- What carriers and wholesalers are reporting regarding submission flow.

NAPSLO is a national trade association representing the surplus lines industry and the wholesale insurance marketing system.

Best's Review magazine, which hosted the webinar, is a monthly news publication of the A.M. Best Co. serving the insurance agent/broker, carrier and reinsurer community.

The February 2009 edition of Best's Review will feature full coverage of the event, along with other information on the specialty markets. Send advertising inquiries to advertising_sales@ambest.com or call +1 (908) 439-2200 ext. 5399.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

A.M. Best Co.
Lee McDonald, Group Vice President
908-439-2200, ext. 5561
lee.mcdonald@ambest.com