Susanne Sclafane

New York

Executive Editor at Insurance Journal

Executive Editor at Carrier Management

Senior Editor, Wells Media

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Articles

US E&S Growth Slowed Again in ’24; Berkshire, AIG Top Premium Rankings

2 days ago | insurancejournal.com | Susanne Sclafane

A recent analysis by S&P Global Market Intelligence reveals that the pace of growth in the U.S. excess and surplus lines market slowed to 13.4% in 2024, down from 14.5% a year earlier. While growth stayed up in double digits in both years, the jumps paled in comparison to a 32.3% rate of growth recorded in 2021, according to the S&P GMI “2025 U.S. Excess & Surplus Market Report” published earlier this month.
Auto Insurance Satisfaction Rankings: High LTV Customers Most at Risk

2 weeks ago | claimsjournal.com | Susanne Sclafane

“It’s Now a Buyer’s Market for Auto Insurance, J.D. Power Finds.”That headline on top of an announcement about the release of the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study this week summed up a key takeaway of the customer insights J.D. Power gathered from over 48,000 auto insurance customers surveyed across 11 geographic regions between May 2024 through April 2025: More of them are considering not renewing with their current insurers.
Long-Term Thinking and Scale Keys to Travelers Success: CEO Schnitzer

2 weeks ago | insurancejournal.com | Susanne Sclafane

When an S&P Global Ratings executive asked the leader of Travelers how current challenges like tariff uncertainty, inflation, geopolitical risks influence the insurer’s strategy, Alan Schnitzer delivered an answer than Larry Wilkinson may not have expected. “Really not much,” said Schnitzer, the chair and chief executive officer of The Travelers Companies during an early session of the S&P Global Ratings 41st Annual Insurance Conference in early June.
Auto Insurance Satisfaction Rankings: High LTV Customers Most at Risk

2 weeks ago | carriermanagement.com | Susanne Sclafane

“It’s Now a Buyer’s Market for Auto Insurance, J.D. Power Finds.”That headline on top of an announcement about the release of the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study this week summed up a key takeaway of the customer insights J.D. Power gathered from over 48,000 auto insurance customers surveyed across 11 geographic regions between May 2024 through April 2025: More of them are considering not renewing with their current insurers.
Long-Term Thinking and Scale Keys to Travelers Success: CEO Schnitzer

2 weeks ago | carriermanagement.com | Susanne Sclafane

When an S&P Global Ratings executive asked the leader of Travelers how current challenges like tariff uncertainty, inflation, geopolitical risks influence the insurer’s strategy, Alan Schnitzer delivered an answer than Larry Wilkinson may not have expected. “Really not much,” said Schnitzer, the chair and chief executive officer of The Travelers Companies during an early session of the S&P Global Ratings 41st Annual Insurance Conference in early June.
Too Late? S&P Downgrades State Farm General

1 month ago | carriermanagement.com | Susanne Sclafane

While a feared downgrade by “multiple notches” didn’t happen, Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings announced a one-notch downgrade of State Farm General yesterday—on the same day that California’s regulator approved an interim emergency homeowners rate increase. S&P lowered its financial strength and issuer credit ratings on the California affiliate of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company to A+ from AA, leaving the ratings on CreditWatch with negative implications.
Markel Insurance CEO Wilson Lays Out Strategy for ‘Bread-and-Butter’ E&S

1 month ago | insurancejournal.com | Susanne Sclafane

“You can’t cut yourself to greatness.”Simon Wilson, chief executive officer of Markel Insurance, made the simple statement at a Markel Group brunch meeting for investors in Omaha, Nebraska on May 4 to convey the idea the hard work of reducing underperforming insurance business has been largely done in recent years. Markel Insurance is now intent on growing its “bread-and-butter” excess and surplus lines insurance business, written through wholesale brokers.
'Can't Cut to Greatness': Wilson Lays Out Simple Strategy for Markel E&S - Carrier Management

1 month ago | carriermanagement.com | Susanne Sclafane

“You can’t cut yourself to greatness.”Simon Wilson, chief executive officer of Markel Insurance, made the simple statement at a Markel Group Brunch meeting for investors in Omaha on May 4 to convey the idea the hard work of reducing underperforming insurance business has been largely done in recent years. Markel Insurance is now intent on growing its “bread-and-butter” excess and surplus lines insurance business, written through wholesale brokers.
Staff Cuts Help Fuel GEICO Profit; Not 'Pouring Money' Into AI: Jain - Carrier Management

1 month ago | carriermanagement.com | Susanne Sclafane

He’s not yet ready to declare “mission accomplished,” but Ajit Jain, Vice Chair of Berkshire Hathaway’s insurance operations, said the conglomerate’s personal auto insurer, GEICO, is no longer lagging behind competitors in several key areas. “[I]n the last seven quarters, GEICO has shown a combined ratio that has an eight in front of it. I never thought I’d live to see the day when anyone could have a combined ratio as low as it is right now.
AIG: Turning One Human Underwriter Into Five, ‘Turbocharging’ E&S

1 month ago | insurancejournal.com | Susanne Sclafane

Some property/casualty insurers talk about experimenting with artificial intelligence to automate call center responses and back-office operations. But that’s not the road to turbocharging growth that AIG CEO Peter Zaffino envisions for his company. AIG is all-in on AI that is directly focused on its core activities—underwriting and claims, Zaffino and Claude Wade, executive vice president and chief digital officer, told analysts during a four-hour Investor Day event late last month.