Commercial insurance markets are soft. Premiums are compressing, capacity is expanding, and carriers are competing hard for volume. For most companies, it feels like relief. Renewals come in flat or down, and the urgency around alternative risk financing fades. That instinct is often unfortunately wrong. A soft market is not a reason to delay captive formation; it's often the optimal time to start.
The captive insurance industry doesn't need more awareness — it needs better execution. That was the focus of our February 12 webinar, "Captive Insurance: Walking the Walk," featuring Joe McDonald, EVP and Director of Captive Consulting at Captives.Insure, and Scott Bailey, Audit Partner at CRI's Raleigh office with over a decade in the captive space.
A key driver of captive formation is the ability to shape claims strategy. Operating a captive enables the use of independent defense counsel, allowing organizations to influence litigation decisions, manage outcomes, and align defense with broader business objectives. Luke Renz, ACI offers a timely perspective on why claims governance is becoming a core captive value driver.
The current insurance environment is reshaping how middle-market companies think about risk. The prolonged hard market in casualty lines, especially auto and general liability, is pushing buyers to look beyond traditional insurance and toward structures that provide more stability, control, and long-term value.
The 2025 Cayman Captive Forum, organized by the Insurance Managers Association of Cayman (IMAC), returns December 2–4 at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, and is officially sold out. Nate Reznicek of C.I. is excited to attend this year’s Cayman Captive Forum, taking place December 2–4. With sold-out attendance and a strong agenda, the event promises to be both engaging and productive. To connect with Nate during the forum, feel free to reach out at Nate@captives.insure to arrange a meeting.
A Missouri-based assisted and skilled nursing facility engaged Captives Insure to reimagine its liability insurance program. Intent on retaining greater control over claims and underwriting profit, the organization requested a captive insurance structure able to both fulfill strict regulatory/lender requirements and maximize risk retention.
As we reach the midpoint of 2025, the U.S. property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry is demonstrating remarkable resilience. Despite persistent macroeconomic headwinds, rising litigation costs, and a shifting regulatory landscape, most insurers have reported stronger-than-expected results for the first quarter. Underwriting discipline remains tight, and combined ratios have improved, but the industry continues to grapple with the effects of social inflation. This phenomenon—marked by increasing liability claim costs driven by litigation trends and changing societal attitudes—remains a significant concern, especially in casualty lines such as commercial auto and excess liability. In response, insurers are pursuing targeted rate increases and reinforcing their reserves to better manage these risks.
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