Bridging the MPL Claims/Underwriting Information Gap Webinar
September 3, 2026
by
matray
Claims professionals often recognize emerging risks before those patterns appear in underwriting data, actuarial reports or broader loss-trend analyses. The challenge is getting that intelligence to the right people, at the right time and in a form they can use.
Medical Liability Monitor’s upcoming webinar, “How to Bridge the MPL Claims/Underwriting Information Gap for Better Pricing, Better Renewals, and Better Claims Outcomes,” will show medical professional liability insurers how to turn claims experience into actionable underwriting intelligence.
The 90-minute program will examine where communication commonly breaks down among claims, underwriting, actuarial and risk management — and how insurers can build an effective feedback loop among those departments.
Attendees will learn:
- What claims professionals often recognize before other departments.
- Which claim-file details underwriters may be missing during new-business and renewal reviews.
- How to identify warning signs associated with high-severity claims.
- How to distinguish an isolated event from a credible trend.
- How to combine qualitative claims observations with quantitative analysis.
- When claims experience may justify changes to pricing, deductibles, coverage terms or underwriting guidelines.
- How to establish referral and escalation criteria, improve closed-claim reviews and assign responsibility for follow-through.
- What insurers can do within the next 30 days to strengthen collaboration among claims, underwriting, actuarial and risk management.
[CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW]
Distinguished presenters
- Sean Gelsey, MBA, chief claims officer, COPIC Insurance
- Janel Loud-Mahany, MBA, AINS, AIS, senior vice president of underwriting and policyholder services, COPIC Insurance
- Eric Wunder, FCAS, MAAA, principal and consulting actuary, Milliman Inc.
- Michael Matray, editor of Medical Liability Monitor, moderator
Webinar details
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026
Time: 2 p.m. EDT | 1 p.m. CDT | noon MDT | 11 a.m. PDT
Cost: $147 through Sept. 16; $197 thereafter
One registration permits as many as five team members to participate from different locations at no additional charge. Registration also includes downloadable presentation materials, an audience Q&A and a written transcript for participants who complete the post-webinar survey.
Claims and underwriting cannot afford to operate as separate disciplines when claim complexity and severity are increasing. Learn how to close the information gap and put the lessons already contained in your claim files to work.
[CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW]
AAO Launches Malpractice Insurance Program for Orthodontists
September 2, 2026
by
matray
The American Association of Orthodontists has launched a new medical malpractice insurance program designed exclusively for its members.
The coverage is offered through the AAO Endorsed Insurance Program and administered by Lockton Affinity. According to the association, the proprietary product was developed specifically around the professional liability risks faced by orthodontists.
The program offers both claims-made and occurrence coverage, with varying limits and discounts intended to accommodate orthodontists at different stages of their careers, including those entering practice, working part time or preparing for retirement.
AAO members will also have a role in claims reviews, which the association said is intended to bring orthodontic expertise to the claims process.
Other features include risk management and educational resources and a 24-hour crisis support line. The coverage is backed by an established carrier that the AAO described as financially strong, although the association did not identify the carrier in its announcement.
AAO President Dr. Michael G. Durbin said the program was developed because orthodontists face responsibilities and risks unique to their specialty.
The malpractice coverage is part of the broader AAO Endorsed Insurance Program, through which members can obtain assistance with several types of insurance coverage from Lockton Affinity.
The American Association of Orthodontists represents orthodontists in the United States and abroad.
Amwins Launches Human Services, Behavioral Health Liability Product
August 27, 2026
by
matray
Amwins launched an exclusive liability insurance product for human services and behavioral health organizations, targeting a segment that has 
faced tightening capacity and increased underwriting scrutiny.
The product, offered through Amwins Brokerage, is backed by AM Best “A”-rated nonadmitted specialty carriers and provides professional liability, general liability, sexual abuse and molestation and hired and nonowned auto coverage.
Amwins said the product is intended to provide more stable capacity in a market challenged by concerns over sexual and physical abuse exposures, increased litigation, statute-of-limitations revival claims and rising minimum premiums.
“The need for stable, long-term solutions in the human services and behavioral health sector has never been greater,” said Joe Carlson, executive vice president with Amwins Brokerage.
Eligible organizations include youth residential treatment facilities, foster care and adoption agencies, group homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, halfway houses and large homeless shelters.
Professional liability coverage includes medical malpractice. The product also offers sexual abuse and molestation limits of up to $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate, with higher limits available upon request. Umbrella capacity of up to $5 million is available for select risks.
Amwins said the program also offers flexible deductible and self-insured retention options.
Carlson said the product's quota-share structure is designed to give retail agents greater flexibility in addressing the changing coverage needs of human services and behavioral health organizations.
Coverys Names Walter Grote Chief Underwriting Officer
August 26, 2026
by
matray
Coverys has appointed Walter Grote chief underwriting officer, putting the insurance industry veteran in charge of underwriting strategy as the
medical professional liability insurer pursues further growth and portfolio diversification.
Grote brings more than 35 years of property and casualty insurance and underwriting experience to the Boston-based company. He will oversee Coverys’ underwriting operations and help develop portfolio strategies and standards supporting the insurer’s short- and long-term expansion plans.
Grote most recently served as chief underwriting officer and regional president for the Wholesale Binding division of Bridge Specialty Group, the wholesale brokerage division of Brown & Brown Insurance. In that role, he developed underwriting strategies and practices across the division’s businesses.
He previously served as president of Arrowhead Core Commercial, where he oversaw small and lower-middle-market commercial insurance lines. Grote also held senior underwriting and business leadership positions at QBE North America, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. and Travelers.
His positions at Travelers included chief underwriting officer and chief operating officer for the company’s Middle Market and Commercial Accounts division.
“Walter is more than just an accomplished underwriting strategist; he is a natural collaborator who understands how to bridge the gap between profitable growth and operational excellence,” said Joseph Murphy, Coverys president and chief executive officer.
Grote said Coverys’ approach to portfolio diversification, growth and profitability has helped strengthen the company’s long-term financial position.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Coverys’ underwriting organization and contribute to its mission of empowering healthcare providers by supporting the organization’s next phase of growth,” he said.
NOW Insurance Makes Inc. 5000 for Third Consecutive Year
August 21, 2026
by
matray
NOW Insurance was named to the Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies for the third consecutive year as the 
healthcare liability insurance provider expands its policyholder base and product offerings.
The company reports servicing more than 34,000 policyholders and expects its business to grow by approximately 50% this year.
NOW Insurance specializes in professional and general liability coverage for healthcare professionals and organizations. Its business is concentrated primarily among allied healthcare providers, including nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, home health workers and other healthcare professionals. The company also insures physicians, home healthcare providers, staffing agencies and other healthcare businesses.
“Making the Inc. 5000 list three years in a row is an incredible milestone, and one that belongs to our entire team,” NOW Insurance founder and CEO Philip Cabaud said in a statement. “We’re projecting 50% growth this year as we roll out new products and expand into new distribution channels.”
Founded in 2019, NOW Insurance uses predictive analytics, machine learning and an online platform to simplify the application and underwriting process. Customers can obtain quotes online, and the company markets customizable professional liability policies to individual practitioners and healthcare businesses.
The Inc. 5000 rankings measure private-company revenue growth from 2022 through 2025. NOW Insurance said its continued inclusion reflects growth in policyholders, products and distribution partnerships.
PracticeProtection Marks 20 Years in Healthcare Liability Insurance
August 17, 2026
by
matray
PracticeProtection is celebrating its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of providing professional liability insurance to physicians, surgeons, 
dentists and other healthcare professionals.
The company traces its origins to Aug. 14, 2006, when Doctors Direct Insurance Inc. was established by physicians and surgeons in Illinois to provide medical professional liability coverage tailored to the risks facing healthcare providers. Doctors Direct subsequently became part of PracticeProtection, extending the organization’s offerings beyond dental professionals to physicians and surgeons.
Over the past 20 years, PracticeProtection has built its business around disciplined underwriting, risk management and an aggressive approach to defending malpractice claims.
PracticeProtection offers coverage for individual healthcare professionals, partnerships, corporations and group practices. Its physician products include professional liability coverage, corporate entity coverage, prior acts coverage and free retirement tail coverage for qualifying policyholders. Policies also can include protection related to medical board proceedings, employment practices and cyber liability.
The company’s dental program is dentist-owned and directed. In addition to professional liability coverage, it provides risk management resources and continuing education. PracticeProtection also offers qualified recent dental school graduates their first year of professional liability coverage at no cost.
PracticeProtection is led by president and CEO Michael Wallace and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla.
NSO Launches Liability Coverage for Certified Midwives
August 17, 2026
by
matray
Nurses Service Organization has launched a professional liability insurance product for certified midwives and certified nurse midwives in 
partnership with insurer CNA.
The coverage is intended to protect midwives against professional and clinical risks while helping safeguard their licenses, personal assets and livelihoods.
“Certified midwives and certified nurse midwives face unique professional exposures given the nature of the care they provide,” said David Griffiths, president of Aon Affinity Healthcare. He said the product expands NSO’s coverage options for advanced practice providers.
The policy covers prenatal, postnatal and gynecological services performed in hospitals and other clinical settings, as well as labor and delivery services provided in hospitals.
Midwives can purchase the coverage as a standalone policy or use it to supplement employer-provided insurance. According to NSO, an employer’s policy may not fully protect an individual practitioner or provide coverage for licensing-board proceedings.
Aon Affinity serves as the managing general underwriter of the NSO Professional Liability Insurance Program, which is underwritten by CNA.
NSO, which has provided professional liability insurance to nurses since 1976, serves more than 600,000 nursing professionals.
The Cooperative of American Physicians Promotes Simon Russell to VP of Underwriting
July 29, 2026
by
matray
The Cooperative of American Physicians has promoted Simon Russell to vice president of underwriting, the medical professional 
liability insurer announced.
Russell joined the Los Angeles-based insurer in 2008 and most recently served as assistant vice president of membership development. In that role, he managed relationships with referral partners and affinity groups and helped support membership growth that brought the organization to more than 13,000 physician members.
As vice president of underwriting, Russell will report to chief underwriting officer Alyson Lewis. He will oversee underwriting operations and work with the underwriting and membership development teams to evaluate prospective physician members while supporting the organization's service and financial objectives.
Chief executive officer Sarah Scher said Russell's experience, leadership and understanding of CAP's physician-focused business model made him well suited for the position.
Lewis said Russell's background in business development and knowledge of the organization's operations would strengthen the underwriting team.
CAP also announced that Aimee Mazzacano has been promoted to assistant vice president of membership development, succeeding Russell. Mazzacano joined the organization in 2007 and most recently served as senior account executive, where she helped support the insurer's membership growth.
have been affected by Oregon wildfires.
board of directors.
Directors,” MPL Association president and chief executive officer Eric R. Anderson said. “Her insight and experience will be a tremendous asset as we fulfill our commitment to meet the evolving needs of our members and partners. We look forward to partnering with her and leveraging her expertise in the MPL industry to chart the Association’s path forward.”