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Insurance Business Review: Specials Magazine
When the dust of corporate restructuring settled in the mid-90s, one man decided to bet on himself. Fresh from a career with Dun & Bradstreet and its insurance arm, American Credit Indemnity (ACI), Parker Freedman took a bold step by launching ARI Global, backed by deep industry knowledge, grit and a single, pivotal client, a multibillion-dollar company that chose to believe in a new player. “Great companies show a willingness to work with smaller companies,” Freedman recalls—a lesson passed down from his father, a 30-year IBM veteran. That trust is well embedded into ARI Global’s DNA. Three decades later, ARI now ranks as the largest independently owned and operated credit insurance broker and the ARI Team safeguards the bottom line of over 700 clients, with revenues ranging from five million to tens of billions of dollars. “At ARI Global, our fiduciary duty is tied to the business owner. We are on the client's side of the table, asking the right questions and magnifying the fine print to ensure that coverage truly fits their unique wants and needs.” Building Confidence in Receivables Financing ARI Global's client-first ethos drives everything it does, from policy design to execution. While credit insurance is the offering, the real value lies in the customization of the program. A subscriber to Edward Deming’s management principles, ARI Global maintains consistency across product, process and delivery. The team takes time upfront to understand each client’s specific credit risks, trade flows, and operational nuances before offering a recommendation. Whether a business is selling domestically or entering international markets, ARI advocates to protect against customer default due to bankruptcy, late payments, or political risks. ARI helps clients craft custom contract language that strengthens terms and ensures strategic, well-rounded protection. Since premiums can be structured in various ways—sales-based, AR-based, flat-rate, or coverage-driven—the team reviews every quote, highlights key differences, and offers tailored recommendations.
Top Independent Insurance Agency 2025
Comparing insurance products can be overwhelming and confusing, but Albatross Insurance, an independent insurance agency, takes the complexity out of choosing the right insurance policy. As the high-flying choice for home, auto, and business insurance, the company finds the best coverage tailored to clients' distinct requirements and circumstances under the leadership of its owner, Josh Kuhn. “Big or small, I can insure it all,” says Kuhn. His goal is to offer the same white-glove service that big companies receive—even to the smaller players. If the client is a local HVAC contractor or plumber with just a few trucks, he believes they deserve the same expert service as the guy with a fleet of 50. Simultaneously, he helps them grow into that bigger business. Coming from a family of business owners, Kuhn instinctively understands client needs. He is more of an advisor than just an agent. When they have questions or exploring new directions, Kuhn offers guidance from their perspective—what it means for them today, and what it could mean two or five years down the road. As they progress, he aims to evolve right alongside them. Kuhn’s key to crafting the right insurance solution lies in thorough fact-finding interviews. He dives into the essentials like clients’ revenue, payroll, vehicles and locations. Once these details are collected, he builds a policy that fits their actual needs. But it's not one-size-fits-all. For example, if the insurance is for plumbers, one might handle only commercial projects, while another focuses solely on residential work. Though they fall under the same trade, the nature of their work, associated risks and insurance requirements are often different, so their policies should reflect that. That's why Kuhn always takes time to understand what they're doing now and what they plan to do in the future so he can create a roadmap together.
Top Commercial Flood Insurance Service 2025
Flood insurance rarely crosses our minds until it's the only thing that matters. In those high-stress moments, people don’t just need coverage—they need an expert who can explain the fine print and make the path to recovery easier. Rooted in the “here when it matters” mindset, Bankers Insurance Group has been that steady presence for families and businesses for nearly five decades. This southeastern regional carrier holds licenses to write flood insurance in 49 U.S. states. Its extensive footprint is backed by a collaborative approach with agents, which provides end-to-end support for clients, from initial quoting to claims recovery. “Our partners and policyholders are at the heart of everything we do. We’re committed to delivering meaningful support, trusted guidance and dependable service at every turn,” says Ruth Bennett, associate in national flood insurance (ANFI). Bankers' commitment to service isn’t just claimed—it’s proven. A 71 percent net promoter score (“NPS”) and a customer service team with an average tenure of eight years are clear signs that policyholders feel that they are being heard, respected and supported. Trust is earned, and customers feel the difference in every avenue, including underwriting and claims processing. Bankers’ seasoned team proactively reviews submissions that require attention or exhibit characteristics warranting further evaluation to ensure accurate and compliant policy issuance and prevent complications during claims administration. While pricing under the NFIP is standardized, this consistent, high-quality service differentiates Bankers, especially in times of crisis. During recent hurricane seasons, when many insurers faced outages and long wait times, Bankers maintained sub-30-second response times and zero downtime, even with its headquarters being based in affected zones. This resilience stems from a distributed team business model designed to deliver seamless service regardless of external conditions. The operational strength is further reinforced by the company’s strategic roles on several national flood committees, including the APCIA WYO Coalition, National Flood Conference Planning Committee, Community Rating System Task Force, and the IBHS Flood Committee, which it co-chairs. In fact, Bankers was also one of the original "Write Your Own" (“WYO”) carriers under the national flood insurance program (NFIP). These participations sharpen policy design, keep the company industry-forward and enable more efficient flood insurance delivery.
CXO INSIGHTS
Navigating the Insurance Maze: Redefining Insurance Renewals and Claims Handling
Kimberly Clifford, Director, Claims Management, EMCOR Group, Inc
The Importance of Claim Advocacy in Workers Compensation
Alexandru Chirita, Workers’ Compensation Manager, Volvo Cars
Risk Mitigation with Consistent Data Management
Roy Hock, MBA, ARM, Director of Risk Finance and Casualty Insurance, Valero Energy Corporation
Innovating Risk Management with Resilience
Odene James, Vice President, Risk Management, Coastal Credit Union
Built on Insight, Driven By Precision
David Howey, Credit Manager - Refining, Products & Low Carbon Trading, bp
IN FOCUS
The Growing Influence of Independent Insurance Agencies
Independent insurance agencies are vital in the global market, adapting to consumer needs, leveraging technology, and providing personalized services while ensuring robust growth and resilience.
EDITORIAL
Flood and Credit Insurance: The New Shields of Business Protection
Risk used to be more manageable. A bad season, a supply delay—challenges businesses could anticipate and plan around. But today, companies across the U.S. are facing a different reality. From extreme weather to financial instability, the threats are constant and coming from all sides. Traditional insurance alone is no longer enough to keep up. Independent Insurance Agencies have taken notice and are stepping up with more comprehensive solutions. Rather than relying solely on general liability and property coverage, many agencies are now offering Commercial Flood Insurance and Trade Credit Insurance. It is a timely response to an increasingly complex risk environment. Flooding is a prime example. Once viewed as a coastal concern, it has become a widespread issue. From Texas to the Midwest, intense storms and unpredictable rainfall are causing billions in losses. Standard policies rarely include flood coverage, and federal disaster assistance often falls short or arrives too late. Commercial flood insurance addresses these gaps, providing coverage that reflects actual exposure, not outdated assumptions based on location. On the financial side, many businesses face a quieter but equally damaging threat: non-payment. A single unpaid invoice can disrupt cash flow, delay operations, and put a business at risk. Trade Credit Insurance helps prevent that outcome by covering losses when a customer fails to pay. It allows companies to extend credit more confidently and protect their revenue in a turbulent economy. What makes this new approach so valuable is the way it brings all elements of risk under one roof. With one agency providing protection for physical damage, financial disruption, and forward-looking strategy, businesses are better equipped to navigate today’s challenges. As risks continue to evolve, so must the tools businesses use to manage them. Agencies offering this expanded model of coverage are doing more than insuring companies—they are helping them stay ready for whatever comes next. In this edition, we spotlight insights from Clayton Dexter, Underwriting Manager, Vice President, ANB Bank and Gilbert Asamoah, Credit Risk Manager, NiSource and doctoral candidate, Doctoral Candidate, Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio for highlighting their innovative leadership in claims, litigation, and credit risk management. Let us know your thoughts!
