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Insurance plays a vital role in the daily lives of New York families and businesses, driving innovation, fostering growth, and providing economic security. The system functions best when consumers can easily access affordable, adequate property and casualty coverage. Today, the market is facing a series of ongoing challenges—some within our control, others less so—that are hindering New Yorkers' ability to adequately protect themselves from risk and loss.
This event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and individuals directly impacted by the current market conditions to explore the causes and consequences of these challenges and chart a path for stability and access for all.
Attend the Event
Hilton Albany
40 Lodge St
Albany, NY 12207
February 4, 2025
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Agenda
Times are subject to change.
Let’s level-set with P&C insurance basics, a 30,000’ look at the insurance ecosystem,
and a deeper exploration into insurance market cycles and the “hard market”.
Let’s level-set with P&C insurance basics, a 30,000’ look at the insurance ecosystem,
and a deeper exploration into insurance market cycles and the “hard market”.

Michel Leonard, PhD, CBE
Chief Economist and Data ScientistInsurance Information Institute, Inc.
The Property and Casualty insurance market is experiencing an unprecedented hard
market that is more severe and potentially longer lasting than the typical three-year
market cycle. We will hear in-depth perspectives from industry leaders on the root
causes of these challenging market conditions.
The Property and Casualty insurance market is experiencing an unprecedented hard
market that is more severe and potentially longer lasting than the typical three-year
market cycle. We will hear in-depth perspectives from industry leaders on the root
causes of these challenging market conditions.
Economic and social inflation, convective storms, and reinsurance are major cost drivers in this market impacting both personal and commercial line companies.
Economic and social inflation, convective storms, and reinsurance are major cost drivers in this market impacting both personal and commercial line companies.

Hank Watkins
Executive Director and Associate DeanSt. John’s University Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science
What is the Insurance Fraudemic and what are its negative effects on both insurers and the
policyholders they serve?
What is the Insurance Fraudemic and what are its negative effects on both insurers and the
policyholders they serve?

Tom Stebbins
Executive DirectorThe Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York
How does the regulatory-industry partnership keep New York on the right path?
How does the regulatory-industry partnership keep New York on the right path?

Wes Bissett
Senior Counsel, Government Affairs,Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America
In a hard market, premiums increase, accessibly decreases, and competition wains. Soft markets are generally the inverse. What does the data and customer experience tell us about the current environment and the challenges that lie ahead regardless of market cycle?
In a hard market, premiums increase, accessibly decreases, and competition wains. Soft markets are generally the inverse. What does the data and customer experience tell us about the current environment and the challenges that lie ahead regardless of market cycle?
Learn what it means to access insurance outside of the standard market.
Learn what it means to access insurance outside of the standard market.

Lisa K. Lounsbury (Moderator)
President & CEOBig I New York

Janet Pane
Chief Executive Officer & Executive DirectorExcess Line Association of New York

Eric Draitser
Assistant ManagerNew York Automobile Insurance Plan


Hear firsthand from insurance agents and carriers about what the marketplace means for their customers.
Hear firsthand from insurance agents and carriers about what the marketplace means for their customers.

Lisa K. Lounsbury (Moderator)
President & CEOBig I New York

David Bodenstein
PresidentMike Preis Agency

Clara Mendoza
PresidentMendoza Agency

Kristen Martin
President & CEOUtica National Insurance

R. Benedikt Sander
President and CEOPreferred Mutual Insurance Company

Ralph Ortega
Editor in ChiefCity & State

Adrienne A. Harris
SuperintendentNew York State Department of Financial Services


As the 2025 legislative session gets underway, this final panel will explore legislative solutions to tackle insurance marketplace challenge.
As the 2025 legislative session gets underway, this final panel will explore legislative solutions to tackle insurance marketplace challenge.

Rebecca C. Lewis (Moderator)
Senior State Politics ReporterCity & State New York

Assembly Member David Weprin
ChairInsurance Committee

Assembly Member Pam Hunter
PresidentNational Conference of Insurance Legislators

Senator Jamaal Bailey
ChairInsurance Committee