Terrence Dopp
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Father, music fan and senior associate editor Best’s Review magazine
Articles by Terrence Dopp
Axa, WTW Among Partners in Parametric Coverage Protecting Reefs, Colombian Archipelago
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - August 27, 2025 02:20 PM (EDT) Units of Axa S.A., WTW and others have formed a partnership on parametric coverage designed to protect the Caribbean's second-largest coral reef from damage caused by the growing threat of . . .
Best
BEST'S RANKINGS Best’s News & Research Service - July 11, 2025 10:20 AM (EDT) By Terrence Dopp July 11, 2025 10:20 AM (EDT) OLDWICK, N.J. //BestWire// - U.S. total life insurance business in force in 2024 rose 1.5% to $62.42 trillion, according to a new Best's Rankings report. The top 100 U.S. life insurers posted $61.64 trillion worth of life in force, also up 1.5% from 2023, according to the report. The total rose 1.4% to $57.35 trillion for the top 50 carriers.
White Mountains to Acquire Majority Stake in MGA Distinguished Programs for $230 Million
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - July 07, 2025 02:16 PM (EDT) Bermuda-domiciled financial services holding company White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. said it has struck an agreement to acquire a majority stake in managing general agent Distinguished . . .
Australian Regulator Sanctions Life Insurer for Failing to Inform Customers of Review Rights
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - June 18, 2025 02:23 PM (EDT) Australia's Life Insurance Code Compliance Committee has sanctioned an unnamed life insurer for failing to clearly inform customers of their right to have a declined insurance decision . . .
European Firm Marco Capital Holdings Acquires R&Q Gamma
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - June 20, 2025 02:56 PM (EDT) European PC run-off group Marco Capital Holdings Ltd. said it has acquired R&Q Gamma, a unit of R&Q Insurance Holdings Ltd. . . .
LIMRA, LOMA to Absorb Annuities-Focused Nonprofit Alliance for Lifetime Income
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - June 09, 2025 01:17 PM (EDT) LL Global said it will merge nonprofit consumer education association Alliance for Lifetime Income into LIMRA and LOMA in a move aimed at increasing the trade group's reach. . . .
Monarch E&S Acquires MGA Market Finders in Geographic Expansion
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - June 06, 2025 04:34 PM (EDT) Monarch E&S Insurance Services has acquired New Mexico-based managing general agent Market Finders Inc. as it looks to expand in the Southwest. . . .
LIMRA: Total Canadian Life New Annualized Premium Up 13%
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - May 30, 2025 09:55 AM (EDT) Total Canadian life insurance new annualized premium rose 13% to C$508 million ($368.1 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared with a year earlier, industry group LIMRA said. . . .
Canada
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - May 27, 2025 04:16 PM (EDT) Canada's Office of the Superintendent on Financial Institutions said it has launched three consultations and made adjustments to the Life Insurance Capital Adequacy Test. . . .
Louisiana Governor Signs Tort Reform Bills Aimed at Lowering
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - May 29, 2025 02:25 PM (EDT) Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed a raft of legislation aimed at lowering automobile insurance rates by reining in lawsuits deemed frivolous and giving the state's insurance commissioner more . . .
Revau CEO Sees Growth in US as More Than
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - May 28, 2025 12:45 PM (EDT) Jean-Francois Raymond, president and chief executive officer of Canadian managing general agent Revau, said the company is looking to bring its multiline strategy to the United States as part of . . .
Generali Completes Sale of Business in Philippines to Insular Life Assurance
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - May 23, 2025 11:50 AM (EDT) Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. said it has completed its sale of a 100% stake in Generali Life Assurance Philippines to The Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd. . . .
Pacific Life Re Announces Second Asset-Intensive Reinsurance Transaction With Tokio Marine Unit
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - May 22, 2025 03:51 PM (EDT) Pacific Life Re and Tokio Marine & Nichido Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (Anshin Life) reached an agreement for a second asset-intensive reinsurance agreement after entering into a similar one last . . .
Lincoln Financial CFO: $825 Million Deal With Bain Capital Fits Industry Evolution
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - May 08, 2025 03:22 PM (EDT) Lincoln Financial Group will commit $1.4 billion in assets under management to an investment partnership with Bain Capital following the investment firm's $825 million acquisition of a 9.9% equity . . .
Specialty Platform Ignyte Insurance Launches With Presence in US, Europe, Australia
!###META:BEGIN###> <!###META:END###> <!###CONTENT:BEGIN###> Best’s News & Research Service subscription required - April 21, 2025 02:35 PM (EDT) Ignyte Insurance has launched as a specialty insurance platform focused on acquiring, scaling and accelerating insurance brands in niche markets globally. . . .
Catastrophe Bonds: Cyberrisk Insurance-Linked Securities
Reimagining Alternative Investments As the financial landscape continues to change, insurers are learning more about options to traditional asset classes. by Terrence Dopp “Alternatives have a place in the insurance portfolio.
Asset Management Alternative Investments
Reimagining Alternative Investments As the financial landscape continues to change, insurers are learning more about options to traditional asset classes. by Terrence Dopp “Alternatives have a place in the insurance portfolio.
Asset Management
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Issues & Answers Under Pressure Ken Griffin, Managing Director, Head of Insurance Solutions for Barings, said that while asset market values have declined, so has the market value of their liabilities.
Insurance Staffing and Wildfire Mitigation
Proposed Telemedicine App Would Locate Cheapest Meds 44 Based on Insurance Coverage The platform was designed by Hannah Youngblood, a risk management major at Florida State University and the winner of AM Best’s 2023 Student Challenge competition. by Casey Montague H annah Youngblood, a risk management major at Florida State University, believes insurance should be affordable and accessible to all.
Top Global Brokers and Bests Rankings
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Issues & Answers: Inflation Impact of Inflation Derek Freihaut, Principal and Consulting Actuary for Pinnacle Actuarial Resources, said that inflation in 2022 was particularly significant to many insurers because of the replacement costs of big-ticket items.
Rising Interest Rates Sure to Bring Shifts to In-Force Life and Annuity Products
With the Federal Reserve in an aggressive rate-raising mode for the first time in a decade, its moves could create a fault line between newly issued life and annuity products. After years of shifting to products that are less interest-sensitive, the industry may also see a move back the other way. Terrence Dopp November 2022 Key Points Development: Spurred by rising inflation, the Fed has been raising rates throughout 2022 and may continue doing so into next year.
Mortality Trends Raise Underwriting Questions for Life Insurers
For the United States as a whole, and life insurers in particular, 2021 was a year marked by higher mortality as the COVID-19 pandemic entered a third year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported deaths up across many categories, higher even than 2020. Terrence Dopp March 2022 Key Points Deaths: The CDC reported more than 3.42 million deaths from all causes in 2021, up from 3.39 in the prior year and far off the 2.85 million in pre-pandemic 2019.
Life Settlements
Nonfungible tokens have gotten a bad reputation in the recent past, leaving many investors to scratch their heads at what they really have to offer. Sundance Strategies hopes to “legitimize” NFTs with an offering that is backed by $850 million in life insurance settlements. Terrence Dopp April 2022 Kraig Higginson wants to prove nonfungible tokens, commonly referred to as NFTs, are more than a flash in the pan or the investment of the moment.
Top Articles of the Start of 2022
News | 02.08.22 by: Irene Yeh, BISA Staff 2022 is kicking off with exciting developments and eye-catching industry trends that are looking bright for the financial services field. Check out the top articles of January 2022 to learn about what’s buzzing, including leadership, new policies and more.
Leading With Optimism Amongst Uncertainty
Leadership Perspectives | 02.02.22 by: Irene Yeh, BISA Staff As we enter year two of the pandemic, there have been several changes to the industry. At this point, uncertainty has become commonplace, which can create tension and anxiety about the future ahead. However, it doesn’t have to be like that. Instead of dwelling on the ‘what if’s,’ we should instead face toward the future with optimism.
Annuity Providers See Growth Opportunity in U.S. Retirement Plan Changes
Insights | 02.01.22 by: Terrence Dopp When people review their 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plans this year, they might have a new investment option: using some of their money to purchase income annuities. And that may prove to be a growth opportunity for the industry, which is already posting strong results in the past year. “As these products evolve, I think there's an opportunity to meld them both,” said Martin Powell, head of annuity distribution, CUNA Mutual Group.
How Advisors Are Using Tech Now: Survey
Insights | 02.01.22 by: Michael S. Fischer A survey of 493 financial advisors and employees of financial advisory firms from Broadridge Financial Solutions and the Financial Services Institute found 92% of respondents felt satisfied with their technology capabilities, although opportunities for improved technology to better meet their practice objectives still exist.
Staid Annuities Get Star Treatment in Movie About the Importance of Guaranteed Retirement Income
The Baby Boomer Dilemma, a new documentary film by Doug Orchard, tells of the role of annuities in retirement portfolios to guard against “haircuts” to traditional pensions or Social Security, as well as potential volatility in defined contribution plans. Terrence Dopp February 2022 Ever ponder exactly what it means for filmmakers to have their movies obtain a rating from the Motion Picture Association? Probably not.
How Can Our Industry Help Narrow the Gender Gap?
Insights | 01.31.22 by: Terri Fiedler AIG Financial Distributors President and CEO Terri Fiedler writes that people are considering future events and the impact on their finances more critically, according to new AIG Life & Retirement research. Women seem less likely have experienced financial improvements over the previous year compared to men, especially in terms of retirement readiness.
Growth Beyond the Branches
Leadership Perspectives | 01.27.22 by: BISA Staff The newest installment of the BISA Industry TrendWatch series, produced by BISA in partnership with Stathis-Mittel, is now live! In this episode, we sit with Mike Miroballi of Huntington and Brian Surovik of Ameriprise and use BISA's research report of the same name to discuss: The evolving role of the branch The future of the branch-based advisor Branches as “community centers” Countering less referrals with higher quality referrals...
2021 Annuity Sales Highest in 13 Years
News | 01.27.22 by: Insurance News Net Total U.S. annuity sales were $254.8 billion in 2021, up 16% from 2020. This represents the highest annual annuity sales since 2008 and the third highest sales recorded in history, according to preliminary results from the Secure Retirement Institute U.S. Individual Annuity Sales Survey. Total annuity sales were $63.4 billion in the fourth quarter, 8% higher than fourth quarter 2020. Read the full article on Insurance News Net
Survey: Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Now Factor COVID Into Financial Strategy
Insights | 01.27.22 by: Vance Cariaga Forty-six percent of respondents in the latest New York Life Wealth Watch survey said the COVID-19 pandemic is now a factor when considering their financial strategies.
Massachusetts Secretary of State Launches Sweep of Target Date Fund Offerings
Regulatory Outlook | 01.26.22 by: Ross Kerber Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin on Tuesday said his office will investigate broker-dealers offering target date funds.
SEC Officials Urge Firms to Update Compliance to Cope With Emerging Technologies
Regulatory Outlook | 01.26.22 by: Mark Schoeff, Jr. The SEC said that financial firms must ensure their compliance programs keep pace with emerging technologies. The commission recently ordered JPMorgan to pay $125 million for failing to keep track of employee communications about business on their personal devices through text messaging applications.
Life Insurers Not Free of COVID-19 Yet, as Virus Impacts Younger Populations
The delta variant pushed up the number of pandemic-related deaths for working-age people in the U.S. A mix of investment gains and business diversification across segments could help ameliorate potential costs. Terrence Dopp January 2022 Key Points Rising: While initial hopes were for a gradual decline in COVID-19 mortality as vaccinations picked up and the pandemic ebbed after more than a year, some life insurers cited general population deaths as high as three times initial projections.
Public-Private Partnerships Bring Solutions to Covering Emerging Risks Worldwide
Novel classes of risk on the horizon could create a situation that is just too large for the insurance industry to handle on its own. Partnerships between the public and private sectors, such as those in Florida and California, could step in as needed to fill any gaps. Terrence Dopp November 2021 Key Points Problem: Climate change has made a host of extreme weather, such as California wildfires and rain storms in the Northeast U.S., both more severe and more costly.
Insurers Increasingly Seeing Private Equity Enter Investment Portfolios and the Boardroom
Once seen as a realm of buyouts and structured finance, private equity firms are learning to appreciate insurers for the lower yield and reliable credit markets they represent. Meanwhile, insurers stung by low interest rates see a chance for higher investment yields with private equity.
Cryptocurrency Opens New Frontier for Life Insurers
Life insurers, led by MassMutual, are taking steps to enter the often-tumultuous world of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum as they move out of the shadows and into the mainstream. Terrence Dopp August 2021 Key Points Newness: The centuries-old life insurance industry has found itself taking initial positions in crypto, which has only been around since 2009 and was envisioned as a way to gain independence from traditional financial systems.
Insurance Industry Tests the Waters With New Initiatives
Insurers explore whether decentralized finance may be a step they want to take with several placing initial markers in the space. Possibilities included making and taking payments, investments or even technological improvements. One key barrier to adoption: volatility. Terrence Dopp August 2021 Key Points Newness: Bitcoin was founded in 2009 as a unit of money that stands apart from the traditional financial systems backed by governments.
Guardian Life’s CEO Andrew McMahon Wants the Mutual Insurer to Spend 2021 Looking Within
Less than a year after taking the helm of the 161-year-old life insurer, McMahon finds himself navigating what’s next as the U.S. reopens following the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief among the efforts is a plan to look within and examine what the company should look like at all levels. Terrence Dopp July 2021 Key Points Position: McMahon took over as president and CEO in September 2020 as the company dealt with a remote workforce and the pandemic.
Insurers Scrambling to Switch Benchmarks Used for Setting Short-Term Interest Rates of Investments and Debt
The impending LIBOR cessation has forced a major shift for entities used to the London Interbank Offered Rate, which has been the standard since 1986. Terrence Dopp June 2021 Key Points Issue: By June 2023—and for many, the end of this year—the London Interbank Offered Rate will no longer be published as a reference interest rate for financial transactions.
Annuity Providers See Growth Opportunity in US Retirement Plan Changes
Retirement planning in the U.S. has focused for many on defined contribution plans and accumulation with little discussion of how to secure guaranteed income through annuities as part of workers’ 401(k) accounts. With that about to change, the annuity industry sees a big opportunity on the horizon.
Insurers Scrambling to Switch Benchmarks Used for Setting Short-Term Interest Rates of Investments and Debt
The impending LIBOR cessation has forced a major shift for entities used to the London Interbank Offered Rate, which has been the standard since 1986. Terrence Dopp June 2021 Key Points Issue: By June 2023—and for many, the end of this year—the London Interbank Offered Rate will no longer be published as a reference interest rate for financial transactions.
Insurance Will Remain Relationship-Focused, Even With COVID-Inspired Tech Advances
Improvements to claims handling, underwriting and policy origination forge customer connections at every level, said AM Best’s Matthew C. Mosher. Terrence Dopp May 2021 Insurance will remain a relationship-focused industry, with even the technological advances necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic not eliminating the need for independent agents and brokers, said AM Best Rating Services President and CEO Matthew C. Mosher.
Life Insurers Ponder How to Underwrite COVID-19 Survivors
Options range from the most severe—refusing to extend coverage—to treating the virus like cancer, respiratory illnesses and other conditions that must be disclosed when applying for life insurance. Terrence Dopp May 2021 Key Points Good: Most people who contract COVID-19 recover, and a massive vaccination effort is underway across the globe.
Bermuda’s Vantage and Conduit Re Enter Market With Clean Slates and Veteran Staffs
Vantage and Conduit bet a combination of experience, technology and grit will allow them to sidestep the low interest rate environment that has crimped the entire industry. Terrence Dopp April 2021 Key Points Conduit: Underwriting began with Jan. 1 renewals and the company reported $160 million in new business by the following month.
Insurers Grapple With a Problem That Resists Elimination
The life insurance industry is still addressing the issue of unclaimed benefits nearly a decade after the situation first made headlines across the U.S. While the use of new technologies and diligence has abated the issue, some instances still remain. Terrence Dopp April 2021 Key Points People: Beneficiaries must file a claim, and often that is complicated when they don’t even know a policy existed or after companies have changed hands multiple times.
Bermuda’s Vantage and Conduit Re Enter Market With Clean Slates and Veteran Staffs
Vantage and Conduit bet a combination of experience, technology and grit will allow them to sidestep the low interest rate environment that has crimped the entire industry. Terrence Dopp April 2021 Key Points Conduit: Underwriting began with Jan. 1 renewals and the company reported $160 million in new business by the following month.
Collateralized Loan Obligations on Rise in Life Insurance Asset Management as Quest for Yield Continues
Life insurers are increasingly turning to bundled corporate-loan investment vehicles, which due to their structures offer a higher return than similarly rated debt. Terrence Dopp March 2021 Key Points Moment: Amid economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, governments rushed to approve economic rescue plans that pushed rates down and may keep them there for the foreseeable future.
Life Insurers Forced Into Digital, Operations Growth in Survival Bid
An endless series of run-on days and anxiety for the life insurance industry has stretched into the first year of living in a COVID-19 world. An industry known for gaming out crisis responses now finds itself pondering which parts of the pandemic response will become permanent and where it can find growth. Special Section sponsored by Finys. Terrence Dopp March 2021 The Innovation Special Section is sponsored by Finys. Click on the microphone icon to listen to the Finys podcast.
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