The 2025 Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) Marketplace brought together nearly 9,000 of the industry's leading professionals for networking, dealmaking and forward-looking discussions.
This year's event highlighted the strength and adaptability of the Excess and Surplus (E&S) market, with conversations centered on emerging exposures and the importance of constant innovation to deliver solutions to our retail brokers and their clients. Beyond the business meetings, the WSIA gathering reinforced its position as a catalyst for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, setting the tone for the year ahead in the wholesale insurance sector.
Here are key takeaways from the premier insurance industry event.
Casualty
The biggest topic in the casualty space is the ripple effects of supply chain disruptions on general liability and product liability exposures. With global trade tensions and lingering port delays from 2024, the collective focus is on better modeling these risks, as some carriers reported seeing an increase in their claims tied to defective or delayed goods. A number of conversations were about geopolitical risks spilling into everyday surplus lines placements and how these escalating tensions could impact premiums.
It's no surprise that nearly everyone was talking about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and weighing the risks and opportunity. The exciting advancements in Insurtech and AI have captured the attention of both carriers and brokers. The industry continued to express a growing demand for tailored casualty insurance solutions, particularly for high-risk industries like construction and healthcare.
The most urgent action for brokers coming out of the event is to prioritize partnerships with carrier partners that offer both stability and innovation, especially given the shifting capacity landscape.
Transportation
The transportation insurance market is undergoing significant changes, which was a key focus for the event. As these shifts continue to reshape the landscape, understanding how to navigate these shifts effectively will be key to maintaining a competitive edge and delivering value to clients.
We continued to hear that fleet business is experiencing growth and hit rates are declining despite an increase in submissions. Conversation at the event focused on this trend, highlighting the need for brokers to refine their strategies and find ways to convert more opportunities into successful placements.
Conversations about how to navigate market shifts focused on leveraging data and technology to gain deeper insights into client needs and market trends. By using advanced tools and analytics, brokers can improve hit rates, tailor solutions more effectively and strengthen relationships with both clients and carrier partners. In this evolving market, staying proactive and innovative will be essential for success.
Property
One of the key takeaways from the event was the reminder that we have options. With a strategic approach, brokers can still secure great solutions for their clients, even in today's market. The message was clear: Options are a good thing for buyers. It's not about lower rates equating to less value, it's about finding the right fit for each client's unique needs.
Even in a low-rate environment, there are still plenty of opportunities to explore. The focus should be on leveraging creativity and strategy to uncover those opportunities and present clients with tailored solutions that work for them. It was an encouraging discussion that reinforced the importance of staying proactive and resourceful in this ever-changing landscape.
Executive Lines
Coming out of the event, there's plenty to share with clients, but the standout message is the abundance of capacity in the Executive Lines market, which is driving down pricing — particularly in private-company Directors and Officers (D&O). That said, certain industries like entertainment, gambling and crypto remain tough to navigate, presenting unique challenges for brokers and carriers alike.
The most urgent takeaway for brokers is the need to focus on delivering tailored, high-quality coverage rather than competing solely on price. It's all about starting with the insured's operations and claims history, then marketing broadly to secure the best fit. This approach ensures clients get the coverage they truly need, rather than just the cheapest option available.
It surprised some to hear that despite the soft market, service expectations and the demand for deep product expertise have never been higher. Brokers are being pushed to address emerging claims scenarios and legal developments, which means staying ahead of the curve and continuously refining their knowledge.
Another topic that everyone seemed to be talking about was the impact of limited IPO activity on public D&O pricing. With fewer companies going public, carriers are competing aggressively on mature renewal business, which is further driving down rates. It's a fascinating dynamic that's reshaping the market and creating opportunities for brokers to deliver value in new ways.
Healthcare
The event was packed with healthcare insights, but one topic that everyone seemed to be talking about was the growing impact of nuclear verdicts. These massive jury awards are hitting hospitals, social services and residential care facilities particularly hard, with abuse-related claims and shifting jury expectations driving up claim values across the board. It's a trend that's reshaping the liability landscape and creating significant challenges for carriers and brokers alike.
As we reflect on the event, it's clear that healthcare liability carriers are facing mounting pressure. Unsustainable loss ratios, nuclear verdicts and rising labor costs are all contributing to shrinking capacity in critical areas like physicians, staffing firms and correctional care. It's a tough market, and understanding these dynamics will be key to navigating it effectively.
An unexpected takeaway was learning more about the resilience of allied healthcare segments like outpatient services, home health and pharmacies. Despite the broader challenges in the healthcare liability space, these areas continue to attract competition and maintain rate stability. It's a bright spot in an otherwise tough market and a reminder that opportunities still exist if you know where to look.
Post-event, it's clear that brokers should prioritize early engagement and strong renewal narratives are absolutely essential to securing better outcomes for clients. In this challenging environment, it's all about being proactive and crafting compelling stories that highlight the value and stability of your clients' operations.
Smaller Accounts
Within smaller accounts, the E&S marketplace continues to grow with lots of available capacity. However, as the market softens, retail agents could see rates increase to keep up with rising claims costs.
A key conversation topic throughout the conference was the focus on retaining renewals as we move in 2026.
In Closing
It's clear that this industry will never stand still. The WSIA 2025 Annual Marketplace truly showcased the resilience, innovation and adaptability of the wholesale insurance sector, with actionable insights across various lines of business. As the industry continues to navigate shifting landscapes, knowledge is power.
