Nationwide Appoints Bobbie Goldie as Division Head, IBHS Expands Wildfire Program, and More Insurance Updates
Nationwide has appointed Bobbie Goldie to lead its private company management liability and cyber liability divisions, reporting directly to Tom Iorio, the Senior Vice President of Management Liability and Specialty at Nationwide. Goldie brings extensive experience from her previous role at IAT, where she revitalized the moving and storage division amidst a challenging commercial auto market and also spearheaded corporate distribution. Her prior industry roles include leadership positions at Chubb and work with brokerages such as Hays Companies, Arthur J. Gallagher, and Willis. Tom Iorio praised Goldie's track record, highlighting her ability to foster growth and innovation in her new role.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has extended its Wildfire Prepared designation program, now covering an additional 10 states, expanding from its initial scope of California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oregon. The program is designed to help homeowners mitigate wildfire risks through two distinct designation levels: Wildfire Prepared Home and Wildfire Prepared Home Plus, offering increasing levels of protection. This expansion includes states such as Arizona, Colorado, and Texas, among others. Steve Hawks, IBHS Senior Director for Wildfire, emphasized the significance of ongoing mitigation measures for improving a structure’s survival odds and enhancing insurability. The program, based on IBHS research, supports homeowners in achieving designations by completing recommended actions verified by a third party.
The Connecticut State Senate has confirmed Josh Hershman as the Commissioner of the Connecticut Insurance Department following a favorable vote on Senate Resolution 8. Having served as interim commissioner since December, Hershman previously acted as deputy commissioner, focusing on modernizing departmental operations. His professional background includes roles as CEO of a life insurance carrier and leadership in a national insurance data standards initiative. Commissioner Hershman expressed his commitment to enhancing the availability and affordability of insurance while fostering market innovation, reflecting his strategic vision for his tenure.
The New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) has introduced a Policy Mobile App for workers' compensation policyholders. The application, available on both Android and iOS platforms, facilitates the management of insurance policies via mobile devices. Features include viewing statements, managing insurance certificates, and direct communication with underwriters. Gaurav Vasisht, NYSIF's Executive Director and CEO, stated that the app is intended to streamline access and functionality for policyholders, enabling them to manage their insurance needs more effectively.
ReSource Pro has launched new AI orchestration and data services designed for insurance carriers, aimed at optimizing operational decisions that vary in complexity. Dan Epstein Tagger, CEO of ReSource Pro, highlighted the firm’s investment in capturing extensive industry knowledge to provide scalable solutions. Concurrently, ReSource Pro announced that Michael Costonis will join as President of Insurance Business Services. With 26 years of experience at Accenture, including leadership in global insurance practices, Costonis will spearhead the integration of data, workflows, systems, and AI within a cohesive operational framework.