Happy hump day, !

This week we dive into the rising cost of dental care, with 13% of adults skipping necessary visits due to expense, as policymakers and insurers seek solutions to bridge the growing gap in affordable coverage.

By 2035, with nearly 70% of vehicles connected to the internet, auto insurance will shift from reactive to predictive, leveraging real-time data for risk modeling, pricing, and fraud detection, while grappling with challenges like data privacy and cybersecurity.

By 2034, AI-driven risk assessment is estimated to propel the insurance market to $141 billion, slashing operational costs by 40% while meeting rising customer demands for personalized products—making AI not just an advantage, but a necessity for insurers to stay competitive.

— Insurance 150 Team

Table of Contents

• Data Dive

• Trend of the Week

• Market Movers

• Insurtech Corner

• Deal of the Week

• Macroeconomics

• Interesting Articles

• Tweet of the Week

The Hidden Cost of Skipping the Dentist

For millions of Americans, the biggest pain at the dentist isn’t the drill, it’s the bill. A staggering 13% of adults skipped necessary dental care last year due to cost, with seniors (11%) and working-age adults (17%) feeling the crunch the most. Despite growing recognition of oral health’s link to overall wellness, dental insurance remains an afterthought, often trailing behind medical coverage in affordability and accessibility.

Meanwhile, dental insurance premiums have quietly risen 22% since 2017, further complicating access for those who need it most. The result? A growing demand for innovative, cost-effective coverage models, whether through employer plans, public-private partnerships, or policy reform.

As insurers and policymakers navigate these challenges, the question remains: Who will step up to bridge the gap before more Americans bite the financial bullet and forgo essential care?

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AI is the Underwriter Now

AI in insurance isn’t just growing—it’s detonating. By 2034, AI-driven risk assessment and automation will push the market to a staggering $141 billion, up from just $8.1 billion today. That’s an eye-opening 33% CAGR, fueled by insurers betting big on AI to transform underwriting, claims processing, and fraud detection.

The payoff? A 40% drop in operational costs by 2030 and massively improved productivity. But it’s not just about efficiency—80% of customers now expect personalized insurance products, and AI is the only way to meet that demand at scale. The industry’s winners will be those who integrate AI seamlessly, using machine learning and predictive analytics to refine risk models and optimize pricing.

Meanwhile, the laggards? They’ll be stuck with rising costs, outdated risk models, and a customer base that’s moving on. AI isn’t a competitive advantage anymore—it’s table stakes. Insurers that don’t move fast will find themselves in the history books, not the balance sheets.

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The Road Ahead: How Connected Vehicles Are Reshaping Insurance

By 2035, nearly 70% of all vehicles will be connected to the internet, generating real-time data that will revolutionize risk modeling, claims processing, and underwriting. That’s a massive leap from just 17% in 2021, and insurers need to prepare.

Why does this matter? Telematics and AI-powered analytics will shift auto insurance from reactive to predictive. With direct access to driving behaviors, insurers can fine-tune pricing, detect fraud faster, and streamline claims. But it’s not just about opportunity—data privacy, cybersecurity risks, and regulatory concerns will be major hurdles as connectivity expands.

For insurers, the playbook is clear: embrace data-driven underwriting or risk being left behind. The future of auto insurance won’t be built in spreadsheets,it’ll be driven by real-time vehicle data.

Miller Builds an M&A Fortress in London

Miller just went big on M&A risk, launching its new M&A and Strategic Solutions (MASS) team in London with three senior hires: Andrew Johnson, Edwina Charlton, and Rupert Newman. Their goal? To carve out a full-service transactional risk, tax, and contingent liability insurance practice outside North America.

Why it matters: Global M&A hit a 16-year low in 2024, but with a predicted rebound—especially in the U.S.—Miller is positioning itself ahead of the curve. As risk strategies evolve, specialized insurance solutions are more crucial than ever.

Zoom out: With rising foreign interest in the U.S. excess and surplus (E&S) market and American insurers eyeing underpriced assets abroad, Miller’s expansion is timely.

In partnership with Range

Optimize Your Wealth Like You Optimize Deals.

Most people think wealth management is just about investments.

Your wealth is more than just your portfolio—it’s your entire financial picture. That’s why Range built a modern, all-in-one platform that helps high-earning households manage everything from investments to tax strategy, real estate, and equity compensation—all for a single flat fee.

Ready for a smarter approach to wealth management?

Book a complimentary demo and take control of your financial future.

Tariff-Induced Tetris: The Supply Chain Shuffle

Remember 2021’s supply-chain nightmares? They're back—this time with a tariff-fueled twist. Importers scrambled to front-load shipments ahead of Trump's proposed 25% blanket tariffs on Canada and Mexico, plus an additional 10% on China. The result? Port congestion, soaring air freight costs, and manufacturing overtime surges.

The inventory hoarding isn't done yet, which should keep freight rates elevated in the near term. But here’s the kicker: while supply-chain stress won’t push inflation higher, the tariffs themselves will, with core inflation now projected to exceed 3% in 2025. Meanwhile, businesses are eyeing Southeast Asia as an alternative, though retaliatory tariffs could quickly close that door.

Bottom line: The "tariff whiplash" effect is real. Net trade is expected to drag GDP down by 2 percentage points in Q1, offset only slightly by inventory stockpiling. Buckle up, because the supply chain rollercoaster isn’t stopping anytime soon!

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"To be successful, you must accept all challenges that come your way. You can't just accept the ones you like"

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