Articles by Amy K. O'Connor

O'Connor is a veteran freelance and insurance journalist based in California.

Insurance Leader Paul Hammack Remembered for Industry Passion, Vision

Friends, family and insurance colleagues of Paul Hammack gathered in Sacramento, California, in May to honor the life of the 30-year industry veteran, who was tragically killed in a car accident on Dec. 14, 2022. Nearly 500 people packed two …

Hotel Industry Pushes Through as Insurance, Economic Uncertainty Builds

A busy summer travel season provided a much-needed boost to the hotel industry but rising insurance costs and other economic factors threaten to undermine the sector’s ongoing recovery. After nearly three years of losses related to COVID-19, hotel industry revenue …

How Talent Chiefs Led Through the Pandemic

For insurance leaders tasked with managing their organization’s human capital, the COVID-19 pandemic presented myriad challenges around employee safety and wellness, and transformed their workplace responsibilities in ways they never anticipated. From navigating the shift to fully remote work, to …

10 Emerging Risks to Watch

Insurance Journal examined industries experiencing changes and a few challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic forces and tough insurance market conditions in 2021. Here are 10 industry sectors that could see new and emerging risks in 2022 and beyond. …

WSIA’s Diversity, Inclusion Director Sees Industry Progress, Commitment to Change

In its commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the insurance industry, the Wholesale and Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) recently hired Vanessa Sims as its first director of DE&I. According to the association, Sims will help support and develop …

WSIA’s Diversity, Inclusion Director Sees Industry Progress, Commitment to Change

In an effort to continue its commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the insurance industry, the Wholesale and Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) recently hired Vanessa Sims as its first director of DE&I. According to the association, Sims will …

Wholesale Brokers Look to Continue Offering Value While Addressing Talent Gap

The wholesale insurance market continues to grow premiums while providing value to retail agents and important options to their customers, according to a report commissioned by the Wholesale and Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA). But the segment must face the challenge …

Attention Young Professionals: Wholesale Insurance Is ‘Where the Magic Happens’

According to wholesale insurance executives, their segment of the property/casualty insurance industry is more exciting and fulfilling than other sectors of the industry. It’s also full of potential for young insurance professionals starting out in the current hard market and …

Wholesale Brokers Look to Continue Offering Value While Addressing Talent Gap

The wholesale insurance market continues to grow premiums while providing value to retail agents and important options to their customers, according to a report commissioned by the Wholesale and Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA). But the segment must face the challenge …