CIWA Launches Women's Network and Insurtech Initiative

The California Insurance Wholesalers Association (CIWA), a trade body representing insurance intermediaries who place coverage for risks that standard insurers decline, has established two new strategic initiatives aimed at addressing industry challenges.

The organisation has launched CIWA Women, focused on professional development, and an InsurTech Committee designed to bridge the gap between traditional insurance operations and digital innovation.

Focus on representation

CIWA Women has been created to support female professionals in the property and casualty insurance sector, with a particular emphasis on the excess and surplus (E&S) lines market, which handles non-standard risks through specialised underwriting channels.

The initiative will be chaired by CIWA President Yana Connors, who has assembled a committee of industry professionals including representatives from Paragon Insurance Holdings, a programme manager and specialty insurance broker; Seneca Insurance Company, a commercial lines underwriter; UFG Specialty, a subsidiary of United Fire Group offering E&S products; Monarch E&S, a wholesale insurance broker; The Insurance Journal, an industry publication; and Pacific Inspections, a property inspection service.

“CIWA Women strives to provide a dedicated and supportive space within the California wholesale market to foster networking, mentorship, and professional growth,” says Yana.

The committee plans to organise an in-person event centred on professional development, with potential expansion into virtual workshops and mentorship programmes in future phases of the initiative.

Technology integration

In parallel, CIWA has formed an InsurTech Committee to address the integration of technology in insurance operations. InsurTech, a portmanteau of insurance and technology, refers to the use of technological innovations designed to extract efficiencies from current insurance models or create new technology-driven approaches to insurance.

The committee brings together professionals from both technology firms and traditional insurance operations to collaborate on solutions that enhance core insurance functions.

Garett Kaneko, CIWA Vice President, will chair the InsurTech Committee. The group aims to create a forum where industry professionals can evaluate emerging systems and tools, particularly those that augment underwriting processes, distribution channels, and customer experiences.

Industry adaptation

These initiatives reflect broader trends in the insurance sector, where technology adoption and workforce diversity have become strategic priorities. 

The E&S market, which operates outside the admitted insurance market and is not subject to rate and form regulations, has experienced significant growth in recent years due to increasing risk complexity and the withdrawal of standard market capacity in certain lines.

For wholesale brokers, who serve as intermediaries between retail brokers and E&S insurance carriers, staying current with technological advancements and developing diverse leadership pipelines have become essential for maintaining competitive positions.

The formation of these committees aligns with CIWA's stated mission to support the professional development of its members while advocating for the interests of the wholesale insurance sector in California.

“Our industry is continuously adapting to new technological advancements,” says Garett. 

“Through the InsurTech Committee, we're building a collaborative environment where industry professionals can navigate the steady stream of new systems and tools, finding innovative ways to enhance underwriting, distribution, and the customer experience.”

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