Q1 2026 Carrier Updates (What You Need to Know)

As we close out the first quarter of 2026, are we still in a hard market, or are things beginning to soften?

In this episode of The Independent Roadmap, co-hosts James Roberts and John Scheer share exclusive insights from their recent meetings with national partner carriers. Whether you are focused on personal or commercial lines, understanding carrier appetite is critical to growing your book of business this year.

In this episode, we cover:

• Personal Lines: Why "profitability" is the buzzword for 2026, how carriers are navigating recent Midwest wildfires, and why we are finally seeing expanded guidelines for roof ages (up to 15-20 years in the Midwest!).
• Commercial Lines: The return of Habitational (HAB) products to standard carriers from the E&S space, the extremely soft Workers' Comp market, and expanding property appetites.
• Industry News: Updates on Liberty Mutual taking on State Auto products and Safeco rebranding.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve and maximize your market access, this episode is a must-listen.

Resources Mentioned:

• Connect with James Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-roberts-kc/
• Connect with John Scheer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scheer-lincoln/
• Attend the next SIAA Informational Session: https://www.siaa.com/introduction-to-siaa-webinar/

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