NAPSLO's Brady Kelley: More capital = more innovation in E&S lines

NAPSLO executive director Brady Kelley, left, and Shawn Moynihan, Editor-In-Chief of National Underwriter Property & Casualty, chat during the association's annual convention in Atlanta.

Q: Last year, the record-breaking attendance you had at NAPSLO’s annual conference in San Diego seemed to set the tone that business was gathering steam again, and the sentiment among those with whom we spoke seemed to be that “This is a good time to be in Excess & Surplus lines.” How would you characterize the overall mood this year? What are you seeing and hearing, and how would you characterize the state of the industry from your own perspective?

All of the numbers are up: Attendance here has again increased this year; A.M. Best’s report is out, indicating continued growth in surplus lines premium; we see continued strength in surplus lines ratings … things are on the rise. We see continued growth in 2014 surplus lines premiums, and the stats reported by stamping offices has also been very favorable. I also continue to see the optimism, hear the positive comments about the industry—and it’s still a very good business to be in.