USG Insurance Services, Inc. is pleased to welcome Jeremy Hernandez as an Underwriter in its Houston, Texas office. Jeremy will be working under the leadership of Jodi Berger, Executive Vice President: Regional Manager. In this role, he will help drive underwriting excellence and support strategic growth initiatives throughout the region. Jeremy brings with him a broad and diverse professional background, including more than three years of underwriting experience at Bass Underwriters, where he managed new and renewal commercial lines business within company guidelines to ensure profitability. With a solid foundation in risk assessment, agency service, and underwriting compliance, he is known for his attention to detail, strong work ethic, and ability to build collaborative relationships with agents and internal teams alike. Prior to entering the insurance industry, Jeremy gained extensive logistics and dispatch experience at both COSCO Shipping Lines and Hapag-Lloyd AG, managing high-volume import/export shipments and specialized cargo across North America. He also holds certifications in fire safety and emergency medical services, having served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Atascocita, TX. Jeremy earned his Associate in Insurance (AINS) designation and holds certifications in Firefighting and EMT-B. His diverse skill set, combined with his proactive approach and service-oriented mindset, makes him a valuable addition to the USG team. At USG, Jeremy will utilize his underwriting knowledge and risk management expertise to support agency partners with tailored insurance solutions and further strengthen USG’s presence in the region. This move is the most recent change that USG has implemented in its plan to continue expanding its operations nationally as a leading wholesaler brokerage firm. USG is a national wholesale broker and managing general agent (MGA) with offices throughout the country. USG represents 300+ A-rated carriers, both admitted and non-admitted, and is an MGA for multiple top carriers, writing business in all states. USG's mission is to become the #1 provider of innovative solutions for the risk management industry — exceeding expectations with its advanced technology, creative problem-solving, and research capabilities. Get the latest insurance market updates and discover exclusive program opportunities at ProgramBusiness.com. 

India’s government has initiated preliminary discussions with local insurers to develop a nationwide climate-linked insurance program, designed to streamline payouts following extreme weather events, including floods and heatwaves.

The proposed model would adopt parametric insurance, which provides pre-determined payouts once specific weather thresholds — such as rainfall, temperature, or wind speed — are exceeded. Unlike traditional insurance, which requires detailed loss assessments that can take years, parametric models enable faster disbursement and can extend coverage to regions where conventional insurance products are limited.

If implemented, India could become one of the first major economies to establish a national climate parametric insurance scheme. The move may also help reduce government expenditure on disaster relief, as insurers would assume a greater share of climate-related risks. “We’ve seen the frequency and severity of adverse climate events go up, and based on that, this discussion with the government also started,” said Ramaswamy Narayanan, former chairperson of state-run reinsurer GIC Re, who was involved in the early talks before retiring last week.

According to government sources, the National Disaster Management Authority, the finance ministry, and GIC Re are collaborating with top insurers to explore coverage structures and funding mechanisms. Although no formal proposal has been introduced yet, officials have confirmed that discussions are ongoing. The finance ministry, disaster management agency, and India’s insurance regulator (IRDAI) did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Global Context and Precedents

Interest in parametric insurance has been increasing worldwide. In 2023, Fiji became the first Pacific Island nation to adopt a sovereign parametric policy for tropical cyclone coverage. Financial tools to mitigate climate risk are also expected to be a central topic at the upcoming COP30 summit in Brazil this November, under the United Nations Environment Programme’s finance initiative.

India’s Climate Vulnerability

India ranks sixth globally in climate vulnerability, according to the Germanwatch Global Climate Risk Index 2025, which analyzed events between 1993 and 2022. Over that period, the country experienced more than 400 extreme weather events, resulting in at least 80,000 deaths and an estimated $180 billion in economic losses.

Recent years have seen extensive damage across key agricultural regions, such as Punjab and Assam, due to flooding. Meanwhile, states like Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir have faced flash floods and landslides that have destroyed infrastructure and homes.

Funding Considerations

The federal government is examining various financing options for the potential scheme. These include drawing from existing disaster relief funds or applying minimal charges to utility bills to fund premiums. One government official suggested that small deductions could be incorporated into municipal billing systems, allowing insurers to form consortia with local authorities to manage coverage.

State-Level Pilots and Initiatives

Several Indian states have already tested or initiated parametric insurance programs independently:

• In 2024, a group of 50,000 self-employed women in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra received $5 payouts when temperatures exceeded 40°C between May 18 and May 25.
• The northeastern state of Nagaland, which obtained disaster risk coverage from SBI General Insurance in 2024, received its first payout of $119,000 in May 2025 following excessive rainfall.
• The Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation introduced a parametric plan to support cattle farmers facing losses from reduced milk production during extreme heat.

Industry executives report that these pilot efforts are encouraging wider discussions. “States are looking at a window for medium-term implementation. These conversations are gathering pace, and every insurance company is attentive to opportunities,” said a senior executive at a leading private insurer.

India’s exploration of a national parametric insurance framework reflects growing efforts to develop financial tools that provide faster, more predictable support for communities affected by climate change. While discussions remain at an early stage, both public and private stakeholders are signaling strong interest in advancing the initiative.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve — explore more industry insights and program opportunities at ProgramBusiness.com.  

DOXA has announced the promotion of Kevin Wall to president, a move designed to enhance the organization’s leadership agility and support its continued growth as a community of excellence.

Wall, one of the company’s early leadership team members, previously served as chief financial officer for eight years. In his new role, he will oversee multiple business vertical teams, underwriting and product launches, and key enterprise functions such as People & Culture and Marketing. Wall brings more than 15 years of experience in financial forecasting and corporate finance strategy to his expanded position.

“Continuing to work with the familiar, talented people at DOXA is rewarding and allows us to quickly improve business units,” said Wall. “I am extremely thankful to lead this incredible team that stays committed to raising the specialty insurance bar and seeing our brands grow.”

DOXA was founded to unite specialized insurance experts in creating diverse solutions for complex business risks. During his tenure, Wall’s leadership has contributed to growth across DOXA’s managing general agents (MGAs) and managing general underwriters (MGUs) through strategic prioritization of organic and inorganic opportunities. His promotion to president is seen as a natural progression in strengthening the company’s leadership and providing broader operational support to its managing entities.

Before joining DOXA in 2017, Wall served as director and senior financial analyst at Aon Affinity.

“Seeing Kevin’s contributions to DOXA for nearly 10 years tells me he has more to achieve with longtime and new coworkers,” said Matt Sackett, CEO of DOXA Insurance Holdings. “Kevin is a shining example of our internal mission to spur more organic growth, and I know all of us are eager to further collaborate with Kevin and support him in this new role to which he is well-suited.”

Wall will continue to serve as chief financial officer while DOXA identifies his successor. He succeeds Joe Guerrero, who will now transition to the role of chief underwriting and product officer.

About DOXA
DOXA is an award-winning specialty insurance platform that acquires and grows niche-market-focused program administrators, underwriting, and distribution companies, including MGAs, MGUs, brokers, and direct-to-consumer operators. The company fosters a community of excellence where partners collaborate with carriers and agents to deliver specialized solutions for diverse business risks. By combining deep vertical knowledge, operational agility, and human integrity, DOXA aims to create collective excellence across the specialty insurance ecosystem. For more information, visit www.DOXA.com.

Get the latest insurance market updates and discover exclusive program opportunities at ProgramBusiness.com.