Industry’s Best Agents and Brokers Attend Annual Napa Meeting

Seventy of our most successful distribution partners and their guests gathered with us at the Silverado Resort in Napa, California, for three days of education, networking, and leisure activities. Held September 3–5, the “Power of Partnership” event featured intriguing presentations from company leaders from The Doctors Company and TDC Group and special guest speaker Brynn Winegard, PhD, MBA, HBSc, a multi–award-winning professor, speaker, and global expert in applied neuroscience and positive psychology for business professionals.

The presentations included:

• Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, Chairman and CEO of The Doctors Company and TDC Group, provided TDC Group news updates and industry highlights. Among topics Dr. Anderson spoke about were: TDC Group’s strategic priorities for 2025–2030; rate strategies and financial performance of The Doctors Company; a growing member count and breakdown by specialty; The Doctors Company’s anticipated acquisition of ProAssurance; artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine; industry consolidation both in healthcare and insurance; medical professional liability (MPL) claims and the impact of nuclear ($10 million or more) and thermonuclear ($100 million or more) verdicts; and healthcare spending in 2025 and the retrenching of retail medicine.
• Deepika Srivastava, MBA, PMP, Chief Operating Officer of The Doctors Company, gave updates on the current MPL business environment, market concentration, and consolidation; The Doctors Company’s 2025 strategic priorities and an operational update, highlighting claims and underwriting innovation; and how our strong business relationships with our distribution partners will help us expand our reach and strengthen our future together.
• Laura Kline, MBA, CPCU, CIC, Regional Operating Officer of The Doctors Company, Region II, and Senior Vice President of TDC Group Business Development, centered her presentation around scaling success. Laura spoke about the healthcare segments served by TDC Group and agent/broker premium distribution channels; how consolidation continues to transform the agent/broker distribution landscape, citing large recent acquisitions; and scaling revenue and rewarding agent/broker performance through various sales incentives and tools.
• Laura Archer, CPCU, Vice President of The Doctors Company’s Region III Underwriting, reviewed technology advancements implemented to improve submission turnaround times, including a centralized inbox for applications of 10 or fewer risks and add-ons, and the availability and usefulness of the quick quote tool available in the portal; explained the preferred process for agent of record (AOR) and broker of record (BOR) submissions; and the goal of reaching 80 percent of underwriting automation through technology-assisted underwriting.
• Satvinder Kaur, MBA, The Doctors Company’s Vice President of Digital Distribution and Program Management, announced the initiative to lead the malpractice insurance industry by delivering seamless, secure, and intelligent digital experiences that elevate member, agent/broker, and prospect engagement while driving operational efficiency and innovation. The initiative is supported by technological advancements to the portal platforms, such as the new agent dashboard; various advanced practice clinician (APC) and dental platform enhancements; the upcoming incorporation of Ivans electronic document delivery; newly designed, streamlined invoices and expanded acceptance of payment methods; and the introduction of express applications.
• Lonnie Hill, The Doctors Company’s Director of Digital Distribution and Program Management, talked about our response to the evolving healthcare environment and market needs back in 2022 by launching a stand-alone APC program that utilizes a credentialed integrated underwriting platform. This was a necessary market reaction for two reasons:

1. An increasing number of states allowing APCs to practice independently
2. A growing awareness among APCs that it may be in their best interest to protect themselves with additional coverage outside of what their employer provides

Lonnie also discussed digital application enhancements made for APC and dental lead referrals and further improvements agents and brokers can expect in the next year, in addition to a segment expansion to include more healthcare professionals in 2026.

• Brynn Winegard, PhD, MBA, HBSc, known to most as Dr. Brynn, currently ranked by iMotion Global Research as one of the top three human behavior thought leaders in the industry, gave a fascinating presentation about “Neuroselling: The Brain Science of Persuasion, Influence, and Driving Non-Coercive Compliance,” that delved into the thought processes, appearances, body language, and key drivers of emotional influence and reaction during the sales process.

After the presentations concluded, attendees connected during a networking power hour that included cocktails and conversations with Dr. Brynn and the opportunity to meet with various TDC Group and The Doctors Company experts from Government Relations, Patient Safety and Risk Management, Business Development, and Marketing.

Meeting presentations and a photo gallery of the event are now available in the Agent/Broker Area of The Doctors Company website.

The Annual Agents and Brokers Meeting included a garden party–themed welcome reception at the Silverado Resort, dinner at the upscale Paraduxx Winery, a pickleball and golf tournament along with other optional wellness activities, the opportunity for business meetings with key company leaders, and a winery lunch at Cliff Lede Vineyards.

Each year, the Annual Agents and Brokers Meeting is open to Chairman’s Circle and Key Agencies that have met the qualifying criteria. Look for updates about next year’s event in future issues of The Agent’s Advocate.