The Insurance Lab

Habits of Habitability: How Not to Get Sued by Your Tenants

Let’s be honest—habitability claims are the stuff of landlord nightmares. One broken pipe or a little mildew behind the fridge, and suddenly you’re starring in a lawsuit you didn’t audition for. In this episode, we’re talking about how to avoid that mess altogether—and what to do when it shows up anyway.   Joining me are two guys who deal with this stuff for a living:   * Anthony Marinaccio, a real estate attorney who specializes in defending landlords. He knows the playbook tenants' attorneys use—and how to beat it with preparation, documentation, and a little common sense.   * Michael Freeman, Senior Vice President at Philadelphia Insurance Companies. He’s the insurance industry vet who’s seen every claim, every mistake, and every "how-did-this-even-happen?" moment—and he’ll break down what insurance carriers actually care about when evaluating these risks.   We’ll cover the key mistakes that get landlords into trouble, the systems that help you stay out of court, and how to set yourself up to win the fight if one comes your way. If you own or manage property and want to avoid drama, lawsuits, and policy cancellations—this one’s for you. https://media.hgitservices.com/Habitability/TenantHabitabilityGuide.pdf

Guarded Risks: Why Security Insurance Isn’t for the Faint of Heart

In this episode of The Insurance Lab, I sit down with Zach Catanese and Chris Dewey, two specialists in one of the most stressful sectors: security insurance.  We talk about the complicated, high-stakes world of insuring companies tasked with “observe and report”... and sometimes, unfortunately, “intervene and get sued.” From drive cam systems to contract redlines, we dig into how to underwrite smarter, train better, and survive the hard market with your sanity, and your book, intact.

Navigating Today’s Difficult Commercial Real Estate Insurance and the Capitol Markets Financial Markets for Real Estate

In this special livestream episode of The Insurance Lab, we dive into today’s most pressing topics in commercial real estate, insurance, and capital markets with longtime friends and industry leaders Malcolm Davies, Jon Spelke, and myself, Ben Stern. Together, we bring deep insights into capital markets and structured finance, and break down how federal policies and evolving risk strategies are shaping the insurance landscape today. From the impact of shifting interest rates to the value of strategic risk-taking, this episode offers candid takes, expert commentary, and real-time audience Q&A. Plus, don’t miss some lighthearted moments, including our March Madness bracket chat, woven throughout the conversation. Whether you’re navigating market volatility or simply curious about the intersection of finance and insurance, this episode delivers clarity, camaraderie, and actionable insight. #insurancelab #commercialrealestate #capitalmarkets #insurancebroker #federalpolicy

The Unexpected Path to Power & Influence – Judy Jernudd’s Story

In this first episode of Insurance Lab, I sit down with my good friend Judy Jernudd, an executive coach, media expert, and founder of The Jernudd Company and COBE. Judy’s career has taken her from working with Liberace to interviewing legends like Oprah Winfrey and Bill Clinton, and now she helps leaders sharpen their executive presence and build powerful brands. We talk about the lessons she learned early on working in her family’s restaurant, the unexpected twists that led her to television and coaching, and the evolving role of AI in business. Judy shares invaluable insights on influence, leadership, and we speak on the importance of being relatable, especially with younger generations. This conversation is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss.  #insurancelab #judyjernudd #television #leadership #influence