2019 Break Out Awards, West: Nick Kuchulis
Posted On: Jun. 1, 2019 12:00 AM CST
NICK KUCHULIS
Senior vice president-broker
Brown & Riding Insurance Services Inc.
Los Angeles
Age: 34
Nick Kuchulis started out in the insurance field in 2006 while in college, working a summer internship in New York for Willis Group Holdings PLC in its construction division. He continued the Willis internship in its Arizona office while going to Arizona State University. In 2007, prior to graduating, he was recruited by broker Brown & Riding Insurance Services Inc. and has remained there, specializing in coverage for action sports, construction accounts and product liability.
What is the No. 1 concern in your specialty?
The market has gone away a bit from true E&S business. More markets are coming in. In 2007, when I came in, the underwriters had authority. Today no one has authority. Another concern is that baby boomers now are retiring rapidly. There is a concern that the insurance industry is not the most attractive business.
How do you see your job changing over the next 10 years?
The speed is so vast. I’m very interested to see how things will play out over the next 10 years on my side of the business. How are online platforms going to play out, for example, in the construction and amusement worlds? Within my niche, there will be more out-of-the-box insurance, where someone can go online and buy an insurance policy.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the business?
Work for different lines of insurance such as the retail side and the wholesale side to really see what is the best side. Most importantly, learn, learn and learn.
What surprised you about the insurance industry?
It would be how really important the insurance industry is. Everyone absolutely must have insurance coverage. It is to have a defense when something happens.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’m pretty outspoken, and I am very public.