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Crane Talk

Ron Thompson, Gene Greiner

16 episodes

1 month ago

This episode of Crane Talk features Aaron Jackson, EVP of Redstone Underwriters, providing an underwriter’s perspective on the challenges facing crane and rigging insurance. He unpacks the impact of social inflation, third-party litigation funding, and shrinking capacity in the casualty market. The discussion highlights practical tools like cameras, telematics, and strong contracts, along with emerging AI applications that are reshaping underwriting. Jackson underscores how early data submiss...

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Society & Culture,

All content for Crane Talk is the property of Ron Thompson, Gene Greiner and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

This episode of Crane Talk features Aaron Jackson, EVP of Redstone Underwriters, providing an underwriter’s perspective on the challenges facing crane and rigging insurance. He unpacks the impact of social inflation, third-party litigation funding, and shrinking capacity in the casualty market. The discussion highlights practical tools like cameras, telematics, and strong contracts, along with emerging AI applications that are reshaping underwriting. Jackson underscores how early data submiss...

Show more...

Society & Culture,

Episodes (16/16)

Crane Talk

Social Inflation and the Crane Industry’s Insurance Crisis with Aaron Jackson

This episode of Crane Talk features Aaron Jackson, EVP of Redstone Underwriters, providing an underwriter’s perspective on the challenges facing crane and rigging insurance. He unpacks the impact of social inflation, third-party litigation funding, and shrinking capacity in the casualty market. The discussion highlights practical tools like cameras, telematics, and strong contracts, along with emerging AI applications that are reshaping underwriting. Jackson underscores how early data submiss...

1 month ago

1 hour 1 minute

Crane Talk

What Safety Culture Looks Like When It Actually Works with Laura Schoefer

Laura Schoefer, Senior Vice President of Claims at DUAL Specialty Construction & Transport, joins Crane Talk to share how she helped reimagine safety from a dry compliance function into a powerful company culture asset. From near-miss reporting campaigns to marketing safety wins, Laura’s team brings a creative, proactive approach that resonates with their workforce and clients alike. We dive into how communication strategy and human-centered leadership can lead to scaling a company's safe...

4 months ago

55 minutes

Crane Talk

Insurance is Breaking—Here’s What Smart Crane Operators Are Doing with Jason Baynard

Jason Baynard, an Inland Marine underwriter at AmWINS, joins Crane Talk to unpack the volatile world of heavy iron insurance. From his early days at Chubb to building custom underwriting programs, Jason has seen it all—and has strong opinions about what makes crane companies stand out today. We cover the difference between first-party and third-party coverage, the real-world impact of nuclear verdicts, and how tort reform is slowly reshaping the legal landscape. Jason explains how to make yo...

5 months ago

40 minutes

Crane Talk

How Texas Laws Are Shaping the Future of Construction

In this packed solo episode of Crane Talk, Ron and Gean dig into the Texas legislative session and what it means for crane operators, contractors, and heavy equipment companies. With nearly 8,000 bills under review, the team spotlights critical legislation that could impact everything from payment timelines and contract fairness to venue jurisdiction and incorporation-by-reference clauses. They also take on the issue of nuclear verdicts—disproportionately large legal settlements that are spik...

7 months ago

55 minutes

Crane Talk

Cost of Cranes: Rising Prices and Market Pressures with Craig Martin

The tower crane industry is feeling the squeeze—rising costs, increasing competition, and the ever-evolving world of construction are putting companies to the test. In this episode of Crane Talk, Craig Martin, from Sun Crain & Hoist, joins the cast to discuss the state of the tower crane market, including the impact of rising interest rates, tighter financing requirements, and shifting demand for high-rise buildings. From safety innovations and liability concerns to the struggles of stayi...

8 months ago

1 hour 15 minutes

Crane Talk

Why Social Inflation is Driving Insurance Rates Up with Billy Smith

In this episode of Crane Talk, Billy Smith, Executive Vice President at NBIS, takes listeners through his extraordinary career in the crane and rigging industry. From his early days as a crane operator to leading safety and risk management initiatives across the U.S. and Canada, Billy's wealth of knowledge provides valuable insights into navigating the complexities of the industry. He explains how insurance premiums are shaped by jurisdictional differences, liability laws, and social inflatio...

10 months ago

1 hour 3 minutes

Crane Talk

Texas Lawsuit Reform In the Crane Industry with Lee Parsley

In this episode of Crane Talk, hosts Ron Thompson and Gene Greiner sit down with Lee Parsley, President and General Counsel of Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR), to discuss the pressing issues surrounding Texas' legal environment and its impact on the crane, rigging, and heavy construction industries. Lee explains how "nuclear verdicts," fraudulent medical claims, and third-party litigation funding are driving up insurance premiums and creating unsustainable financial pressures for small and mi...

10 months ago

1 hour 2 minutes

Crane Talk

Navigating Legal Challenges and the Role of AI in Insurance Claims

Ron and Gene are back fresh from the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association Conference in Phoenix, AZ. They recount stories of their time there, dig into the strategic importance of registered agents in determining lawsuit jurisdictions and how having the right agent location can mitigate legal risks. They also look at the impact of “social inflation” in the industry and some of the new AI tools people are trying to introduce into filing insurance claims. About the Show Crane talk is a...

1 year ago

53 minutes

Crane Talk

Building a Crane Empire with Chad Skogsberg and Ginger Cranes

How does a chance encounter with a crane operator turn into a successful business? Join us on Crane Talk as we welcome Chad Skogsberg, one of the founders of Ginger Cranes, who shares his incredible journey from the retail world to dominating the crane and rigging industry. From the serendipitous moment that sparked the idea of establishing Ginger Cranes to where he and the business are now. Listen in as one of Texas's finest crane companies joins the crew of Crane Talk. Follow Ginger Cranes...

1 year ago

1 hour 11 minutes

Crane Talk

Understanding Judicial Hellholes and Their Economic Impact on the Crane Industry

In this episode of Crane Talk as we unravel the secrets behind top infamous jurisdictions that are being referred to as Judicial Hellholes in the Crane and Heavy Iron industry. Ron and Gene spend time spotlighting the notorious Fifth Circuit Court in Dallas, Texas, and Georgia's record-breaking judgments. They also dissect how Louisiana's judicial system is plagued by legislative influences, plaintiff-friendly practices, and high-interest third-party litigation funding. Together, we explore t...

1 year ago

48 minutes

Crane Talk

Accident Prevention & Forensic Reconstruction with Crane Expert Jim Wiethorn

Join us for a riveting journey through the high-stakes world of crane safety with Jim Wiethorn, the seasoned founder of International Cranes and Construction and Safety Solutions. As we tackle the summer boom in crane operations, especially in the sweltering Texas heat, you'll get an insider's perspective on the industry's resilience even in fluctuating economies. Dive into Jim's extensive background, from his time at Haag Engineering to his crucial contributions to crane safety standards and...

1 year ago

1 hour 5 minutes

Crane Talk

Putting Up With New Data Needs In Today’s Crane Insurance World

Strap in for a deep dive into the insurance market's currents and undercurrents, where we unravel the tapestry of legislative endeavors like Texas House Bill 19, set to reshape the future of litigation costs. We're not just talking shop here; we're decoding the legislative language and exploring tech breakthroughs poised to revolutionize safety on job sites. Our conversation pivots towards the increasingly crucial role of data in today's insurance landscape, where Amanda lets us in on the rig...

1 year ago

53 minutes

Crane Talk

Legal Advertising and Soaring Insurance Rates in the Heavy Construction Industry

In this episode, Ron and Gene outline the complexities of the crane and heavy equipment industry, shedding light on the stark realities of sky-high insurance premiums and the challenge of increasingly elusive reinsurance options. Today’s focus is on the tactics behind the aggressive legal advertisements that are more than just an eyesore on your morning commute; they're driving up costs and putting companies in the hot seat. Advertising has become a key tactic in the world of personal injury...

1 year ago

52 minutes

Crane Talk

Navigating the Impact of Thermonuclear Verdicts on the Crane Industry

This episode peels back the curtain on the multi-million dollar jury awards driving insurance premiums through the roof and the concept of social inflation that's inflating costs across the board. We're unpacking the layered complexities of non-capped punitive damages, the evolving perception of big money, and the formidable hurdles introduced by third-party litigation funding that are flipping the script for companies in heavy hauling. Venturing further into the heart of the industry's batt...

1 year ago

47 minutes

Crane Talk

Legal Fears in the Crane Industry and How To Handle Catastrophes

Strap in for a ride through the misunderstood landscape of crane accidents and the reality behind the statistics, where the culprit is more than just operator error. We're discussing the critical need for preparedness in the face of catastrophe, involving claims specialists and forensic engineers—because disasters don't wait for business hours. We also talk about the The Texas Crane Owners Association winter meeting, new legislation designed to protect crane companies in TX, and share ...

1 year ago

45 minutes

Crane Talk

Crane Industry Giants on Construction, Legislation, and Telematics

Come hang out as we cover crane rigging, heavy construction, and the critical importance of insurance with Ron Thompson and Gene Greiner, two industry titans that have seen quite a lot in the crane insurance business. Cap off this episode with high-flying stories that illustrate the day-to-day exhilaration of insuring some of the country's most ambitious projects. Laughter might not be the first thing you associate with crane insurance, but when a Hollywood movie’s antics become part of the ...

1 year ago

55 minutes