CICA 2026: Dan Towle on the Future of Captive Insurance

Editor's Note: As captive insurance becomes increasingly embedded in enterprise risk strategy, the 2026 Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA) International Conference centers on how leaders are navigating uncertainty, capital pressures, regulatory evolution, and talent development.

In this Q&A, Dan Towle outlines how this year's theme, "Navigating Risk in a Changing World," signals where the industry is heading and how captive owners can position themselves for sustained growth, resilience, and long-term credibility in the years ahead.

The 2026 conference theme is "Navigating Risk in a Changing World." How do this year's general sessions and educational tracks reflect the most pressing challenges facing captive owners today?

Captive owners today are operating in an environment defined by volatility. "Navigating Risk in a Changing World" reflects the reality that captives are no longer niche risk financing tools; they are strategic components of a company's overall risk management strategy.

Our theme reflects that reality. Captive owners are not just managing insurance programs. They are leading through uncertainty. They are helping their organizations think long-term about resilience, capital, and stability.

This year's sessions highlight changing risks and leadership trends. Educational tracks provide practical insights on how captives can enhance strategy, governance, and long-term value.

The aim is straightforward: to provide leaders with the tools to proactively manage change with confidence and innovative strategies, instead of merely responding to it as it happens.

Several sessions focus on strategic uses of captives, including employee benefits and medical stop loss. What trends in those areas influenced the development of this year's programming?

Organizations are feeling pressure from rising healthcare costs and workforce expectations. Leaders are asking how they can create more stability and transparency in their benefits programs.

Captives are increasingly part of that conversation. What was once considered an alternative approach is now becoming a strategic tool to help organizations manage employee benefits in a more thoughtful and calculated way.

We developed this programming because we are seeing more captive owners explore these structures. They are not doing it simply to save money. They are doing it to gain insight, improve long-term planning, and better align risk financing with overall business strategy.

The agenda includes discussions around fronting relationships, reinsurance dynamics, and structural considerations for captives. What conversations are you hearing within the CICA community about market capacity and program design in 2026?

The conversations we hear are centered around long-term stability and strong partnerships, which are both central to a captive's success.

Captive owners want predictable relationships. They want fronting insurers and reinsurance partners who understand their long-term goals. They want structures that will hold up not just in a good year but in a challenging one.

What I hear most often is that leaders are thinking more strategically about the overall design. They are asking how their captive fits into the bigger picture of capital management, governance, and reputation.

This year's program includes leadership development and next-generation engagement sessions. Why is talent development such an important component of the conference agenda right now?

The future of this industry depends on having more human capital to keep pace with the growth.

Captive insurance is specialized. It requires judgment, experience, and collaboration. Many of the leaders who built this industry are now mentoring the next wave of captive insurance professionals. If we are not intentional about developing talent, we will not be able to continue to grow with the same trajectory.

Through our NEXTGen and Amplify Women initiatives, we are building a stronger leadership pipeline. The conference reinforces that commitment. Leadership today is not just about managing risk. It is about preparing others to do the same.

This year, we will host six dynamic sessions highlighting Amplify Women, NEXTGen, and professional development topics. These sessions will feature a diverse mix of emerging and seasoned professionals, offering a wide range of valuable perspectives.

CICA is offering dedicated regulator training during the 2026 conference. How does this initiative support stronger regulatory understanding and consistency across domiciles?

Regulators are central to the credibility and long-term stability of the captive industry. Without their oversight, expertise, and commitment to sound regulation, the captive industry would cease to thrive.

This year, in close partnership with the domicile regulatory community, CICA launched a dedicated education track specifically for captive insurance regulators. It is another example of CICA's commitment to strengthening that partnership. As our industry evolves, a strong and collaborative regulatory framework is essential.

When regulators collaborate and exchange ideas, it strengthens consistency across jurisdictions. That consistency builds confidence among owners and reinforces the integrity of the captive model. It is a win-win for the industry.

How has the 2026 educational program been structured to address both experienced captive owners and those newer to the space?

We were very purposeful about the balance of our educational offerings.

For those newer to captives, there are sessions that provide a clear foundation. What does good governance look like? How do you structure a captive? What are basic tax principles? What questions should you be asking?

For experienced owners, we move into more advanced leadership conversations about strategy, growth, innovation, and long-term value, as well as the importance of advocacy and educating the public on our (sometimes) misunderstood industry.

No matter where someone is in their captive journey, we want them to leave with insights they can apply immediately.

Looking beyond the conference, what themes are emerging in this year's sessions that signal where the captive insurance industry is heading over the next 12 to 24 months?

The next 12–24 months will reward thoughtful leadership. Captives will continue to grow, but the real opportunity lies in how intentionally we guide that growth.

Captives are becoming more integrated into the overall business strategy. They are no longer viewed as an "alternative risk market." They are mainstream and part of how organizations think about resilience and the cost of risk.

Strong governance and institutional credibility have never been more important. As the industry's visibility continues to expand on a global scale, so too does the level of scrutiny from policymakers, regulators, and the broader public. In this environment, disciplined leadership and thorough oversight will ultimately define long-term success.

Collaboration throughout the captive insurance industry is gaining real momentum. Among associations, domiciles, regulators, service providers, and owners, there is a growing understanding that our greatest progress happens when we align our efforts and move forward together. Nowhere is that spirit of purposeful, intentional collaboration more evident or more impactful than at the CICA International Conference, where leaders convene not only to connect but to collectively strengthen and advance the entire industry.

Mr. Towle is pictured above. (Photo courtesy of CICA)