WebCE's Weekly Wrap-Up: July 25, 2025

This week’s headlines highlight shifting trends in insurance, real estate, and tech. Commercial insurance rates are falling globally, casualty rates in the U.S. are climbing, and new reports show fewer consumers shopping for coverage but more switching providers. Meanwhile, a retirement wave is creating a deepening talent gap across the insurance industry, and a shocking lawsuit reveals how easily cybercriminals breached a major brand by simply asking for passwords. 

In real estate, agents are getting practical with a detailed buyer-agent checklist and a roundup of must-have tech tools to stay competitive. The Close and REALTOR Magazine offer resources to help agents navigate everything from client expectations to workflow optimization.  

This week’s top podcast explores how leaders can unintentionally erode their own authority, and for your Weekend Wind-Down, a tour through one of the most baffling—and hilarious—mansion design fails in the Hamptons. 

Let’s dive in. 

Top Stories of the Week 

1. Global Commercial Insurance Rates Drop 4% but Casualty Rates Are Rising: Marsh (Carrier Management)

   
   

   “Mounting competition among insurers with ambitious growth targets is providing reduced pricing and broader coverage options. Against this backdrop, rising U.S. casualty rates are a concern for clients,” commented John Donnelly, president, Global Placement, Marsh, in a statement. 

   
   

2. Lawsuit Says Clorox Hackers Got Passwords Simply By Asking (Claims Journal) 

   
   

   “Bleach maker Clorox said Tuesday that it has sued information technology provider Cognizant over a devastating 2023 cyberattack, alleging that the hackers pulled off the intrusion simply by asking the tech company’s staff for employees’ passwords.” 

   
   

3. Fewer Insureds Shopping, More Switching, Says JD Power (Insurance Journal) 

   
   

   “Overall shopping declined this quarter after setting a record high for auto shopping last quarter. Shopping rates for both auto and property rose throughout last year, so this represents a cooling off for the space.” 

   
   

4. Insurance Industry Retirement Exodus Creating a Talent Gap (InsuranceNewsNet) 

   
   

   “In the U.S. alone, 400,000 people in the insurance profession are expected to leave by 2026. That’s not a looming crisis—it’s a crisis that’s already here. And it’s compounded by the fact that few young people grow up aspiring to enter the industry. Most fall into it by accident. That’s just not good enough anymore.” 

   
   

5. IRS Advises of Tuesday Deadline to Maintain Business Tax Account Access (Journal of Accountancy) 

   
   

   “Business Tax Account (BTA) designated officials must revalidate their accounts by Tuesday if they want to maintain access, the IRS said in a fact sheet posted Wednesday.” 

   
   

6. The Ultimate Real Estate Buyer Agent Checklist (The Close) 

   
   

   “As a buyer’s agent, you’re more than a guide — you’re the captain, navigating clients through real estate’s highs and occasional lows. This ultimate buyer agent checklist ensures every phase of the journey runs smoothly, from decoding client wishlists to celebrating the final walk-through. Use it as your map in delivering an unforgettable homebuying experience.” 

   
   

7. 5 Essential Tech Tools for Real Estate Agents (REALTOR Magazine) 

   
   

   “In the fast-paced world of real estate, having the right tools can make all the difference. Technology can streamline workflows and enhance productivity—helping you stay organized and impress your clients. Here’s a list of tech tools every real estate agent should consider, each offering unique benefits to help you thrive in a competitive market.” 

   
   

8. Announcing the 2025 Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Award Winners (Tribute Technology) 

   
   

   “These annual awards highlight leaders who are redefining the family experience, streamlining operations, and strengthening community connections through innovation.” 

   
   

9. McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2025 (McKinsey) 

   
   

   “The insights in this report can help business leaders decide which of these frontier technologies are most relevant to their companies by demonstrating how others are starting to apply them today. These findings emerge from our analysis of quantitative measures of interest, innovation, equity investment, and talent that underpin each of the 13 trends and explore the underlying technologies, uncertainties, and questions around them.” 

   
   

10. AI Browsers Are Changing the Internet — And Online Casinos Should Pay Attention (Play USA) 

    
    

    “AI technology will ultimately allow operators to upgrade their interface and deliver a more personalized experience based on how users interact with their products. It could even help handle core regulatory tasks like geolocation, KYC, and responsible gambling measures.” 

    
    

Top Podcast of the Week

How Leaders Undermine Their Own Authority

On Leadership Podcast (Harvard Business Review) 

37 Minutes 

Does your organization lack quality leadership?

In this episode of HBR’s advice podcast, Dear HBR:, cohosts Alison Beard and Dan McGinn answer your questions with the help of Peter Bregman, the CEO of Bregman Partners and author of the book Leading with Emotional Courage. They talk through what to do when your leaders are indecisive, unprofessional, or value the wrong things. 

Key episode topics include: leadership, decision making and problem solving, organizational culture, emotional intelligence 

Weekend Wind-Down  

The Dumbest Mansion Mistakes Ever!

A deep dive into "the dumbest house in the Hamptons,” at least according to YouTuber Arvin Haddad.

This all-glass house has a very open floorplan, two staircases each leading to separate second floors, and a curious lack of outlets. In short, it’s a prime example of how many things can go right, but a massive failure in one or two areas can completely derail a property’s market prospects.