The Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association is the non-profit association of professionals and specialty market leaders dedicated to the wholesale distribution system. WSIA represents the interests of its members and the valuable role they play in the insurance market through networking, education, talent recruitment and development, regulatory and legislative advocacy for the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry, and by promoting the value of the wholesale distribution channel. Within WSIA there are two foundations. The WSIA Education Foundation encourages educational development of those interested in the excess and surplus lines business and works to overcome misperceptions about the market. Learn more about the Foundation's initiatives to encourage and reward those interested in careers in the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines business. The Talent Advocacy and Engagement Foundation was founded in 2020 to stimulate and attract a broad pipeline of talent for the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines insurance industry.
2026 WSIA White Paper and Video Contest
Introduction
WSIA is sponsoring a Video Contest and White Paper Contest for undergraduate college students interested in expanding their awareness and knowledge of the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry. Videos will be 3-7 minutes long and students will be able to submit independently or as a group of 2-4. White Paper Contest papers are 8-10 pages long and are submitted by individual students.
An overview of the contest and requirements can be found here:
https://www.wsia.org/wcm/Students/wcm/Foundation/Contests.aspx
The submission deadline is Monday, December 9, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Winners will be announced by January 13, 2026.
Contact Denise Marshall at WSIA if you have any questions at [email protected] or 816.799.0851.
Description
Fall 2025 White Paper Contest Writing Prompt
Topic #1: Inflation: Effects on Industry
Outline the effects on inflation on the E&S insurance industry and how customers and carriers can best navigate those challenges.
Examples include:
• Premium increases
• Operational costs - rising cost of labor, technology investments and upkeep, etc.
• Customers cutting back on areas like quality control to reduce costs, which may result in higher claim frequency
• Claim costs outpacing premium increases
• Supply chain disruptions and other geopolitical issues
• Settlement values
• Limit demands
Topic #2: Litigation Abuse
Frequency and Severity Trends: Investigate historical patterns in the frequency and severity of litigation abuse impacting the E&S insurance market.
Analyze how tactics such as inflated medical damages, venue shopping, and aggressive litigation strategies have contributed to adverse loss trends.
Explore how these dynamics have evolved over the past decade and consider their future impact on insurance premiums, underwriting strategies, and claims practices.
Fall 2025 WSIA Video Contest Prompt
Topic #1: Insurance MythBusters
Write and produce a creative video to debunk common misconceptions around the insurance industry.
Compare perception vs. reality. Illustrate what people might think surplus lines insurance is vs. how it actually works and explore how it differs from standard lines.
You should add your own ideas, but examples of myths to bust could include:
• “E&S insurance is shady or unregulated.”
• “E&S is only for huge companies.”
• “If standard insurance won’t cover it, no one will.”
Topic #2: Reenactment of Claim Scenario
The Claims Process in Action!
Your video should follow a realistic claim scenario from start to resolution, illustrating the possible emotions, misunderstandings, and turning points, debunking the notion that insurers don’t pay or don’t care, or that the claims process is stacked against you.
Possible scenarios to explore include:
• A small business recovering from a property loss
• A family navigating storm damage
• A cyber claim from breach to resolution
Qualifications
Who Can Enter?
Any undergraduate students enrolled in U.S. colleges regardless of major; may be most applicable to Risk Management, Insurance, Actuarial Science, Finance and Business Students.
WHITE PAPER CONTEST
Submit as an individual student (not a group) using 2,000 - 2,500 words (exclusive of the title page and works cited), double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point Arial or Times New Roman.
Submit a final, clean copy in a Word document; include title page with your name, university, date and a works cited page.
Reflect your research on the trend/issue/topic, including cited source documents.
Write assuming the audience is versed in the topic and the recent trends/news about the market.
VIDEO CONTEST
Lights, camera, action! Submit a 3-7-minute video that uses storytelling, visuals, music and editing to bring your ideas to life. Keep your background clean, use good lighting and speak confidently; don’t just read from slides! Submit as an individual or as a group, with a maximum of four students.
Get creative, get noticed and win big! Use animation, interviews, skits or cinematic shots to make your video memorable and show off your personality. Whether solo or in a team of up to four, everyone must appear on camera. Top videos score awesome prizes, with winnings shared evenly among group members. All students in the group must appear on camera at some point during the video.
Stand out from the crowd! This is your chance to shine with originality and production skills; make sure your video is clear, engaging and creatively produced. Bring your A-game, tell a great story and have fun! Students are strongly encouraged to be creative and to avoid presenting as a PowerPoint presentation.
Selection Process
Winners for both contests receive:
Four 1st place winners - $2,000 each
Four 2nd place winners - $1,000 each
(Prize amounts for 2-4 students for the Video Contest will be divided amongst all participants.)
