In this episode of Crane Talk, the team sits down with Chris Thomas, CEO of Artes, a London-based MGA specializing in bespoke insurance programs for cranes, rigging, and heavy equipment.

Chris walks Ron and Gene through the realities of crane and rigging insurance, from underwriting complexity to claims discipline and subrogation. He explains why many insurance programs fail after just a few years and why sustainable success requires experienced partners, accurate data, and a willingness to stay committed through both profitable and loss-heavy cycles.

The conversation also explores broader industry challenges, including litigation exposure, nuclear verdicts, and the importance of educating capacity providers. Chris closes by reflecting on leadership, philanthropy, and building an insurance business designed to endure—not chase short-term premium.

Connect with Artes:

Website: www.artes-specialty.com

Chris: cthomas@artes-specialty.com

Richard: rbrown@artes-specialty.com

About the Show

Crane talk is a podcast hosted by Ron Thompson and Gene Greiner, 2 highly successful insurance producers in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

About Ron:

Ron has been specializing in the heavy iron insurance world as a broker since 1992. In the complex world of heavy iron risk exposure, Ron’s expertise is in contractual risk transfer, contract review, fleet safety management where “rubber meets the road” and keeping clients updated on legislative issues that effect the crane & rigging industry and maximizing profit for his clientele.

About Gene:

Gene Greiner is Vice President of commercial insurance for CoVerica with 15 years of focus on heavy construction risk. Based in Dallas, TX, he is deeply embedded in serving this industry’s risk transfer needs and, enjoys active advocacy though the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association and the Texas Crane Owners Association.

New episodes drop the first Tuesday of each month. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

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 submission and proactive risk management can materially improve terms for insureds.

About the Show

Crane talk is a podcast hosted by Ron Thompson and Gene Greiner, 2 highly successful insurance producers in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

About Ron:

Ron has been specializing in the heavy iron insurance world as a broker since 1992. In the complex world of heavy iron risk exposure, Ron’s expertise is in contractual risk transfer, contract review, fleet safety management where “rubber meets the road” and keeping clients updated on legislative issues that effect the crane & rigging industry and maximizing profit for his clientele.

About Gene:

Gene Greiner is Vice President of commercial insurance for CoVerica with 15 years of focus on heavy construction risk. Based in Dallas, TX, he is deeply embedded in serving this industry’s risk transfer needs and, enjoys active advocacy though the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association and the Texas Crane Owners Association.

New episodes drop the first Tuesday of each month. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

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 safety culture. Laura discusses how documenting incidents, sharing anonymized stories, and celebrating progress have transformed how employees view risk.

This episode is packed with practical insights on how storytelling, accountability, and data can make safety personal—and powerful.

About the Show

Crane talk is a podcast hosted by Ron Thompson and Gene Greiner, 2 highly successful insurance producers in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

About Ron:

Ron has been specializing in the heavy iron insurance world as a broker since 1992. In the complex world of heavy iron risk exposure, Ron’s expertise is in contractual risk transfer, contract review, fleet safety management where “rubber meets the road” and keeping clients updated on legislative issues that effect the crane & rigging industry and maximizing profit for his clientele.

About Gene:

Gene Greiner is Vice President of commercial insurance for CoVerica with 15 years of focus on heavy construction risk. Based in Dallas, TX, he is deeply embedded in serving this industry’s risk transfer needs and, enjoys active advocacy though the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association and the Texas Crane Owners Association.

New episodes drop the first Tuesday of each month. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.