Thinking Beyond the Renewal: Captives and Long-Term Client Strategy with Warren Cleveland

Power Producers Podcast - Jun 17, 2026

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers sits down with Warren Cleveland to discuss why captives should be part of every middle market producer’s long-term strategy. David challenges producers to stop thinking transactionally and start thinking about the end game for their clients, helping them reduce total cost of risk, improve profitability, and eventually become candidates for captive insurance programs. The conversation focuses on the importance of introducing captive concepts early, educating clients before competitors do, and positioning yourself as a strategic advisor rather than a policy salesperson. Warren shares real-world examples of producers losing long-term accounts because they failed to have the captive conversation, while David explains how producers can use risk management, claims control, and operational improvements to prepare clients for eventual captive participation. Connect with:  David Carothers LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠  Warren Cleveland Linkedin Visit Websites:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Power Producer Base Camp⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Killing Commercial⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Crushing Content⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Power Producers Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Policytee⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dirty 130⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Extra 2 Minute⁠⁠⁠⁠   

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