The Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA) announces the case study topics for its 2026-2027 College Student Essay Contest, under the theme Captive Insurance Solutions for Today’s Risk Management Challenges. Two-person student teams select one of three case studies, analyse and design a captive insurance structure to address the prime insurance risks in it, and explain the rationale behind their conclusions. The first case study features Style Retail Group, a national retailer operating more than 2,000 stores across the US, selling apparel, home goods, electronics and private-label products through physical stores and e-commerce platforms. It manages a complex supply chain and serves hundreds of thousands of customers, and has faced increasing risks from supply chain disruptions, severe weather events, cyber threats, inflation and changing consumer behaviour, contributing to higher loss costs and greater operational uncertainty. With insurance markets more volatile, bringing rising premiums, reduced capacity and broader coverage restrictions, the retailer is evaluating forming a captive to improve risk financing efficiency, increase cost predictability and strengthen long-term risk management. The second sets out American Infrastructure Builders, a US construction and infrastructure company with US$8 billion in annual revenue and operations across more than 30 states, delivering commercial construction, highways and bridges, industrial facilities, renewable energy projects and other large-scale developments. It employs thousands of workers and operates a substantial fleet of heavy equipment and vehicles. The company has faced rising insurance costs, increasing claim severity, labour shortages, supply chain challenges and greater exposure to natural catastrophes, while insurance markets have become more restrictive through increased deductibles, particularly for casualty, workers’ compensation and commercial automobile risks. The third presents Sound Effects Festivals, which produces and promotes more than 25 music festivals a year across the US, hosting more than 1.5 million attendees. It employs approximately 500 full-time staff and relies on more than 8,000 temporary workers, volunteers, performers, security personnel, vendors and subcontractors. Most of its festivals are held in open-air venues and are highly exposed to severe weather, and cancellations or postponements can result in substantial financial losses. Its extensive use of subcontractors for staging, sound and lighting production, security, transport logistics, sanitation and food service creates additional operational and liability exposures. For the retail and construction case studies, students assess the suitability of a captive for automobile liability, property damage and business interruption, general liability and workers’ compensation. The festivals case study adds event cancellation insurance to that list. The case studies were developed by the team at Hylant Global Captive Solutions, which sponsors the contest and provides mentorship for the students. Finalists receive cash prizes and present their papers at the 2027 CICA International Conference, held from 7 to 9 March at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona. Finalist essays are published in Captive Insurance Times, and winning entries also appear on the CICA website. Dan Towle, president of CICA, says: "The future of our industry depends on engaging the next generation today and every great career begins with exposure, curiosity, and opportunity. By showing college students the opportunities available within captive insurance through the CICA College Student Essay Contest, we can help them build confidence, explore new possibilities, and realise how much they can achieve in this industry." Anne Marie Towle, chief executive officer of Hylant Consulting, says: "Introducing students to the world of captive insurance can open doors and shape their future careers. Through our support of the CICA Student Essay Contest, we aim to give college students meaningful opportunities to challenge themselves and expand their perspectives within this dynamic industry. At Hylant, we are proud to invest in experiences that inspire the next generation of leaders." Contest details, full case study descriptions, entry requirements and award details are available on the CICA website. Captive Insurance Times is the official media partner of the CICA College Student Essay Contest and publishes the finalist essays.
