Stephen Screen Discusses The Hartford's Innovative Risk Solutions

“Today’s business owners are navigating an increasingly complex risk environment,” Stephen Screen said in response to questions from Risk & Insurance.

Working on the cutting edge of insurance to develop innovative solutions for complex risks, The Hartford’s head of alternative placement solutions, global specialty business, has a front-row seat to the challenges facing businesses today. As economic conditions, workforce challenges, emerging technologies, and evolving regulations shift the terrain, many organizations find their risk profiles changing faster than traditional insurance solutions can adapt.

The Hartford and the Alternative Placement Solutions (APS) group are focused on helping customers manage that reality, Screen noted. APS has continued to gain momentum in 2026 as a growing division finding coverage solutions for risks falling outside traditional underwriting guidelines.

“The most important measure of our success is our ability to create solutions for customers and brokers when a risk falls outside of traditional underwriting appetite,” Screen stated. APS helps engage customers in more meaningful ways to create elevated insurance buying experiences.

Stephen Screen Discusses The Hartford's Innovative Risk Solutions

Beyond securing coverage, APS creates new business opportunities for The Hartford by finding viable solutions for risks that otherwise might be declined. This year, APS has helped convert a meaningful share of out-of-appetite submissions into new customers.

“Just as importantly, we’ve demonstrated that a significant portion of our business can be redirected into viable solutions that preserve relationships and expand our addressable market,” Screen explained.

For businesses dealing with economic uncertainty, flexibility and access to coverage options matter deeply. Customers and brokers repeatedly emphasize that they need greater flexibility when risks do not fit neatly within a carrier’s underwriting appetite.

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“They want partners who understand their business and can help them find a path forward. That is where APS creates customer value. By expanding access to a broader range of risk solutions, we help customers secure the protection they need while preserving the seamless experience they expect from The Hartford.”

That adaptability remains vital as companies seek insurance partners capable of matching changing needs in an unpredictable market. Screen pointed out that uncertainty stands out as the biggest challenge confronting many businesses today.

Prior to stepping into his current role, Screen served as head of enterprise sales and distribution. In that capacity, he led The Hartford’s enterprise-wide sales and distribution strategy while strengthening key broker and agency relationships across the organization.

He has been with The Hartford throughout his 18-year career in the industry. Screen is a graduate of Virginia Tech University.