For at least 15 years, I've wondered why the doors to airplane cockpits were so darned flimsy. This is just one example of how, prior to 9/11, many organizations had a false sense of security resulting in lax protective safeguards. Of course, the possibility for more terrorist attacks now has all organizations reviewing their security programs.

I'm sure you have observed vulnerabilities—like those flimsy cockpit doors—that could be eliminated or reduced with simple security measures. In the spirit of cooperation that has arisen since 9/11, I'd like to ask you to send me an e-mail enumerating a security breach you think may occur frequently with businesses or public entities, along with a recommendation for eliminating or reducing it. We'll compile a list and share it with all our readers. Perhaps together we can make the world a little safer.

On another note, I'm happy to report that we are fast approaching 17,000 subscribers to IRMI Update. To everyone who has recommended it to a colleague: thank you very much!

Have a great day.

Jack

Jack P. Gibson
President
IRMI

Risk Tip

Prequalify Emergency Service Providers before Disaster Strikes. Fire, flood, smoke, mold, odor, and waterline ruptures can cause loss to structure and contents, including electronics and paper documents. When disaster strikes, obtaining emergency services quickly is critical. Often, facility managers, property managers/engineers, and risk managers do not have a list of qualified service contractors that can respond properly and quickly in time of emergencies. This results in unnecessary delays in getting a response team to the affected site. We strongly suggest that all companies prequalify their service providers and train their staff to immediately call the trade necessary to solve problems or come to the "rescue." In your prequalifying efforts, it would also be prudent to seek out the contractors that have staff with some of the following "certifications": CR (Certified Restorer), WLS (Water Loss Specialist), and CMR (Certified Mold Remediator).

By: Larry C. Ward
Disaster Services, Inc.
E-mail:

Suggest a Risk Tip. Future issues of IRMI Update will include more risk tips from our readers. Send us a practical tip (less than 300 words) for identifying and managing risks, buying insurance, managing claims, or filling gaps in insurance coverages. We'll give you credit for your contribution.

New Expert Commentary

There are now 260 articles on IRMI.com, and many more are in production. Below you'll find summaries of some recent additions with links to the articles.

Supreme Court Clarifies EEOC's Role in Arbitration Disputes—The Court has upheld the EEOC's right to seek all available remedies for job discrimination regardless of existing arbitration agreements. Paul Siegel examines the ramifications.
The Secret Shame of Selling—What do you do when your stellar salesman reveals he secretly is ashamed of selling? Frank Lee explains this type of Sales Call Reluctance and offers possible solutions.
Public Agency Exempted Project from Competitive Bidding—Kent Holland explains how a recent court decision may offer useful instruction for design-builders interested in proposing innovative projects that might not be possible under traditional public procurement methods.
Self-Insurance, Primary Insurance, and Excess Insurance: Adventures in Contract Interpretation—Litigation is increasingly used to resolve ambiguities and fill the gaps in risk financing documentation, and here Ken Wollner examines a recent decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
To Remove or Not To Remove, That Is the Question—In this article, Michael Orlando explores some of the intricacies of removing a maritime-oriented case from state court to federal court.
Disaster Planning Imperative: Preserve Your Company's Historic Insurance Assets—Sheila Mulrennan explains how today's challenge, both for disaster planning and in disaster recovery, is to maintain access to the full range of a company's historic insurance coverage.

New IRMI Insights

The ISO Terrorism Exclusions: Background and Analysis—In this article, IRMI reviews the evolution of the ISO terrorism exclusions, explains exactly what is excluded, and provides the approval status of these exclusions by states and other regulatory organizations.

IRMI Construction Risk Conference

Willis Exec To Be Construction Risk Conference Speaker—Mark E. Reagan, chairman and CEO of Willis Construction Practice, will be a keynote speaker at the 22nd IRMI Construction Risk Conference in San Diego. The theme for this year's conference will be "How to survive in a difficult market." Be sure to mark your calendar to reserve November 11-14 for the conference.

IRMI Products & Services

IRMI Offers Free D&O Newsletter—D&O Compass is a free e-mail newsletter recently started by IRMI to cover developments and trends in directors and officers liability and insurance. If you buy, sell, or underwrite directors and officers liability insurance (or litigate coverage disputes), this newsletter is for you. To sign up for a free subscription, visit this Web page.

How To Subscribe or Unsubscribe

A subscription to IRMI Update is absolutely free. Use the e-mail registration form to initiate or terminate your subscription.

IRMI Update—Issue #35

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