Expert Commentary

Environmental

Common Law Exceptions to the 1973 "Owned Property" Exclusion

Richard Scislowski | January 1, 2008

Courts poked so many holes in the exclusion that it hardly excluded anything. Rich Scislowski explains the ISO solutions.

Claims Practices

Required Insurance Training and Continuing Education

Barry Zalma | January 1, 2008

With constant regulation changes, Barry Zalma says best practices mandate yearlong education.

Personal Lines Insurance

Demystifying Auto Rental Insurance

Mike McCracken | December 8, 2007

IRMI's Mike McCracken examines rental car coverage provided by the personal auto policy (PAP) and compares what some rental companies offer.

Enterprise Risk Management

Risk Management's Chief Audit Executive

Mark Layton | December 1, 2007

Mark Layton and Terry Hisey explain that a risk intelligent firm recognizes both rewarded and unrewarded risks, and is savvy about the risks it takes.

Market Practices

Risk Assessments and Peer Reviews

Peter Polstein | December 1, 2007

Whether conducted in-house or by an outside consultant, a risk and insurance review is a good idea. Peter Polstein explains.

Ethics

Insurance Evolution: Response to a Changing World

George Head | December 1, 2007

Dr. George Head wonders whether the rise in natural/manmade catastrophes and the industry's response will effect fundamental industry change.

Risk Management: Protecting Assets When Home Ownership Is Transferred to a Trust

Jack Hungelmann | December 1, 2007

Jack Hungelmann explains the insurance coverage dangers when a trust owns tangible property, like a residence, and offers a solution.

Property Insurance

Demystifying Appraisal: Getting through the Process

Jay Levin | December 1, 2007

Jay Levin examines methods appraisers, umpires, and parties use to make the process proceed more smoothly and maximize the likelihood of a fair award.

Environmental

Epoxy Fumes Are Unambiguously Excluded from Coverage as "Pollutants" under the CGL Total Pollution Exclusion

Kent Holland | November 1, 2007

Kent Holland relates a case on the CGL total pollution exclusion and the definition of "pollutants," "discharge," "dispersal," "seepage," "migration," "release," and "escape."

Captives

Captive Insurance Exit Strategy

Michael R. Mead | November 1, 2007

Mike Mead warns that ending the use of a captive is not so simple as ceasing to do business with it or funding its operations.