Expert Commentary

Continuous Performance Improvement

Deming's Point #12 as Applied to the Insurance Industry

John Pryor | January 1, 2007

John Pryor examines Deming's admonition along with industry icon and role model Bernard J. Daenzer.

Wrap-Up Programs

Wrap-Ups and the Issue of Collateral—Part 1

Richard Resnick | January 1, 2007

Rich Resnick looks at some technical issues regarding what collateral is and the reasoning behind why underwriters require it.

Liability Insurance

No Harm, No Coverage—Personal and Advertising Injury Liability Coverage in the CGL—Part 1

Craig Stanovich | January 1, 2007

Craig Stanovich examines Coverage B of the CGL. Part 2 will discuss applicable exclusions.

Claims Practices

Insurance Fraud Fails in L.A. Superior Court

Barry Zalma | January 1, 2007

Barry Zalma relates the importance of insurer preparation, a thorough investigation, and use of competent counsel when facing a potentially fraudulent claim.

Current Trends and Issues

Insurance Agent Liability in Katrina Litigation

Tim Ryles | January 1, 2007

Dr. Tim Ryles looks at standards applicable to agent liability, particularly as respects advice given on flood insurance and Katrina.

Environmental

Naturally Occurring Hazards: They Can Be "Hazardous" to Your Contractors Pollution Liability Coverage

Jeff Slivka | January 1, 2007

Buying a CPL policy is a very sound alternative for financing environmental loss, but there are pitfalls. Jeff Slivka explains.

Ethics

Is Accident Forgiveness Ethical?

George Head | December 1, 2006

Dr. George Head discusses how accident forgiveness violates fundamental insurance principles to the detriment of all.

Property Insurance

The Acts or Decisions Exclusion That Tried to Swallow the Policy

Jay Levin | December 1, 2006

Jay Levin explains that while an acts or decisions exclusion uses extremely broad language, courts enforce it in a common-sense manner to avoid absurd results.

Determining the Optimal Combination of Risk Retention and Risk Transfer

Donald Riggin | December 1, 2006

In his Risk Finance column, Don Riggin provides a financial metric for comparing any combination of retention and transfer.

Reinsurance

The Strain To Retain

Larry Schiffer | December 1, 2006

Larry Schiffer discusses the symbiotic relationship between the reinsured and the reinsurer, and the reinsurance contract provisions that affect this relationship.