Expert Commentary

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.

Government Bailout or Catastrophe "Insurance"?

Gary Bausom | November 1, 2006

While financial managers need to address insurance for catastrophic events, history reveals that the majority of funding will most likely come from the government, per Gary Bausom.

Environmental

State Leadership in Promoting Insurance-Based Solutions to Brownfield Redevelopment Challenges

Michael Hill | November 1, 2006

Jeff Kehne and Michael Hill discuss environmental insurance programs at the state level.

Internal Controls

COSO's New Guidance for Smaller Organizations: a Trojan Horse?

Matthew Leitch | November 1, 2006

Matthew Leitch discusses the danger of the principles listed in COSO's new guidance for smaller companies.

Terrorism Risk Management and Insurance

The PWG Report on the Future of Terrorism Insurance Availability and Affordability: Something for Everyone?

James Macdonald | November 1, 2006

The Presidential Working Group report contains many questionable omissions and conclusions, and offers no definitive public policy position. James Macdonald explains.

Liability Insurance

When Does Liability Coverage Exist for Mental Anguish without Bodily Injury?

Steven Rawls | November 1, 2006

Steve Rawls explains why it is important to evaluate a claim for emotional distress damages from an excess policy perspective, taking jurisdiction into account.

Captives

Insuring Property Risks in a Captive

Donald Riggin | October 1, 2006

Don Riggin explains that property captives present two competing dynamics: losses pay out all at once but when the policy year is over, it's really over.

Employment Practices

Complying with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986: A Challenging Task

Paul Siegel | October 1, 2006

Paul Siegel warns that employers need to take care in how they handle documentation requests and I-9 form completion of prospective employees.