Expert Commentary

Latest Articles

Environmental

Silica Claim Barred by Total Pollution Exclusion in CGL Policy

Kent Holland | August 1, 2005

Kent Holland summarizes a California court decision rejecting the argument that by adding an endorsement explicitly excluding asbestos, the insurer had to do the same for silica.

Captives

Regulation of Captives: Who? Why? What Next?

Michael R. Mead | August 1, 2005

Michael Mead explains how regulation of captives is inherently different from the regulation of a traditional insurer as respects audience, taxation, and oversight. He also provides food for thought for the future.

Courts and Coverage

Who Can Reject Uninsured Motorist and Personal Injury Protection Coverage?

Brent Cooper | August 1, 2005

Brent Cooper and Dana Harbin look at the disparity among the state courts regarding who has the right to reject UM/PIP coverage, in what form, and under what circumstances.

Personal Risk Management

Identity Theft: A Personal Risk Management Approach—Part 2

Robin Olson | August 1, 2005

What are the steps a person can take to reduce the chance of identity theft? If a theft occurs, what steps should be taken to mitigate the size and scope of the loss? Rob Olson provides some answers.

Claims Practices

Rescission in California

Barry Zalma | August 1, 2005

Misrepresentations or concealment of material facts—whether intentional or not—can leave an insured without coverage, even for a legitimate claim. Barry Zalma looks at a recent case on point.

Personal Risk Management

Identity Theft: A Personal Risk Management Approach—Part 1

Robin Olson | July 9, 2005

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States today, and everyone is a potential victim. In this first of three articles, Robin Olson focuses on the risk itself.

Catastrophe Risk Management

The Impact on Lifelines on the Estimation of Natural Hazard Loss

Nathan Gould | July 1, 2005

Dr. Nathan Gould explains how loss of service of key lifelines can lead to increased downtime following a major natural disaster and significantly elevated business interruption costs.

Workplace Violence Prevention

Workplace Violence in the 21st Century: Emerging Trends

James Madero | July 1, 2005

It is clear that workplace and school violence incidents and prevention efforts have changed since the early 1990s. Dr. James Madero looks at the changes.

Continuous Performance Improvement

Deming's Point #6 as Applied to the Insurance Industry

John Pryor | July 1, 2005

Dr. W. Edwards Deming's sixth principle is 'Institute training. Training must be totally reconstructed.' In his description of this point, Dr. W. Edwards Deming draws a strong distinction between training and education.