Expert Commentary

Risk and Insurance History

How Umbrella Policies Started Part 1: Early Liability Coverage

Jim Robertson | March 1, 2000

Jim Robertson examines the origins of liability insurance, early policy limits, the first excess liability market, excess of loss reinsurance, direct U.S. placements at Lloyd's, excess coverage developments, and the emergence of self-insurance.

Property Insurance

Commercial Property Claims Handling: the Roles of the Claims Specialists

Linda Robinson | March 1, 2000

Discover how claims specialists play a pivotal role in commercial property claims handling and the unique services they provide to insurers and insureds.

Liability Insurance

Additionally Insured or Held Harmful?

Richard Rudolph | March 1, 2000

Use of the additional insured and the hold harmless clause approach without some other modifications to the CGL policy can result in a risk being ineffectively transferred or not transferred at all, contrary to the expectations of the parties. Richard Rudolph explains.

Property Insurance

Closing the Gap in Florida Windstorm Coverage

Douglas Berry | March 1, 2000

A number of all-risk insurers have used their wind and hail exclusions to deny claims for interior water damage where there was no apparent opening caused by damage to the walls or roof. Doug Berry examines this coverage gap and efforts by the Florida Department of Insurance to close it.

Professional, D and O, and Fiduciary Liability

Key Coverage Options under Employment Practices Liability Policies

Robert Bregman | March 1, 2000

Bob Bregman provides the six key options that any purchaser of employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) policies should consider before buying coverage.

Construction Defect Coverage

The Changing Landscape of Coverage Disputes over Defective Work Claims

Patrick Wielinski | March 1, 2000

Patrick Wielinski reviews the move away from using the traditional property damage exclusions as a basis to deny coverage for defective work claims to using the definitions of "occurrence" and "property damage," together with the insuring agreement.

Liability Insurance

The 1999 CGL Insuring Agreement: ISO's "Montrose Endorsement"

Jeffrey Woodward | March 1, 2000

Discover how the 1999 CGL insuring agreement and ISO's "Montrose Endorsement" impact coverage in light of "known loss" issues and judicial developments.

Insurance—A CFO's Perspective

Gary Bausom | March 1, 2000

In his Insurance Rx column, Gary Bausom explains what insurance is, why it's important, and what company CFOs need to keep in mind when it comes to their insurance and risk management programs.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance Matters

Larry Schiffer | March 1, 2000

The quality of the reinsurance security purchased by the direct insurer is what helps to ensure that losses will be paid. Larry Schiffer looks at the reinsurance function, relationship, claims services, and fronting arrangements.

Environmental

Hidden Environmental Exposures of the Construction Industry

Jeff Slivka | March 1, 2000

Discover how contractors can navigate and manage environmental risks in the construction industry, avoiding costly liabilities and fostering safer operations.