Expert Commentary

Latest Articles

Valuation of Insurance Organizations

Financial Institution Acquisitions of Insurance Agency Platforms

Jeff Balcombe | May 1, 2007

Jeff Balcombe explains recent trends and how integration strategies are being created and implemented, and beginning to prove successful.

Enterprise Risk Management

Addressing the Full Spectrum of Risks

Mark Layton | May 1, 2007

With an appropriate risk strategy in place, Mark Layton says the decision to accept risk exposure will be informed, deliberate, and justified.

Enterprise Risk Management

Balancing Risk Probability and Vulnerability

Mark Layton | May 1, 2007

Mark Layton explains why too much emphasis on probability fails in the face of improbable risks.

Property Insurance

When Must an Insurer Pay a Claim?

Jay Levin | May 1, 2007

After a loss, a commercial policyholder needs to get repairs completed and business back up and running at full speed as quickly as possible. Frequently, the proceeds of the property insurance policy are necessary to accomplish this very important goal. Not all policyholders have the ability to finance repairs themselves while they wait for the adjustment process to be completed and the insurance company to pay the loss.

Current Trends and Issues

Hazards of Relying on Computer Technology in Claim Settlements

Tim Ryles | April 1, 2007

Dr. Tim Ryles addresses problems with reliance on outside vendor software in resolving claims and offers suggestions for new regulatory oversight of claims software.

Agent and Broker Technology Issues

Are We Finally Ready for Electronic Trading?

Andrew Berry | April 1, 2007

Andrew Berry predicts the London and small commercial insurance sectors will see significant developments in 2–5 years.

Property Insurance

Ensuing Loss: Getting Around a Property Policy's Defective Construction Exclusion

Jay Levin | April 1, 2007

Jay Levin points out the logical inconsistency of a broad reading of the faulty workmanship exclusion and the narrow reading of the "ensuing loss" exception.