Expert Commentary

The Importance of Contingent Business Interruption

Gary Bausom | August 1, 2002

Gary Bausom explains that underwriters can choose to ignore and exclude contingent business interruption, but it will be done with an opportunity cost in terms of premium income.

Design and Professional Liability

Insurance Coverage—Waivers of Subrogation

Kent Holland | August 1, 2002

In this article, Kent Holland discusses a Fourth Circuit case that demonstrates the importance of waivers of subrogation as part of the risk allocation strategy.

Surety

Exoneration Based on Fraud in the Inducement as a Surety Defense

Marilyn Klinger | August 1, 2002

With new business scandals unfolding daily, improper business conduct is currently in the spotlight. Here, Marilyn Klinger considers a surety's exoneration defense based on fraud or material misrepresentation in the inducement.

Equipment Theft Prevention

Heavy Equipment Theft and Solutions—Part 2

David Shillingford | August 1, 2002

This second of four articles by David Shillingford on heavy equipment theft deals with physical measures that can be taken to protect equipment.

Environmental

A Mold Prevention Program

Jeff Slivka | July 1, 2002

Mold has become such a nightmare for owners, contractors, suppliers, everyone, that if you haven't developed a prevention program, you probably will. Jeff Slivka provides a brief outline of what a mold prevention program may look like.

Design and Professional Liability

The Design Professional's Statute of Repose: Stumbling Blocks to the Defense of Torts and Contractual Indemnity Claims

Kenneth Slavens | July 1, 2002

Ken Slavens examines the case of Jordan v. Sandwell, Inc. , highlighting the problems that design professionals may encounter when the statute of repose is raised as a defense.

Surety

Protecting the Balance Sheet

Rolf Neuschaefer | July 1, 2002

An uninsured loss drains cash, the lifeblood of any business, and erodes net worth. Rolf Neuschaefer explains what surety underwriters are looking for from their principals in the current market.

Additional Insured Issues

Is Additional Insured Coverage Becoming Just an Illusion?

Joseph Postel | July 1, 2002

Joe Postel looks at the recent Illinois Appellate Court decision, National Union v R. Olson Constr., and at the judicial confusion over additional insured endorsements that exclude the additional insured's own negligence.

Political Risk

Political Risk Insurance in Asia: Who Purchases It, Where, and Why

Daniel Wagner | July 1, 2002

In Asia, political risk insurance (PRI) purchases are primarily driven by banks' lending requirements, which are influenced by their internal risk management and credit policies. While investors also consider PRI, it is often in response to specific political events, with banks playing a key role in determining the need for coverage. Daniel Wagner discusses.

Terrorism Risk Management and Insurance

Terrorism Insurance Coverage for Commercial Property—A Status Report

Jack Gibson | June 1, 2002

Based on interviews with underwriters, agents, brokers, and risk managers, IRMI President Jack Gibson examines the current state of the market for terrorism coverage in property insurance.