Expert Commentary
Latest Articles
Environmental
Whether Mold Cleanup Costs Are Covered Depends on Causation
Kent Holland | April 1, 2005
"When a covered event causes mold, the mold damage includes the cost of removal." Kent Holland explains this ruling by the New Jersey appellate court on a homeowner dispute.
Internal Controls
Why the COSO Frameworks Need Improvement
Matthew Leitch | April 1, 2005
Matthew Leitch looks at COSO's recent "Enterprise Risk Management—Integrated Framework," pointing out weaknesses that need to be rectified before it becomes an internal control standard.
Captives
When Is Reinsurance Not Reinsurance?
Michael R. Mead | April 1, 2005
Mike Mead looks at the risk management implications of reinsurance and excess insurance for captives. Lack of regulation and standardization complicates the matter.
Continuous Performance Improvement
Deming's Point #5 as Applied to the Insurance Industry
John Pryor | April 1, 2005
When focused on the customer, continuous process improvement, through process mapping, has transformed insurance organizations. John Pryor provides some examples.
Employment Practices
Supreme Court Allows Age Discrimination Claims Based on Disparate Impact
Paul Siegel | April 1, 2005
Based on a March 30, 2005, ruling, employers must review their policies to assess the impact on older workers and address any unintended consequences, even if not deliberate. Paul Siegel explains.
Environmental
Silica—The Next Environmental Issue
Jeff Slivka | April 1, 2005
Silica exposure can be deadly. Jeff Slivka discusses the mineral, how it kills, the workplace hazard, and the insurance and risk management implications.
Claims Practices
Insurance and the Law of Unintended Consequences
Barry Zalma | April 1, 2005
Barry Zalma looks at how efforts by and for the insurance industry have resulted in far greater problems: rising costs, soaring litigation, increasing fraud, and a reputation seemingly beyond repair.
Maritime Law
Supreme Court Rules a Dredge Is a Jones Act Vessel
Michael Orlando | March 18, 2005
Michael Orlando discusses a 2005 case— Stewart v. Dutra Construction —that hopes to resolve the conflict over how to determine whether a watercraft is a "vessel" for the purposes of the LHWCA.
Cyber and Privacy Risk and Insurance
Privacy: Outsourcing and the Need for a Vendor Compliance Strategy
Gary Clayton | March 1, 2005
Gary Clayton explains that with proper risk management, outsourcing arrangements can work as long as the privacy/security of the underlying personally identifiable information is protected.
Current Trends and Issues
Household, Family, and Other Problems in Homeowners Policy Language
Tim Ryles | March 1, 2005
Determining what constitutes a household and family is a moving target for insurers and insureds. Tim Ryles looks at the meaning of this language in homeowners policies and court interpretations.
Environmental
Whether Mold Cleanup Costs Are Covered Depends on Causation
Kent Holland | April 1, 2005
Continuous Performance Improvement
Deming's Point #5 as Applied to the Insurance Industry
John Pryor | April 1, 2005
Employment Practices
Supreme Court Allows Age Discrimination Claims Based on Disparate Impact
Paul Siegel | April 1, 2005
Cyber and Privacy Risk and Insurance
Privacy: Outsourcing and the Need for a Vendor Compliance Strategy
Gary Clayton | March 1, 2005
Current Trends and Issues
Household, Family, and Other Problems in Homeowners Policy Language
Tim Ryles | March 1, 2005
