Intel

2022 was a year that few in the Property and Casualty (P&C) sector could have predicted. Instead of stability, the market remained largely volatile, especially in the Property sector and the reinsurance marketplace. Many carriers suffered through unprofitable years thanks to Hurricane Ian, inflation, and an adverse property insurance environment primarily in Florida and Gulf coast states. Above all, losses…

The fourth quarter began very different than how the majority of the summer months had transpired from a Natural CAT perspective; as Hurricane Ian used the final few days of Q3 to take aim at Florida’s densely populated gulf coast. Despite mandatory evacuations, fairly accurate forecasting of its path and the usual several days to prepare, its damages were devastating.…

Macroeconomic trends, namely inflation and rising interest rates, are having a profound effect on the Property & Casualty (P&C) market as we head into the second half of 2022. Inflation impacts everything—from rapidly changing property values to challenges with mid-year reinsurance renewals. These are truly generational inflationary pressures that most professionals within the industry have never personally experienced. Even with…

As we enter the long-awaited season of Spring which conjures up thoughts of new beginnings, I draw parallels to the Excess & Surplus (E&S) Insurance industry. Several years of disciplined underwriting, including increased rates, adjusted limit deployment, and careful tweaking of policy language, coupled with a tamping of COVID-19 restrictions is resulting in this renewed sense of optimism. Carriers are…

The last two years have been among the most uncertain the world has ever experienced by any standard. The Excess and Surplus (E&S) Lines insurance marketplace has stepped up to meet the challenge experiencing strong growth and perseverance in the face of a global pandemic, extraordinary natural catastrophes, increasing cyber-attacks, excessive jury verdicts, supply chain disruptions, political unrest, labor shortages…

Labor shortages, supply chain issues and cybersecurity concerns are among the challenges currently facing Canada’s architects and engineers. To learn more about how Architects & Engineers Insurance can help, we spoke with Paula Lansky, Manager, Professional Liability, Burns & Wilcox, Toronto, Ontario. What are some of the greatest risks facing architects and engineers in Canada today? P.L. The risks that…

By Paul G. Smith, Corporate Senior Vice President, Carrier Relations, H.W. Kaufman Group We are pleased to share our third quarter Property & Casualty Market Overview and Forecast, prepared immediately following industry conferences and meetings that are clear bellwethers of what to anticipate. September, as we know, is Reinsurance Month which sets the stage for pivotal year-end negotiations of January 1…

By Paul G. Smith, Corporate Senior Vice President, Carrier Relations, H.W. Kaufman Group As the world begins to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is abundantly clear, the “new normal” will reshape all of our organizations. One of our many goals is to keep you updated on the rapidly evolving insurance marketplace where adjustments have arguably never been more fluid.…

By Paul G. Smith, Corporate Senior Vice President, Carrier Relations, H.W. Kaufman Group Following the release of our Burns & Wilcox Property & Casualty Market Overview and Forecast: Eye on 2021 report last quarter the already challenged Commercial and Personal insurance marketplace was greeted with yet another extraordinary event—Winter Storm Uri (February 13-17). The widespread impact resulted in over 170…

A consulting firm will pay $1.75 million to settle claims of breach of contract and professional negligence related to the design and construction of a large, lined pond that was part of a $13 million water treatment plant. The Community Services District of Cambria, California sued the firm, CDM Smith, in 2018, claiming the pond required repairs, redesign and modifications…