Property losses from catastrophes are getting worse

Carriers who take an integrated and transparent approach are best equipped to help clients proactively mitigate growing property exposures. Increasing...

Weathering Winter Weather Risks

Before more freezing weather, heavy snow or ice arrives this winter, now is the time for business owners to prepare and reduce their risk of property damage...

True Tales of the Data Breach Hotline

A cyber breach can strike panic and lead to rushed decisions, but these on-call claim professionals helped to achieve happy endings for clients at their...

Project quality management, part two: the proposal phase

This is the second of a four-part series on project quality management. This installment focuses on quality management during the proposal phase, including...

The Construction Management Talent Shortage

Today’s construction industry struggles to attract and retain professional staff necessary to meet the demands of today and into the future. The shortfall...

When it matters most

One of the things I find most striking about commercial P&C insurance is how it blends financial elements which are somewhat commoditized with highly valuable,...

From grape to glass: managing wine risk

Wine is big business. Volatile weather can pose big risks to winemakers and threaten their yield. Clélia Duvoux, Business Developer, Agriculture – Europe,...

2019's Top Cyber Risks: Finding solutions in vulnerability

Fourteen seconds. That was the prediction in 2017 on how often a business would endure a cyberattack by 2019. By October 2019, however, the actual figure...

Spotlight on global programs

Introduction by Shiwei Jin, Global Programs & Captives Regional Director APAC, AXA XL, a division of AXA ...

Let's Talk: Construction boom boosts demand for expanded contractor's equipment coverage

Shawn Langenegger says, “Building a business is an adventure.” Since joining AXA XL in 2014, he and his Inland Marine team have been on a five-year adventure,...

Savvy global travelers have a trained eye on Political Risk

The next time your travels find you in a foreign country, look around. Chances are you will find clues to that country’s political and credit risks. Because...

Project quality management, part one: What is quality management?

This first article of a series on project quality management looks at its role as part of a firm-wide quality management system, or QMS. Subsequent articles...

Where there's smoke there's environmental exposure

The combustion triangle is fairly easy to understand. A fire needs only three things present to burn: Oxygen, Heat and Fuel. Beyond that, the equation...

Captives: weathering the ups and downs of the insurance market

By Matt Latham, Head of Global Programs and Captives at AXA XL Trends in the wider insurance market have always had an impact on the captive market....

Property Perspective: Steering through a firming commercial property insurance market

2020 is almost here. As we look back, it’s been quite a year for AXA XL’s Michele Sansone and her North America Property Insurance team. For the first...

What are the risks keeping European risk managers awake at night?

By Dirk Wegener, incoming president of FERMA.   This year’s Federation of European Risk Management Associations’ forum gathered risk managers from across...

The view from Asia: Adapting to a changing market

By Zoe Xie, Client and Distribution Leader, Asia, AXA XL, a division of AXA As rates trend upward, new risks emerge, and traditional risks become more...

Floodproofing, FEMA and flood maps

The following is an interview between Randy Lewis, VP of Loss Prevention Education, Design Professional and Adam Reeder, PE, CFM, Senior Project Manager...

Sounding the alarm: Wildfire exposure and prevention in construction

We know certain types of construction carry inherent fire risks – wood frame construction is one such type. Building materials stored onsite can pose a...

Bigger projects, a slimmer workforce and new tech

Construction projects are bigger and more complex than ever before. The construction workforce, however, is not keeping up. Many skilled workers have left,...

Small Business Owners: IoT is Key to Better Property Risk Management

Insurance and risk management are changing. Thanks to advances in technology, the focus today has shifted more toward preventing losses instead of just...

Aiming for the future how AXA XL is responding to European risk managers evolving needs

The FERMA forum in Berlin this month is the first that we will attend as AXA XL. Bruno Laval, Regional Head – Europe, Insurance at AXA XL, explains how...

Cybersecurity budgets: Why big money doesn't necessarily mean big security

Another day, another headline about a high-profile hack or data breach. The media and public take notice when consumer data have been compromised. And...

Digging up the past: pollution risk in site redevelopment

What is site redevelopment? Basically, it’s a type of construction project that converts an unused or underperforming property into something profitable....

E-cigarettes, an emerging risk

E-cigarettes have been on our watchlist of emerging risks for the past several years. A recent outbreak of severe pulmonary disease in the U.S., coupled...

Biometric data, privacy and a storm of class action claims

How many science fiction films feature bolted steel doors unlocked only with a successful retina scan? That seemingly futuristic security feature isn’t...

A shame to throw it away

What happens when a work of art gets damaged? Can it be restored to its original condition? Would that be expensive? What does the owner think? And what...

Weather assessment solutions in construction: Helping control risks, time and money

It’s raining. It’s pouring. We can’t install flooring. Weather is a critical factor in construction design, planning and execution and has among the most...

Natural catastrophes: how modelling can give European risk managers a new perspective

Natural catastrophes can have a huge impact on a company, its operations and its workforce. For risk managers, estimating the annual losses suffered by...

All Together Now: The advantages of the Master Builder's Risk Reporting Policy

What’s in your Builder’s Risk policy? If anything sums up the old adage about something being “greater than the sum of its parts,” it would be a construction...

I am woman, hear me roar, in numbers too big to ignore

We have had a long history in Ireland – AXA dates its origins in the country back some 300 years while XL arrived in 1990. And this is an exciting time...

Baden-Baden: Exploring the trends in European reinsurance

This month sees the annual reinsurance meeting in Baden-Baden. Following preliminary discussions in Monte Carlo in September, reinsurers, cedants and brokers...

Analysing flood events to build back better

DOWNLOAD THE DISASTER RECOVERY CASE STUDY: UK FLOODS 2007 DOWNLOAD THE DISASTER RECOVERY CASE STUDY: FLOODING IN GERMANY 2013     It’s no accident that...

More than a paper policy

Too many businesses realize the value of their insurance coverage only after the fact, after they lose something first. That means too many are missing...

7 Things you need to know about insuring contractor’s equipment

Here’s a little insurance trivia…. The 19th century French term en bloc, meaning “all together or all at the same time”, was used to describe insurance...

A market of opportunity: what buyers of international programmes need to know about Indonesia

Q. What are some of the major opportunities and challenges for clients in Indonesia? A. Indonesia has the world’s fourth-largest population and is predicted...

The risk manager of tomorrow making data work for you

Data has always been a key tool for risk managers – and for their broker and underwriter partners too. We are entering now a new era for data, which could...

The State of Construction_High Tech and Human Touch

From the first time early humans made primitive tools to build shelters, there have been construction risks. They built structures to satisfy the universal...

Making inclusion work: putting words into practice

I have spent my entire career – more than 25 years and counting – in insurance, and I’m proud to see how the industry has changed over that time to become...

Brazil: a market of both challenge and opportunity for risk managers with global programmes

What are some of the challenges that companies operating in Brazil face currently? The recent economic downturn and slow recovery, of course, represent...

Taking reinsurance into the future

It was a huge honour for me to be elected president of l’Association des Professionels de la Réassurance en France (Apref) last year. I have spent my entire...

Gently down the stream: How international insurance programmes can help manage large and evolving energy risks

What trends are you seeing in the management and transfer of downstream energy risk?While it varies from client to client and across different geographies,...

Stormy weather: Preparing property to ride out more frequent & severe convective storms

Warm air rises. It’s a lesson that many of us remember from science class. When it does, carrying moisture with it, it results in an atmospheric phenomenon...

Mechanic's lien rights for design professionals

Do you know your lien rights? Mechanic’s liens are powerful tools that can help you collect your unpaid fees. But some clients may want you to waive your...

Cyber attacks on campus

Cyber attack, espionage, and ransomware aren’t part of the curriculum; they are the threats that colleges and universities face as more sophisticated cyber...

Wellington boots, suncream, insurance: how risk transfer helps make festivals happen

Festival season is in full swing in the UK. And whether you were soaking up Stormzy, The Cure and Kylie at Glastonbury, or if your taste runs more to literary...

Realizing the benefits of global programs

After several decades of experience, the benefits of global insurance programs for multinational clients – notably improved capital efficiencies, more...

Safer Travels: 5 tips to avoid being an easy target

Who doesn’t love to travel? Not many according to travel industry statistics. Americans traveling for business and leisure took 2.3 billion domestic trips...

Costs of corruption weigh heavily on nations' future growth

Whether it occurs in a small developing economy, a petrostate or a G20 nation, corruption is a costly problem. Allowed to continue unabated, corruption...

Value trumps first cost when buying professional liability insurance

Every architecture or engineering firm faces the same questions annually: in today’s professional liability (PL) insurance marketplace, how do you determine...

African swine fever: how husbandry can help reduce the risk

This year is the Chinese Year of the Pig. For many, the pig is considered auspicious and symbolises prosperity. It also forms an important part of many...

Let's Talk: Inland Marine Insurance supports storm resiliency and growth in the Northeast

When Superstorm Sandy passed through AXL XL Inland Marine Underwriting Manager Jon Mosby’s Northeast region in 2012, it left in its wake more than $70...

Protecting commercial property against wildfire damage

Is California on fire? For those of us who were either born or raised in California, it can seem that way. Wildfires in the West and South West are getting...

Project Pursuits decisions affect subcontracting risks

This article has been republished with permission as an IRMI Expert Commentary. As an industry, construction spends a tremendous amount of time and resources...

A Blue Carbon future: how innovative thinking aims to increase coastal resilience and meet climate targets

Concerns about human impact on the planet is at the forefront of many individuals’ minds and businesses’ agendas.  Companies are taking steps to reduce...

The Pretenders: Hackers target companies, posing as CEOs and other C-level Executives

In 2017, online digital publications announced the latest threat to consumer safety: hackers using vulnerabilities inside WhatsApp to spread malicious...

Name that place: designating dispute resolution settings in contracts

When a project dispute arises, you could be forced to fight an uphill battle if the state designated for dispute resolution isn’t your own. It may not...

Commercial bonds ensure good things happen

One of the most famous lines in film is, “My name is Bond. James Bond.” Audiences accustomed to seeing the stylish spy dashing in to save the day might...

Driving Forward: Navigating Supply Chain Risk in the Automotive Industry

In May 2018, a fire broke out at a magnesium die-cast company’s plant in Michigan, causing enough damage to suspend the production of critical parts used...

Let’s Talk: Inland Marine insurance keeps tech and other companies moving forward

Technology changes quickly, and so do the firms that create game-changing technologies. Constant change is one of the reasons why technology firms are...

Cities held for ransom: Why are public entities easy targets for cyber crime?

In May 2019, Baltimore found itself fighting off cyber crime – a ransomware attack that hit the city – the second known cyber attack in 14 months. Business...

Cause, effect, consequence: Assessing natural hazards

The City of San Francisco recently announced that it was partnering with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on a project to model Pacific storms....

Let's Talk: environmental liability

How has the market for environmental liability insurance changed over the course of your career? The environmental market has changed considerably over...

Let’s Talk: Urs Uhlmann on climate change, big data and the evolving challenges of cyber risks

The interconnectedness of technology with our lives and businesses has surfaced both new capabilities and new risks. We spoke with Urs Uhlmann, AXA XL’s...

Taking a holistic approach to health and wellbeing

Wellbeing is a concept that is growing in importance for employers across the UK. A workforce that is healthy, both physically and mentally, is a more...

Ransomware-as-a-Service: The business of distributing cyber attacks

Ransomware is proving to be a profitable endeavor for cyber criminals. It is also what is fueling a newer trend: the business of offering management of...

Let's Talk: Keeping industries moving with inland marine insurance

If property assets can move, structures can be built, or unique valuation needs exist, it’s likely that someone is relying on inland marine insurance for...

Made in India: A Growing Market and the Opportunities for International Insurance

Why are overseas companies keen to invest and grow in India?India is currently one of the largest economies in the world, with the third-highest gross...

Dazed and confused: Are you administering the contract... or the construction?

Design professionals use various terms in contracts, websites and correspondence to describe their services during the construction phase of a project. For...

Lets Talk: State of the environmental insurance market

As the saying goes – there is no use crying over spilled milk. For many businesses, dealing with spilled milk is not a likely problem. Instead, the question...

Property Perspectives: Helping businesses make the right moves insuring commercial property

Mark Flanagan is a Master, in more ways than one. First off, Mark is a designated Master-level chess player and the Bermuda Chess Champion for 2018. ...

Think You Don't Need Environmental Insurance?

“I don’t work with hazardous materials.”“My industry isn’t regulated by the EPA.” “We have an environmental health and safety team, and a response plan...

Autonomous technologies an uncertain and evolving risk landscape

Propelled by massive investments and impressive technological advances, autonomous vehicles are quickly becoming more numerous and capable, and appear...

In & Out: Loaning Works of Art

An increase in the number of exhibitions in recent years has meant that more art works are on display. This is great news for art aficionados, who get...

Constructive Conversations: Taking tech to the jobsite

Today’s construction jobsite looks a lot different than it did 10 years ago. From monitoring sensors, exoskeletons, imaging and BIM to project management...

The LockerGoga Ransomware Attack: A worst-case scenario for industrial operations

Over the past decade, the corporate world has become familiar with ransomware attacks. Cyber attackers encrypt company’s systems and data until a bitcoin...

There’s a 100% chance a hurricane will strike somewhere in 2019. Be prepared!

Don’t know why there’s no Severe Weather Preparedness Plan for your business? With the start of hurricane season now’s not the time to whistle that tune...it’s...

Lets talk Bridging the gap between science and insurance

Q. What is the role of an in-house scientist at an insurer and reinsurer? My job is not simply academic: it’s about helping to foster understanding and...

When tech is the target: cyber risks for tech companies

In a world in which cyber attacks are increasing in frequency and severity, companies rely heavily on technology to secure their data and systems. But...

Boost your image and lower your risk: Managing project photos

We love it when great firms want to do even better. AXA XL’s Design Professional team recently heard from an architect who asked what more his firm could...

Subcontractor Operational Prequalification: Putting power in the process

Shutting the door to attacksThese are expenses that can be driven down by putting proper protections in place. For industrial firms, manufacturing operations —...

Unplug: Remove electronic distractions while driving

Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 3,450 lives in 2016. Cell phones, GPS systems, portable computers, CD players, video screens and other types...

The changing terrorism threat and how it can be managed within global programmes

How has the terrorism threat changed in recent years?The terrorism threat has evolved over recent years. Increased resources have been devoted to the detection...

Reining in water risks before mold takes hold

When water gets in, mold often takes hold. Water intrusion is a primary source of mold and can quickly develop into a toxic situation for building inhabitants,...

AXA XL in Iberia launches expatriate insurance solution in partnership with AXA Global Healthcare

Three to Zero: Driving down construction fatalities

Three. That’s the average number of daily construction fatalities in the United States. Three per day. And that’s three too many. According to the Bureau...

With a little help from your friends: The big business benefits of Employee Resource Groups

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” That’s a quote from 19th century Irish author and poet Oscar Wilde. It’s a quote that reminds us to be...

Let's Talk: Building a complete risk picture

Extreme storms, wildfires and droughts caused heavy Nat Cat losses in 2018, resulting in approximately USD 90 billion annual Nat Cat loss to insurance...

The state of the Florida market: a reinsurer's perspective

The upcoming 2019 Florida renewals may be an unprecedented bellwether for how reinsurance pricing in the sunshine state will respond post event. A lack...

Can blockchain help art underwriters?

We all know the importance of giving and receiving flowers. More than two million roses are produced each year for Valentine’s Day alone. Last year, however,...

Transferring, not acquiring, environmental liabilities

Environmental liabilities were once notorious for killing business deals. Most businesses didn't know how to handle their own environmental liability...

A Passion to Protect: the issue that unites all collectors

How do you define a collector? As a single-minded acquirer of niche artefacts? An aesthetic connoisseur of rarefied beauty? Or a dispassionate student...

Put down the phone. Be safe. #JustDrive

When it comes to automobile accidents, the numbers don’t lie. Instead, they tell an alarming story related to the injuries, fatalities, and growing risks...

Design Professional Perspective What shall we do about shall

Must you refrain from using “shall” in your contracts? Some legal scholars and government agencies are moving in that direction. Words often change meaning...

Promoting financial security and resilience in a fragile land

If you ask farmers how they view the future, their responses usually don’t overflow with optimism. That’s especially true for those working on small plots...

Ignore Distractions. #JUSTDRIVE

Every day, at least nine Americans die, and hundreds are injured in distracted driving crashes. That’s why April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month,...

The E&S Casualty market prepares for disruption

By its very nature, the Excess & Surplus (E&S) casualty market attracts risks that cannot otherwise be handled by the primary market. Yet increasing losses...

The beautiful game and the British weather; the risk and insurance view

On any given weekend during the football season, it is a familiar sight to see pitches across the UK filled with amateur players of all abilities united...

Let's Talk: Science and Art in Underwriting

How did you get into insurance? Was it something you always saw yourself doing? Greaves: Similar to many of my insurance peers, I did not plan to become...

Are new data sources *sparking joy* for underwriting and claims?

Decluttering expert Marie Kondo asks a single question when determining whether a piece of clothing or a book should stay in the house or be thrown out:...

Let's Talk: Risks and resources in Canada

What is AXA XL’s outlook for business growth in Canada? Uhlmann: We see a lot of potential growth in Canada. With a gross domestic product approaching...

Cyber claims scenarios ripped from the headlines

The liabilities associated with cyber exposures can devastate any business. A single cyber-attack in the US costs companies on average $7.91 million, according...

Severity trends in Auto Claims

Every day, at least nine Americans die and hundreds are injured in distracted driving crashes. That’s why April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month,...

Keeping pace with the pacesetters

Complexity and volatility have long been key elements in the world of risk. But a new wrinkle is emerging and is especially visible in the sharing economy:...

Closing the gap: Why UK clients need to think about environmental coverage

It has now been 15 years since the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD) came into force across the EU. The directive enforces the so-called “polluter-pays...

Venezuela: A land of risks and opportunities

Observing Venezuela’s spiral from political and economic chaos into a full-blown crisis, it’s easy to dismiss the notion that investors have anything to...

Agricultural insurance: Happiness is in the field

A growing demand for crops for human and animal consumption, the increased use of machinery and modern farming technologies, and the ever-present threat...

Constructive Conversations: Helping clients tackle the labor challenge

The construction industry faces growing labor challenges. From a shortage of skilled labor to aging workers, this tight talent situation can impact jobsite...

Reinsurers shifting focus from cat business

Reinsurers face a challenge because “if they are retaining less cat business by using alternative capital, this also erodes profitability”, he told DWIC...

Are you a good manager?

The following article was written by Cate Huston, engineering manager at Automattic, the people behind websites and applications such as WordPress.com,...

Cyber Prevention: Staying ahead of the phishers, vishers and smishers

It starts with a phone call, a click of a link, a request from the CFO, a customer locked out of an account or a vendor complaining about a missing payment. These...

Getting a hold on mold in construction

Mold lives everywhere in air, in water, on land, in soil, and on or in plants and animals. All it needs to grow is the right temperature, moisture, and...

What’s yours is mine: The risk of expropriation, what companies need to know

Our newsfeeds these days seem to be teeming with stories about political risk and a rise in protectionism to changes in governments, there is a lot for...

Technology is making waves in the marine insurance market

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term that’s quite mainstream these days. And players in the Marine industry are finding ways to use it to their advantage....

Preventing water damage during construction projects

Insurance loss data over the past 10 years shows that water damage has become a leading cause of Builder’s Risk claims. Whether from external sources (rain,...

Safety in art transport packed with the utmost care and without the slightest damage

In early February 1748, Baron Heinrich Jakob Häckel sent a small painting depicting the holy family in a landscape setting, plus a copperplate print of...

Constructive Conversations: Made in America

This article has been republished with permission as an IRMI Expert Commentary. It’s become common knowledge that today’s Construction industry is falling...

Benefits and risks of building with Cross Laminated Timber

Widely used in Europe, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is one of the newest and hottest topics and materials in American construction today. It’s strong,...

Benefits and risks of building with Cross Laminated Timber, Part 2

Have a CLT project in your pipeline? While it’s trending in the construction market, it is important to invest the time to look beyond the benefits to...

Advances in Artificial Intelligence Are Benefiting Property Risk Engineering

Businesses today can readily access massive volumes of increasingly precise data from a widening variety of sources. For Property risk engineers, this...

Fighting sprinklered fires

An early morning 911 call alerted the fire department of smoke coming from a large warehouse storing used auto parts. When the fire fighters arrived, they...

Closing the Infrastructure Gap in Asia-Pacific

In the past decade, Asia-Pacific countries have constructed more infrastructure than any other developing region. The region’s road networks, for instance,...

Love Is In the Air

No one is quite certain how Valentine’s Day emerged as an annual celebration of love and romance.One legend points the origin to a third-century Roman...

New IMO regulation calls for a sharp reduction in ships' sulphur emissions

During my career as a Master Mariner, Port Captain and now Marine Risk Engineer, I’ve seen how the remarkable evolution of the maritime shipping industry...

Hiring an owner-specified subconsultant

“Contract corner” is a series of columns occasionally published our Design Profession team’s monthly newsletter, Communiqué. These columns focus on onerous...

Constructive Conversations: Talent development and building an empowered team

In today’s tight US labor market, the competition for top talent is impacting every industry. From Construction to Consulting and from Insurance to IT,...

Belt and road how risk managers can use global programmes in a transforming region PT

Belt and road how risk managers can use global programmes in a transforming region

Property Perspectives: Don’t underestimate your value

While there is a definite shift in businesses having a significant increase in intangible assets that need protection as opposed to tangible assets like...

Commercial insurtech is like an exclusive club — and you’re invited

This piece was originally published in TechCrunch. Tech companies and VCs in the insurance space have probably read many articles about Amazon and Google...

Internet of things offers insureds added value

The Internet of Things is transforming the way we live and work. And we believe it can change the way risk is managed and underwritten.Last year, the number...

Let’s Talk: Captives with Steven Bauman

Steven you have a fairly extensive CV, how did you first become involved in alternative markets and why did you decide to specialize in captives? Bauman:...

Protecting property through Winter's wild weather

Even before winter officially began, we felt its wrath. In mid-November, a destructive storm in the Northeast caused over 400,000 power outages, school...

Changing climate, changing standard of care?

As extreme weather events hit more frequently, many observers believe their impact may affect the standard of care for design professionals. Last fall,...

Let’s Talk: AXA Climate

Parametric or index-based insurance is becoming increasingly popular with private companies, national governments and public-private partnerships due to...

The return of nationalism

The article was first published in S-RM’s Political Violence bulletin.From Trump’s “America First” to the ever-looming Brexit, nationalist movements have...

Expect the unexpected: what will 2019 hold for risk managers with international programmes?

As we enter 2019, Owen Williams, head of the captive centre of excellence at XL Catlin, now part of AXA XL, a division of AXA Group, considers what risk...

Property Perspectives: Providing premier property protection

Unlike many who stumble into the insurance industry ‘by accident,’ Joe Moylan set his sights on a career in insurance right from the start. Now, as Northeast...

Cyber insurance market: The year in review

Cyber liability is fast becoming the last frontier of the insurance world.   Hackers and cyber thieves are growing in number and in the sophistication...

Investing in the future

If you had asked me when I was 12 what I wanted to do when I grow up, I would have answered: “I want to travel the world. And wear a tie”.Some years later,...

Insuring the intangible

Valuable assets, indistinct risksWhether it’s proprietary algorithms, massive data sets or intricate global supply chains, intangible assets are critically...

Why film underwriters deserve an Oscar of their own

It’s been a brilliant few years for British film and television. From ‘water-cooler’ telly moments, like the final episode of Bodyguard, to the first female...

Constructive Conversations: Building customer-focused operations

To stay competitive in today’s global business economy, it requires a lot more than having the right corporate vision and strategy. It’s all about the...

Avoiding the holiday hustle

It’s that time of year when we all need to brace ourselves for not only the bustle of the holiday season, but for the potential hustle in the bustle too. Crime...

Take 5 with Nancy Bewlay, AXA XL’s Chief Underwriting Officer, Global Casualty

Nancy Bewlay stays on the pulse of the insurance industry’s casualty underwriting trends and most pressing issues. She has to. As Chief Underwriting...

Let’s Talk: Airport Fixed Base Operators and Environmental Incidents

From supplying support equipment to refueling and de-icing operations to managing fuel storage facilities to hangars, and more, thousands of fixed base...

Insuring the sharing economy

Thanks Steve!It sometimes feels as if the sharing economy, which is how companies that facilitate peer-to-peer transactions via an online platform/smartphone...

What were you thinking? An exploration of human bias in subcontractor selection

This article has been republished with permission as an IRMI Expert Commentary. Subcontractor defaults on construction projects can be catastrophic, which...

Sea-change: how technology is changing the transportation of goods

For hundreds of years, merchants have transported their wares across land and sea trying to find the delicate balance between getting their goods to their...

Property Perspectives: Preparing Southeast businesses for the unexpected in NatCat

The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane season has been somewhat out of the ordinary.  AXA XL’s Mike Smith couldn’t agree more.  As Southeast Regional Underwriting...

Constructive Conversations: Professional Liability considerations when insuring modular construction

Modular and prefabricated construction continues to grow worldwide. In 2017, the global market value was USD 106 billion and it’s projected to reach USD...

Re-emphasizing storytelling in American Art

Art and artists evolve, introducing new movements through differing approaches. One such movement is figurative art.  According to the Tate Gallery, figurative...

Is asbestos making a comeback?

This past June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed “significant new use rule” (SNUR) on asbestos. The proposed rule, which...

Collectors - who are they and how do we support them?

Who are collectors today?Philippe Bouchet: Essentially, collectors are people who are passionate – and that’s always been the case. During the Renaissance...

Constructive Conversations: Bringing excellence to the Excess market

The $10 trillion global construction industry continues to grow. Leading contractors are taking on new projects that are pushing the limits – from record-breaking...

More mindful data protection

We’re all so busy. So many things are tugging at our attention.  Way too many distractions continuously draw us away from the important tasks at hand. ...

Safe travels: Don't be a kidnapper's easy target

Recently, a businessman – CEO to one of Tanzania’s largest conglomerates – was abducted by masked gunmen as he was about to enter a hotel gym at 5:35 a.m....

Class action filing increase shifting D&O dynamics

The frequency of U.S. federal and state securities class actions (SCA) have been increasing markedly in recent years. At the time of writing, there have...

Data dystopia: what does the future hold for data privacy?

As cyber underwriters, a big part of our job is to be curious, to piece together “what-ifs” to try to analyse as yet unknown or untested risks. Our role...

Let's Talk: Building up diversity in the construction industry

While the number of female engineering students has climbed over the past 20 years, it still hovers just below 20%. Less than 9% of workers in the U.S....

Rise in US federal securities class action filings impacting companies with US exposures

Belt & road: how risk managers can use global programmes in a transforming region

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an ambitious infrastructure development strategy announced by the Chinese government. The initiative will cover more...

U-turns. Know the risk!

It is just after 1:00 AM and a tractor trailer attempts to make a U-turn on a highway with a 60 mph speed limit.As the rig begins to swing for the...

California Privacy Laws

When Europe’s Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) took effect in May 2018, industries everywhere were put on notice regarding the collection, storage,...

We need to talk about: rehabilitation helping employees with mental health conditions

Employers and employees alike in the UK are becoming aware of the need to talk about mental health at work. The UK Government last year commissioned a...

Property Perspectives: Insuring Canada's natural resource-based businesses

Ian Rutherford loves the outdoors.  An avid mountain biker, snowboarder and surfer, Ian values the rich outdoor resources available to him across Canada.  ...

Credit and political risk: opportunities abound in Latin America

Latin America is a diverse region, with economies at different stages of maturity and good growth prospects. That combination is continuing to attract...

Constructive Conversations: Optimizing opportunities for project owners

From her early days as an environmental risk engineer to her current role as Underwriting Director within North America Construction’s Professional & Pollution...

How to Keep Ahead of Evolving Fine Art and Specie Risks

Fine art and specie is a class of insurance available to clients across sectors and in countries around the world. Graham Hawkins, global chief underwriting...

Technology is reshaping the construction industry

Technology is reshaping how the construction industry operates. Given industry challenges – including increasingly bigger projects, an aging workforce,...

Hackers on the job site: Cyber attacks target construction

From modeling to drone use to 3D printing of buildings and components, construction has come of age. Today’s construction operations are deeply reliant...

D&I: Turning awareness into action

Since the first Dive In Festival took place in 2014, we have been an enthusiastic participant in, and sponsor of, this insurance industry-wide event promoting...

AXA XL: “a winning combination” says Thomas Buberl

With the acquisition of the XL Group, AXA accelerates its strategy and becomes the #1 commercial line insurer worldwide. Read below what Thomas and Greg...

Wrestling tough property risks

Kyle Burnett has a knack for wrestling.  Not only is Kyle a past New York State high school wrestling champion (142 lb. class), he’s AXA XL’s underwriting...

Diving deep into government pools

In 2017, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said that there were 16 separate “billion-dollar” disasters with losses totaling more...

Hurricane preparedness: Timely tips for contractors

Contractors throughout the Southeast are bracing for the imminent impact of hurricane Florence. Given the fact that this hurricane is predicted to make...

Lights, camera, insurance: risk transfer for the movie business

Films are big business; global box office revenue is predicted to reach $50 billion in 2020. As with any large, global business, making films involve myriad,...

Getting started with continuous improvement

Continuous improvement. It’s a major trend that’s captured the attention of senior leaders throughout every industry around the world. And it makes sense....

Collaboration in times of crisis

A year ago, on September 19, 2017, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck central Mexico. Coincidentally, the quake hit on the anniversary of the catastrophic...

Alternative energy: A new proposition for oil and gas clients

Albert Einstein is popularly held to have said that “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results.”In...

Cyber Risk Modeling & Scoring: Creating Business Resilience

Over the last few decades, the way in which companies conduct business has gone through a transformation. Organizations have shifted their business models...

Spilled Beans? No worries, Part 3

This is Part 3 of a 3 part series on Damaged Goods.  Read the first in this series. And the second, right here.   Salvage has been an integral part of...

Let's talk: The nature of terrorism is changing

Recent tragic events have highlighted that the terrorism risk continues to evolve. Mark Steddon, Senior Underwriter Terrorism & Political Violence at XL...

Os riscos emergentes que estamos monitorando e por que

Head Hazards: Concussions in the workplace

NFL players are not the only ones at risk for concussions.  While media attention has raised awareness of the potential long-term health risk from repeated...

Cyber endorsements: The why and how of cyber protection

A salesperson, working from a café while on the road, sends proprietary client information over an unsecured Wi-Fi connection. A project manager for a...

Reaping big benefits from consolidated insurance buying

General Liability.  Property.  Equipment Breakdown.  Workers’ Comp.  D&O.  Commercial Auto.  Cargo. Environmental.  Businesses, on average, purchase a...

Business planning that looks beyond the bottom line

What does business planning mean in your organization? For many people, the annual business planning cycle can be the equivalent of getting a root canal...

Into Africa: how risk managers can use global programmes as part of their strategy in this fast-changing area

There has been an uptick in protectionism in the insurance markets of many African countries, with regulators imposing measures such as compulsory domestic...

Small businesses are more vulnerable to cyber risks than they think

Today, most companies rely on technology in order to conduct business. In fact, companies of all sizes are able to compete thanks to technology, and small...

Best Practices for Promoting Site Safety: Tried, True and Non-Capital Intensive

Every year, our Property Risk Engineers conduct thousands of safety assessments at industrial facilities around the world. They also regularly attend conferences,...

More than a check in a box: The importance of external reference checks

Verifying and analyzing your subcontractors’ financial prequalification information is one of many key steps in your subcontractor selection process. It...

Halt hail from hurting your profits

US hailstorms in June 2018 could cost insurers more than $3 billion according to the latest catastrophe report released by Aon P.L.C.’s Impact Forecasting...

Specie insurance: A valuable form of coverage

An important but lesser-known niche of the global insurance industry is specie insurance. This specialized form of coverage is essentially about protecting...

Insuring property in the state of extremes

Someone once said ‘California only has two kinds of weather -- magnificent and unusual.’ Billy Volz, Regional Underwriting Leader for XL Catlin’s West...

Ensuring the Fun Factor

Last year, Jack Reynolds from Chesterfield celebrated his birthday by riding a rollercoaster. Not so unusual, you might think, but great-grandfather Jack...

Catalyzing change

This article was first published as part of a larger KPMG International report called Accelerated Evolution: M&A, transformation and innovation in the...

Partnering with the World Bank to Close the Protection Gap

The incessant drumbeat of the headlines notwithstanding, most parts of the world are indeed becoming safer, more resilient and more prosperous. Since 1990,...

Is the US prepared to deal with the aftermath of increasingly severe storms?

According to an Aon Benfield report published in January 2018, re/insurers paid out an unprecedented USD 134 billion in 2017 for natural catastrophe and...

Spilled beans? No worries, Part 2

This is Part 2 of a 3 part series on Damaged Goods.  Read the first in this series. While our Claims Department can help a client who has suffered from...

Social engineering schemes 3: ways to mitigate risk of big losses

One of the oldest forms of crime — the con — is causing massive losses for businesses and individuals. The basic tactic in these increasingly sophisticated...

Why contractors big and small should protect themselves from pollution risk

Once viewed as expensive and unnecessary, insuring one’s business from a possible pollution condition at a job site is now seen as a business essential...

Securing the Chain

Supply chains are more complex than ever – and the increased use of technology such as artificial intelligence and automation is altering the way they...

Design Professional Insight: Top Ten Insurance Myths

A myth is a widely held but false belief. Unfortunately, there are plenty of myths about insurance coverage. To bust those myths and help architects,...

Emerging Risk Report Q2 2018

XL Catlin’s Emerging Risk Task Force actively monitors a wide array of emerging risks to provide our underwriters, as well as clients, with pertinent information...

People risk in international programs

It is often said that the human workforce is a company’s most precious asset. And as companies of all sizes continue to expand, and more employees travel...

Welcome to the Upside Down: Proof of Concept Purgatory

As I connect with startups and entrepreneurs who are building insurtech companies and ask about their progress thus far, I hear a common refrain:“We’ve...

A winning formula: Customer-centric business strategy

Business strategy. It can drive phenomenal success or lead to epic failure. And there’s plenty out there to learn about it. A quick Google search generates...

Set fair for the next phase of risk management: Marine blockchain platform goes live

Blockchain – the secure, decentralised and distributed ledger housed on a shared platform – is something that has been discussed by the tech community...

Moving fast fast forward: The great US speed limit debate

In the United States, elected officials in states from Idaho to Virginia are discussing possible changes to speed limit rules. Legislators in multiple...

Spilled the beans? No worries!

This is Part 1 of a 3 part series on Damaged Goods.We recently had a great claim outcome for a customer: XL Catlin and some damaged goods - garbanzo beans...

Mitigating Cyber Risk via Captives

Increasingly challengingThe reality today is that virtually every individual and organization is vulnerable to a cyberattack, and the nature of the threat...

Mexico's aviation risks are gaining altitude

Aviation has long been an important enabler, and beneficiary, of economic growth. In every region that is seeing growth, transportation options are proliferating....

Building Up Boston and Beyond

Boston is booming. According to the recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the Greater Boston area has seen a 3.5% unemployment rate -- below the US...

When the going gets tough the tough do risk management

There’s an ultramarathon race in Tennessee so tough that only 15 people have completed it within the time limit since it began back in 1986. The way to...

Small Business, Exposed

For US-based consumers, it was a breach like no other. An estimated 147 million records were compromised when consumer credit reporting agency Equifax...

What's in store for the industry? A risk engineer's perspective

Readers are no doubt familiar with the various changes taking place within our industry. These include, most notably: progressively larger ships, terminals...

An inside look at political risk and credit insurance

Political risk and credit insurance are important types of coverage that facilitate foreign direct investment and global trade. These coverages are widely...

Insuring modular construction: Casualty considerations

While modular and prefabricated construction has been around for decades, renewed interest in this delivery approach is gaining more attention.  According...

Don't let a storm blow away your profits this hurricane season

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season was a hyperactive, deadly, and extremely destructive season, featuring 17 named storms, ranking it as the most expensive...

Changing the dynamics of the property claims experience

Since 1990, Mark Evans, Head of  XL Catlin’s Property, Energy and Construction claims in North America, has managed claims from some of the insurance industry’s...

Let's Talk: Payment Services Directive

Q. What is the EU’s second Payment Services Directive?Angelos Deftereos: The EU’s second Payment Services Directive – known as PSD2 – came into force in...

Risks and opportunities in South Africa and Chile

Emerging markets are key areas for growth for multinational companies across all industries. Economic growth means a growing need for insurance and reinsurance....

Staying Afloat with Strong Workboat Insurance

This article was first published in the May issue of Marine News US Inventor Thomas Edison once said: “There is no substitute for hard work.” Nobody knows...

Pioneering insurance protection for an autonomous world

Is society ready for living in an autonomous world? Ready or not, it’s here. In fact, it’s been with us for a while. The better question for those of us...

Low threat doesn't necessarily mean ""no threat""

No question about it, leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs) are a threat to the environment, particularly to groundwater.  And there have been plenty...

New EU Regulations on Medical Devices Explained

What do pacemakers, condoms and dental fillings have in common? They are all classified medical devices that serve a medical purpose. And because humans...

PORTS OF BRAZIL: Measures that drive the sector

Port Sector: Advances and ChallengesThe evolution of the port sector in Brazil is without a doubt linked to substantial social impact for regions where...

Putting up a strong global front

After graduating from California State Polytechnic University with a degree in chemical engineering, Andy Starnes might not have imagined a career in insurance. ...

Kidnap and ransom: From the French Robin Hood to a global risk

It takes a lot of chutzpah to attempt to kidnap the judge who sentenced you to a jail term. But that is exactly what gangster Jacques Mesrine, known as...

Using non-payment insurance to extend lending capacity

The global economy has expanded rapidly over the past twenty years, spurred by, among other factors, the reduction of trade barriers, the opening of China’s...

The Social Engineer

An invoice arrives for the same amount every month. Only this month, your company account manager gets the invoice along with a note from the vendor, outlining...

Steering the course: Stand-alone Course of Construction (COC) policy vs. COC Property Extension

A 50-unit condominium housing development under construction in Greater Boston has been destroyed by fire. Investigators are still working to determine...

Tales of the Unexpected: Rare Book Risk Management

This April sees a fun day for bookworms. April 23 is World Book and Copyright Day, a United Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO)-backed...

5 Ways to keep flood waters out of your business

The 2017 hurricane season produced 17 named storms, 10 of which became hurricanes — six of those major hurricanes, including the first two major hurricanes,...

Bumps in the road – A year on from the Ogden Discount Rate announcement

On the 27th February 2017, the then Lord Chancellor Liz Truss released the result of her review of the Ogden Discount Rate, putting an end to months of...

Finding your continuous innovation sweet spot

A version of this article was first published on PropertyCasualty360.comMany organizations today place a big focus on continuous improvement. They have...

Keeping ahead of competition

Competition. It’s everywhere – big business and small business, local and global. And if you’re not keeping up, you’ll face serious business challenges....

Bringing value to the chain: how Blockchain can be used to help risk managers with global programmes

Blockchain is predicted by some to become the fifth major wave in computing – after mainframes, personal computers, the internet and social networks. And...

Property Perspectives

In today’s insurance industry, we all have an interesting story about how we got here. XL Catlin’s Jay Smelser, Regional Underwriting Leader- South Central,...

Tiger Kidnappings: A crime within a crime

In 2009, an employee at a bank in Ireland filled four laundry bags with cash from the bank’s vault, making off with EUR 7.6 million. It was the largest-ever...

XL Catlin innovations rise to help clients navigate sea of changing risks

Setting sail from Punta Del Este, Uruguay on October 4, 2017 Sarah completed two legs of an 8-leg journey which took her almost over a quarter of the way...

Small tools and equipment theft: Prevention best practices

Equipment theft is a significant problem in both lean and prosperous economic cycles. So significant, in fact, that an entire organization is devoted to...

Words matter: Building strong contracts to minimize Inland Marine risks

Words matter.   When used correctly, they precisely define a company’s legal obligations, leaving no room for interpretation. But not all contracts are...

The Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap; it’s a hot topic at the moment. But what exactly is it?The gender pay gap is a measure of the difference between the average earnings...

Ocean risk: how insurers can lead the way in building resilience

Ever since the days of Edward Lloyd’s coffee shop more than three-hundred years ago, the insurance and reinsurance industry has been intrinsically linked...

Cyber risk modeling comes of age

Ten million per month – that’s how many hacking attempts the head of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management said her agency was able to thwart each month...

Protecting your business from wildfire

Wildfires in the western U.S. have been increasing in frequency and duration since the mid-1980s, posing a significant threat to buildings and lives. According...

The story of water: essential and increasingly scarce

The story of contemporary civilization begins with efforts to exploit water resources. The story also includes strife and conflict: Historians agree that...

Doing good is growing more dangerous: Why NGOs are stepping up their threat protection

In January 2018, in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, armed attackers stormed the offices of Save the Children, an international non-governmental...

Four steps insurers must take to realize the potential of IoT

The number of IoT devices on the planet has now surpassed the number of smartphones. After half a decade of hype, insurers had expected to be writing "connected...

Una apuesta por el planeta: gestión de las exposiciones a la responsabilidad medioambiental a través de programas globales

La responsabilidad medioambiental es una de las exposiciones más importantes a las que se enfrentan muchas empresas. El escrutinio público y el control...

Captives coming of age in Asia

The use of captives as a strategic risk management tool is under development in Asia. The penetration of captives on the continent is still relatively...

Building an open communication culture

Underwriting construction projects has changed over the years. Gary Kaplan, President, North America Construction, has seen a lot in his 39 year career....

For art in transit, using specialists is a smart move

From museum exhibitions to the everyday business of art dealers, works of fine art are frequently in transit. Without proper care, art inventory in motion...

Emerging Risk Report Q1 2018

XL Catlin’s Emerging Risk Task Force actively monitors a wide array of emerging risks to provide our underwriters, as well as clients, with pertinent information...

Going green: how environmental liability exposures can be managed in global programmes

With both public and regulatory scrutiny of environmental damage on the increase, and the potential for large clean-up and remediation costs, environmental...

Road Worrier: Exposures to Workers Compensation and auto hazards for traveling construction employees

On the RoadTravel is a part of many jobs, but you might not think it’s part of a construction worker’s career.  For many trades in specific construction...

Talk to the Loss Adjuster; why communication is key for claims in global programmes

When a loss occurs, clear and timely communication with loss adjusters is vital to ensure claims are resolved successfully.  When they are structuring...

Focused on the Future

Imagine you are at a seminar and you hear your job described as one of the ten most likely to be replaced by an algorithm in the future. What do you do?...

Building codes: Necessary but sufficient?

It’s a common scenario in my line of work.I inspect a client’s facilities – in this case, a newly constructed 2,000 square meter (sqm) warehouse for electronic...

Let's Crush the Underwriting Talent Crunch!

Commercial property underwriting is far from boring, according to XL Catlin’s Jeff Williams.  As Regional Underwriting Director, North Central for XL Catlin’s...

How to make the most of an art fair: expert tips from a Fine Art underwriter

Whether you are an art enthusiast, a seasoned collector or a professional art dealer, art fairs offer an opportunity to explore new trends, to network...

Artificial intelligence: more power to the risk manager?

Artificial intelligence (AI) can unlock and analyse data in ways that people alone simply cannot. Hélène Stanway and Ashish Umre of XL Catlin discuss how...

Show Me the Money! Using Data to Drive Cost-Effective Innovation in the Construction Industry

Innovation is everywhere in the insurance industry! Don’t believe me? Then trust Google. A quick search on this topic generates over 3 million results...

XL Catlin market research identifies significant potential for credit insurance growth

Credit insurance is an important 'lubricant' to ensure the smooth functioning of domestic and international commerce. As such, it continues to grow in...

Supply Chain Quality Management: Control it before it controls you

For general contractors, subcontractor performance is everything. And with tighter project schedules more common across the construction industry, procuring...

Solar Panels: A New Challenge for Firefighters

About half a million new solar panels are installed every day.That’s not surprising given that the cost of a solar panel has been falling by about 10 percent...

Are hotels and hospitality more vulnerable to breach?

Between May 2014 and December 2015, six high-profile companies within the hospitality industry suffered customer data breaches. Malware, compromised card...

Voice of the Customer: The ultimate fuel for business success

Most people know that I’m big on project management. It’s the engine for North America Construction’s Leadership, Planning & Execution (LP&E) Model, and...

Rising value

This article was first published in the August/September 2017 issue of InsuranceNEWS Magazine.For Professional Indemnity (PI) underwriters, few occupations...

Managing the big risks of marine construction

The marine construction business is booming in the US for many reasons.  Nationwide ports are expanding, deepening their channels to accommodate bigger...

How political risk insurance and the Insurance Development Forum support the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

More than 65 million people have been displaced from their homes in recent years, a far larger number than at the end of the Second World War; of these,...

What does the millennial generation want from their employer?

The millennial generation – also known as Generation Y – born between 1980 and 2000 – will make up about 50% of the global workforce by 2020, according...

Something everyone loves: Panda bears!

Maybe it’s the adorable round face with contrasting black eyes and ears. Or their gentle demeanor. Or their decidedly laid back lifestyle.It’s hard to...

Public/private partnerships offer advantages for political, credit risks

Political risk and credit insurers are living in interesting times. On one hand, global risk and volatility have never seemed more prevalent. On the other,...

Where are all our Christmas trees?

“The Christmas trees stand packed together at the little stand on the street corner. Lit only by floodlights, each tree is indistinguishable in the little...

5 tips to cut crime risks this season

As the song about the December holidays goes, "It's the most wonderful time of the year." But it's not so wonderful for employers that are unprepared for...

It’s time to think about fine watch insurance

Collecting rare and valuable watches is a hobby that is growing in popularity. And the insurance market is developing alongside it. While watches used...

CIAB COUNCILcast with Martha Notaras of XL Innovate

The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB) recently sat down with Martha Notaras, Partner at XL Innovate. Hear her insights on market trends and...

Ho! Ho! Ho! not Oh No No No!

With the holiday’s right around the corner, we’re approaching the busiest time of the year to shop online.  Every year new figures are released that show...

Coming to grips with AOB Abuse – A financial burden to homeowners and insurers

The active 2017 Atlantic Hurricane season has once again highlighted the problems that the United States is facing with Assignment of Benefits (“AOB”)....

Protecting complex property under turbulent conditions

The 2017 hurricane season is already unlike any other in recorded history.  While that might rattle some property insurance underwriters, it does not unnerve...

Let’s talk… rate

As with any discussion of market conditions after a series of catastrophes, we are mindful of the immense suffering, including loss of life, these events...

The Impact of GDPR: EU data protection meets US-based business

Privacy regulations in the United States have nothing on those in the European Union (EU).In fact, the newly minted General Data Protection Regulation...

Protectionism heating up political and credit risks

Populism and protectionism, which created ripples in global trade in the past year, have become a strong current. Foreign policy shifts, especially from...

The evolution of marine risk engineering

The basic concept underpinning insurance – the losses of the few paid by the many – can be traced back as far as the famous Code of Hammurabi from 1800...

The right to be forgotten

In 2010, an attorney named Mario Costeja Gonzalez asked the Spanish Data Protection Agency to request that the newspaper La Vanguardia remove two small...

Livestock Insurance: Protecting the Big Business of Beef

Beef is big business in the US.  In fact, the beef cattle production represents the largest single segment of American agriculture.  There are more than...

Emerging Risk Report: Q3 2017

XL Catlin’s Emerging Risk Task Force actively monitors a wide array of emerging risks to provide our underwriters, as well as clients, with pertinent information...

Corporate away days – Who doesn’t enjoy bonding with co-workers outside the office?

A version of this article originally appeared in the AIRMIC News.  Many companies recognize that a stimulating, horizon-expanding experience outside the...

Construction Hazards: The risk of not innovating

The Construction and Insurance industries have many things in common.  Both industries have a long, venerable history.  Both are dealing with an aging...

The internet of things

Gartner predicts there will be 20.4 billion internet-connected “things” in use by 2020; 2.6 for every person on earth. Our infographic traces the evolution...

Insurtech Connect 2017: Insurers and Insurtechs both swiping right

Insurtech enthusiasts,Last week I attended Insurtech Connect Conference in Las Vegas. The conference kicked off less than twenty-four hours after last...

October and November: A Dangerous Time to Drive

There have been many studies done on when it is most dangerous to drive.  Some studies look at when the most auto accident fatalities occur and others...

Show me the money! The impact of securities class actions on the Australian D&O Liability insurance market

Welcome to the second instalment in the XL Catlin/ Wotton + Kearney white paper series on securities class actions and their impact on the Australian Directors’...

Peru's devastating floods showcase importance of expanding the reach of the reinsurance industry in Latin America

Catastrophic flooding in Peru earlier this year hit the headlines after unprecedented downpours caused havoc around the Andean nation – just months after...

A hack a day: Let's do more to keep the hackers away

143 million people.  Nearly half the US population and the majority of the adult population.  That’s the number of individuals who may have had some very...

Aircraft safety efforts SOAR

Aircraft safety is better than ever, according to the National Business Aviation Association’s 2016 (NBAA) survey. In fact, 2016 was the second safest...

Blockchain: From Theoretical to Authenticated

Not long ago Walmart’s head of food safety challenged his team to determine the origin of a package of sliced mangoes bought at one of the firm’s stores...

Design Professional Insights: Providing Pro Bono Services

Design professionals are often asked to provide pro bono services but they are just as likely to volunteer their services after catastrophic events or...

It's Time to Move Beyond Talk

We want to create an inclusive environment in which each colleague feels welcomed and supported. We want to build a culture that values all individuals,...

Blazing a trail in fire protection engineering

Tina King wears many hats.  She’s a risk consultant; a professional engineer; a technical advisor and a valued instructor.  And now, as a result of all...

Building Resilience in Politically Fragile Countries

For companies pursuing the myriad opportunities available in today’s interconnected global economy, understanding and preparing for the diverse shocks...

Insurance on purpose: Disrupt to attract next generation industry talent

I recently met with a talented job candidate. She was finishing up her MBA at Harvard and we discussed her dissertation.  It was aimed at disrupting the...

Becoming a leader and bridging the gap between personal and professional

The insurance industry is not known as one of the most diverse industries. A lot remains to be done to boost diversity and inclusion within our companies...

Lights Out! Dark warehouses in the spotlight

More warehouses are flipping the switch and turning out the lights.  They’re going dark. A “Dark” warehouse is a term used for a storage facility that...

Mike Davies on “disruptive times” for marine insurers

Following the International Union of Marine Insurance’s (IUMI) annual conference this year in Tokyo, Mike Davies shared his views on some of the opportunities...

Commercial bonds free up capital to help businesses grow

From midsize businesses to multinational corporations, the cost of capital has a big influence on their ability to grow. Often, contractual obligations...

Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery

Current Hurricane ActivityWhile the full impact of recent hurricanes is currently unclear, what is evident at this time is the vital role the insurance...

Breaching the Assembly Line: When Cyberattacks Target Manufacturing

On May 13, 2017, workers arriving onsite at an auto manufacturing facility in northern France were greeted with a message being broadcast on the company’s...

Special report: Why closing the protection gap is critical to the industry’s future

This special report examines one of the biggest challenges facing the insurance industry, and, more broadly, the world - the great divide between economic...

Reinsurance: what’s hot and what’s not

Every year at Monte Carlo Reinsurance Rendez-Vous de Septembre decision makers of the reinsurance market meet to discuss topical issues, begin the annual...

Unseaworthiness and punitive damages: The verdict is in

The Washington State Supreme Court ruled on March 9, 2017 that an injured Alaskan commercial fisherman could claim punitive damages resulting from the...

What XL Innovate looks for in insurtech leadership

First published in Digital Insurance Magazine, Aug 21, 2017In 1990, when we were raising capital for Risk Management Solutions (RMS), the earliest venture-funded...

One Belt, One Road: Linking China to Europe

First published in GTR - Global Trade Review.China’s efforts to recreate the historic Silk Road linking it to Europe promise exciting opportunities for...

Insuring against Disasters – Florida’s forgotten risk

When the last significant hurricane hit Florida, damage to pool screen enclosures accounted for 25% to 40% of the insurance losses.  In this article, Wade...

It's all about the pace: Using Rapid Results Initiatives to drive business and social change

The Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) approach is a proven method and part of our culture of getting things done at XL Catlin, and for good reason.  They...

Hurricane Andrew @ 25: Insuring More Resilient Property

Even today, 25 years later, Hurricane Andrew ranks as the fourth most expensive hurricane in US history. When it made landfall in 1992, it was the costliest...

Let's Talk: The Art of Underwriting

Fine art and collectibles require a specialist insurance approach. Museums, private collectors and corporations all require coverage for their valuable,...

Drones_Unmanned Aerial Systems in the Drilling Industry

IntroductionUnmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or “drones” are quickly changing the way construction companies do business, and offer solutions to many complex...

Political risk insurance aids global infrastructure spending

In the volatile world of political risk, short-term crises can sometimes prevent much needed long-term investments.As a Risk Manager for XL Catlin’s Political...

The Case for Covering DO in a Global Program

For many Spanish companies, expanding into new markets outside Spain has proved to be a productive path to profitable growth.When Spain’s and much of the...

Cyber Claim Trends: When Law Firms Are the Target

In June 2017, a massive cyberattack shut businesses and agencies across the globe out of their systems. Companies and government entities in 65 countries,...

Global programmes: Marine risks and how to manage them

First published in  Commercial Risk Europe. Marine is by its very nature a global business and global insurance programmes can help risk managers to get...

Redeveloping the Urban Core

By the end of 2015, the millennial population (individuals aged 18-34) reached 75.4 million, surpassing the Baby Boomer population of 74.9 million.1 That...

Political risk insurance, don’t ignore your own backyard

First published in  POST Magazine.When you think about political risk, the chances are you recall what you saw on the news last night. Scenes of conflict,...

Upfront property loss prevention strategies save money and time later

The city of Tultepec, 20 miles north of Mexico City, is known as a major center for Mexican handcrafted fireworks. For years, families have wandered through...

Building a Customer-Focused Business

In June, XL Catlin’s North America Construction insurance business hit a major milestone – it surpassed its USD 2 billion gross written premium mark. ...

Emerging Risks Report: Q2 2017

Also available in  Spanish,  Portuguese,  German,  French  and  Italian.XL Catlin’s Emerging Risk Task Force actively monitors a wide array of emerging...

It's time to move beyond talk

Just 18 months ago, XL Catlin set out to create a workplace that’s better for everyone. One in which all colleagues feel welcomed and supported; a place...

Static Electricity: An Unpredictable and Often Overlooked Hazard

One of our clients had a faulty forklift battery that it planned to return to the manufacturer. Per the manufacturer’s specifications, they put a plastic...

Asset managers: Are operational risks keeping you awake at night?

In recent years, uncertain economic and political environments have made people reticent about investing. And when they do invest, buyers are looking for...

Count-down: New rules on data protection across Europe

First published in  POST Magazine. New rules on data protection will come into force in Europe next year. Sergio Pierro is a Professional Indemnity underwriter...

Déjà vu: Today’s geopolitical risks look familiar

Nationalist and populist movements are challenging the status quo. Centuries-old regional tensions are simmering. Relations between traditional powers...

Operationalizing Digital Transformation: New insights into making digital transformation work

Technology has transformed how entire industries interact with clients, from executing transactions to communicating quicker to selling products and services....

Global programmes: Managing the network

This article was first published in Commercial Risk Europe. Nowadays, no insurance company has a network of fully owned subsidiaries that can issue policies...

Increasing ocean literacy

For centuries scientists have known about the importance of the oceans in supporting life on Earth, yet today they are changing faster than at any time...

Insuring Thrills, Chills and Spills

This year, more than 300 million people in the US will visit an amusement park, traveling carnival or other entertainment venue to have a little fun. ...

The office printer: a weak link in your security regime?

First published by Strategic Risk.“First, I got control of their printers. Then, I got control of their network. Then, I got control of their data... Along...

Hometown hacking: Communities in US and Canada become cyber targets

It’s easy to see why Target was a target.  Home Depot too is a depot of valuable information and credit card numbers.  Even a health insurer like Anthem...

Captives in global programmes

First published in Commercial Risk Europe. For risk managers, a captive insurance company is a useful tool to coordinate an international insurance programme...

Mega Warehouses: Greater Volumes, Greater Risks

The trend in transport and logistics is unmistakable: bigger is better.Warehouses/fulfillment centers are becoming supersized in the same way that ships,...

People risk: Well-being of mobile workforces

In a recent survey, Airmic- the UK risk management association - found that while business travel has increased by 25% over the last decade, just 16% of...

Size of social engineering attacks growing

Businesses around the world are facing greater exposure to social engineering attacks, and the stakes are getting a lot higher.​Only a few years ago, a...

Text analytics: Telling Stories that Drive Insurers’ Progress

To find romance, millions of people globally use online dating sites, offering real-time, geo-location based matching services. Using algorithms, the sites...

Why event cancellation insurance is a necessity, not a luxury

This article was first published in TTG MICE.The growth in events held across Asia-Pacific can be witnessed throughout countries such as Thailand and China,...

Crumbling Under Fire

On March 31, 2017 during Atlanta’s evening rush hour, a massive fire erupted underneath an I-85 overpass. The fire started at approximately 6:15 PM in...

Insuring Construction's Complex Risks

Construction is a complex sector to insure.  It’s inherently a risky industry given the nature of the work, especially with increasingly innovative and...

Aviation kidnap and ransom risks gaining altitude

Business executives rely on commercial and private aircraft for safe and efficient transportation to international locations. But getting there is only...

Executives can't dismiss cyber accountability

In the wake of the Yahoo data breaches in December of 2016, it is hardly surprising that yet another shareholder has filed a data breach securities class...

People Risk Management – Translating Rhetoric into Reality

“Our people are our most valuable asset.”You see it on websites. You’ve heard business leaders say it in public forums. It or a similar statement is probably...

A Decade Later: What the Virginia Tech Tragedy Taught Us ""About Active"" assailant Prevention and Response

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the mass shooting at Virginia Polytechnic University, a tragic event that claimed 33 lives on April 16, 2007 when...

Global Programs: Navigating U.S. Casualty

First published in Commercial Risk Europe.If we take the U.S., differences in state regulations, as well as a consumer-friendly legal system, mean that...

Emerging Risks Report: Q1, 2017

PDF Downloads:   -   ENGLISH VERSION   -   SPANISH VERSION   -   ITALIAN VERSIONXL Catlin’s Emerging Risk Task Force actively monitors a wide array of...

Selling the London market to a new generation of talent

First published in  Insurance Day.Attracting and retaining top talent has always been a priority for the London market, and indeed the market’s reputation...

Lessons in Environmental Claims

The earth and everything found on it is made up of chemical substances. Basic things that are essential to our survival and an integral part of everyday...

Emerging Risk Report_Q1 2017

XL Catlin’s Emerging Risk Task Force actively monitors a wide array of emerging risks to provide our underwriters, as well as clients, with pertinent information...

Protection from Farm to Florist

Despite the fact in different regions it occupies different days across the calendar, Mother’s Day is widely recognized as a time to celebrate one’s mother,...

Aviation risks loom large in Brazil's crowded skies

Aviation is a business enabler the world over, and it's especially important in geographically expansive countries, such as Brazil.As the fifth-largest...

Amid expected regulatory changes, environmental risks remain

A question asked frequently by those concerned about environmental liability is "What impact will the new administration have on environmental regulations?"​While...

Tapping the Right Resources for Career and Business Success

First published in Actuarial Review, March/April 2017. Copyright Casualty Actuarial Society. Used by permission.​Everyone has their own definition of career...

First Aid Claims: California issues reminder on a nationwide reporting rule

Remember: first aid claims count. That’s the gist of a recent regulatory clarification issued in California explaining reporting requirements for workers’...

Let's Talk: Assessing natural catastrophe exposures in global programmes

First published in  Commercial Risk Europe.For insurers of global programmes, assessing and underwriting natural catastrophe risks is no easy task. And...

Helicopter Risk and Rewards: Insuring Lift Off

Things that fly have always interested me. My parents said I began pointing at airplanes when I was 6 years old, and I've been fascinated by aviation ever...

The Perils of Misdeclared Cargo

The paperwork said the container contained calcium chloride, a harmless chemical. In fact, it contained calcium hypochlorite. Calcium chloride or calcium...

You Say Pollution. I Say Exclusion.

Think of a pollutant. What comes to mind? Is it glowing green plasma spilling over the side of a 55 gallon drum? Is it oil washing up on a beach? Asbestos?...

Diversity in the Insurance and Reinsurance Sector – A Work in Progress

Say the words “gender diversity” to any senior female leader in the insurance or reinsurance sector, and most will take a deep breath. I believe the sector...

Confident, Poised, Resilient

March 8th is International Women’s Day, a global event that “celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women.” To mark the...

Building a global programme for construction

First published in  Commercial Risk Europe.After a period of contraction following the economic crisis of 2008, the Spanish construction industry is once...

'Fat Tuesday' events are not thin on risk

Wherever people gather, risks follow. In the season of Mardi Gras, large public celebrations occur around the world -- and a variety of risks, new and...

Let's Talk: Engineering Property Risk

What is property risk engineering? Put simply, risk engineering is the practice of carefully analyzing a risk and looking for ways to avoid or minimize...

Political Risk in a Disrupted Global Landscape

Support for populism and protectionism is becoming a major movement in nations around the world. In the United States, the new administration is widely...

We need to listen to the fish

Are fish trying to tell us something important about climate change? We believe they are and we need to listen.Fish are a key indicator of change in the...

What's a steering wheel?

For many people, seeing or riding in an autonomous vehicle will be their first direct encounter in everyday life with a sophisticated machine that incorporates...

Will you be giving your kids cryptocurrencies for pocket money?

Aristotle was the first to elaborate on the concept of money as a medium of exchange and an instrument for storing value. He also noted that whatever form...

The future of farming? Plant the sea.

Experts predict that agricultural production needs to increase by 60 percent in the next 30 years to feed a global population of nine billion people.That’s...

BIM: Building and Managing in Multiple Dimensions

An old saying among carpenters is “measure twice, cut once.” Among design professionals, contractors and building owners/managers, a variation of this...

Your Refrigerator. Appliance or Accomplice?

If hackers are hungry enough for information, your refrigerator is not off limits.  They’re not interested in what’s inside it.  Rather they want to get...

They say all is fair in love and football but what about insurance?

First published in  POST Magazine.Fairness, it’s something that has been on my mind since the Insurance Act 2015 came into force in August.The Act's intention...

8 Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipe Damage on Your Property

It’s that time of year again – when frozen pipes due to dropping temperatures put your business at risk of losing money and even shutting down. However,...

Cyber coverage: What are companies looking for?

Amid the rising uncertainty of cyber risks, one thing is for sure: organizations have become much more sophisticated about buying cyber insurance.​There...

Mind the Gap in Global Logistics

Manufacturers and shippers are going global.As inventories grow, shippers need sophisticated systems to manage it all, and many companies choose to outsource...

Emerging Risk Report_Q4 2016

XL Catlin’s Emerging Risk Task Force actively monitors a wide array of emerging risks to provide our underwriters, as well as clients, with pertinent information...

One Size Shouldn't Fit All: Aboveground Storage Tank Risk-Based Integrity Assessments

For companies that have above ground storage tanks (ASTs) containing petroleum products and hazardous materials it is vital to have a proper integrity...

Let’s Talk: Global programmes and claims management

First published in Commercial Risk Europe.  When a risk manager buys an insurance policy, he or she is buying a promise to pay valid claims but also in...

Arson Prevention: 3 Tips That Could Save Your Warehouse

Warehouse fires are commonplace. What is surprising is that arson accounts for nearly 18% of the warehouse fires in the US, according to the National Fire...

Healthcare Data Breaches: Managing and Responding to Regulatory and Litigation Risks

A flurry of data breach activity has recently struck the healthcare sector, resulting in increasing litigation and regulatory scrutiny.  Healthcare companies,...

Safety at Home during the Holidays

The December holidays can be a time for relaxing, spending time with family and friends and looking forward to the year ahead. Or binge watching that backlog...

Lost in translation

Language and cultural differences can present significant safety risks for U.S. employers with non-native English-speaking workers. On construction sites,...

5 tips for safe holiday travel

More than 103 million Americans—the most on record—are expected to travel for the year-end holidays, according AAA, North America’s largest motoring and...

Fire in the Hole!

Promoting year-round trade and mobility across Europe – from north to south and east to west – has historically been challenged by the imposing reality...

IoT Risks: What are the implications for your business?

The Internet of Things (“IoT”) consists of a global network of Internet connected devices, from commercial climate control systems to vehicle diagnostic...

Electronic Project Information Tracking: Do You Have the Access You Need?

Electronic project information tracking promises savings in time, money, accuracy and other aspects of project management. To take full advantage of this...

Consignments: Getting to Win-Win

Want to sell something but lack the means to do so directly? What to do? Turn to someone else and consign it.Consignment refers to transactions in which...

Feel the Earth Move? Drop, Cover and Hold On!

Recently, a swarm of small earthquakes near the San Andreas Fault spurred officials in California to issue an earthquake alert for residents of Southern...

One Belt One Road: Modern Risks along an Ancient Trade Route

The impact of reviving the Silk Road through Central Asia and sea trade routes across regional Asia has been the subject of much speculation. Less has...

Setting the stage for the ILS markets next evolution

There are many factors which have set the stage for next evolution in the Insurance-Linked Securities (ILS) market. ​The global capital markets seem to...

Let's Talk: All Aboard!

What do you enjoy most about your job?​Marine risk engineering is a varied field and in Brazil it’s very dynamic. My job takes me to ports around the country...

The Forecast for US-Mexico Trade: Continued Growth and Development

The trade relationship between the U.S. and Mexico is one of the world’s largest bilateral trade partnerships. Trade between the two countries amounted...

Building an effective opioid and prescription drug management program

Power tools, raw materials and heavy machinery are combined to produce the unparalleled satisfaction of seeing a building reach higher, a highway stretch...

Captives: Setting and Selling the Strategy

For many companies, allocating capital into a captive can be a less costly way to finance certain risks compared to buying insurance from commercial markets...

When Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality become just Reality

First published in The Business Times Singapore.If the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality...

Cleared for Take-Off: Unmanned Aerial Systems in the Construction

What is a “drone” and why do I need one?”Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or “drones” are revolutionary tools changing the way construction companies do business—a...

Hey, Kids! Get Into My Workforce!

Gen Y. Millenials. Whatever you call them, everyone’s talking about them. A recent survey by Pew Research shows for the first time this group has surpassed...

Any Way The Wind Blows – science really matters….

Just over ten years ago, at the end of 2005, the insurance industry was facing one of its biggest challenges in modern history. That year had seen the...

Ocean warming poses major risks, study finds

 The ocean has inspired mariners, explorers, writers and countless others for centuries. It is Earth’s defining feature: nourishing life; regulating our...

Blockchain: The Next Disruptor?

Multi-party commercial insurance is extraordinarily process intensive.Quoting, binding, servicing and managing a commercial insurance program is a complicated...

Ocean warming risk – why does it matter to insurance?

One of the things I’ve seen firsthand in my insurance career is the interrelated nature of risks; they rarely occur in isolation. A loss in one area often...

Banks: The Benefits and Risks of Outsourcing

The regulatory framework has evolved considerably over the last few years and banks now find themselves under increased scrutiny by regulators, as they...

Seven Fire Prevention Lessons Learned

Fire Prevention Week (October 9 – 15, 2016) was designated to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of October 8 -10, 1871. It killed 300 people; left 100,000...

Minimizing Matthew's Mess

Which way will Hurricane Matthew turn?  That’s always the question with hurricanes.  They don’t set exact itineraries.  Their eventual paths are determined...

Born This Way

You use a framework labeled “the diversity iceberg model.” Could you describe that?  Everyone has some basic traits that are readily visible to others...

Ransomware's Greatest Adversary: Employee Cyber Awareness

It’s every organization’s nightmare: something is intentionally preventing an employee from using its computer system normally. Whether access to the operating...

How Secure is Your Gold?

Gold is often considered a barometer for what is happening economically, politically and even culturally. “For the first time on record, investment has...

On Our Radar: Artificial Turf

tr, td { border: 0px solid white !important; }The first type of artificial turf (or “Chemgrass” previously given brand name) was in the 1960s...

The Outlook for Europe: More Intense and Unusual Rainstorms

A hard rain’s a-gonna fall​European rainfall is often determined by the location and characteristics of the jet stream. This varies over time and is driven...

Protecting Fine Art from Natural Disasters

This year’s Hurricane season is expected to be the most active since 2012. A total of 14 named storms, eight hurricanes and three major hurricanes are...

Risk Bulletin_Trichloroethylene and Indoor Air Quality Risks

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a volatile, chlorinated chemical that is commonly associated with extensive soil and groundwater contamination throughout the...

Cyber Risks and Reinsurance

Surveys of risk managers routinely rate cyber risk or cyber liability among the top ten risks facing companies today. And not surprisingly, options for...

The impact of driverless trucks on motor truck cargo insurance_part 4

If driverless vehicles become the norm, accidents and theft claims should decrease. This will lead to better (loss) experience rating and a lower charge...

Design Professional Perspective: Waivers of Subrogation

When an insurance company pays for a loss, and someone other than its insured might be to blame, the insurance company can sue those responsible to recover...

The impact of driverless trucks on motor truck cargo insurance_part 3

The leading cause of cargo loss is accidents. Accidents are generally the result of driver fatigue. While the DOT limits the number of hours a US driver...

Harnessing the Satellite Boom

Every year, more and more satellites are launched into the Earth’s orbit, and improvements in sensor resolutions and computing capabilities have resulted...

To vent or not to vent isn’t the question. It’s when to vent.

In 2013, Underwriters Laboratories – Fire Safety Research Institute (UL) released the report “Effectiveness of Fire Service Vertical Ventilation and Suppression...

Midsize businesses face sizable cyber risks

A perfect storm of cyber risk is brewing for middle-market businesses, and many of them are unprepared.News headlines tend to emphasize data breaches at...

Confronting the ongoing terrorist threat in Southeast Asia

A suicide bomber attacked a police station in Central Java, Indonesia, on 5 July, the last day of Ramadan, killing himself and injuring a police officer...

The impact of driverless trucks on motor truck cargo insurance_part 2

“Going driverless” won’t happen overnight.  There are a number of stepping stones that will help get us there slowly, but surely.Daimler’s Freightliner...

The Full Cost of Cargo Thefts

Stand and deliver …​“Highwaymen” have been plying their trade throughout Europe for hundreds of years; the word first appeared in print in 1617. For today’s...

Fire Risk in the Middle East

A recent study found that more than 65 percent of the high rise buildings in the UAE were built with external panels containing combustible materials....

The impact of driverless trucks on motor truck cargo insurance

Work, work everywhere, But no drivers to haul my load;Work, work everywhere,As transportation manager, I want driverless trucks on the road.​A pun on the...

Let’s Talk: Natural Perils

Catherine (Cat) Pigott leads a virtual team responsible for analysing and modelling natural perils. She is an actuary by training and a Fellow of the Institute...

Emerging Trends in Design Professional Liability Claims

Emerging Trends in Design Professional Liability Claims

An expanded Panama Canal: Spurring infrastructure development and promoting trade

The Panama Canal opened in 1914 and today handles about one-third of the trade between Asia and the Americas. However, as globalization has driven the...

Health-Related Class Actions Debut in France

An amendment to France’s National Health Law that went into effect on 1 July permits class action lawsuits for injuries caused by health care products...

Seeing opportunities amid Latin America's political risks

Foreign investors continue to see great opportunities in markets across Latin America, but they are keenly aware that one of the region’s major risks is...

Specifics make the difference in cyber cover

If there ever was an insurance product where the devil is in the details, it’s cyber. How coverage is written has and will continue to determine whether...

Ready or not: Hurricane season is here

With the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season officially underway, it’s important to make sure your business is prepared to handle potential high winds, heavy...

Fireworks safety tips

Legend has it that fireworks were first used in China more than 2,000 years ago to frighten away evil spirits and as an expression of happiness and prosperity....

Captives Approach Middle-Age

Many captives for large corporates were formed in the late 1980s or early 1990s. Over that time we have learned a lot about the various administrative...

Travel Crisis Averted: Tips to keep your international travels safe and secure

You’ve decided a swim in the hotel pool would be relaxing. You leave your cell phone in the room and head to the pool. After returning to your room, you...

Oil Price Volatility Increases Political Risk and Opportunity

In risk management, dealing with change is a constant challenge and that challenge increases when change is unexpected or is greater and occurring more...

AOB abuse - a homeowner's insurance nightmare

The Atlantic hurricane season is now upon us and with it the plethora of predictions and forecasts this year stating there will be average or above average...

Beyond natural resources - Understanding The China-Africa Story

Today, the focus of Chinese engagement with sub-Saharan Africa has broadened beyond the extraction of natural resources to the development of infrastructure,...

UK Insurance Market – what could the future hold?

The UK’s economic performance in the last quarter of 2015 was encouraging, if not mixed. Output increased in two of the main industrial groupings - namely...

Americans with Disabilities Act & Online Business: Be compliant or risk a lawsuit or fine

The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guaranteed that disabled people have a right of access to any public place. Until recently, the ADA has...

Vapor intrusion increasing environmental risks

Heightened attention to environmental impairment and human health risks caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through vapor migration is increasing...

Hurricane season 2016: Spotlight on flood exposure

The power of storm surges are well documented, from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to Superstorm Sandy in 2012, when we all saw the destruction that the water...

Mitigating water damage during construction

A week before an 18-story apartment building under construction in the suburbs of a large city in the Northeast was to be occupied, a three-inch water...

How to upload FFF article

Containing H2O Damage

Many materials shrink when they get cold.  Water is not one of them. Instead, water expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever...

Equine Insurance_Kentucky Derby

“The Kentucky Derby, whatever it is – a race, an emotion, a turbulence, an explosion – it is one of the most beautiful and violent and satisfying things...

Towering Infernos

A skyscraper engulfed in flames certainly makes for an arresting sight.Shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve, faulty wiring in floodlights on the 14th...

Evolution of Competitive Sailing Tells Story of Risk and Innovation

At XL Catlin we like to say that “when it comes to risk, great art needs great answers.” The America’s Cup, which returns to New York City this week for...

Ship Via Containers? New Weight Verification Regulation Warrants Attention

On its face the regulation seems logical and straightforward: Starting 1 July 2016, shippers* are required to provide verified information on container...

Protecting Privilege: Strategies to Keep Post Cyber-Breach Activities from Disclosure

Originally published in Litigation Management magazine, Spring 2016. Today most businesses cannot avoid being, at least in some limited manner, connected...

Protecting Privilege_Strategies to Keep Post Cyber Breach Activities from Disclosure

Originally published in Litigation Management magazine, Spring 2016. Today most businesses cannot avoid being, at least in some limited manner, connected...

The Globalization of Environmental Protection

Origins in the 1960s​Two momentous trends with origins in the 1960s are beginning to converge: globalization and robust environmental protection.​Globalization...

Cyber Claim Trend: Risks Go Beyond Data Breaches

When most people think about cyber insurance, they tend to visualize data breaches. In fact, less than one-third of the cyber claims we see are for breaches....

That sinking feeling...

Recent winters have seen widespread flooding across the United Kingdom caused by heavy rain, high waves, and strong winds. In addition to causing considerable...

The Balancing Act...

There is clearly immense growth potential for insurance and reinsurance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region given the current level of insurance...

2015 Letter to Shareholders

Much occurred for XL Group in 2015 with the highlight being the successful combination with Catlin and the creation of our XL Catlin Insurance and Reinsurance...

When (Natural) Disaster Strikes

Many victims of natural disasters—such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes—turn to design professionals for assistance. Architects and engineers have...

Do Increased Product Recalls Equate to Worsening Food Safety?

What do pistachios, cantaloupe, granola, sprouts, raw meal and flax powder have in common?These diverse foods were all implicated as sources of Salmonella...

Cybercrime in Latin America

Business is booming!In mid-July, the host of a popular Brazilian television show, reportedly was the victim of a hacker who stole thousands of Brazilian...

Cyber and Technology Claims_an Interview with Jeremy Gittler

Lets Talk Dr Graeme Smith on Mobile Autonomy

Dr Graeme Smith is a recognised expert in Advanced Vehicle Control systems and the Connected Car, and holds several patents in the areas of Adaptive Cruise...

On Our Radar: Drones

The number of drones taking to the skies is unprecedented. The global consumer market topped $720 million in 2014 and is expected to double in 2015. In...

On Tap: Beer Brews Up Unique Risks

Beer drinking has been part of the human experience since the dawn of civilization. It first appeared nearly 10,000 years ago, when mankind settled down...

Design Professional Insights_ Working with Owner Reps

It is increasingly common for owners to hire an individual or firm to act as an owner representative (OR, owner rep).  The scope of services for owner...

Religious Observance: What US Employers Need to Know to Prevent Discriminatory Practices

There were more than 1,300 class-action lawsuits against American employers in 2015.1 Some of the lawsuits were high-profile like the Abercrombie & Fitch...

Cyber risk is bigger than an IT issue

One thing is becoming clear about cyber risks: the problem is much bigger than any organization’s information technology department.My background as an...

IT Threats Mean Banks Need Tailor-Made Regulation

When I was growing up in the early 1980s, we were subjected to fanciful plot lines from far-fetched films, from Matthew Broderick hacking NORAD's computer...

Don't Let the Shift Hit the Fan

Age: The Age-Old Problem Look around your job sites. Under the hardhats, baseball caps and welding hoods. How much grey hair do you see? It’s probably...

Focus on Nigeria

Nigeria is the largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, but has been hit hard by the oil price rout which historically accounts for over 90% of exports and...

Taking Quick Action: “Active Assailant"" Response and Recovery in the US

There is always a first.  In the US, the first “active assailant” incident occurred on the campus of the University of Texas on August 1, 1966.  That day...

Up in... Dust: The Threat of Dust Explosions at Industrial Sites

At about 7:15 PM on February 7, 2008, a series of sugar dust explosions occurred at the Imperial Sugar manufacturing facility in Port Wentworth, Georgia....

Love Is In the Air

No one is quite certain how Valentine’s Day emerged as an annual celebration of love and romance. One legend points the origin to a third century Roman...

Shining a light on gems and risk

Wearing jewelry, a habit nearly as old as human history itself, is a form of risk taking. When we look closer, we see that manufacturers take risks to...

Every Business’ Nightmare – Violence in the Workplace

In August 1986, a 44-year old part-time letter carrier from Edmond, Oklahoma was reprimanded after a heated argument with two supervisors. At approximately...

Managing and Mitigating the Evolving Threat of Terrorism

Terrorism: A volatile and unpredictable riskTerrorism risk is similar in some ways to natural disasters – both tend to occur with some regularity, and...

The Ransom Ruse: A virtual kidnapping crime wave

Traveling to Mexico City recently, an executive of a Fortune 500 company had just checked into the hotel and was preparing to do a little exploring of...

Growth in Latin America Will Come From Managing Risks

Emerging economies are attractive places for business and investors because of their growth potential. For the past several years, one of the fastest-growing...

Cyber security in Asia

Asia has been slower in mitigating against cyber-security lapses than other countries, as there have been comparatively fewer cases of cyber-attacks in...

Environmental protection in Latin America. Stronger laws. Greater enforcement. Increased liability.

One of the defining characteristics of Latin America is its diversity. Its environments are extraordinarily varied. Five of the world’s ten most biodiverse...

Fictitious Cargo Pickups

A generation ago, thieves stole loaded trucks out of parking lots and rest stops. Today, the trucking industry’s widening use of GPS devices, high-tech...

Fireworks safety tips

Legend has it that fireworks were first used in China more than 2,000 years ago to frighten away evil spirits and as an expression of happiness and prosperity....

Cyber Shockers: Hacking hits home.

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Stealing Christmas? The Grinch may have failed, but others are succeeding

“The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason. It could be that his head wasn't screwed...

Fire simulation: an innovative approach to saving your business money

Warehouse fires: fast and hotIt’s the middle of the night and a fire suddenly breaks out in a warehouse in an industrial area west of Sydney. In the few...

Protecting Financial Institutions from being bamboozled, cheated or robbed

 For cash-strapped or simply dishonest individuals, working in a financial institution can be equated to a “kid in a candy store.”  Tempting.  Each year,...

Keeping out of the Headlines

Each year, the UK’s Environment Agency (EA) receives reports of around 22,000 pollution incidents. That equates to more than 60 per day. Often the cause...

Winter-Ready: Tools to lighten the (snow) load

Last winter was a nightmare.  In the US alone, there were 11 winter storms and cold waves in the first half of 2015, resulting in $3.8 billion in overall...

Let's Talk: El Niño - What is it and what are its effects?

This year, El Niño has secured its place in headlines around the globe, predicted to be one of the largest on record. We asked Dr. Tom Philp, Science Analyst...

Breathe Easier: Knock out Legionella Risks

Legionella  bacteria are one of the top three causes of non-epidemic, community-acquired pneumonia, and are cited as the indoor building contaminant bacteria...

Boosting Mobile Security and Awareness Reduces Risks

This article is reprinted from the Fall 2015 issue of Insights, a professional journal by the CPCU Society.  It has been reproduced here with the permission...

Managing farm to fork risks: Dishing up Thanksgiving Day dinner

Thanksgiving Day is a particularly American holiday, traced back to 1621, when the Plymouth colonists celebrated their first successful harvest in the...

Does Your Supplier Program Comply with FSMA's New Mandates?

One of the most notable new mandates of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) preventive controls rule is the requirement for a supply-chain program,...

Art + Work: Inspire creativity, increase productivity, add value.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Pablo PicassoThe Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS) is believed to be the first company...

Five things your Board wishes you'd told them about Operational Risks insurance

Financial Institutions may receive little sympathy these days, but they’re going through a tough time. Regulatory supervision is becoming increasingly...

Innovation in Financial Institutions Insurance

When I first started in financial institutions’ insurance (at a large broking house a couple of decades plus ago), I was guided to past bankers blanket...

Driverless Trucks and Motor Truck Cargo Insurance

In May 2015, Daimler began testing what it called the world’s first, licensed autonomous truck on Nevada public roads. Promotional material1 for the Daimler...

Tailor Made

Horseracing, long the “sport of kings,” has also become the sport of sheiks and other wealthy families in the oil-rich Middle East. The stately Arabian...

The Next Great Idea

Bitcoins, although growing in popularity and consumer awareness, are hardly the currency of the realm, and their theft or loss is not something most insurers...

The cost of uncertainty: Ex-Im Bank and why political and trade credit risks need reliable, flexible solutions

Whether sourcing materials or selling goods and services across borders, few companies today are not involved in global trade and investment in some form.In...

On Our Radar:Trans Fat

In June 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) ruled to ban trans fat from hundreds of foods.  Food manufacturers, restaurants and others have...

Let’s Talk: The real risks surrounding Environmental Pollution

Pollution; it can be a messy business. Many companies think they will never be involved in an incident and those that do acknowledge the threat often seriously...

Scientists Confirm Global Coral Bleaching Event for 2015

A consortium of ocean scientists, reef mappers and community-based monitoring teams, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),...

A judgment call, the PI market in Germany

Today in Germany we are seeing courts increasingly upholding claims made against professionals. Accountants, surveyors and those working in media and technology...

Ready for Joaquin

Everyone is still speculating which path Hurricane Joaquin will take.  But many businesses, including XL Catlin, are not taking any chances and are preparing...

The Value of Venice’s Irreplaceable Art and Artifacts

From trade to tourismVenice has proved to be remarkably resilient in adapting to shifting circumstances, and its economy and character have changed repeatedly...

Sleuthing to solve risk challenges

I am not a frequent watcher of television programs, but lately I’ve gotten hooked on a popular show that strikes me as having a strong connection to managing...

Is the EU better positioned to manage floods?

Europe’s rivers have a rich historical, cultural and economic significance. They serve as boundaries. They provide water for cities, industries and agriculture....

An Inside Job

No one likes to be duped.  It feels awful.   It’s especially painful to have the wool pulled over our eyes by someone that we trust, such as an employee. ...

Let’s Talk: Bert Nelen and Pascal Matthey on the evolution of the maritime shipping industry

How has the maritime shipping industry evolved in the face of globalization? Bert: “The volume of material transported by ships has increased tremendously...

Sparks of Genius: Pirates, Peg Legs and US Workers' Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation programs appear in one form or another in all industrialized countries. One of the earliest appeared around 2050 B.C. It was the...

Competing for fresh water in an increasingly thirsty world

The story of contemporary civilization begins with efforts to exploit water resources. The story also includes strife and conflict: Historians agree that...

Recycling Real Estate

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recently announced the award of $400,000 USD in Brownfield grants to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s North...

MOSE: Keeping the sea at bay

An “amphibious civilization” in a symbiotic relationship with natureThe natural environment and its elements, particularly water, have always shaped Venetian...

Time to tune up D&O policies in Spain

Law 31/2014, 3rd December 2014, of the Spanish Companies Act introduces a number of specific amendments that directly affect the corporate governance of...

Filling the Information Gaps

A risk engineer for XL Catlin Group was recently conducting a joint site visit with a competitor at a potential customer’s plant.The plant manager asked...

Data Centers - Internet technology expansion yields increased environmental risk

According to the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT), the data center sector could double in size in the next several years....

Reducing the Risk of Legionnaires Disease: A New Standard of Care for Designers

Even if you’ve never heard of The American Legion, a U.S. veterans’ organization, chances are you’ve heard of Legionnaires’ disease. The affliction was...

How insurers are adapting to emerging food safety issues

Food safety is more of a concern than ever before for governments, food companies and consumers. As global supply chains become more complex, with more...

10 Years After Katrina: Industry Has Improved Its Cat Response

2005 was a year that many people in the insurance industry will never forget. It remains a record year for catastrophe losses, led by Hurricane Katrina....

Lets Talk: Alan Milroy on Big Data

Alan has 25+ years as a frontline Property underwriter focusing on global companies and with an emphasis on risk management and tailored solutions. He...

Outlawed: Flaming Foam

Purely as a thermal insulator, polystyrene foam outranks every other building material. In addition to its inherent thermal properties, it can be sprayed...

Brazil needs better fire protection

In São Paulo, Brazil, a fire tears through a multinational food warehouse. Over 100 firemen fight wind-fueled flames as they struggle with the hydrant’s...

Sprinkleranlagen: Eine Innovation die sich bewährt

London in Aufruhr: Bewohnerinnen und Bewohner beschwerten sich kürzlich medienwirksam darüber, dass ihr Bürgermeister zehn Feuerwachen geschlossen...

The Next Wave of Workplace Protection: Gender Identity

Bruce Jenner became one of the most widely recognized transgender people in the world when Vanity Fair magazine ran a cover photo of Jenner’s transformation...

Video: How Operational Risk Insurance Adds Value

 Operational risk insurance  solutions: strategic, transparent, and adding value: Watch the videos. Meet the experts.   ...

Reduce risks to preserve summer fun

It’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere. That’s a popular season for many people, including me. It calls to mind a time of warm temperatures, vacation and...

Good hospitality includes strong security

Hotels tend to be valuable assets housed in prime real estate with carefully and often expensive fixtures and amenities. But there is nothing more valuable...

Diversity fuels innovation

“Diverse” isn’t a term that comes quickly to mind when most people think about the global insurance and reinsurance industry. Although our industry is...

Whats Below the Surface

Did you know the United States developed the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, called the Nautilus, in 1954? You can thank me the next time you’re...

New EU Audit Directive: Skepticism, Transparency, Forced Rotation

Audit Reform: “Another Step Towards Restoring Confidence”Public faith in our financial institutions has been shaken in the past 15 years. Multi-billion...

The new travel norm: coping with the kidnapping threat

Recently, the New York Times profiled the story of Carolyn Everson, an executive at Facebook who lives in Montclair, NJ with her husband and 9-year old...

Mexico’s “New” Environmental Law

Although Mexico’s “new”, or current, environmental law is already one year old, many companies have not yet updated their business plans to meet the new...

Building Alliances to Manage Risks

If I’ve learned one thing in all the years that I’ve studied the commercial insurance industry and the risk management profession, it’s that relationships...

Progress Depends on Private Strength in Mexico

Mexico ended 2014 with a strong economy and a positive outlook. Just as the New Year’s celebrations subsided, the government responded to a sharp decline...

The Talent Dividend

The 2015 Data & Analytics Report by MIT Sloan Management Review and SAS finds that talent management is critical to realizing analytics benefits.  This...

Measuring What Matters

In 2011, XL Catlin’s Design Professional team and PSMJ Resources, Inc. announced a collaborative agreement to share knowledge, develop custom research...

Let’s Talk: Millennial STEM Talent

An interview with Sebastian Vinkenflügel, Loss-Prevention Associate, GapsCalling All Engineers!Global infrastructure expansion, digitisation, and conversion...

Count the ways of cyber crime: How do they hack you?

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Is Cyber Liability Coverage as Essential as PandC Coverage

This article is reprinted from the March 2015 issue of Insights, a professional journal by the CPCU Society. It has been reproduced here with permission...

With Allergies Surging Food Industry Heightens Precautions

In the summer of 1483, according to chronicler Thomas More, Lord William Hastings was beheaded after the future king Richard III ate a bowl of strawberries....

Ready for the future

One doesn’t prepare and position for the future by accident.  You make it happen.   And, after months of planning and preparation that is what we have...

Celebrating 125 years of preventing losses

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Benjamin Franklin famously wrote.  Mr. Franklin believed in taking precautions.  His early fire protection...

Sparks of Genius: The Rise of Risk Management Innovations in Insurance

Each year, some 18 million cars travel through the Lincoln Tunnel, under the Hudson River  to get to New York  from New Jersey or vice versa.   Interestingly...

We Come As Partners

Mr. Billovits, you have 27 years of insurance experience. What is new for you as Director of the Vienna EMEA Hub (Europe, Middle East, Africa)?“I’ve worked...

How the risk profession has evolved since Katrina

Risk managers and insurance professionals are preparing to gather for the Risk & Insurance Management Society (RIMS) 2015 Annual Conference & Exhibition...

The Arabian Horse: A Distinctive Beauty

The first pony I ever had was half Arabian, half New Forest—incredibly fast, intelligent, and beautiful. It was then that my lifelong passion for horses...

Recall Impact Study Brings Unexpected Results

Question to our readership:If two companies had to recall the same amount of the same product, for which company would you expect stockholders to have...

Winning in a Competitive Environment: Who knew Baseball and Insurance had so much in common?

“Who knew baseball and insurance had so much in common!”  That’s the first thing I said to Billy Beane, general manager of the Oakland A’s, when I met...

The Criminal Terrorist

Julian Davies was a Major in the British Army. He commanded a Parachute Regiment company in Kosovo and a helicopter squadron in Northern Ireland, before...

Empowered to prevent property losses: Online tool helps clients take action with data

The devil is often in the details. In other words, problems arise when attention is not paid to details. When managing property risks, attention to details...

What's The Real Story Behind the Cumin-Peanut Allergen Recalls?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) are continuing to issue undeclared...

Five Insurance Considerations for Managing Cost Escalation

The most common form of escalation familiar to Risk Managers is the rising cost of insurance. Project specific policies give the benefit, typically, of...

Sharing ideas on the sharing economy

Sharing Means Profit…But Not Without RiskResults of this disruptive innovation have been extraordinary. Total revenues for the five most prominent sharing...

If it sounds phishy, it probably is

Social engineering has become a global problem, and unfortunately for corporations, the fraud business is booming.The term “social engineering” refers...

Do we need to redefine what risk means to our critical infrastructure?

Fukushima was a wake-up call to Europe. The EU realized that stress-tests for critical infrastructure (CI) across Europe did not account for the potential...

Seven Ways Contractors Can Manage Cost Escalation Risk

So, having considered the Seven Factors that can  Escalate Contractors’ Costs (in the previously published Part 1 of this 3-part series), the question...

Managing the Costs of Construction

IntroductionIt should be no surprise to anyone reading this paper that containing project costs is an essential means of maintaining contractor profitability....

Europe, the next frontier for e-Accounting…

OK, so it’s not rocket science, but e-Accounting has recently taken some giant leaps. For those of you scratching your heads, let me explain:  e-Accounting...

Heavy Lifting

When Superstorm Sandy struck the Atlantic Coast in October  2012, one area hit particularly hard was the trendy Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea, known...

Avoid repeating risks

In the 1993 comedy, “Groundhog Day,” Bill Murray portrays a cynical weatherman who is fated to relive the same day over and over. He eventually learns...

Hackers, Traitors, and Data Breaches

Our Cyber DependencyBusiness today depends on the cloud. But what the world has come to call the “cloud” is not really a cloud. It is a symbol for global...

Cyber Shockers Infographic Breaches hit bottom lines

.f3article .first-col IMG { MAX-WIDTH: 500px !important; MAX-HEIGHT: 900px !important }To learn more about cyber liability issues, take a look...

Redefining Risk for Critical Infrastructure

Fukushima: A Wake-up CallFukushima was a wake-up call to Europe. Could a natural catastrophe cripple critical infrastructure (CI) in Europe, like power,...

Clean vs. Dirty: knowing how to do the right thing in urban redevelopment

What is Urban Fill? There are numerous Federal, State, and local definitions for urban or historic fill depending on the property location and regulatory...

Online Learning: Raising Cyber Security Awareness by Watching and Giving

Nearly every day we hear about another cyber attack on a company or the leak of massive amounts of sensitive data. Most of us are aware of the cyber dangers...

Silence is not golden when it comes to workplace bullies

Recent surveys say most adult American workers (72%) are aware of workplace bullying.  According to the Workplace Bullying Institute’s (WBI) 2014 Zogby...

A Century of Earthquakes in an Interactive Tool

I Feel the Earth Move Under My FeetEaster 2014, I felt the earth rumbling beneath me for the first time in my life, as I sipped my morning tea in Oakham,...

Understanding the Swinging Pendulum That is Data Breach Law

In today’s technology-driven economy, organizations of all sizes are exposed to increasingly complex computer security risks. The evolving sophistication...

Spain’s Financial Lines market is picking up steam

In the second half of 2013, the Spanish economy has slowly started to recover. With a GDP rise of 0.4% in Q1 2014, it doubled the previous quarter’s growth...

Making good decisions about risk

A popular habit at New Year’s is to make resolutions for the coming year. It’s not a bad idea, but many people, including me, have a hard time following...

Cyber shockers infographic Businesses under attack

.f3article .first-col IMG { MAX-WIDTH: 500px !important; MAX-HEIGHT: 900px !important }To learn more about cyber liability issues, take a look...

Can Alpine Business Survive the Thawing Permafrost?

What Is Permafrost?Permafrost is soil or rock which has been frozen for at least two consecutive years—although, most of it has been around for thousands...

10 Actions NOT to take when facing a claim

When an owner or other party files a claim against your practice, alleging errors, omissions, negligence or worse, it can cut right to the core of your...

In the Numbers: Analytics Support Human Judgment

As pervasive as analytics and technology are today, it’s hard for many people to grasp that we didn’t always have the capability to capture and analyze...

Public Private Partnerships

Historical Investment XL Group’s article “Restoring Europe’s Aged and Stressed Infrastructure” addresses the urgent need for infrastructure investment:...

XL veteran reinsurance leader looks back

Reinsurance has changed in several significant ways over the past few decades, but its foundation remains rooted in great people. That is what I’ll miss...

Could your roof collapse under heavy snow?

Around the world, shifting weather patterns are depositing heavy snow in unexpected regions, causing a rash of deadly and costly roof collapses. Business...

Let’s Talk: How can a regional network of risk managers offer a fresh approach to Risk in Asia?

Regional Support for Maturing Risk Management in AsiaRisk is a global issue. Around the world there are organisations that focus on developing the risk...

Cyber Shockers

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Restoring Europes Aged and Stressed Infrastructure

Faded GloryEurope’s economy is on a painstaking road to recovery, marching on legs creaking with age. The European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities...

The Risks and Rewards of Recycling

According to the Municipal Solid Water (MSW) site1, Americans generated 251 million tons of trash in 2012. While 53.8% of it was discarded in landfills...

Envisioning Sustainable Infrastructure: An Interview with Tim Psomas

Envision™, the rating system developed by the non-profit Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), has credentialed some 1,800 Envision Sustainability...

Don't Let Your Ho Ho Ho Turn into Bah Humbug

As we head into this holiday season full of family, joy and celebration, it is a good time to remember to be smart and cautious in the cyber world.  This...

The Ultimate Captive Insurance Value

On November 11th-12th, captive experts from around the world will meet at the European Captive Forum in Luxembourg. Our Lead Consultant for Complex Accounts,...

Temporary workers. Full-time risk exposure.

Contributors: Mike McKinley, CRM, CIC, CRIS,  Doug Millner, CRIS, and Joe BinkowskiIt should come as no surprise to anyone reading this article that the...

Aging Infrastructure

Follow the MoneyThe trend for infrastructure spending in the US has been on a steady downward path. The chart below illustrates U.S. public spending as...

Documentation as Defense against Construction Defect Claims

Strong documentation is one of your best defenses against construction defect claims/expenses. It can support that you built a structure right in the first...

The Friday After-Hours Nightmare

It’s late on a Friday. XL Group learns one of the insurer’s large multinational clients operating in France has just leased a new location. They must have...

Making our monsters go away

Some of us have recurring nightmares. When I was little, I used to be tormented by a dream that the Jolly Green Giant was chasing me past my swing set....

Sharia Compliant Insurance 101

The Community Principle is the Same3,000 years ago, Phoenician sea merchants formed trade communities. Each community member agreed to contribute a portion...

Smart Cities: Mission Control

Mission Control Most urban infrastructures are patchworks. Structures and services have sprung up ad hoc over the years to respond to businesses, residents,...

When the going gets hot the drones get going

In January 2014, a fire broke out in Connecticut’s Stone Creek Quarry. Fire Chief Jack Ahern knew he had a complicated fire on his hands because the fire...

A Pilot's Perspective on Aviation Risk

For thousands of years, humans have dreamed of and pursued flight, with varying success. As a pilot and an underwriter, I can relate to the desire to break...

Black Swan Blackout

A black swan event, according to Nassim Taleb, is a highly improbable event with a massive impact. A supraregional blackout that stops every life-sustaining...

Fire Protections Biggest Game Changers

The 1871 Chicago Fire ranks as the third largest fire loss in the US, behind the World Trade Center fires in 2001 and the San Francisco Earthquake and...

Sparks of Genius: What Benjamin, Samuel and Ebenezer Started

Homeowners insurance is big business in the US. In 2012 alone, it accounted for over $72 billion in premiums.1 However, today’s homeowner insurance policy...

5 ways an iPad can improve risk engineering

With risks getting more complex and time becoming more precious, leveraging best-in-class mobile technology is changing the playing field in the P&C insurance...

Mexicos Transformation Behind Every Great Project is a Serious Insurer

In December 2012, the tri-party “Pacto por Mexico”, provided a foundation for political, fiscal, banking, energy, and telecommunications reforms. Since...

Sparks of Genius_Coffee and Cover

Insurance is almost as old as civilization. According to numerous sources, it goes back at least 5,000 years to Mesopotamia and the use of interest rates....

Cyber Shock

  Fast Focus Although third-party liability coverage is important,...