Zurich introduces "Side A" D&O productZurich introduced Zurich Side A Executive Asset Protection. The policy provides coverage for directors and officers and others with fiduciary responsibilities whose personal assets may be at risk due to litigation against an organization.

Highlights include the absence of an insured-versus-insured exclusion and full severability. The policy also contains a bodily injury/property damage exclusion carve-back for such exposures such as pollution, shareholder derivatives and securities class action, climate change and independent directors. Non-indemnifiable losses include violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and punitive damages (where uninsurable).The definition of a claim includes extradition and deposition wording, and the definition of insured persons includes general counsel, risk manager and investor relations director.For more information, visit www.zurichna.com.AIG Small Business announces employment practices defense policyAIG Small Business, a division of American International Group, announced EPL Defense Shield, a product designed to cover the defense costs of employment practices liability lawsuits brought against companies with 25 or fewer employees.The product responds to a wide variety of claims commonly brought by employees, including allegations of wrongful termination, retaliation, sexual harassment, libel, slander, humiliation, defamation and wrongful failure to employ or promote. The policy covers the company and the individuals typically named in these suits, including directors and officers, full- and part-time employees, temporary and seasonal workers, and past, present and future employees.For more information, contact Tom Fioretti at (908) 679-3234 or e-mail [email protected].General Star announces availability of LPL plan in New YorkGeneral Star National Insurance Co. announced it received approval to write lawyers professional liability insurance in New York. This program will be written through PCM Services, which also acts as the insurer's program manager in several other states.Solo attorneys are now eligible for the program, which also covers law firms with up to 50 attorneys and provides up to $5 million in liability limits. In addition, a new policy form provides broad innocent-insured protection, a broad definition of professional services, an optional unlimited extended reporting period for retirees and various other features.Separately, General Star Management Co. introduced its admitted Physicians and Surgeons Program in California and Nevada.For more information about the New York LPL program, contact Robert Meyer at Professional Coverage Managers at (212) 344-8774 or [email protected]. For more information about the medical malpractice program, contact Adam Yasan at (312) 267-8531 or e-mail [email protected].Target Insurance Services announces E&O coverage for medical staffing firmsTarget Insurance Services announced E&O coverage for medical staffing firms through two A+ carriers. Up to $10 million in coverage is available; deductibles start at $1,000.Separately, Target said eligibility for its miscellaneous E&O program has been extended to cardiologists, vascular surgeons and some 20 other medical specialists. Various medical service facilities, other than hospitals and nursing homes, can be covered as well.For more information about the medical staffing program, contact Desiree Scrimger at (888) 888-1613, Ext. 353, or at [email protected]. For more information about the miscellaneous E&O program, contact Sandy Pesino at Ext. 290 or at [email protected].Genesis announces policy for colleges and universitiesGenesis Underwriting Management Co. announced its College and University Policy, a package of comprehensive coverages tailored to the liability risks facing colleges and universities. The program targets public and private schools that have a strong commitment to loss control and that are willing to accept a self-insured retention.Features include simplified language and separate limits for each coverage part. Insureds can select their own defense counsel. Educators legal liability claims cannot be settled without the named insured's consent.The program has one coverage part applicable to general, auto and employers liability. It covers campus security activities; nonemployment harassment, including sexual molestation; incidental medical malpractice; mutual aid; liquor liability; riot and civil commotion; athletic participants; and fellow employee litigation (AL & GL).The program also has an educators legal liability coverage part that responds to claims for employment-related practices including back and front pay; employment harassment, including sexual molestation; and employee benefits liability.Punitive damages under both coverage parts are covered where permitted by law. Coverage is written on an admitted or nonadmitted basis by Genesis Insurance Co. or Genesis Indemnity Insurance Co., both rated A++ by A.M. Best and AAA by Standard and Poor's.For more information, contact Robert M. Jones at (203) 328-5402 or at [email protected].K&K Insurance announces changes to bowling and billiards programK&K Insurance Group Inc. announced it restructured its program for bowling and billiard centers.Property insurance limits are now available up to $40 million; higher limits will be considered upon request.Other available coverages include general liability, inland marine, crime, commercial auto, liquor liability and excess liability. Coverages are provided through an A-rated insurer.An updated and competitive rating tier is now in place, offering lower rates for individual facilities, depending on their operational exposures. The minimum premium is $3,500.Applications are available at www.kandkinsurance.com. For more information, call (866) 554-4636.Markel American announces collector vehicle insurance programMarkel American Insurance Co. introduced a program that provides coverage for a variety of collector vehicles, including antique autos and motorcycles, street rods and replicas.The program has no mileage limitations. Coverages include liability, agreed-value physical damage, medical payments and uninsured motorist, as well as any other state-mandated coverage. Coverage also is provided for accessories, trailers and spare parts.The product will be distributed through retail and wholesale agents who focus on collector vehicle insurance. It currently is available in 20 states and eventually will be offered nationwide.For more information, visit www.markelamerican.com.Victor O. Schinnerer announces international insurance programVictor O. Schinnerer & Co. Inc. announced the launch of an international insurance program, designed to protect the employees of U.S.-based businesses who travel, even infrequently, outside the U.S. The insurer is ACE American Insurance Co., rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best.Eligible companies include those that do business internationally; have international offices; advertise or sell products on the Internet; export products; have foreign licensees selling their products; have employees either temporarily or permanently stationed in other countries; or have employees who go on tours or trips abroad, or who study outside the U.S.The program's coverages can include commercial general liability, commercial auto, employer's responsibility, commercial property and business income, international medical, and accidental death and dismemberment. Premiums start at $2,500.As part of the program, ACE International Advantage Executive Assistance Services provides emergency, medical, personal, travel and security assistance to those traveling or stationed abroad.For more information, visit www.schinnerer.com.Lexington announces product for bridge and road contractorsLexington Insurance Co., a member of American International Group, announced Lex Infrastructure Solutions, a suite of insurance coverages tailored to contractors performing bridge and road work in the U.S.The product is geared to contractors having up to $150 million in annual revenue, or to construction projects up to $150 million in size. The coverages can include primary and excess liability insurance as well as builder's risk, architects and engineers professional liability, contactors professional liability, railroad protective liability, workers compensation and auto liability insurance.Primary general liability and excess casualty insurance is provided on an annual term or a project-specific basis, with aggregate project limits up to $50 million or more, subject to underwriting. The primary liability coverage can include project-specific professional liability insurance and rip and tear coverage.For more information, contact Tom Grandmaison at (617) 345-4130 or at [email protected].AI Risk offers excess liability to small and midsize fleetsAI Risk Specialists Insurance Inc., a wholly owned brokerage subsidiary of American International Group, announced LexExpress, an excess auto liability product for small and midsize trucking fleets.Limits of $1 million in excess of a $1 million primary placement are available. In addition to the standard excess auto liability coverage, the policy provides such ancillary coverages such as pollution, and accident and health coverage. The product can be written for long-haul, short-haul and flat-bed truckers, as well as dry bulk, garbage, mix-in-transit, and moving and storage truckers.LexExpress can be accessed via AI Risk ProgramConnect (www.programconnect.com), allowing the product to be quickly quoted and bound online.For more information, contact Sandi McCabe at (518) 220-7336 or at [email protected].Markel American announces excess flood program Markel American Insurance Co. announced an admitted excess flood program for residential and nonresidential properties, available in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. The program provides coverage in excess of the National Flood Insurance Program and will be offered through Advanced Insurance Coverages Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of National Flood Services Inc. NFS provides third-party flood insurance administration services to many property-casualty companies participating in NFIP.For more information, visit www.markelamerican.com.OneBeacon has products liability policy for medical technology businessesOneBeacon Insurance Group introduced @vantage for MedTech, a policy offering products liability protection for businesses that develop, manufacture or distribute medical devices. The completed-operations coverage is designed for exposures unique to medical technology operations. Highlights include automatic extensions of coverage for vendors, scientific advisory boards and human clinical trial contractors; automatic human clinical trials coverage; coverage for representations and warranties relating to products and services; an unlimited supplemental extended reporting period; and liability extensions for sales and demonstration exposures.The product also includes premises and operational liability, property, automobile, E&O, umbrella and workers compensation coverages. Property coverage includes research and development property, and spoilage, contamination and change in temperature.For more information, visit www.onebeacon.com.Schinnerer announces changes to nonprofit D&O policy Victor O. Schinnerer & Co. announced several changes and additions to its nonprofit D&O policy. New targeted classes of business include convention and visitors bureaus, drug/alcohol counseling and rehab centers, organizations serving the developmentally disabled, court-appointed special advocates and community development corporations. Policy changes include:–Higher limits for less premium.–A fiduciary liability endorsement with a sublimit that can be set equal to or less than the policy limit. Zero-deductible coverage is available. The additional premium for this option typically is 5% to 10%.–Final adjudication wording, which provides protection for accused parties until final judgment.–Specific intent for third-party sexual harassment and discrimination, and nonmonetary claims.–An expanded outside directorship liability endorsement.–A spousal liability endorsement that now includes domestic partners.–Additional defense costs outside the aggregate, for additional premium.Additionally, renewal quotes for most organizations can now be provided without an application. Agents need only request to bind. Organizations must have $7,500 or less in premium, $3 million or less in limit and no claims in the past three years. The option is available to all classes of business except golf clubs.For more information, visit www.schinnerer.com.Farmers Insurance expands program for apartments and condos to New YorkThe Farmers Insurance Group expanded a commercial habitational insurance program, available to independent agents, to New York. The program is designed for apartment and condominium owners, and professional real estate managers. It features a business owners policy tailored to the needs of this class of business. The program was introduced in November in Pennsylvania and is also available in Maryland and North Carolina.For more information, visit www.farmersindependentagent.com.Peerless Insurance introduces package for small businessesPeerless Insurance, a member of Liberty Mutual Group, introduced Custom Protector, a group of property and liability coverages that can be customized for nearly 400 eligible classes. The program also offers optional market segment endorsements for the following risks: condominiums, contractors, food processors, garages, hotels/motels, manufacturers, office/lessors, religious organizations, restaurants, retailers, service providers and wholesalers.The product is available to businesses with receipts up to $15 million per location. It features split-rated coverages that allow for price adjustments that match a customer's specific exposures.For more information, visit www.peerless-ins.com.OTHER MARKET NEWSo Great American Insurance Group announced its entrance into the environmental liability insurance business. Its newly created environmental division will begin writing business in April. The division's offices will be located in Plymouth Meeting, Pa. The division will offer an array of environmental liability products on both a retail and wholesale basis, providing limits up to $25 million.For more information, visit www.greatamericaninsurance.com.o K&K Insurance Group Inc. announced a new rating structure for its Skating Rink Program, which is designed for ice skating rinks and in-line hockey facilities. Rate reductions have been filed in more than 35 states and are pending in others. Coverage offered includes property, general liability, inland marine, crime, commercial auto, excess liability and workers compensation.Applications for coverage are available on the K&K website at www.kandkinsurance.com.o AIG Enviromental announced its Sustain-a-Build Initiative, a program enabling AIG Environmental customers to receive discounts of up to 10% on premiums for new pollution legal liability policies for properties certified under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system. The USGBC LEED Program is a nationally accepted rating system designed to certify efforts to reduce the negative impact of buildings and tenant spaces on occupants and the environment.For more information, e-mail [email protected].o R.E. Chaix & Associates Insurance Brokers Inc. agreed to purchase Katie Freeman Insurance Services Inc. Freeman will continue to service its book of professional liability business in San Diego, Calif.For more information, contact Timothy Chaix at (707) 265-9788, Ext. 225, or [email protected].o The Swett & Crawford Group acquired Risk Reducers LLC, a wholesale insurance broker based in Little Rock, Ark., that specializes in workers compensation. Risk Reducers writes workers compensation and specialized property and casualty insurance for transportation, manufacturing and contractor risks in the Midwest and Southeast. The company also has a specialty in commercial auto and occupational accident insurance.For more information, visit www.swett.com.o Casualty & Surety Inc. announced the acquisition of J.C. Shannon Insurance Services Inc. Shannon specializes in truck physical damage and cargo coverage.For more information, visit www.csiapex.com.o Brooke Credit Corp. unveiled its new brand initiative and visual identity, along with its new Web site, www.aleritascapital.com. The company will continue to operate under the legal name Brooke Credit Corp. for a short period, before becoming known as Aleritas Capital.For more information, visit www.aleritascapital.com.o Zurich announced that its Domestic Energy Casualty business unit has increased its presence on the West Coast and also is looking to write more business on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Zurich Domestic Energy Casualty provides casualty risk solutions for companies involved in oil and gas, petrochemical, natural resources, mining and power industries virtually worldwide.For more information, visit www.zurichna.com.o Britt/Paulk Insurance Agency Inc., a privately held program administrator, announced the acquisition of agriculture insurance specialist Magnum Opus on Jan. 1. It will operate as Britt/Paulk's Boise, Idaho, branch. With the addition of Magnum Opus, Britt/Paulk will offer an exclusive, nationwide commercial agriculture package program.For more information, visit www.brittpaulk.com.