What can go wrong with solar-energy installations? How should carriers and risk managers respond to growing renewable-energy exposures?
Specialty underwriters and insurance buyers can find the answers to these and other questions at the upcoming Inland Marine Underwriters Association’s meeting in Chicago during the gathering’s first general session on May 16.
The 81st annual gathering, set to take place May 14-17 at the Drake Hotel, will also feature a session focusing on risk-managers’ worries about inland-marine exposures; introductory sessions outlining the basics of several types of inland-marine coverages; and a trade show and networking receptions.
NU editors scoped out the agenda to select the most-intriguing hot topics on the schedule:
- SOLAR ENERGY May 16, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Fred Hilsendager, VP for PowerGuard Specialty, an Irvine, Calif.-based MGA specializing in insurance and risk management for the wind and solar-energy industries, will join Tom Bosley, VP of General Re, to explain the emerging risks related to renewable energy.
- WAREHOUSE LEGAL AND LIABILITY LOGISTICS May 17, 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
Kevin Phillips, general counsel of the International Warehouse Logistics Association, will be on hand for this general session to discuss key legal trends and developments in warehouse theft. Philips, an attorney for Nielsen, Zehe & Antas PC, gives the legal perspective. On hand to discuss logistics will be Richard Payne, VP of risk management for the Graebel Cos., a relocation company, and Dan Burges, director of global intelligence for FreightWatch International, a provider of security solutions to prevent cargo theft throughout the supply chain.
- INLAND MARINE: WHAT KEEPS A RISK MANAGER UP AT NIGHT?
May 17, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Debra Rodgers, risk manager for Aramark, and Stephen Van Buren, deputy general counsel of HMT Inc., will share concerns about inland-marine exposures from the perspectives of two very different companies—one, a professional-services firm providing facilities management, food services and work apparel for various industries; and the other (HMT), a provider of products and services for the maintenance and repair of above-ground storage tanks.
- WHEN RIGHT IS NOT ENOUGH May 17, 12 p.m.-3 p.m.
During Tuesday’s lunch, Donna Popow, ethics counsel for the American Institute for CPCU/Insurance Institute of America, will host “The Ethics Game”—an interactive session designed to engage the audience in “what-if” scenarios and to reinforce ethical decision-making behavior.
Also of note: On Monday, May 16 at 8:15 a.m., Jerry Theodorou, a Conning analyst, will kick off the educational sessions with a report on the state of the inland-marine market, as well as the property and casualty insurance industry generally.
Sprinkled between the general sessions are “introductory-track” sessions exploring some inland-marine basics—an introduction to inland marine and the basics of builders risk, contractors equipment and transportation insurance.
