NU Online News Service, May 29, 8:29 a.m.EDT

London-based insurance broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ltd. isadvising company directors to take steps to mitigate risk ofexposure to the current swine flu pandemic and check theirdirectors and officers liability.

"Directors may be focused on the idea that the swine flupandemic could impact their employee liability and generalliability insurance but a lack of preparation may leave themexposed in terms of their D&O [directors and officersliability] cover," said Michael Lea, head of D&O Liability forJLT.

"Now is the time for them to consider plans and activities morecarefully particularly with recent data from the CharteredManagement Institute reporting in March that 52 percent ofcompanies in the United Kingdom still do not have plans in place tocope with business disruption," advised Mr. Lea.

JLT said it has launched a six point check list titled "PrepareNow to Manage D&O Exposure to a Pandemic" to help companiesmanage and mitigate exposure in the most effective way.

Among the six preparation points are business continuityplanning, adequate insurance coverage, protection of employees andcommunication.

"Companies should be making sure that their D&O liability,employee liability and general liability brokers are all workingtogether at this crucial time checking they have the right coveracross their business that is working in the most cohesive andeffective way," Mr. Lea said.

The complete report is available at www.jltgroup.com/insurance-broker.