Understanding the developing trends in any market segment is critical to having a successful year. 2012 promises many changes in the insurance industry, but particularly in the environmental segment. Events are finally moving the business in a positive direction, and now is the time for agencies to get on board with the huge opportunities presented by pollution coverage.

This market shift creates great opportunity. Significant growth is expected in the overall services industries as contractors ramp back up in the improving economy. The need for contractors' pollution liability (CPL), CPL with E&O, and CPL with premises pollution will continue to grow, as will the value of each account written.

We already have seen significant growth in the facilities arena as well. Pollution coverages addressing the environmental responsibility of a land owner or tenant, as well as those concerned with indoor air quality issues, have taken off in the last quarter. It's hard to imagine a commercial transaction not needing some degree of environmental coverage by the end of the year. Add to this the projected growth in transportation as the economy improves, and the outlook for over-the-road pollution coverage grows as well.