Agency Management

Lapse of the estate tax as of Jan. 1 has many insurance agencies concerned with inheritance issues, according to one major producer association.

While the Market Barometer composite rate index for property and casualty insurance was down 4 percent at the close of calendar-year 2009, an upswing is predicted by the end of this year.

An exclusion for claims arising from representations and warranties could present real problems for architects involved in green-building design.

When contractors are in the market for insurance, they may focus solely on cost and coverage level.

Reinsurers recapitalized significantly in 2009, but while pricing was down for the latest Jan. 1 renewal season as a result, underwriting remained disciplined in a softening market characterized by one top broker as "orderly."

Professional liability brokers repeatedly receive requests from insureds to add the insureds' clients onto their errors and omissions policies as additional insureds. As outsourcing has become more prevalent, so has this request.