E&S/Specialty

The antics of major Hollywood actor Charlie Sheen have resulted in the cancellation of a multimillion-dollar production and put an entire cast and crew out of work, begging the question: Can this actor still be insured?

While debate rages over the future direction of the overall property and casualty insurance market, one recent broker survey of a niche market—architects and engineers professional liability—indicates rates could see upward momentum this year.

In a soft market, excess and surplus-lines executives have managed to identify some growth areas and have found the time ripe for technology investments and recruiting talent. But survival demands innovation.

Construction-insurance pros see some signs for market improvements in 2012 and 2013, as the economy recovers and projects continue in key industries, such as health care and education. A second round of stimulus funding would also help.

Is a construction defect an occurrence covered by a commercial general liability policy? That’s the key question for homebuilders and contractors facing Chinese drywall damage claims. The insurance and liability issues are becoming increasingly complicated by conflicting state court rulings over the lingering coverage question.

A proposed flood insurance reform bill contains language that calls on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a study on privatizing the National Flood Insurance Program

MarketScout's barometer of U.S. property and casualty market shows minus-5 percent composite rate for the fourth straight month, with general liability still the most aggressively priced coverage.

MarketScout's barometer of U.S. property and casualty market shows minus-5 percent composite rate for the fourth straight month, with general liability still the most aggressively priced coverage.