New Policies

Liberty Mutual Property introduces food-processing endorsement
Liberty Mutual Property, part of the Liberty Mutual Group, announced an endorsement to its commercial property coverage for the food-processing industry. RM Custom Select addresses accidental contamination, malicious and intentional tampering, and public health and safety issues in food distribution.
The endorsement also addresses testing for products exposed to malicious or intentional tampering, or those showing no direct physical damage but declared unfit for intended use. Additionally, it offers enhanced protection for contaminated food products, food product recall, spoilage of perishable food products in transit, research and development costs, and service interruption with extension for perishable goods.
The endorsement's service component includes pre-loss claims consultations to review policy language and explain the response in certain loss scenarios; and industry-specific risk management guides and case studies, outlining key food industry exposures and how they may be prevented or mitigated.
For more information, visit www.libertymutual.com.
CNA Pro announces D&O/E&O coverage for financial/investment community The Open Brokerage unit of CNA Pro introduced a management and professional liability product to address D&O and E&O exposures of the financial/investment community. Investment Management Solutions targets hedge funds, mutual funds and investment advisers.
Coverage highlights include outside directorship coverage and defense costs; broad definitions of insured, loss and claim; worldwide coverage and noncancelable coverage; automatic coverage of estates, legal representatives and spouses; and flexible ERP options.
For more information, visit www.cnapro.com.
Aon and NCA D&O program covers Immigration & Nationality Act violations Aon Association Services and the National Club Association enhanced their D&O liability insurance program to include coverage for civil penalties imposed for violations of the Federal Immigration & Nationality Act, including 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1324a (Unlawful Employment of Aliens).
Penalties for violating the act may include a cease-and-desist order, civil and criminal fines, and imprisonment. The enhancement provides a $50,000 sublimit for such fines and penalties. It also covers actual or alleged violations resulting from employment, hiring and/or retention of unauthorized aliens. The program features an insurer's option to defend any criminal proceedings resulting from any actual or alleged violations of the Federal Immigration & Nationality Act or other Federal immigration law.
Other coverages available under the D&O program include employment practices liability, club membership discrimination liability and outside directorship liability. Up to $10 million in limits are available. The program also offers a 5% premium savings for NCA members.
For more information, visit www.natlclub-ins.com.
OneBeacon offers EPLI for mid-size businesses OneBeacon Insurance Group announced employment practices liability insurance for businesses with up to 250 employees as an endorsement to its OneBeacon @vantage program for the technology, financial services, professional services, metalworking, commercial real estate, cultural institutions, food, media, plastics, printing, progressive care, wholesaling and retailing industries.
The coverage addresses liability damages and defense costs (within the liability limit) from claims brought by full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal workers. Online risk management tools are availaible for helping employers avoid employment practices disputes.
The program is available in 27 states. The carrier will introduce the coverage in other states as it obtains regulatory approval.
For more information, visit www.onebeacon.com.
Travelers expands coverage for bridge contractors Travelers announced that its Construction unit is offering coverage for bridge contractors with 20 or more employees. Eligible contractors may also perform secondary operations, such as street and road construction.
Special coverages include railroad protective liability, owners and contractors protective liability, professional liability for design/build exposures and pollution liability. Additionally, the insurer possesses dedicated personnel familiar with the U.S. Longshore & Harbor Workers Act, enabling efficient resolution of these types of worker compensation claims.
Clients can participate in value-added programs, such as the Bridge Safety Aca-demy, a professional crane-operator certification program, crisis-management services and rapid response catastrophe claim services.
For more information, contact Janice Diluciano at jdiluci2@travelers.com or visit www.travelers.com.
AIG Specialty Excess increases public entities capacity to $25 million AIG Specialty Excess increased its excess liability insurance capacity for public entities to $25 million from $15 million on all commercial umbrella and excess casualty policies. The increased capacity will be available not only for states, counties and cities, but also for educational institutions, transit authorities, utilities and other public agencies. The $25 million capacity will be available on a broad occurrence-based form.
For more information, visit www.aigspecialtyexcess.com.
Workplace violence prevention services offered to Lexington EPLI clients Lexington Insurance Co. expanded its Violence Guard suite of services to include complimentary services for helping employers prevent, respond to and mitigate consequences of violent acts in the workplace. The services, offered to all employment practices liability policyholders, also include online management training tutor-ials on discrimination, harassment, evaluations, employee discipline and termination; and such HR tools as best workplace practices manuals, management guidelines, policies, forms, employee handbooks and FAQs on common employee relations issues.
For more information, visit www.lexingtoninsurance.com.
Markel American offers boat program
Markel American Insurance announced its Markel Boat program for watercraft up to 26 feet, including runabouts, airboats and performance boats. The program offers replacement cost coverage, diminishing deductibles, stand-alone pollution insurance, wreck removal and other options, such as primary fishing and boat-lift coverage.
The product will be driven by MAGIC, Markel's Web-based processing system. Agent referral submissions can now be completed with the click of the mouse, and most risks won't require an application.
For more information, contact Markel at (800) 236-2862 or visit www.markelmarine.com.
Hiscox USA announces media liability insurance
Hiscox USA announced it is licensed to provide media liability coverage to U.S. businesses, including publishers, broadcasters, production companies, and marketing and advertising agencies.
The stand-alone policy is designed to complement Hiscox USA's existing Technology Errors & Omissions product, allowing policyholders more flexibility of coverage as the line between technology and media continues to blur. Other features include broad "all- risk" coverage; ability to write media and technology coverage under one policy form; and seasoned U.S. media attorneys to handle claims.
For more information, visit www.hiscoxusa.com.
Insight Catastrophe Group announces property capacity in coastal areas
Insight Catastrophe Group announced an agreement with three Berkshire Hathaway insurance subsidiaries to bring property insurance capacity to 18 coastal states, allowing owners of small commercial businesses and high-value dwellings in coastal areas to access up to $5 million in limits through Insight's managing general agency, Coastal Risk Underwriters LLC. Coverage will be provided by one of three Berkshire Hathaway surplus-lines carriers with "AAA" financial strength ratings from Standard & Poor's.
The program is available in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
For more information, visit www.cru360.com.
A&H coverage for public entities available from Schinnerer
Schinnerer Insurance Services announced accident and health policies that cover volunteer activities, civic group functions, special events, fundraisers and youth sports teams. Premiums start at $350 annually for each.
Volunteer Accident Insurance can be written for entities having any number of volunteers. If an accident occurs, the volunteer receives a substantive benefit without exposing the public entity's general liability or workers compensation policies to additional claims.
Park & Recreation-Team Sports Insurance is available for team members participating in a scheduled game, an official tournament or team practice. Coverage may include coaches and volunteers. All sports are eligible.
Child Care Group Accident Insurance covers staff members and preschool children enrolled in daycare facilities or nurseries.
For more information, visit www.schinnerer.com.
Swiss Re announces excess layer for lawyers liability insurance
Swiss Re's Commercial Insurance announced excess layer coverage for law firms. It is designed to follow the form of the underlying policy, features a broad range of attachment points and is available in all 50 states. Policies are written on nonadmitted paper from First Specialty Insurance Corp.
For more information, contact Jill Zubak at (312) 821-4147 or at Jill_Zubak@swissre.com.
Professional Underwriters offers school bus contractors program
Professional Underwriters announced its SafetyFirst program for independent school bus contractors. The program is available in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York and offers auto, general, employee benefits, property, crime, garage and umbrella liability.
For more information, contact Professional Underwriters at (888) 855-4782 or visit www.professionalunderwriters.com.
Darwin Pro introduces clinical research liability product
Darwin Professional Underwriters introduced clinical research liability insurance to address the evolving needs of healthcare organizations, business entities, academic institutions and individual professionals engaged in clinical research and human subject-related professional activities. Coverage features include E&O and medical malpractice, administrative and regulatory defense, billing-related proceedings, public relations consultation and worldwide coverage that can be customized to meet clients' individual needs. Standard primary limits are $1 million to $3 million, with limits as high as $10 million.
The product is available in all states on a surplus-lines basis through Darwin Select Insurance Co., which carries an A.M. Best rating of "A-".
For more information, contact Darwin at (860) 284-1300 or visit www.darwinpro.com.
Distinguished Programs adds affordable housing coverage
Distinguished Programs announced a national property and liability program designed to increase the availability of "market level" insurance coverage for the affordable housing industry. The program, which includes all-risk property, liability and umbrella protection, focuses on low-to-moderate income, privately owned, multifamily housing where more than 20% of the rental income is government subsidized. Unlike a standard property form, the program covers loss of both rents and government subsidies. The program is underwritten by standard A-rated carriers and is available in 46 states.
For more information, contact Carla Vel at (212) 297-3102 or at cvel@distinguished.com.
Euclid Managers introduces E&O policy for service professionals
Euclid Managers LLC introduced BusinessWare, a professional liability product for service professionals. Coverages include E&O, copyright and trademark infringement, defamation, security coverage for Internet/technical network activities, privacy and other personal injury coverages. The policy covers business services performed for others, as well as activities on the insured's Web site. Coverage is provided by Houston Insurance Group and is available nationwide on a nonadmitted basis in most states. Minimum premiums start at $1,500, with minimum retention of $2,500. Up to $5 million in limits are available.
For more information, contact Marcia Sutton at (816) 778-0713 or at msutton@euclidmanagerskc.com.
Hanover Insurance Group offers homeowners products
The Hanover Insurance Group introduced Connections Home, a homeowners product offering four package options in 10 states. Umbrella coverage is also available as an endorsement in most states. The Basis option includes replacement cost coverage up to a dwelling's value. Select offers the same coverage plus extended dwelling replacement cost, personal property replacement cost (caps value by state), refrigerated products coverage and lock replacement. Select Plus adds additional coverage for water back-up, identity fraud, personal injury, extended dwelling replacement cost, personal property replacement cost and 16 limit increases, including ordinance of law and loss of use. Select Premium is designed for coverage-conscious customers with sophisticated assets.
Hanover is also debuting point-of-sale screens for the product, which include pre-fill and quick quotes tools and opportunities to cross-sell scheduled coverages.
For more information, visit www.hanover.com.
XL and RelMark provide program for fire sprinkler installation contractors
Greenwich Insurance Co., an XL Capital Ltd. insurer, announced an underwriting agreement with RelMark Program Managers to provide a comprehensive program for fire sprinkler contractors. RelMark's program offers coverage for standard operations, including design, fabrication, installation, service, repair, testing and inspection of water-based sprinkler systems. Coverage enhancements are also available to address E&O and emerging industry trends.
For more information, visit www.relmark.net.
GMAC Insurance to begin offering RV coverage via independent agents
GMAC Insurance announced it is offering specialized RV insurance through independent agencies. The move comes as part of the carrier's initiative to expand its product offerings sold through approximately 10,000 independent agencies.
RV coverage features include:
–Storage coverage, which lowers insurance costs by suspending collision and liability coverages during the months an RV is not in use. Comprehensive coverage stays in effect to protect against fire, storm-wind and theft.
–$3,000 of personal contents coverage. Additional coverage can be purchased.
–Optional replacement cost coverage for RVs that are totaled or stolen. Coverage applies regardless of whether the insured was the RV's original owner.
–Optional Full-Timer Liability Coverage, a product similar to home-owners insurance that covers injuries in or around the RV, as well as personal liability.
The product initially was offered through independent agents in Arizona, Illinois, Ohio and Tennessee. The carrier plans to extend it to agencies in other states throughout 2007.
For more information, visit www.gmacinsurance.com.
OTHER MARKET NEWS
oNIF Group Inc. expanded its partnership with Safeco Insurance Co. for the distribution of its nonprofit social services program. NIF Group will be offering such insurance through Safeco on a countrywide basis, effective immediately.
For more information, call (877) 426-7643 or visit www.nifgroup.com.
oCamford National Insurance Brokers LLC opened as a specialty-lines wholesale insurance brokerage, serving property and casualty agents and brokers nationally and internationally. Camford National will specialize in E&S lines and industries with hard-to-place risks. Coverage is placed on an admitted and nonadmitted basis through carriers rated A- or better by A.M. Best.
For more information, contact David O'Keeffe at (201) 484-0741, Ext. 203, at d.okeeffe@camfordnational.com or visit www.camfordnational.com.
oSwiss Re's Commercial Insurance announced its workers compensation coverage is available in Texas. The product is delivered by the insurer's CyberComp platform, a system designed to give agents and employers an efficient way to underwrite workers compensation coverage and handle claims.
For more information, contact Stan Opie at (972) 529-1589 or at Stan_Opie@swissre.com.
oLeisure/Sports Specialists established a partnership agreement with Target Market Specialists to provide specialized general liability products on an exclusive basis for amateur sports and motor sports associations, teams, leagues and their respective governing/sanctioning bodies; family entertainment centers and amusement parks; sports, leisure, recreation and exhibition venues; and multi-use convention centers. LSS and TMS will distribute these products on a nonadmitted basis through Mt. Hawley Insurance Co.
For more information, contact LSS at (866) 969-1101 or visit www.leisuresportsspecialists.com.
oArthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced the acquisition of ISG International Inc., a managing general agent and wholesale insurance broker specializing in coverage for the information technology industry.
For more information, visit www.isgintl.com.