Investigative & Forensics

Market Insights

How drones are transforming the roofing industry

Nathan Stump | September 21, 2018

Technology is providing new opportunities to serve clients before disasters strike.

Analysis

Insurance coverage for drain, sewer and sump pump problems

FC & S Editors | September 19, 2018

Coverage Q&A: Coverage for water damage unrelated to flooding may come down to an examination of the facts of the claim.

Best Practices

After the disaster: Not all vendors are created equal

Sean Scott | September 18, 2018

A catastrophe attracts unscrupulous individuals trying to take advantage of shell-shocked and vulnerable homeowners.

Expert Opinion

Disaster recovery for agents, brokers & claims professionals

Laurie Ranegar | September 18, 2018

After the hurricane or other natural catastrophe passes, are you ready for the next storm of claims?

Analysis

Teachable moments in cyber network business interruption

Rituparna Datta | September 17, 2018

The cyber risk landscape is evolving rapidly, and its potential economic fallout cannot be underestimated.

News

U.S. investigating incidents that stranded two N.J. transit trains

Elise Young | September 10, 2018

Trains were stranded inside Amtrak’s 108-year-old Hudson River tunnel after apparently striking stray electrical equipment.

News

Delta jet-engine failure at 18,000 feet draws U.S. safety probe

Alan Levin and Mary Schlangenstein | September 06, 2018

An engine failure on a Delta jet forced pilots to shut down the turbine and return to Atlanta shortly after takeoff.

Commentary

Underwriters must know how cyber events are found, reported

Eduard Goodman | September 06, 2018

Wouldn’t you like to find out about your company’s cybersecurity vulnerability before the public or the media?

Investigation

120 in N.J. charged for $8M in false Sandy relief fund applications

Steven A. Meyerowitz | August 31, 2018

Most of the defendants were alleged to have filed fraudulent applications for FEMA relief funds.

Analysis

One loss, two deductibles: Which one applies?

FC & S Editors | August 29, 2018

Coverage Q&A: In the event of an insurance claim, policy language is specific about when and how a deductible will apply.

Analysis

The ins and outs of business interruption insurance

Nancy Kornegay, Karl Killian and Shawn Pickens | August 29, 2018

Business interruption insurance can be the difference between a company's survival and its demise.

Research

Puerto Rico report shows nearly 3,000 Hurricane Maria deaths

Michelle Kaske and Jonathan Levin | August 28, 2018

Governor Rossello’s administration originally estimated that 64 people died because of the September hurricane.

News

Examining cyber risks and coverage options

Patricia L. Harman | August 27, 2018

A new report from RIMS shares some insights on cyber insurance and handling the resulting claims from an event.

Expert Opinion

Identifying Legionella risks for workers

Hung Cheung, M.D. | August 21, 2018

Legionella can be fatal if it enters a building’s water system or other water-related areas.

Analysis

Labor shortage increases risks for employers

John Smith | August 21, 2018

Companies should not sacrifice quality control when hiring new workers.

Analysis

Managing workers’ comp claims for older workers

Chikita Mann, MSN RN CCM | August 21, 2018

These tools and tips are essential for employers who may be feeling swamped by the proverbial ‘silver tsunami.’

Expert Opinion

Workplace violence assessment and response

Kimberly George and Mark Walls | August 20, 2018

Workplace violence can include everything from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. What can employers do to prevent incidents?

Commentary

Guns, schools and claims – Part 3

Ken Brownlee, CPCU | August 17, 2018

Investigating a school-related claim is like any other type of governmental claim.

News

Alaska Air suicide flight highlights gap in airport security

Justin Bachman | August 13, 2018

The suicide-by-plane at Seattle’s Sea-Tac International Airport has raised fresh questions about aviation security.

News

Facing $17 billion in wildfire damages, a CEO blames climate change

Mark Chediak | August 13, 2018

Scientists tend to agree with that assessment.

News

Texas woman heading to prison for burning down house for insurance money

Steven A. Meyerowitz | August 10, 2018

Genevieve Thompson has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to arson and insurance fraud.

Best Practices

Playing with fire: Avoiding toxic exposures in structure fires

Sean Scott | August 08, 2018

Poor ventilation and a build-up of toxic substances pose risks for adjusters.

Expert Opinion

Volcanoes – a rare peril raises coverage questions

Christine G. Barlow | August 07, 2018

Property owners may have coverage under their homeowners policies with some exclusions.

Best Practices

Identifying construction risks

Patrick Kelleher and Sean Sica | August 06, 2018

Builders risk claims often include numerous complex issues.

Analysis

Guns, schools and claims – Part 2

Ken Brownlee, CPCU | August 03, 2018

Schools can be held responsible for what their personnel and students may do to each other.

Research

Study shows one overheated laptop battery could down an airliner

Alan Levin | August 01, 2018

A single electronic device that overheats & catches fire in checked luggage can overpower an aircraft’s fire suppression.

Best Practices

Social media’s role in claims

Moshe Beauford | July 11, 2018

GDPR will affect how insurers use social media in their investigations.

News

Macy's says hackers accessed online customers' credit card data

Lisa Wolfson and Hema Parmar | July 10, 2018

Hackers obtained names and passwords of online customers and potentially were able to access credit card numbers.

News

Amtrak rail cars in fatal crash didn't meet current standards

Alan Levin | July 10, 2018

The NTSB is conducting a two-day hearing on safety at Amtrak following a spate of deadly crashes.

Best Practices

Litigating product liability claims with foreign entities

By Shelby Guilbert and Nicholas Hill | July 10, 2018

Read the fine print when purchasing coverage from foreign insurers.

Case Study

Insurer questions impact of athlete’s injuries

Steven A. Meyerowitz | July 09, 2018

An ex-pro football player who received workers’ comp benefits may have to return them after appearing on Survivor.

Analysis

Courts to determine allowable evidence for suits involving insurance claims

Matthew J. Smith, Esq. | July 06, 2018

Two cases on opposite coasts could dramatically affect person injury litigation.

News

Texas lawyer sentenced for insurance fraud involving roof claims

Steven A. Meyerowitz | July 03, 2018

Attorney gets 5 years in prison for a scheme involving fraudulent lawsuits filed after hail storms.

News

MetLife accused of defrauding investors over pension reserves

Katherine Chiglinsky and Neil Weinberg | June 25, 2018

Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth claims MetLife’s public filings had 'material misstatements.'

Best Practices

Detecting and preventing fraudulent business interruption claims

Tiffany Couch | June 22, 2018

'Red flags' may indicate the need for a forensic accountant.

News

Former Brooklyn assemblywoman pleads guilty to Superstorm Sandy fraud

Steven A. Meyerowitz | June 22, 2018

Pamela Harris allegedly defrauded FEMA out of $25K by falsely claiming she had been forced out of her damaged residence.

Analysis

Insurance questions grow alongside mold, fungi and algae

FC & S Editors | June 20, 2018

Coverage Q&A: Whether or not a loss is covered may rest on the appearance of routine wear and tear.

Market Insights

Top causes of high-dollar workers' comp claims

Mark Walls and Stephen Peacock | June 19, 2018

Safety National recently completed a review of its largest workers' comp claims and uncovered certain trends employers should be aware of.

Case Study

Fraud of the month: Skydiving trip leads to attempted-murder

Dennis Jay | June 18, 2018

An army sergeant created an ‘accident’ to turn his wife into his ‘ex’.

News

Doctor & interpreter charged with defrauding workers' comp insurers

Steven A. Meyerowitz | June 18, 2018

The California pair allegedly billed insurers for translation services that were illegal or non-existent.

Analysis

When water destroys with a trickle instead of a flood

FC & S Editors | June 13, 2018

Coverage Q&A: It’s essential to know whether your homeowners’ policy includes an exclusion for leaks lasting more than a few days.

Analysis

Investigating fraudulent claims: Keep detailed records to recover costs

Steven A. Meyerowitz | June 12, 2018

A court suggests if insurers want to recover costs of investigating fraudulent claims, they need to maintain time logs.

Liability in the age of autonomous vehicles

Robert F. Tyson and Greta M. Schultz | June 06, 2018

Some auto risks will not change, but others will shift from drivers to manufacturers.

News

Hack of DNA website exposes data from 92 million user accounts

Kristen V. Brown | June 05, 2018

With the information exposed in the breach, a hacker could access personal info such as the identity of family members.

News

U.S. Army officer arrested & charged with defrauding insurance providers

Steven A. Meyerowitz | June 05, 2018

A Lieutenant Colonel received $183,339 from claims he filed related to a purported U-Haul burglary, prosecutors allege.

News

Family arson ring gets burned for insurance fraud

Denny Jacob | June 01, 2018

The Chens allegedly orchestrated the entire situation to make it appear as though the fire was the result of a careless cooking.

Analysis

When an intentional act results in an unintended outcome

FC & S Editors | May 30, 2018

Coverage Q&A: The expected or intended injury exclusion can be difficult to apply. Here's why...

News

Harvard: Death toll from Hurricane Maria much higher than previously reported

Jonathan Levin | May 29, 2018

Hurricane Maria probably killed about 5,000 people in Puerto Rico last year even though the official count remains at 64.

Analysis

Can behavior-based cyber insurance improve cybersecurity?

Jack Kudale | May 25, 2018

The concept of rewarding insureds for good behavior could extend to mitigating cyber risks.

Analysis

Active shooter tragedies spur insurance questions

FC & S Editors | May 23, 2018

Coverage Q&A: Insurance issues are becoming increasingly relevant as more tragic shootings occur.