Colorado business owners could face unexpected financial repercussions for environmental hazards that settled on their property after the recent flooding in the state, and a Sept. 9 spill of some 233,000 gallons of molasses into Honolulu Harbor brings unique challenges of its own.

Non-admitted underwriters are seeking across-the-board rate hikes for property and casualty risksand are covering more risks as standard lines insurers continue to shed unwanted business. Yet the surplus lines market has not entered the "hard" phase of the market cycle.

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill allowing policy-renewal notices and disclosures to be sent electronically.

The IPCC report is in, finding that climate change is here. It is unstoppable. It is warming the atmosphere, acidifying oceans and increasing sea levels. And it will get worse as humans, who have already burnt half of all available carbon in our quest for goods and energy, continue to...