Failure analysis is always an important part of any fire investigation when an electrical or mechanical system is involved. For this large commercial loss claim, expert investigators helped the client recover over $1 million.

The property and casualty industry shows a strong financial profile so far in 2013 as insurers have generally reported underwriting and operating profitability. See a visual breakdown of the industry's performance through the first half of the year.

Severe weather in the Midwest and the Plains early in the month included baseball-sized hail and winds of more than 80 mph, contributing to conditions that caused insured losses in excess of $625 million.