Copper thieves have fueled a huge spike in claims for insurers of vacant and idle properties, but increased loss potential has not deterred competition in the residential and commercial property markets, experts say.

Underwriting and risk-engineering experts give tips for insuring and securing vacant property, and also provide the insurance and risk definitions of “vacant” and “idle” properties.

Five of the nation’s largest insurers did not make it to the 2011 “Ward’s 50” list of top property and casualty insurance carriers.

As long as there are large businesses with an appetite for expansion, we will always have deals such as the one between Accenture and Duck Creek Technologies. Through this acquisition, Accenture is making a major effort to establish its name in the p&c policy admin market and in particular with...