Maritime employers have an insurance problem. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish liability exposure under the Jones Act and general maritime law from workers' compensation exposure under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.

Stunted wages, heftier workloads and shriveling benefits are just a few of the challenges that continue to plague claim professionals, according to the 2009 Salary Survey conducted by Claims magazine.

In tough times like these, insurance carriers need to find ways to help their independent agents get away from processing orders.

It's October and you know what that means--Halloween! Out will come the scaries and ghoulies, the warlocks and witches, and the Spidermans on every block. But when, oh, when, will someone come to our door as Svengoolie?