Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., has announced that its Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC) subsidiary has now written its first Georgia homeowners’ insurance policies for an official start within that state. Chief operating officer of the vertically integrated insurance holding company, Sean Downes, said that the entrance of UPCIC into the homeowners’ marketplace in Georgia “marks the fifth state where UPCIC conducts business and continues our expansion beyond Florida.” He added that the insurer is anticipates a strong expansion of its network of agents within that state, as well…
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Financial crisis leads to greater errors and omissions claims in real estate
The errors and omissions liability coverage sector is starting to feel the pinch in the real estate industry as a result of the financial crisis. Trends and developments impact the purchasers of the different kinds of specialty insurance products, such as errors and omissions, D&O, cyber risk, employment practices liability, surplus, marine, and transportation lines. Firms for diversified financial services and banking that have advised their customers to make investments into high risk subprime mortgages or credit default swaps are now experiencing significant claims, and – according to Phil Norton…
Read MoreEco-friendly construction increases professional liability risks
Insurers and risk managers are facing all new challenges in developing coverage for errors and omissions (E&O) for eco-friendly construction projects, which are similar, but still quite different from the risks associated with typical construction projects. This has lead to new trends and developments which are affecting purchasers for specialty lines of insurance such as E&O, directors and officers (D&O), cyber risk, employment practices liability, transportation, marine, and surplus. The reason for the difference between “green” and standard construction project risks is in the materials and technologies that are used,…
Read MoreMayhem on the high seas
An attack by Somali pirates came late last week when the maritime bandits hijacked an oil tanker over one thousand miles from the Somalia coast. The seizure of the Greek oil tanker, Irene SL, occurred Wednesday about 200 miles east of the Gulf of Oman; a region that was thought to be safe. This was the second hijacking in this area; causing insurance underwriter’s to re-evaluate the current premiums that ship owners are paying for marine kidnap and ransom coverage. Brokers stated, “a study last month estimated the total cost…
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