September 14, 2023
For the Fifth Straight Year, Surplus Lines Sees Double-Digit Growth
Total U.S. surplus lines direct premiums written (DPW) rose by 19.2% to reach a record $98.5 billion in 2022, marking a five-year streak of double-digit growth rate increase, according to a new AM Bestreport. The new Best’s Market Segment Report, “Surplus Lines Insurers Focus on Evolving Risks to Sustain Premium Growth,” showed eight of the top...
September 12, 2023
Employer Tips for Dealing with Illness in the Office
With all the attention on return to office policies, employers should reassure workers that they can stay home if need be, especially as cold and flu season approaches. Despite an increase in attention to wellness, the majority of employees are still struggling with the notion of taking time off for an illness, according to a...
September 8, 2023
3 Economic Forces Putting Strain on Construction
It’s been a tough three years for the construction industry. Lingering labor shortages and supply chain issues brought on by the pandemic have caused project costs to shoot up. In an effort to govern inflation, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates, resulting in higher borrowing costs. Noticing a pattern? Today’s economic conditions are increasing...
September 6, 2023
Preparing for the DOL’s Proposed FLSA Overtime Rule
On Aug. 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule to amend current requirements that executive, administrative and professional employees (EAPs) must satisfy to be exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime requirements. If the rule is finalized and implemented, the overtime protections will extend to approximately 3.6...
September 1, 2023
Captives Address Emerging Risks
Businesses are increasingly looking to captives to address emerging risks as commercial insurance market conditions remain difficult. Demand is growing for innovative insurance programs for cannabis and cryptocurrency risks, among others, panelists said last month at the Vermont Captive Insurance Association’s 2023 annual conference. “The search for capacity doesn’t end when your insurance broker says...
August 31, 2023
4 Trends Shaping the Casualty Market
No. 1: Inflation is changing the game. After peaking at 9.1% in June 2022 following more than two years of pandemic-induced growth, global inflation has trended down slowly for the last few quarters. Still, inflation remains a concern across the entire property and casualty (P&C) value chain. Naturally, rising costs will have a direct impact on insurers...
August 30, 2023
How Voluntary Benefits Help to Expect the Unexpected
In life, we need to expect the unexpected. One could argue that this is an apt description for voluntary benefits, which were long viewed by brokers and employers as a labor-intensive afterthought. Individually underwritten policies like accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, identity theft, pet protection and numerous other coverages offered through payroll deduction weren’t seen as strategic...
August 29, 2023
7 Factors Driving Commercial Property Insurance Costs
Several cost-driving trends have contributed to the hard commercial property insurance market. This environment has led to continuous rate increases and other challenging conditions. In these circumstances, it’s crucial for businesses to understand why premiums have been rising. This article discusses seven factors currently impacting commercial property insurance costs. Catastrophic losses—Hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, winter storms...
August 28, 2023
DOL Proposes Rule to Clarify PPE Standard
On July 19, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking intended to clarify the personal protective equipment (PPE) standard for the construction industry. The stated goal of this action is to align construction, general industry and maritime standards. Comments and hearing requests must be submitted by Sept. 18, 2023,...
August 18, 2023
OSHA’s New National Emphasis Program Aimed at Preventing Warehouse Injury and Heat Hazards and Its Possible Implications on California
On July 13, 2023, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) announced the launch of a three-year National Emphasis Program meant to prevent workplace hazards in warehouses, processing facilities, distribution centers, and high-risk retail establishments. OSHA’s announcement explains that warehousing and distribution centers have experienced tremendous growth over the past 10 years, with over 1.9 million...