Real Estate

June 30, 2022

Business Owners: Consider These Steps to Ward Off Wildfire Damage

The record heat in 2021 was damaging, particularly in the West and Pacific Northwest. As droughts became more frequent, it increased the likelihood and severity of wildfires, putting property at risk of extensive damage. While it was clear wildfires could cause significant losses, the wildfire season seemed to be getting longer. In fact, in December...

June 28, 2022

Builder’s Risk – Construction Projects Rush to Plug Cover Gap

Supply chain challenges and inflationary pressures have left contractors and developers with soaring insurance costs amid a scramble to extend cover for delayed projects. The cost of some materials has surged since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, while an underwriting expert told Insurance Business that supply chain delays have meant policyholders may require an extension of...

June 15, 2022

The Shifting Workplace – The New Must-Have Amenity Spaces

The pandemic has brought on a new set of unexpected challenges for the Commercial Real Estate Industry. As many employers are urging their staff to head back to the office, they are being met with hesitancy, some reluctancy, and in the worst-case scenario, resignations. The pandemic has re-aligned workplace culture, and employee values, and has...

May 31, 2022

How Technology is Helping Lower Risks in Construction

Construction projects are becoming more complex, while the timeframes to complete them are shortening. On top of these challenges, supply chain troubles and labor shortages are raising the potential risks for builders, insurance industry sources tell PropertyCasualty360.com. “Each of these factors can increase business expenses and insurance rates, which underscores why it’s more important than ever for...

May 27, 2022

How Office Landlords Digitally Protect Their Tenants

The phrase “secure building” may evoke an image of a looming windowless fortress, defended by an armada of steely-eyed security guards and a tapestry of barbed-wire fencing. But most office buildings don’t share that kind of dramatic appeal. In this digital era, security for many buildings comes in the form of protection against hackers.  Previously,...

May 25, 2022

Construction Costs Outpacing Property Rate, Limit Increases

Property insurers are not raising coverage limits and rates to keep pace with inflating construction costs, according to a Moody’s Investors Service report. Rising costs for construction materials and labor means elevated loss severity for insurers because repair and replacement work are more expensive. “Higher costs for construction materials and labor have caused elevated loss...

May 18, 2022

Why Are US Commercial Insurance Rates Continuing to Climb?

A new report from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) has looked into the impact of inflationary pressures on commercial lines insurance in the US and identified three main drivers of commercial insurance rate increases. “Insurers and agents continue to look for ways to reduce costs while still meeting all obligations to policyholders, but as claims...

April 26, 2022

Office Risk is Increasing as Workers Continue to Prefer Remote Options

Since the initial wave of the COVID-19 Omicron variant started to subside, people have begun to return to the office in larger numbers than we have seen since the start of the pandemic. But office owners are still trying to define “return.” In our 2022 commercial real estate trends overview, we explored the on-going struggle between...

April 13, 2022

OSHA Launches Program to Protect Workers From Heat Hazards

On April 12, 2022, OSHA launched its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for protecting workers from heat hazards in indoor and outdoor workplaces. Through the program, OSHA will conduct heat-related workplace inspections before workers suffer preventable injuries, illnesses or fatalities. The NEP is effective on April 8, 2022, and will remain in effect for three years...

March 30, 2022

What to Expect From Commercial Property Insurance in 2022

Commercial property rates have seen double-digit increases for two straight years and Gary Wells, managing partner at The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, does not foresee a notable drop any time soon. The 2022 outlook for this segment is still quite uncertain as severe weather events continue to present challenges for carriers, brokers, and clients. “We...