For all of the bad press the insurance industry receives for appearing hidebound, boring and risk averse, the reality of its responsiveness and creativity is evident in the way carriers have responded over the years to pollution liability. Pollution exposures are some of the ugliest out there, characterized by years of exposures and the potential for massive claims. But over the past 25 years or so, these exposures have moved from being virtually uninsurable to being covered seven ways from Sunday. And the cool thing: They are still evolving.

This issue's focus on pollution risk covers the gamut, from how the basic coverages evolved (see “Evolution revolution: How the industry grew coverage to meet changing pollution exposures” ), to what pollution insurers are doing right now to respond to trends that are still developing (nanotechnology or Chinese drywall, anyone?). Although the prevalence of pollution exposures are present in just about every industry and business–some where you would least expect it–nowhere is this more evident than in the construction industry, where creative minds are anticipating exposures from the boom in green building (see “ Insurers 'green up' gray coverage areas)..

And speaking of creative, many agents are finding stability and profits in the most prosaic lines of business: auto and homeowners for individuals. If you think the ducks, hands and geckos have the market cornered on personal lines, think again. In “Up close and personal: Finding success in personal lines” we take a look at 5 independent agencies and how they have crafted personal lines sales into solid and stable profit centers for their businesses (in fact, some are totally dedicated to high-net-worth personal lines business).