If there is any good news in this prognosis (and for insurance, there always seems to be a silver lining to any black catastrophic cloud), it's that the demand for stand-alone terrorism insurance could see a spike. According to a June 2010 report by Marsh, among nearly 1,400 of its business clients, a greater percentage have added terrorism coverage to their commercial property-casualty insurance. The percentage of Marsh's clients that bought property terrorism insurance was more than 61 percent in 2009, 57 percent in 2008 and 27 percent in 2003. It's probably safe to predict that this number will increase as terrorism backlash fears intensify.

Speaking of coverage demands, this issue marks AA&B's third annual green insurance issue (see the June 2010 green issue and the June 2009 green issue). Although we've always predicted big things for this product niche (and still believe in its promise), the ongoing recession has delayed that promise's delivery. In a survey conducted as part of our coverage, our agent/broker readers were almost evenly split when asked whether “the promise of green insurance products and services have been oversold” (see the complete survey results). Only 26 percent of respondents said they were writing any green-related insurance products or services, with most of that in green new construction property coverage.

However, slow growth doesn't mean green is dead. In our cover article, freelance writer Nina Lill talks to agents, brokers and carriers about why they believe this coverage is poised to take off when the economy improves.

And don't forget, we're now accepting applications for the American Agent & Broker and National Underwriter 2011 Commercial Agency Awards of Excellence competition. Deadline for entries is only a month away on July 1, so please check out our website for rules and entry application.