Whatever the Weather

The insurance industry once again found itself hurled into the national limelight as an unwitting participant in the climate change debate, this time in the WSJ article, “In Global Warming Debate, Insurers Play It Cool.” While the title connotes a certain reticence on insurers' part—perhaps accurately in one sense, but can you blame us?—I.I.I. President Dr. Robert Hartwig is no shrinking violet in the interview. He elegantly states 'the cause of the trend is less important than the trend itself,' adding the industry relies on hard data gleaned from global claims activity rather than speculation and rhetoric. I think we can all learn a lot from Dr. Hartwig.

Claims Executives Rethink Risk
By Christina Bramlet-Wichard

When we asked high-ranking insurance claims managers and risk analysts to identify emerging perils, the responses were illuminating, not to mention decidedly different. Have scientists been hasty in stating nanotechnology risks? Is climate change the industry's largest threat and, well, PR problem? From cyber liability to fracking, mitigating risks is the topic du jour.

How Employers Will Stay Sane in Challenging Workers' Comp Climate
By Kevin Ring, lead workers' compensation analyst, Institute of WorkCompProfessionals