This year, FC&S turns 95. (Credit: Bluestocking/iStockphoto)
It's been 95 years since the first publishing of what is now FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation, and while much has changed in the world, one thing remains the same: The commitment of FC&S to provide subscribers with thorough insurance-policy and claims analysis.
A number of historically significant events occurred in 1929, the year FC&S started, including Black Tuesday, or the stock market crash that sparked the Great Depression, along with Herbert Hoover's presidential inauguration and his vice president, Charles Curtis, becoming the first (and only) Native American to hold that position.
Also that year: The White House sustained its most severe fire since 1814; the U.S. and Canada agreed to preserve Niagara Falls; Congress established Grand Teton National Park; the first Academy Awards were held and lasted only 15 minutes; and the Museum of Modern Art opened in New York City.
This also was the year that Edward J. Wolgemuth and others founded the Fire, Casualty and Surety Bulletins, which were dedicated to the discussion of insurance coverage. Their abiding interest in the insurance industry and desire to provide accurate and professional analysis and advice led to the development and growth of the Fire, Casualty and Surety Bulletins, even during the difficult times of the Depression.
Today, as the internet has become an integral part of daily life, FC&S is an online product, but its mission continues.
Many readers remember the large black binders that once held the FC&S content and were updated monthly with directions for adding and removing pages. And some may remember when we had a continuing education program, where each monthly supplement had a series of 25 questions that could be answered and sent to editors for grading for CE credit.
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU, is executive editor FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation.
In honor of its milestone birthday, FC&S will showcase some of its historic content over the next few months; content that many nostalgic readers may remember from our black-binder days. You'll see articles like those that Chip Merlin of Merlin Law Group has shared on the firm's website, including "Few Judges and Insurance Regulators Worked in Property Claims: Understanding New Depreciation Rulings'" from 2017.
We'd also love to hear your memories/stories about FC&S. You can share them by sending an email to [email protected].
FC&S has been referenced in more than one court case discussing interpretation of insurance coverage. (Credit: ALM Media)
From the beginning, we've had an "Ask the Experts" segment, where insurance professionals can send a coverage question to our experts, who will answer that query within a few days. Over the years, FC&S editors have spoken at an array of insurance events and conferences, and penned multiple coverage guides explaining standard ISO coverages. You can find most of that material at nationalunderwriter.com, from the Commercial Auto Coverage Guide to the Homeowners Coverage Guide and more. And you can click here to read the publication's 20th anniversary letter penned in 1949.
We know that insurance professionals rely on top-shelf coverage expertise. Case in point: FC&S received industry recognition from The CPCU Society for our article titled, "7 Commercial insurance exposures from the Baltimore Bridge Collapse." Along with guest speaker, marine specialist and CUO Steven Weiss of Incarnation Specialty Underwriters, LLC, we conducted a free webinar for the Society on "Baltimore's Key Bridge: Insurance Impact". Over 900 people attended.
Over 95 years, FC&S has amassed a wealth of educational insurance content. With ready access to most ISO forms, we keep abreast of upcoming ISO changes and love sharing our insights on emerging risks.
If at any time you would like an overview of the content and what's available, contact me directly at [email protected] to set up a personal demonstration.
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Christine G. Barlow, CPCU
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU, is Executive Editor of FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation, a division of National Underwriter Company and ALM. Christine has over thirty years’ experience in the insurance industry, beginning as a claims adjuster then working as an underwriter and underwriting supervisor handling personal lines. Christine regularly presents and moderates webinars on a variety of topics and is an experienced presenter.
