So, we are midway through 2021 and the signs of a more traditional work environment can be seen. Some of us just returned from the AGC Risk Management Forum in Florida and it was wonderful to be out seeing many old friends.
For some of us, the experience we’ve shared over the past 16 months will have changed the work environment forever like working remotely, flexibility with schedules and for many, Zoom calls versus in-person meetings, although Zoom could never
replace all face-to-face meetings. The industry continues to be built on personal relationships and friendships and that cannot happen with phone calls and Zoom meetings alone! I will say this, however, to our many clients and their insureds - our willingness, desire and passion to bring to you competitive solutions in the world of environmental and construction professional liability insurance and related risk management services will never change! It’s who we are and what we enjoy. We continue to thank you all for your business.
In this issue of the Standard, we highlight an article recently published by John Heft in Risk Management magazine discussing the hot topic of climate change. John discusses the rise in climate change initiatives and how the insurance industry is responding. In addition, we introduce Steve Edwards, Claims Manager and RT ECP’s dedicated claims resource. Read on to learn more about Steve and the services and resources he can provide.
As well, we provide a list with links to some of the many tools and resources ECP offers to assist in your sales process including our environmental risk profiles, premium estimator, news center and quibinars (Don’t know what those are? Read on to find out).
As always, I hope you enjoy this issue. Please contact any of our team members for more information or with any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Jeff
Jeff Slivka Presents Navigating the Ups and Downs of CPrL Insurance at AGC Conference
Members of the RT ECP team attended the Conference on Surety Bonding and Construction Risk Management hosted by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) in Bonita Springs, Florida. For most, this was the first time traveling and the first in-person conference since the pandemic began over a year ago. It was great to be out and about and seeing clients in person once again.
During the conference Jeff Slivka presented "Navigating the Ups & Downs of the Contractors Professional Liability (CPrL) Insurance Market" where he explored the latest CPrL programs as well as contractual terms and conditions. Participants learned about the major coverage parts and contractual pitfalls that can negatively impact the insured's CPrL insurance. To learn more about this topic, please contact your RT ECP Consultant.
Businesses Adopt Climate Change Initiatives
Climate change is a hot topic in the world today and is discussed in the news daily. In his article recently published in Risk Management magazine, titled "Businesses Adopt Climate Change Initiatives," John Heft discusses some of the statistics surrounding climate change, the rise in climate change initiatives, and how the insurance industry is responding. Read the complete article by clicking the button below.
When your insured faces a claim, our experienced team can assist you through the complexities of these situations. Steve Edwards, Claims Manager, is RT ECP's dedicated claims advocate. Steve has the experience, background and capability to support your claims staff in the areas of environmental and construction-related professional liability claims.
Services include, but are not limited to the following:
Technical guidance experience
Coverage analysis / assessment
Claims advocacy
Claims analysis
Assistance with dispute resolution
Claims reporting policies, structures and procedures
To learn more about Steve and RT ECP's claims management services, click here.
RT ECP Sales Tools
Did you know that RT ECP offers a number of resources on its website to assist in your sales process? We invite you to check out the following.
Environmental Risk Profiles – a number of environmental and construction professional risk profiles are provided that assist in identifying the various exposures associated with an operation. Access these on the main page of our website under the Risk Profiles dropdown
Premium Estimator – get a premium indication, preliminary proposal and related environmental risk profiles and claims examples by completing the requested fields. Request access here by completing the Request Access form on the login page.
News Center – stay up to date on industry news, claims examples and more in our news center. Access here and please subscribe on the right side of the page.
Quibinars – view these short (under 5 minutes) videos here from our team members with responses to some frequently asked questions surrounding environmental and construction professional. You can also subscribe on this page for updates when new quibinars are added.
We hope you find these tools useful. Contact any of our team members with any questions you may have.
Welcome to the Team
Melody Vrolijk
Please join us in welcoming Melody Vrolijk to the RT ECP team. Melody joins our team as a Consultant with more than 18 years of experience in the insurance industry. She focuses on providing risk management, casualty, and pollution liability insurance solutions for her retail agent and broker clients across the country.
With a bachelor's degree in Forensic Psychology, Melody began her career with Aon's Environmental Practice and has since held positions with Zurich American Insurance and Travelers Insurance Company. Her expertise includes identifying exposures and risk to provide insurance solutions in Premises Pollution Liability (PLL), Contractor's Pollution Liability, and Professional Liability. Contact Melody at 609.469.2651 or melody.vrolijk@rtspecialty.com.
Evan Quinn
Please join us in welcoming Evan Quinn as an Account Administrator to the RT ECP team. As a recent graduate of Temple University's Fox School of Business with a degree in Risk Management and Insurance and Financial Planning. Evan supports the account management and policy servicing activities provided to our retail agents and brokers. Contact Evan at 609-469-2652 or evan.quinn@rtspecialty.com.
Risk Tip - Cyber/Ransomware Attacks - A Looming Environmental Disaster
By: John Heft, MS, CRIS
Cyber/ransomware attacks have been prevalent in the news over the past few months and years. From the Colonial Pipeline to JBS SA, one of the world's largest meat processing companies, and many others, shutdowns are being reported almost weekly in the news. The goal of the hackers is to disrupt or damage companies and it's possible one of these attacks could lead to an environmental disaster. Coverage for clean -up of environmental disasters related to a cyber/ransomware attack may not be covered either by traditional Property and Casualty Insurance or even Cyber Liability. The environmental insurance marketplace typically does not include cyber exclusions and in fact, several carriers include endorsements clarifying that pollution conditions are affirmatively covered as a result of cyber/ransomware attacks. Any risk in the infrastructure or manufacturing space is at a heightened risk for a cyber attack. Please discuss this important topic with your clients/insureds.
