As the U.S. embarks on a nationwide infrastructure upgrade, a challenging casualty insurance market may make for
a bumpy road. Millions of miles of roads as well as thousands of bridges and dams need repair across the country. A massive federal program aimed at addressing those needs is getting underway even as contractors face shortages of skilled labor and tight material supplies following the pandemic-related supply chain logjams. Social inflation is also generating other roadblocks as liability verdicts soar into the tens of millions of dollars. In the current legal environment, insurers have been pulling back on casualty coverage for public works projects, particularly those involving streets and roads, to limit their own exposure. As placements become more complex, experienced wholesale brokers with strong market relationships can be an invaluable ally for meeting insureds’ casualty insurance needs.