The CRC Claims Advocacy Team recently came to the rescue of a retail agency partner. They stepped in to help with a contentious builder’s risk claim that involved delay and damage to an office building project that occurred over a 7-8 month period due to rain, flooding, and a hurricane. The source of the water damage impacted both the coverage analysis and the number of deductibles that should apply. In this instance, the insured believed there was only one claim and one deductible, while the carrier sought to apply three.

The term catastrophe became a part of everyday life this year as the global coronavirus pandemic spread across the country. With spring also came the "normal" catastrophes, including a spate of deadly thunderstorms and tornados. This was followed by an early start to a hurricane season that kept setting records through the summer, and a disastrous wildfire season for which the full scope of damages will not be known for some time.

The property market continues to change amid decreased capacity and increased caution among carriers. There is little capacity left among many Lloyds syndicates, and domestic markets are more selective overall—particularly on tougher classes of business. While the first quarter of 2020 may bring some relief on capacity, insureds should expect increased rates, higher deductibles and greater scrutiny from underwriters. Valuations are particularly important along with better data on construction, especially for roofs. In this transitioning market, experienced brokers show their worth in finding the best solutions for clients.