It’s no secret that property values are on the rise. Because property premiums are based on the reported value of the property, many insureds may be tempted to manage premium spending by submitting flat property values. While that tactic can offer premium stabilization in the short term, it actually works against the longer-term best interests of both the insured and the insurance industry. Relying on flat property values instead of updated values ultimately results in insureds being hit with significant price increases all at once when underwriting requests an updated appraised value based on market conditions. Relying on outdated valuation data means premium hikes hit much harder at renewal than they would if an insured reported more current values year over year, which would result in more incremental premium increases as property values rise over time. It’s also essential to make sure property values are current. Should a catastrophe strike, an underinsured business may not have sufficient funds to rebuild or make it through an extended shutdown.

Wondering if premiums will increase or if changes to terms and conditions are coming? Curious about which lines of business may have limited markets or excess capacity? Here’s what clients can expect to see in the 2022 marketplace, all in an easy-to-read quick reference guide.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) reports that there are around 1.3 million U.S. contractors with annual revenues of less than $5M. While virtually all are protecting their businesses with General Liability, Workers Compensation, and other insurance coverages, many have failed to consider purchasing professional/pollution liability insurance, even though both are not covered under a typical commercial general liability (CGL) policy.

When the coronavirus struck in early 2020, construction projects all around NYC were halted throughout April and May as officials scrambled to outline pandemic restrictions. Unfortunately, with strict lockdowns and safety guidelines required to slow the spread, the construction market in New York contracted by 3.8%, resulting in $9.8 billion in lost construction over the course of the year.

Anytime an area is hit with a catastrophic event, like a hurricane or wildfire, the cost of labor and building materials temporarily rises due to increased demand as communities and businesses rebuild. 2020 brought a total of 63 catastrophic events including Midwestern tornadoes, Western wildfires, and Southeastern hurricanes on top of the COVID-19 pandemic - a catastrophic event unlike any in recent history.