A good reputation is valuable but also fragile. As Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Chairman Warren Buffett said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation, and five minutes to ruin it.” In the headlines every day are incidents that damage the public’s perception of an organization, from social media controversies, to executive misconduct to regulatory violations. Fortunately, a new generation of insurance products is emerging to provide protection for reputational risks.

Chemicals commonly used in fire-fighting foams and a wide range of household items, from non-stick cookware to stain-resistant carpet, are turning up more often as exclusions on insurance policies. That’s due to a growing wave of litigation over water contamination and rising concerns among insurers that the chemicals per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, could expose them to the same kind of expensive, unanticipated claims as asbestos did a generation ago. While property owners may see more scrutiny over PFAS, environmental insurance can still provide effective risk transfer in many cases.

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.

Foodborne illnesses such as E. coli and salmonella sicken about one in six Americans, or about 48 million, and kill about 3,000 every year, the CDC estimates.

Will premiums increase? Are terms and conditions changing? What lines of business have limited markets? Which lines of business have excess capacity? Here’s what clients can expect in the marketplace for 2019 in a quick and easy to read reference guide.