After a year of slashed demand in 2020, global oil demand surged in 2021 as the world began to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. In 2022, energy demand and commodity prices are still up, indicating that the energy industry is strong (source 3). Refineries are operating at approximately 95% capacity, and many companies would like to expand operations conservatively. But, like other industries all across the country, energy companies are struggling to find and hire qualified employees to fill positions. They’re also grappling with ongoing supply chain problems that make it difficult to obtain materials and purchase or repair vital equipment. As the insurance marketplace continues to contract, prices are rising for several product lines.

It’s no secret that the excess trucking insurance landscape has been rocky in recent years. Pricing for commercial auto insurance began rising near the end of 2011 and increased for 40 consecutive quarters. A recent history of harsh vertical judgments also seriously hampered the sector. Over the last ten years, commercial auto underwriters recorded more than $22 billion in losses (source 4). However, after several years of keeping pace with or surpassing primary carrier increases, the excess trucking market is starting to show some stability.

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.

Follow-form policies are meant to help simplify and provide consistent coverage for excess liability programs. Ideally, follow form policies would provide excess coverage under the same terms and conditions as the underlying policy, that is follow the underlying form. In the real world, such policies often fall short of that ideal. Even though the coverage is labeled follow form, it’s not safe to assume that the policy actually provides the same coverage.

Over the last decade, third-party litigation funding (TPLF) has evolved into a $17 billion industry worldwide, and 52% of that money is being spent in the U.S., making TPLF a key contributor to social inflation, hiking up jury awards and claim settlements that may have a significant impact on insurance prices and coverage availability.