Intel

Incidents involving vacant homes are on the rise in Terre Haute, Indiana, especially amid frigid winter weather, as empty homes in the city are increasingly being used for shelter, drugs or theft, WTWO News reported recently. The trend is mirrored in other parts of North America. For example, an uptick in fires at vacant properties in Albany, New York, is…

KEY TAKEAWAYS: The January wildfires in southern California affected areas not typically prone to such risks, making the situation particularly alarming for insurers and residents alike. Despite challenges, the Excess & Surplus (E&S) market is expected to continue growing, although at a slower pace when compared to recent years. As we move into 2025, small businesses may see modest…

Consider this scenario: following a hailstorm that damaged their roof, a homeowner faced a repair bill totaling $17,000. Assuming their Homeowners’ Insurance policy would cover the entire cost of the repairs, they were surprised that the settlement schedule—which is determined by factors such as the type, age, and condition of the roof—only covered about half of the total expenses. This…

Wildfires continue to affect communities throughout Los Angeles County, California, leaving unimaginable loss in their paths. Wildfire crises leave many questions and challenges for those affected, and, at Burns & Wilcox, we are here to help as the community approaches how to recover. As some homeowners begin the process, navigating insurance claims may feel overwhelming. For brokers and agents in…

As California endures the heartbreaking devastation caused by recent wildfires, Bill Gatewood, Corporate Senior Vice President, National Personal Insurance Practice Leader, Burns & Wilcox, Detroit/Farmington Hills, MI, shares insights regarding how these unprecedented events are affecting homeowners and transforming the insurance landscape. https://vimeo.com/1047142547/30645e240d?ts=0&share=copy For additional intel into the E&S market, watch the full Eye on 2025 P&C Webinar recording…

The wildfires in Southern California have deeply affected countless individuals, underscoring the devastating consequences of severe weather conditions. Our thoughts are with those impacted and the first responders working tirelessly to safeguard lives and communities. In our regularly scheduled Eye on 2025: Property and Casualty (P&C) webinar, our expert panel expressed their support for those affected by the wildfires and…

As experts tally losses from the record-breaking 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which brought a total of 18 named storms and the earliest Category 5 hurricane to date, some estimates suggest that its total damages and economic losses could reach $500 billion. The unprecedented season included five hurricanes that made U.S. landfall, with estimated losses between $25.5 billion and $68.5 billion,…

A man in Twin Falls, Idaho, suffered debilitating injuries from a terrible accident earlier this year after jumping and attempting tricks on a trampoline with his son at a friend\'s backyard barbecue, KMVT reported in November. “The incident is a heartbreaking story,” said Jeremy Bright, Underwriter, Personal Insurance, Burns & Wilcox, Atlanta, Georgia. “In the insurance…

The volatility of storm losses year after year has resulted in many homeowners struggling to find coverage for their property risks—particularly CAT risks. Today’s standard Homeowners’ Insurance policy does not cover every potential peril, which can leave personal property exposed to risks like wildfires, earthquakes, and floods. The Excess and Surplus (E&S) market, with its flexibility and tailored solutions, remains…

The Residential Property market has experienced severe volatility over the past several years, including pronounced rate increases and capacity limitations in California and other western states impacted by wildfires. As weather-related catastrophic (CAT) events and wildfires have become more frequent, many insurance carriers have adjusted their risk appetite. An increase in claims activity has forced carriers to limit capacity, resulting…

A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz recently became the most valuable movie memorabilia ever sold at auction, fetching $32.5 million in the Heritage Auctions sale that closed Dec. 7. The iconic shoes were sold alongside the hat worn by the Wicked Witch in the 1939 film; the hat sold for $2.9 million,…

In the recent Burns & Wilcox Residential Property webinar, special guest Virginia Mathurin, Director, Property Underwriting, Personal Lines, Markel Specialty, explored the nationwide growth of E&S insurance, driven by admitted carriers retreating from risks due to inflation, rising reconstruction costs, and increased weather events. https://vimeo.com/1036876499/e653e69341?share=copy