Construction that has load-bearing exterior walls made of brick, adobe, concrete, gypsum, stone, tile, or similar materials; that has floors and roofs of combustible materials; and that has a fire-resistance rating of at least one hour
Joisted masonry construction
Construction that has load-bearing components made of wood or other combustible materials
Frame construction
A subclassification of joisted masonry construction that uses heavy timber it columns, beams, supports and ties; has a minimum two hour fire-resistance rating on bearing walls; and had an absence of floor joists.
Mill construction.
A class of construction in which the exterior walls, floor and roof of a building are constructed of, and supported by, metal, gypsum, or other non combustible materials. Not fire resistive because steel supports can twist and bend under heat.
Non combustible construction.
Masonry construction or construction that includes exterior walls of fire resistive construction with a fire-resistance rating of not less than one hour
Masonry noncombustible construction
Construction that has load-bearing walls and columns of masonry or reinforced concrete construction and that has a fire-resistance rating of one to two hours. A step down from plain fire resistive.
Modified fire-resistive construction
Construction that incorporates loadbearing members and that has a fire-resistance rating of at least two hours
Fire-resistive construction
The expected maximum amount of combustible material in a given area of a building, including both structural elements and contents
Fuel load, aka fire load
A section of a structure so well protected that fire cannot spread from that section to another, or vice versa
Fire division
A floor-to-roof wall made of non combustible materials an having no open doors, windows, or other spaces through which fire can pass.
Fire walk
Parapet
A vertical extension of a fire wall that extends above a roofline
Local ordinances or state statutes that regulate the construction of buildings within a municipality, county or state
Building codes
An extension of a fire wall through an outer wall
Fender Wall
The type or character of use of the property in question
Occupancy
Hazards that are typical for the class of loss exposures
Special hazards of the class
Hazards that are created by the activities of a particular business and that are not typical of other businesses with which it would be classed
Special hazards of the risk
Measures taken to prevent or reduce the damage done by fire.
Protection.
Fire protection equipment and services made available through governmental authority to all properties within a defined area
Public fire protection.
Local fire alarm system
A detection system, triggered by smoke or heat, that sounds a gong, siren, or another audible alert inside or outside the building
A private detection service that monitors the systems of multiple businesses and/or residences and that calls appropriate authorities or dispatches its own personnel when an alarm is activated
Central station system
Automatic fire sprinkler systems with pipes that always contain water under pressure, which is released immediately when a sprinkler head opens
Wet pipe sprinkler system
Automatic fire sprinkler systems with pipes that contain compressed air or another inert gas that holds a valve in the water line shut until an open sprinkler head releases the gas and allows water to flow through the previously dry pipe to the sprinkler head
Dry pipe sprinkler systems
Automatic fire sprinkler systems with automatic and closed-type sprinkler heads connected to a piping system that contains air or nitrogen, with an additional fire detection system that serves the same area as the sprinklers.
Preaction sprinkler system
sprinkler systems in which the head remains permanently open; when activate by a detection system, a deluge valve allows water into the system.
Deluge sprinkler system
A private or temporary organization if individuals equipped to fight fires; typically used in businesses that are located far from municipal fire services.
Fire brigade
A loss exposure located outside the area owned or controlled by the insured.
External exposure.
The cost to repair or replace property using new materials of like kind and quality with no deduction for depreciation.
Replacement cost
A method in valuing property which is calculated as the cost to replace or repair property minus depreciation, the fair market value, or a valuation determination by the broad evidence rule.
Actual cash value
A clause that requires the insured to carry insurance equal to at least a specified percentage of the insured’s property’s value.
Coinsurance clause
Four interdependent elements that are analyzed by commercial property underwriters when evaluating submissions for property insurance; construction, occupancy, protection and external exposures.
COPE
A legal responsibility that occurs when one party is held liable for the actions of a subordinate or associate because of the relationship between the two parties.
Vicarious liability
The failure to meet the terms of a promise or an agreement associated with a product.
Breach of warranty
An implied warranty that a product is fit for the ordinary purpose for which it is used.
Implied warranty of merchantability
An implied warranty that a product is fit for a particular purpose; applies if the seller knows about the buyer’s purpose for the product.
Implied warranty of fitness for purpose
The failure to exercise the degree of care that a reasonable person in a similar situation would exercise to avoid harming others.
Negligence
Liability imposed by a court or by a statute in the absence of fault when harm results from activities or conditions that are extremely dangerous, unnatural, ultrahazardous, extraordinary, abnormal, or inappropriate.
Strict liability (absolute liability)
A decision-making tool that uses credit report information to develop a predictive score on the creditworthiness of an applicant for additional credit.
Credit scoring
A type of insurance rate that applies to all insureds in the same rating category or rating class.
Class rate
A factor that tailors manual rates to an insured’s experience based on the insured’s payroll and loss record of certain prior years.
Experience modifications factor
Liability insurance that provides excess coverage above underlying policies and may also provide coverage available in the underlying policies, subject to a self-insured retention.
Umbrella liability insurance
Insurance coverage for losses that exceed the limits of underlying insurance coverage or a retention amount.
Excess liability insurance
Coverage provided by many umbrella liability policies for 1) claims not covered at all by the underlying policies and 2) claims that are not covered by an underlying policy only because the underlying policy’s aggregate limits have been depleted.
Drop-down coverage
Compare the principal features of fire-resistive construction with those of noncombustible construction.
Fire-restrictive construction is designed to withstand damage by fire for at least two hours. Noncombustible construction has exterior walls, roof and floor constructed of noncombustible materials. A noncombustible building is not as resistant to fire damage as one with fire-resistive construction because its unprotected steel structural supports bend when subjected to the heat of a typical fire.
How does interior finish affect underwriting acceptability for fire insurance?
The interior finish of a building will determine how combustible the structure may be and is an indicator of the fuel load. Buildings with extensive interior features such as draperies, carpeting, and paneling will provide fuel for a fire. Furthermore, certain furnishings may be a source of noxious gases and excessive smoke, which pose a life safety concern
Explain why the age of a building affects fire underwriting.
Age is a concern for fire underwriting because it may be an indicator of obsolete heating, cooling, electrical, and fire protection systems. An older building may have been converted to a use other than that for which it was originally built, which increases the fire hazard. Also, the building might not meet the current building code.
Why are high-rise buildings a concern to fire underwriters?
Most firefighting services are not capable of fighting a fire from the exterior of high-rises because of ladder capacity. Therefore, firefighters must enter the structure and fight the fire from inside, causing delays in response. High-rise structures also generally have a large number of occupants. Life safety is always the first priority for firefighters, and extinguishing the blaze is second
What are the principal ignition sources associated with the occupancy of a building.
1) Friendly fires that escape containment; 2) Friction that generates enough heat to ignite nearby combustible material; 3) Electricity that produces sparks or heat that can ignite combustibles; 4) chemical reactions that produce heat suffiient to cause ignition
Give examples of special hazards in mercantile occupancies
Special hazards include a sporting good store that stocks ammunition or a bookstore with an extensive cooking exposure
Give examples of special hazards in service occupancies
An auto service station that does extensive body work in addition to standard auto mechanical repairs
Describe the factors considered in the determination of a community’s public protection classification
The factors are related to fire protection equipment and services made available through government authority. These include the adequacy of the equipment available, the water supply, and the response time
Identify the five major detection systems used in private protection systems
1) guard service with clock system; 2) private patrol service; 3) smoke and heat detectors; 4) Automatic local alarm; 5) central station or remote station alarm system
Identify four categories of private fire suppression
1) Portable extinguishers; 2) Standpipes and hose; 3) Automatic sprinkler systems; 4) Private fire brigades
Describe the factors that influence the severity of an exposure fire in an adjacent building
In addition to the intensity and duration of the exposure fire, the type of construction of the exposed and the exposing buildings; the height and width of exposure fire; openings and any protection for openings in the exterior walls of both structures; type of combustible contents in exposure fire; interior finish of both buildings; the distance between the buildings; wind velocity and direction at the time of the fire; the public and private protection available; and the shielding effects of noncombustible construction between the buildings
Describe four ways a hurricane can cause damage
Wind damage: 1) the effect of high winds on exposed property; 2) wind-driven rain that penetrates structures; Water damage: 3) storm surge; 4) Flooding
What are the three major factors underwrtiers should consider when reviewing earthquake exposures
Areas of earthquake activity, soil conditions, and building design and construction
What major factors must be considered in underwriting sprinkler leakage?
The focus is on two elements, the damageability of the contents and the physical condition of the covered sprinkler system, including the maintenance and design of the sytem
Describe the process of determining the probable maximum loss for business income coverage
First step is projecting the expected earnings for the period of coverage to determine the potential magnitude of a loss; Second step - a coinsurance clause that approximates the expected period of interruption is selected
What factors make employee crimes unique compared to other forms of crime
Most crime coverage involves the acts of outside intruders onto the premises. With employee dishonesty, the employees have ready access to valuable property and knowledge of detection or other control devices. Unlike most crimes, employee dishonesty losses can be hidden from detection, which can lead to large loss amounts. The situation is further compounded by the fact that most employers are reluctant to believe that employees would steal from them and prosecute those who do.
What factors make one piece of property more susceptible to threat than another piece of property
The characteristics of a piece of property that would make it more susceptible to theft are the ease with which it can be stolen and how great a market exists for the item as stolen property. For example, most items of jewelry are relatively small and an active market usually exists in which thieves may sell such stolen items
Explain why the Nationwide Marine Definition is significant
This definition outlines what specific areas of loss exposures should be covered under inland marine forms and which would be the subject of other types of coverage.
What does protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance cover?
Covers the vessel owner for bodily injury, illness, death, and damage to property of others arising out of the ownership, use, or operation of the vessel
What factors should be considered in underwriting a contractors’ equipment floater
In addition to the use of the equipment and the scope of its operations, the following are also important: the size and value of the individual items; type, age, maintenance, operating characteristics, and protection of the equipment; experience and accident records for operators; the financial status of the policyholder; concentration of equipment at a single site; pass loss history; and the potential for any problems arising from labor relations at a given site
Describe how loss control representatitives can assist underwriters in rehabilitating an account?
Loss control can work with underwriters to modify a policyholder’s loss exposures and to help policyholders remain within underwriting guidelines once modifications have been made to the premises
Describe how an insurer’s loss control activities can assist in meeting the insurer’s profit objective.
Loss control activities can assit insurers in reaching their profit objectives by improving underwriting decisions; increasing premium volume by making marginal accounts acceptable; encouraging policyholder loss control; reducing the number of losses that occur or the amount that is paid on losses that do happen. Loss control may be an additional revenue source for insurers that sell “unbundled” loss control services and assist in reducing errors and omissions claims against the insurer
Identify the three categories of insurer loss control activities
Physical surveys, risk analysis and improvement, safety management programming
What factors affect the level of loss control services provided to customers by insurers?
Personal vs commercial, commercial policyholder size, types of exposures involved
1-7. Describe the risk control measures that may be used to reduce external exposures.
.External exposures are by definition outside the insured’s control Often, little can be done from a risk control standpoint to reduce external exposures. However, fire walls, fire doors,special barriers, and parapets can reduce the probability that an external fire will spread to the insured property. Clear space between buildings, good water supply, quick response from the fire department, and
internal and external automatic sprinkler systems are additional methods of controlling external loss exposures.
1-8. Charles has contracted with Ed to construct a large shopping complex on a
fifty-acre site in a rural community. They ask an insurance producer to set up a
meeting with an insurance company underwriter before the start of construction to seek suggestions for improving the insurability of the complex and for minimizing the cost of property insurance on it. Describe the fire protection factors that the underwriter should consider in making such suggestions
The protection factors include public and private protection considerations. Public protection depends on services provided by local authorities. In rural areas such as this, less public protection may be available, or the proposed shopping center may be located a great distance from the fire department and/or fire hydrants. Such a situation would also result in a higher property rate because
the slower response time may result in a greater degree of damage from fire or other perils. Private protection measures, which include partial sprinkler protection, overnight guard service, and a local fire alarm, generally result in a reduced property premium
An application has been received for commercial property with basic form
causes of loss (includes fire, lightning, explosion, vandalism, sprinkler leakage,
windstorm, hail, smoke, aircraft, vehicles, riot or civil commotion, sinkhole
collapse, and volcanic action) from Music, Inc., an electronics company that
produces a well-known line of stereo equipment. All operations are located in
a one-story structure that is 25 percent joisted masonry construction and 75 percent masonry noncombustible construction. The risk has three major fire divisions-the warehouse, the manufacturing area, and the office and laboratory. The sprinkler system was installed last year when the building was constructed and covers 75 percent of the total area. In the warehouse, a dry pipe sprinkler system is used; in all other sprinklered locations, a wet pipe sprinkler system is in operation.
The building is protected by guards on duty between 4:30 PM and 7:30 AM. A local burglar alarm system covers all door openings (exterior and interior) of the warehouse portion of the building. The property is located in an industrial park and is flanked by a four-story, multiple-occupancy manufacturing building and a warehouse. Asphalt parking lots are on the other two sides.
All metal stamping, bending, and forming operations for component casings
are carried out in an area cut off from the rest of the plant. The dip tank for
painting metal parts is located in the sprinklered portion of the building. The
highest concentration of values is in the drying rooms, where dipped items are
stored after passing through drying ovens.
Identify and analyze the major construction, occupancy, protection, and expo-
sure hazards of this risk.
Construction: Construction appears to be acceptable. Masonry noncombustible will sustain less fire damage than the joisted masonry areas. It is important to determine which operations are being conducted in the 25 percent of the building that is joisted masonry construction. Fire divisions will assist in limiting the horizontal spread of fire from one section of the building to other.
Occupancy: The areas of greatest concern are the exposures and hazards related to the manufacturing operations. Potential hazards include heat treatment, electrical and wiring systems, and drying ovens. Improper storage of flammables or other hazardous materials may increase the likelihood of a property loss. Housekeeping and maintenance are also important considerations. The contents of this
occupancy would include finished stereo equipment, unfinished components, and work in progress. These would all be highly damageable from either fire or accidental sprinkler leakage.
Protection: No information is provided regarding public protection. The underwriter would need to determine the public protection class, the availability of fire department service, and proximity to fire hydrants.
Private protection is adequate and includes partial sprinkler protection, overnight guard service, and a local alarm.
Exposure: The property is located in an industrial park with similar-type occupancies as exposing properties. The immediate exposing structure is the adjacent four-story manufacturing and warehouse building. Of concern would be any hazardous manufacturing occupancies in surrounding buildings. The asphalt parking lots are a positive factor and provide clear space, which reduces the possibility of damage to the covered building as the result of a loss at an exposing structure.
2-1. What is the source of the most common insurable interest in property?
outright ownership
2-2. What are the most common property valuation methods?
replacement cost and actual cash value..
2-3. Identify the insurer benefits associated with encouragement of insurance-to value provisions.
Promotes
• Higher limits of property (higher premiums)
• An adequately insured book of business
• Competitive status (keeps rate low and competitive)
3-1. Explain why policy amount is the least useful figure for determining potential loss severity.
The amount of insurance purchased could have little bearing on the amount of the loss.
3-2. What expression do underwriters often use to explain the concept of amount subject?
.Underwriters often use the expression “within four walls” to explain the concept of amount subject. Requires subjective judgement to measure boundaries of a fire decision. Have to consider openings such as ventilation systems and electrical conduits.
3-3. List the elements used to determine the normal loss expectancy (NLE) for a risk.
NLE is the loss expected under normal operating conditions with all fire protection working.
• Construction
• Protection (positive pressure ventilation/sprinklers)
• Business interruption contingency plans
• Fire divisions
• Susceptibility of contents to damage and combustibility
• Operational hazards
3-4. Under what assumption do underwriters often operate when calculating probable maximum loss (PML)?
anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
3-5. Explain the concept of maximum foreseeable loss (MFL) as it applies to fire losses.
MFL is an estimate of the financial cost of the loss that would occur if all protection measures (automatic and manual) were to fail and no effective fire department response occurred
4-1. Describe the three steps underwriters can use to estimate probable maximum loss (PML) for business income coverage.
.• Determine the most serious direct loss that is likely to occur.
• Calculate the longest period of restoration that this loss can reasonably be expected to cause.
• Compute the largest loss of business income that the insured is likely to sustain during a period of this length.
4-2. Provide some examples of factors that could affect the duration of a business interruption.
.• Time required to rebuild the insured premises (delays due to permits, climatic, urban congestion)
• Seasonality of the business
• Bottlenecks
• Computer systems
• Long production processes (fermenting beer)
• Availability of substitutes
• Business continuity and disaster recovery planning
4-3. What must occur in order for there to be a covered loss of use, loss of business income, or extra expense loss?
direct damage to property at the insured premises.
4-4. Describe the key elements of a disaster recovery plan.
Detailed written plans to restore the production process if part or all of the facility and equipment were destroyed.
It should indicate what would be necessary if each part of the process were destroyed.
The plan could also indicate whether continuation of the operation is feasible following certain types of damage
5-1. Identify the conditions that underwriters should ensure exist before issuing employee dishonesty insurance.
- There is no evidence of a moral hazard. (If there is, other coverages probably should not be written either.)
- Burglary and robbery risk control systems should be in place and maintained. Defenses against external crime also deter employee crime.
- As with other coverages, amounts of insurance should fall within the limits prescribed by the insurer’s underwriting guidelines.
- The organization should be managed soundly. Management controls provide evidence of management’s care and concern.
5-2. List three examples of controls that can minimize employee dishonest losses.
- New hires are screened for prior criminal activity, and their references are checked.
- Seasoned employees are evaluated before they are promoted, especially for moves into sensitive positions.
- A substance-abuse screening program is in place. Underwriters regard this as a positive sign because substance dependency creates potential for employee dishonesty.
- The rate and level of employee turnover is appropriate given the insured’s business (employee turnover can increase the insured’s loss exposure).
- Termination procedures are well defined. The computer passwords of employees who had worked in sensitive areas are revoked, and keys or access cards are returned upon termination.
- Management is sensitive to dramatic changes in employee behavior, such as sudden or drastic lifestyle changes, which might indicate employee dishonesty.
- Periodic audits are conducted to evaluate accounts receivable, cash accounts, inventories, and disbursements.
- Bank reconciliations are done to ensure that company records and bank records agree.
- Employees monitor one another through a division of authority among employees.
- Annual vacations of a minimum length of time are required. This acts as a control because some embezzlement methods require a daily adjustment of records.
- Duties are rotated, a practice that helps to uncover irregularities or embezzlement.
- Two-person or dual control systems are in place on some items, such as the vault, cash, and other items susceptible to theft.
5-3. Identify six factors underwriters analyzing crimes committed by others loss exposures must consider.
- Susceptibility and marketability (size, weight visibility, accessibility, difficulty to trace)
- Property location
- Nature of the occupancy
- Moral and morale hazards (dishonest employee can set up a fraudulent claim)
- Public protection
- Coverage and price modifications (protective safeguard endorsement)
5-4. Why are moral and morale hazards particularly important with regard to crime?
Moral hazards and morale hazards are particularly important with regard to crime because a dishonest insured can readily dispose of inventory and arrange a fraudulent claim. Likewise, a lax attitude toward loss might mean that precautions and protective measures are not consistently adhered to, thereby creating an environment in which a loss is more likely to occur.
5-5. Identify the two important functions private protection systems serve.
to prevent crime losses and to reduce losses that do occur.
.
6-1. Why is the legal status of persons likely to be on the premises an important consideration when underwriting commercial general liability loss exposures?
The legal status of persons likely to be on the premises determines the policyholder’s legal duty to these persons and the expected standard of care.
6-2. Why do operations-oriented businesses generally have a greater property loss damage exposure than premises-oriented businesses?
Operations exposures involve substantial work on the premises of others. The work of trade contractors and other construction-related work exposes the property of others to damage. The possible use of heavy equipment increases the potential for serious property damage. The major sources of property damage losses are fire, collapse, water damage, and, in some cases, pollution.
6-3. What factors can account for the differences in exposure between two premises?
location, type of business, or time in business, or a combination of the three.
6-4. What are some of the loss exposures an underwriter would consider for products liability coverage applications?
an underwriter would consider the inherent hazards of the product, the types of representations or promises about the product made to consumers in sales materials and advertising, and whether the product’s technical manuals accurately reflect safety precautions required in its assembly or repair. The underwriter would also consider if the product’s packaging adequately protects the product so that it will operate properly when used and who the ultimate consumer for the product is.
7-1. Why is driving experience important when evaluating a personal auto applicant?
driving experience is a likely indicator of a driver’s future actions and the chance of loss. Underwriters evaluate a driver’s prior accidents and prior moving violations. The driver’s prior loss history may indicate poor driving habits, recklessness, or simply a lack of skill.
7-2. What information should an underwriter have to analyze a commercial automobile submission?
Factors relating to both the driver and the vehicle are considered. In addition to information about the driver, underwriters consider the weight and type of vehicle, use of vehicle, radius of vehicle operation, and special industry classifications.
7-3. What are the characteristics of good fleet safety programs?
Good fleet safety programs are clear, concise, and written at a level appropriate for the program user. They should contain practical procedures that employees can follow and the account’s management can support.
7-4. An agent for an insurer sends an application for a personal automobile policy to an underwriter. The application contains only the applicant’s name, birth date, and marital status, and the year, make, and model of her vehicle. a. Identify essential underwriting information that is not given in the application.
- Use of the vehicle
- Driving record
- Territory
- Occupation
- Personal characteristics
- Physical condition of driver
- Safety equipment
8-1. Give four examples of specific on-premises hazards that could lead to workers compensation losses.
housekeeping, maintenance, occupational disease, and hazards leading to cumulative trauma injuries.
8-2. What three aspects should an underwriter consider when evaluating off-premises hazards?
(1) the duration of travel,
(2) the mode of transportation, and
(3) the hazards at remote job sites.
8-3. Why should a workers compensation underwriter investigate an applicant’s use of temporary and seasonal workers?
temporary or seasonal workers may lack sufficient training, which increases
the risk of injury. These workers also present a potential moral hazard because they could fake an injury while on the job and receive workers compensation benefits.
8-4. Why should a workers compensation underwriter investigate an applicant’s use of subcontractors?
Most workers compensation laws hold contractors responsible for workers’ compensation benefits to employees of its uninsured subcontractors. The underwriter needs to determine whether adequate insurance is in place and, if not, to charge the appropriate rate.
.
8-5. What should underwriters consider when assessing an insured’s management?
In evaluating management of an insured, the underwriter should consider the willingness and ability of management to minimize hazards and reduce losses. When assessing management, underwriters also should perform a wage analysis and consider whether management provides healthcare benefits for its employees.
9-1. What three functions are most umbrella policies designed to serve?
• Provide excess liability limits above all specified underlying policies
• Provide coverage when the aggregate limits of the underlying policies have been exhausted
• Provide coverage for gaps in the underlying policies
.
9-2. What is the primary underwriting concern associated with umbrella and excess liability policies?
loss severity
9-3. What elements of underlying insurance coverage can affect the underwriting of umbrella and excess liability policies?
- Type of insurance
- Name of insurer
- Applicable limits and deductibles
- Premium for bodily injury liability coverages
- Premium for property damage liability coverages
- Details of extensions of coverage beyond standard policy provisions
9-4. What is the best method for assessing an insurer’s solvency?
An insurer’s solvency may be assessed based on the rating it receives from a recognized service such as A.M. Best or Standard & Poor’s.
A tool underwriters can use to evaluate the effectiveness of building codes in general and in a particular community.
ISO’s Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) 1 is best.
What at the six occupancy categories?
1) habitational
2) office
3) institutional
4) mercantile
5) service
6) manufacturers operations.
Class of fire protection where the building is located now than 1,000 feet from a hydrant and is within 5 road miles it a fire department.
Partially protected. .
A way of evaluating effectiveness of a fire department.
ISO’s Fire Suppression Rating Schedule. Assigned 1-10 rating. 1 is best.
Amount subject considers the benefit of fire divisions, but _____ includes the effects of building features that impede the vertical spread of fire from one floor to the next.
PML
To many underwriters, _____ is meaningful only for fire resistive buildings and their contents.
PML
This method of estimating losses takes vertical spread of fire, damage to other floors that the fire didn’t even reach, smoke and water damage.
PML
Why is accurately calculating the amount subject and PML important?
Statutes generally prohibit an insurer from exposing more than 10% of policyholder surplus to a single loss net of authorized reinsurance.
____-oriented accounts generally have a greater potential for causing property damage losses than do ____-oriented risks.
Operations, premises
Why is underwriting subcontractors nearly impossible?
- Uncertainty as to which subcontractors will be used.
- Not feasible to notify insurer every time a new subcontracter is used.
- Underwriter has to rely on insured’s reputation in hiring competent subcontractors.
- Underwriter should convey requirements for adequate insurance to the insured and insist that certificates of insurance be obtained from each subcontractor.
What does personal injury liability ( coverage B on CGL) cover?
Legal liability arising out of libel, slander, wrongful eviction, invasion of the right of private occupancy, and infringement of copyright, trade dress, or slogan.
What do underwriters review when screening commercial auto applicants?
- vehicle weight and type (classify)
- radius of operation
- special industry classifications (truckers, food delivery, specialized delivery, waste disposal, farmers, dump and transit mix trucks and trailers, contractors
What is the primary underwriting consideration with workers comp?
Existence or nonexistence of on premises and off premises hazards.
Once a workers comp risk is classified how are rates further set?
With an experience modification factor. (NCCIs plan is used)
How can maritime exposures be assessed?
By reviewing certificate of insurance, the type of equipment owned, a list of jobs in progress, and previous loss experience.
What should be reviewed when underwriting an umbrella or excess policy?
Analyzing loss exposures covered by underlying policy. Identify additional exposures covered by the umbrella but not the underlying policies.
With commercial crime coverage, why are coverage limits usually lower than the insured value?
To discourage a moral hazard.
The federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act (CMVSA) of 1986 requires that _________.
Drivers of specific large vehicles hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Which one of the following is an example of a common hazard relating to premises and operations liability loss exposures?
A. Poorly maintained underground storage tanks
B. Improperly stored explosive
C. Forklift trucks with no warning lights
D. Inadequate housekeeping
Common hazards are physical hazards common to many premises across different types of businesses. Inadequate housekeeping falls into this category.
Which one of the following statements is correct with respect to underwriting workers compensation insurance?
Choose one answer.
A. From an underwriting standpoint, housekeeping refers to cleanliness and operating efficiency.
B. An insured’s providing healthcare benefits is not related to its workers compensation exposure.
C. On-premises hazards relating to housekeeping and maintenance are rare.
D. All firms in the same industry generally have the same hazards and level of risk.
From an underwriting standpoint, housekeeping refers to cleanliness and operating efficiency.
Which one of the following statements is true regarding measures of potential loss severity for property loss exposures?
Choose one answer.
A. The amount of insurance carried on a property location is the most useful figure for determining potential loss severity.
B. The amount subject to a single loss at a location is consistent for all causes of loss to which the location is exposed.
C. The amount subject should be determined separately for each policy an insurer writes within a single fire division.
D. The amount subject for a location, as estimated by any two underwriters with a common employer, should be consistent.
Estimates of amount subject for an insured location by any two underwriters with a common employer should be consistent.
Which one of the following is an essential element of a fleet safety program?
Choose one answer.
A. Proper vehicle classification
B. Driver selection
C. Driver logs
D. Radius of vehicle operation
Driver selection is an essential element of a fleet safety program.
