Complimentary Webinar: Designing for Uncertainty: Resiliency, Climate Change, and Other 21st Century Perils

Posted by & filed under Events.

Presented by:
Dion N. Cominos, Esq., Firmwide Managing Partner, Gordon&Rees Scully Mansukhani
Andrew D. Mendelson, FAIA, Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Management Officer, Berkley Design Professional

Thursday, December 9, 2021
10:00 am – 11:30 am Pacific Daylight Time
1.5 AIA Learning Units
1.5 RCEP Professional Development Hours
Health Safety and Welfare Qualified

Berkley DP policyholders who participate in this program can qualify for a 15% Risk Management Education credit. Contact your agent for further information*

This webinar has been recorded and is available on demand for Berkley Design Professional policyholders and our appointed agents and brokers on the BDP Risk® Learning Management System.

bdp Risk® lms login

In today’s complex design and construction environment, disputes will occur. Often the difference between success The practice of architecture and engineering in the 21st century can be forbidding. Today’s increasingly complicated and uncertain landscape includes climate change, aging infrastructure, pandemics, and a host of other manmade and natural phenomena. The importance of incorporating adaptation strategies and anticipating extreme weather events are just two areas that are shaping the standard of care for design professionals. Through instruction and actual case examples, this webinar offers valuable insights on applying the principles of resilient design for buildings that are able to withstand extreme weather and remain habitable, infrastructure that supports a sustainable ecosystem, and community design that manages stormwater and mitigates wildfire. Participants will learn strategies for facility planning, HVAC, and other design considerations in the post-Covid-19 built environment, and best practices for performing adjacent structure-design, structural condition assessments, and other inspections.

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Condo risks in focus as A&E market tightens

Posted by & filed under Published Articles.

By Michael Bradford | November 1, 2021

Rising losses are causing underwriters to rethink the way they analyze architects and engineers professional liability risks, and the deadly collapse of a condominium building in south Florida earlier this year is raising further concerns. 

Coverage prices have moved up gradually over the past three years as A&E professional liability losses have become more frequent and severe, sources say.

And while the collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, Florida, is not expected to immediately have a widespread impact on rates, it is bringing closer scrutiny to condo risks and could eventually lead to coverage restrictions, they say.

“The Surfside condo collapse will heighten awareness around the risks associated with this project type and will likely cause a further tightening for condo projects,” Lawrence Moonan, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Monterey, Calif.-based Berkley Design Professional, a unit of W.R. Berkley Corp., said in an email.

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Thankful for Insurance? You betcha!

Posted by & filed under BDP Blog.

By Victoria (Tori) Rabadi
Assistant Vice President, Marketing Communications

November 10, 2021

Say the word insurance to almost anyone and watch them roll their eyes while a disinterested look comes over their face. This, my friends, is not the response people in the insurance industry deserve.

Most of us are fortunate and should be thankful we have insurance coverage available to protect and stabilize our lives and businesses if a disaster or unexpected event strikes. As such, a little gratitude and thankfulness is in order.

It would be wise for us to reconsider how we think about insurance. Insurance is amazing! There, I said it and I mean it. Here is why.

Let’s remember that insurance protects people and businesses against financial losses, damages, and injuries associated with unforeseen events. It protects your health, your life, your home, your property, your car, your business and your reputation; any of which should you lose, would be devastating, to say the least. Wow—insurance does all of that? Amazing!

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Ask an Underwriter

Posted by & filed under Ask an Underwriter.

How many types of loss run reports are available?

We have two loss run report options to choose from:

1. A full loss run with all claims, and claim prevention files (claimant names are displayed).

2. A claim only loss run (claim prevention files are not included and claimant names are not displayed). This type of loss run may be needed when a firm is completing an RFP for a project.

AIA Contract Documents Free Webinar | Top Five Risk Avoidance Strategies for Contractors

Posted by & filed under Events.

Presenter:
Andrew D. Mendelson, FAIA, Berkley Alliance Managers, SVP, Chief Risk Management Officer

Date: Thursday, November 18, 2021
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EST

Construction is a risky business, especially in today’s climate.  Attend a free webinar where expert presenters will review the top 5 strategies contractors can utilize to avoid and mitigate risk on their construction projects.  Presenters will discuss the process for contractors to develop company policies, processes, and protocols to facilitate quality control and financial success, including how to establish a standard process for authorship, review, and approval of proposals and contracts.  The importance of working with design professionals and subcontractors who have experience in the project type; promoting a safe and collaborative work environment; and encouraging thorough communication and sharing of best practices will also be explored during this session.

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