Shutting Down a Design Firm Doesn’t Necessarily Shut Off the Risk

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By Cinnamon Connally, Underwriter, Berkley Design Professional, a Berkley Company

November 11, 2024

There may be considerable concern when a design firm is ready to close its doors even though this doesn’t just happen without significant planning and preparation. While there are many moving parts when it comes to closing a design firm, the most important is to ensure your architect and engineer clients can protect their assets from any claims that may arise in the future.

In the A&E industry, claims don’t necessarily happen immediately; often claims don’t become apparent until after the design and construction phases are complete. They can even arise years later, long after the firm purchased its last annual professional liability policy. So, how do you help protect your clients?

Here at Berkley Design Professional, we have excellent options to ensure your client is covered. We offer the traditional Extended Reporting Period (ERP) options, as well as a broader coverage, Run-off policy.

ERP coverage is granted via endorsement on the expiring policy. This option is available to all Berkley Design Professional policyholders even those who will be non-renewed. Currently, options available are one-, two- or three-year terms: this coverage is nonrenewable. Starting in 2025, our new filing will provide a 5-year term. The remaining limits from the expiring policy will apply for the full ERP term and there is no coverage for ongoing projects. Lastly, coverage is limited to actual claims only, thus eliminating free circumstance assistance.

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Berkley Design Professional’s BDP Risk® Learning Management System Wins Gold in 2024 Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards

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Monterey, Calif., October 28, 2024 – The BDP Risk® Learning Management System (LMS) from Berkley Design Professional, a division of Berkley Alliance Managers, a Berkley Company, has won a Brandon Hall Group Excellence Award for Learning for the sixth consecutive year. This year’s Gold Award for “Best Custom Content” recognizes Berkley Design Professional for the launch of its successful Online Broker Academy, a training platform for both new and seasoned brokers.

This highly coveted honor, which recognizes self-paced, custom-designed online courses related to workplace learning, marks the seventh Brandon Hall Group Excellence Award for the BDP Risk® Learning Management System (LMS) and the first for the Online Broker Academy.

“Our new Online Broker Academy, offered through the BDP Risk® Learning Management System, provides an easily accessible training platform to educate brokers about Berkley Design Professional and the A&E industry. From educational materials about our products and services to tools to help onboard new A&E professional liability brokers, the Online Broker Academy has created an increase in agency staff engagement,” said Candelario Lopez, Learning Management Team Lead, Berkley Design Professional.

“Broker feedback tells us that they value these resources, and as a result, we are continually adding new content on the topics of underwriting, claims, risk management and BDP Risk® to meet their training needs,” continued Lopez.

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Berkley Design Professional, a division of Berkley Alliance Managers, Named in Business Insurance’s Annual Best Places to Work in Insurance

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Monterey, Calif., September 10, 2024 – Berkley Design Professional, a division of Berkley Alliance Managers, a Berkley company, specializing in professional liability insurance for design professionals, announced it has been named in the annual Best Places to Work in Insurance program, which recognizes 100 employers for their outstanding performance in establishing workplaces where employees can thrive, enjoy their work and help their companies grow.

“We are honored to be recognized for our dedication to cultivating an exceptional work environment,” remarked Stephen L. Porcelli, president, Berkley Design Professional. “Every day, our employees embody our entrepreneurial values, giving them a voice and the power to drive meaningful change.”

Berkely Design Professional has been named a Best Places to Work for its commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. The company values the input of its employees at all levels, encouraging diverse ideas and opinions and emphasizing personal growth through various learning opportunities. The premium placed on teamwork, ethical conduct, and employee well-being creates an environment where employees feel empowered and valued.

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New Berkley Design Professional Online Broker Academy! Learn About Us at Your Own Pace

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By Candelario Lopez, Senior Learning Management Specialist, Berkley Design Professional, a Berkley Company

August 6, 2024

Berkley Design Professional recently released a new exclusive service for appointed agencies and their staff—our own Online Broker Academy!

Our Online Broker Academy was created to help answer the many questions our underwriters and risk management staff answer every day regarding Berkley Design Professional’s products, services and resources. The Academy is another avenue for Berkley Design Professional brokers get the latest updates to help them provide outstanding service to their clients.

Brokers can explore a variety of short videos and at-a-glance content on the easy-to-access platform to get the information they need, when they need it and get back to the business of serving their clients.

Our underwriters have created videos featuring the following topics:

  • Prime Program and Applications
  • Per Project Primary Limit
  • Express Program and Applications
  • Express 24
  • BDP Risk Early Access Program
  • And more…
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Free Webinar: Accessibility Issues in Design and Construction

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Presented by:
Andrew D. Mendelson, FAIA, Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Management Officer, Berkley Alliance Managers
Michael J. Cremonese, Esq., Member, Burke Cromer Cremonese, LLC
Scott R. Samolovitch, Esq., Associate, Burke Cromer Cremonese, LLC

Tuesday, February 6, 2024
10-11 AM Pacific
12-1 PM Central
1-2 PM Eastern

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

This webinar addresses the legal and practical effects of the myriad accessibility laws, rules, and regulations on the industry. The webinar panelists will discuss the complex, overlapping statutory and regulatory framework that governs this area of law, and will review current cases from around the country. 

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Berkley Design Professional’s BDP Risk® Learning Management System Wins Gold in 2023 Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards

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Monterey, Calif. (December 5, 2023) – The BDP Risk® Learning Management System (LMS) from Berkley Design Professional (BDP), a division of Berkley Alliance Managers, a Berkley Company, has won a Brandon Hall Group Excellence Award for Learning for the fifth consecutive year. This year’s Gold Award for “Best Advance in Custom Content” recognizes Berkley Design Professional’s success in increasing user engagement with the addition of learning plans tailored to specific roles or topic areas.

This highly-coveted honor, which recognizes self-paced, custom-designed online courses related to workplace learning, marks the sixth Brandon Hall Group Excellence Award for the BDP Risk® Learning Management System (LMS) program.

“BDP Risk® is a state-of-the-art risk management program and LMS platform that provides policyholders with valuable educational resources to help them prevent professional liability claims, improve management practices, enhance business performance and qualify for premium rating credits,” said Diane P. Mika, senior vice president, risk management officer at Berkley Design Professional. “By adding curated learning plans based on policyholders’ interests, experience level and role, BDP Risk® enables them to complete a series of courses suited to their professional development and risk management needs.”

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Celebrating a Decade Together!

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November 14, 2023

As the leaves change and the year comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the journey of Berkley Design Professional. As you know, this year marks a significant milestone for us – our 10th Anniversary!

A decade ago, we embarked on a mission to provide outstanding service and expertise in the A&E professional liability insurance industry. Today, we’re proud to have achieved and surpassed many of our goals, thanks to your support and trust.

A Look Back

Over the past ten years, we’ve faced challenges, celebrated successes and forged lasting relationships. From our humble beginnings to becoming an industry leader, our growth story has been nothing short of remarkable. We’ve introduced innovative solutions, expanded our reach and most importantly, served thousands of satisfied clients.

Our Gratitude

Our success would not have been possible without our dedicated team and you, our valued brokers. Your feedback, loyalty and partnership have been the cornerstone of our achievements. As we celebrate this milestone, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each one of you. Your belief in our vision and services has propelled us to new heights.

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Design/Construction Standards and Building Codes Evolving to Address Climate Change

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By Andrew Mendelson, FAIA
Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Management & CX Officer
Berkley Design Professional, a Berkley Company

October 23, 2023

Climate change is already having a significant impact on the design and construction industry and this impact is only going to grow in the years to come. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires and tornadoes are becoming more frequent and severe and buildings and infrastructure are increasingly being damaged or destroyed.

In response to these challenges, building codes and construction standards are changing to address climate and extreme weather concerns. Local, State and Federal agencies are also working to update design and building requirements, a meaningful factor in the evolution of the standard of care for professionals in the industry.

Changes to building codes and construction standards

One of the most significant changes is an increasing focus on resiliency. Resilient buildings are designed to withstand extreme weather events and quickly regain functionality when damaged.

Specific changes include:

  • Higher wind load requirements: Buildings in areas prone to hurricanes and other high-wind events are compelled to withstand higher wind speeds.
  • Flood-resistant design: Buildings in flood zones are required to be elevated above the floodplain and to have flood-resistant materials and construction methods.
  • Wildfire-resistant design: Buildings in areas prone to wildfires are required to utilize fire-resistant materials and to create site features such as defensible perimeters and flame-resistant plantings.
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Berkley Design Professional Now Participating in the Deltek Marketplace Partner Network

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New Relationship Helps Bring Tailored Insurance Protection to Design Professionals

Monterey, California (August 8, 2023) — Berkley Design Professional, a division of Berkley Alliance Managers, a Berkley Company, is excited to announce it has joined the Deltek Marketplace. Now, it will be even easier for Deltek customers and prospects to learn about Berkley Design Professional’s specialized insurance products focused on the unique risk management needs of Architects and Engineers.

“This relationship enables Berkley Design Professional and Deltek to provide thought leadership in new, innovative ways that will help our mutual clients improve business practices, minimize risk and confidently build a better future,” says Larry Moonan, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Berkley Design Professional.

Berkley Design Professional’s coverage is specifically tailored to help protect firms from losses resulting from negligent acts, errors or omissions in the performance of professional services.

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Retirement Planning for Design Professionals – Are Your Clients Covered for Professional Liability?

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By Barbara Block
Vice President, Supervising Underwriter
Berkley Design Professional, a Berkley Company

June 6, 2023

Retirement for a design professional doesn’t just happen, it takes careful planning and preparation. Having a transition plan, a buy-sell agreement, successor development and planning are all considerations, but one area retiring professionals may overlook is having adequate professional liability coverage.

Given the current climate of increasing litigation, simply relying on the design professional’s prior firm to maintain their professional liability insurance policy in addition to having necessary limits to protect their assets in retirement is not necessarily the best or safest option.

When it comes to professional liability coverage for architects and engineers, claims don’t just occur when the project is underway. Claims can arise years after the project is complete and if the design professional is no longer a named insured under their prior firms’ policy, problems can occur.

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