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Stay informed and up to date about the latest E&S and Specialty trends, topics and more.

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Casualty fears warranted amid legal system abuse

Casualty fears warranted amid legal system abuse

Successful insurers will be those that focus on specialization and can help mitigate losses for insureds in an evolving risk environment that includes pervasive threats such as legal system abuse, according to Nationwide’s Russ Johnston.

The four pillars of an insurance culture that retains top talent

The four pillars of an insurance culture that retains top talent

Specialized underwriting and claims expertise set carriers apart, but competition for top talent is fierce. To attract and retain the best candidates for the job, insurers need to create a culture that makes their staff feel supported, fulfilled and empowered to keep growing.

3 commercial real estate trends for 2024

3 commercial real estate trends for 2024

Industry insiders have been watching the commercial real estate market with a mix of curiosity and cautious optimism. “It’s going to be an interesting year,” says Brett Dailey, Executive Underwriting Director, E&S Brokerage Primary Casualty. “It’s a transition year.”

Moving the needle: How data trends will drive innovation in the insurance industry 2024

Moving the needle: How data trends will drive innovation in the insurance industry 2024

Data has played an important role in the insurance industry for decades, but as the quality of data and associated technology grows more sophisticated, its potential has increased exponentially.

construction

Data-driven E&S

John Anthony, senior vice president, E&S Contract P&C and Excess, said he sees an ever-expanding opportunity in the surplus lines sector, “which is one of the things that we’re looking to sophisticate on within the risk selection process to be able to handle a lot of these new and dynamic risks.”

construction

Traditional Risks Require Specialist Approach

Q&A with Russ Johnston, President of Commercial Lines, Excess & Surplus and Specialty Business, Nationwide. Russ Johnston discusses how E&S can help meet insureds’ needs and why the industry should apply the specialization common in the E&S market to standard commercial to adapt to the unique risks emerging today.

construction

The competitive advantage

David Nelson, EVP, E&S Wholesale, said there are growth opportunities in the E&S marketplace. “We have some of the strongest partnerships on the wholesale side, specialized expertise to support business that we’re writing, and we’re a trusted brand that’s financially strong,” he said.

Commercial Insurance Conversation Guide on Inflation

Commercial Insurance Conversation Guide on Inflation

Inflation is a major challenge for many businesses. It also has a significant impact on business insurance coverage, but the underlying causes and effects may not be well understood by your commercial clients.

construction

Economic Forces Putting Strain on Construction, and How Insurers and Insureds Are Responding

In today's unstable economic conditions, construction insureds will want to partner with stable carriers who are strengthening their rates.

Stormy weather? Prioritize protecting your home

Stormy weather? Prioritize protecting your home

It's not your imagination. Weather has become more volatile in recent years, and the frequency and severity of convective storms has been on the rise.

product liability risk

Product Liability risk is constantly evolving

Deep expertise and a savvy underwriting approach are the keys to success in the products liability space. In the hyper-specialized world of products liability underwriting, top underwriters know they need to develop a deep understanding of their clients' exposures.

product liability risk

E&S Market Leader

Ashley Moffatt, SVP Brokerage, Primary Casualty for Nationwide E&S, said their ultimate goal is to be a top 10 carrier with their key distribution partners. "Some initiatives that I'm particularly excited about include investing in third-party tools and technology to enhance our data-driven decisions, as well as building out new product offerings to promote profitable growth opportunities," she said.

Adapting to a catastrophe-prone market

Adapting to a catastrophe-prone market

Catastrophic events are on the rise. Since 1980, 338 weather and climate disasters have each resulted in a billion-dollar-plus loss, adding up to a staggering $2.295 trillion. With no end to this concerning trend in sight, insurers are taking various approaches to riding out the proverbial storm.

Trends to watch for remodeling contractors

Trends to watch for remodeling contractors

Remodeling contractors specialize in making significant improvements, alterations or additions to the interiors or exteriors of existing buildings.

The sting of ongoing inflation for manufacturers

The sting of ongoing inflation for manufacturers

Although the experts diverge on how long it will take for inflation to reach the desired level, they do agree on one point: above-average inflation is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Prices on the rise? Your coverage should be, too

Prices on the rise? Your coverage should be, too

The issue of inflation isn't just impacting what you pay at the pump and in the grocery store. Its effects are far-reaching, and that includes property, construction materials and all points in between. Factor in ongoing supply chain issues that emerged in full force during the pandemic along with a tight labor market, and it's no wonder that industries far and wide are feeling pinched.

Storm

Storm-related losses are on the rise

Among the most common and damaging of natural hazards are thunderstorms, also referred to as severe convective storms. Lightning, tornadoes, straight-line winds, hail and torrential rain from these weather events result in substantial property damage.

Storm

Speed, Precision and Consistency: Implementing the Best Tools So Your Brokering Team Can Place Even the Toughest of Risks

Nationwide's E&S Brokerage team is leaning in on technical investments in order to give wholesale brokers the quick, accurate responses they need to place tough risks.

Opportunity in E&S

Opportunity in E&S

David Nelson, Executive Vice President, E&S Wholesale for Nationwide, E&S and Specialty, said that surplus lines insurers can respond to the market needs of agents and brokers much more quickly than the standard market.

Forever chemicals emerge as new risk

Forever chemicals emerge as new risk

Forever chemicals, or PFAS, are big news today. According to a Bloomberg Law analysis, more than 6,400 PFAS related lawsuits were filed in federal courts between July 2005 and March 2022.

Home makeover demand remains high despite inflation, supply issues

Home makeover demand remains high despite inflation, supply issues

Among the most common and damaging of natural hazards are thunderstorms, also referred to as severe convective storms. Lightning, tornadoes, straight-line winds, hail and torrential rain from these weather events result in substantial property damage.

Considerations for reducing product liability

Considerations for reducing product liability

Customers expect manufacturers, suppliers and other parties in the retail chain to deliver safe and reliable products.

Rising above

Rising above to reach new heights in a changing world

In addition to our record results and solid financial strength ratings, we also continue to be recognized by a wide variety of organizations for our philanthropy, volunteerism and as a great place to work.

Trends to watch for artisan contractors

Trends to watch for artisan contractors

Artisan contractors are essential to a variety of residential and commercial construction projects.

Managing

Managing the growing threat of wildfires

The risk of extreme wildfires isn't going away anytime soon. Hotter summers and other extreme weather coupled with lingering drought have created the ideal environment for intense, large-scale wildfire events over a longer season, in the U.S. and around the world.

Managing

Innovation is key at Nationwide

John Lopes, Executive Vice President, Programs & Alternative Ventures for Nationwide E&S/S, said that during his long career he's only seen a handful of new products that have scaled to a mainstream program. Check out the full interview.

Employment losses

Employment losses in the wake of COVID-19

COVID-19 caused a dramatic shift in the workplace. Many employees were laid off. Others transitioned to remote work. A look at the most frequent types of employment losses to arise from COVID-19 and the return to work.