The most up-to-date information that is available at the present time shows that Hurricane Sandy has continued to intensify to a 940 mb storm, with 90 mph winds, and expected landfall between coastal Delaware and Atlantic City. Sandy is a category-1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, and approaching category-2 status. This is a dangerous, large and historic storm, posing a greater threat than the largest […]
Blog Question – Extra Costs of Reinstatement where costs are sacrificial
I received this question through this blog yesterday: Hi Allan Just wondering if in your opinion, there is any provision within the Extra Costs of Reinstatement(ECOR) clause under the [industrial Special Risks (“ISR”)] Policy Mark IV that would extend or deny indemnity for sacrificial costs incurred (as opposed to capital costs) to be deemed an ECOR. For example, if an Insured jetty was destroyed, which […]
Fire Safety in High Rise Buildings a Must
Radio National had a very informative piece on fire safety in their Background Briefing last Sunday morning. The episode had its roots in the tragic death in Sydney of a young student who died when she jumped along with her friend from a 5th floor apartment when fire blocked their escape. Fire safety in a high rise building should always be top of mind for any engineer, developer, […]
Home and Contents Policies – Requirement for Council Approvals
With so many do it yourself renovation television shows and a plethora of advertisements from the hardware chains, it is not surprising that many Insureds do their own renovations, from building a simple deck to much more complex building projects. What is not well known is that more and more home building policies contain an exclusion, either a blanket exclusion or one just excluding the […]
A reminder about the effect of the Carbon Tax on reinstatement and replacement values
According to a recent report by the Green Building Council of Australia, buildings account for 23% of greenhouse emissions. Under the legislation the top 500 polluters will pay $23 per tonne for the carbon dioxide that they produce. Think how many of our major manufacturers manufacture building materials. BHP, Boral, CSR, Pioneer, Laminex Industries, Pilkington ACI to name a few. But the tax is not just […]
One local council sees common sense
Back in July I received an email from an insurance broker explaining some proposed changes by the Adelaide City Council in respect of the replacement of buildings. I posted the question to my blog at the time but in case you missed it, the email read as follows: The Adelaide Development Plan has altered zoning throughout the City of Adelaide via the Capital City Development […]
Another Council another Problem
Just as one problem appears to be solved (see posting above) another one rears its ugly head. This time from New South Wales. The following email explains the problem: Dear Allan, I was wondering if I could call on your expertise to assist with the following. The local council has introduced an Awning Policy. This has not come about from any recent events locally and […]
The struggle from Small to Medium Business – the best way forward confirmed?
As LMI continues to grow rapidly and we move internationally, we are confronting all the issues of other companies who struggle from youthful enthusiasm through sophisticated confusion through to mature efficiency and then of course you have to reinvent your business and start the process again. One of the great benefits I have is that working with so many businesses after a major loss or […]
Should texting while driving be an exclusion under a motor policy?
Travelling as much as I do, I see a lot of things. As I was driving to the airport this morning to catch an early flight, I was travelling behind a white van which kept weaving erratically into adjoining lanes. As the weaving continued, I became so alarmed by how dangerous it was that I pulled up beside the driver, which is when the cause […]
The removal of Fire Service Levy in NSW is not a done deal – have your say!
I was speaking in Sydney during the past week and then had to rush back to Melbourne to attend an important function at Victoria University. After my departure, the following speaker asked the audience which was comprised predominantly of insurance brokers, if any had had their say on the New South Wales Government’s website seeking community views on whether Fire Services Levies in New South […]