Super Election Year Increases Risks of Political Violence, Warns Allianz

Geopolitical risks driving insurance pricing

With an unprecedented ‘super-cycle’ of elections in 2024, almost half the world’s populations will go to the polls before the year is out. According to a new report from Allianz Commercial, security is a concern in many territories, not only from the threat of localized unrest but because of the wider-reaching consequences of electoral outcomes on foreign policy, trade relations, and supply chains.

Managing the Gap in Builder’s Risk Insurance

Silhouette of engineer and construction team working at site over blurred background sunset pastel for industry background with Light fair.Create from multiple reference images together.

Commercial property insurance covers various kinds of property, including buildings, structures, contents, land, and even personal items such as jewelry. The type of coverage varies based on the property and the costs to rebuild. However, it doesn’t protect against risks related to projects under construction, which need the specialized protection of a Builder’s Risk Policy.… Continue reading Managing the Gap in Builder’s Risk Insurance

Truckers Want More Trucks than Industry Can Build

Semi Truck Driver Making Conversation with Other Truck Drivers Through CB Radio.

The trucking industry in the United States, which is at the heart of the country’s struggle to move freight efficiently, is caught in its own constrained supply chain. Heavy-duty truck production is slowed by parts shortages that can’t keep up with a large backlog of orders, according to industry executives, preventing fleets from replacing and… Continue reading Truckers Want More Trucks than Industry Can Build

U.S. Supply-Chain Pressures Soar to a Record, Index Shows

Heavy duty trucks

A measure of U.S. supply-chain pressures rose to a record, adding to already stiff inflationary headwinds from logistics amid dwindling warehouse space and unprecedented inventory costs. The Logistics Managers’ Index, released Tuesday, advanced for a third straight month in March, reaching 76.2 from 75.2 in February. The monthly survey, released by Colorado State University and… Continue reading U.S. Supply-Chain Pressures Soar to a Record, Index Shows

Inflation Threatens to Erode Impact of $1 Trillion Infrastructure Law

Helicopter Aerial View of the famous Los Angeles Four Level freeway interchange

Rising prices and clogged supply chains are expected to mitigate the impact of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed by Congress with bipartisan support last year. How many roads, bridges, railways, fiber optic lines, and other types of infrastructure the United States can build or repair under the law—a central achievement of President Biden’s that… Continue reading Inflation Threatens to Erode Impact of $1 Trillion Infrastructure Law

Cyber Perils Outrank Covid-19 and Broken Supply Chains as Top Global Business Risk: Allianz

BEC attacks

Cyber perils are the biggest concern for companies globally in 2022, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer. The threat of ransomware attacks, data breaches or major IT outages worries companies even more than business and supply chain disruption, natural disasters or the Covid-19 pandemic, all of which have heavily affected firms in the past year.… Continue reading Cyber Perils Outrank Covid-19 and Broken Supply Chains as Top Global Business Risk: Allianz

Computer Chip Crisis Throws Wrench into Auto Business

Electronic technician holding tweezers and assemblin a circuit board.

Americans are shopping for cars in near-record numbers, but the world’s computer-chip shortage has left dealers with the fewest offerings in decades. The market mismatch is driving up prices, and many buyers expecting to drive new cars off the lot have to wait weeks or months for their vehicles to arrive. Some showroom models sell… Continue reading Computer Chip Crisis Throws Wrench into Auto Business

Suez Canal Blockage Could Drive $40B in Trade Disruption: Analysts

A fully stocked cargo ship heading out to sea.

The Evergreen container ship currently blocking the Suez Canal after plunging one of the world’s busiest trade routes into chaos could be carrying goods worth $89 million and threatens to create more than $40 billion dollars of trade disruption, according to analysis from Russell. Reports on the still-unfolding event say rescue boats are working to… Continue reading Suez Canal Blockage Could Drive $40B in Trade Disruption: Analysts

Flooding Inundates Australia’s Coal Mines and Farms, A Year After Wildfires Raged

"No stopping sign in a flooded river at Lismore, NSW, Australia"

Unusually heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding across eastern Australia, triggering evacuation orders for roughly 18,500 people and disrupting supplies of commodities. Some parts of New South Wales state experienced their wettest week on record, prompting the closure of a major coal-haulage railway and cuts to coal production. The floods destroyed crops and drowned cattle… Continue reading Flooding Inundates Australia’s Coal Mines and Farms, A Year After Wildfires Raged

COVID-19 Crisis Could Cost the Insurance Industry $107 Billion

Microscopic view of Coronavirus, a pathogen that attacks the respiratory tract. Analysis and test, experimentation. Sars. 3d render

Can small businesses count on insurance checks to replenish their coffers after Covid lockdowns? In most cases, probably not. Business-interruption insurance is typically part of a property policy and requires premises to sustain physical damage before a claim can be made. Since shutdowns have rarely damaged stores or factories, it has proven hard to make… Continue reading COVID-19 Crisis Could Cost the Insurance Industry $107 Billion