We are frequently asked what the difference is between an admitted and non-admitted insurance company. Related follow-up questions will often include: Is there a premium savings? Should I be concerned about coverage terms and conditions? Are there tax implications for my business?

There are several terms in the insurance industry that frequently are misused or confused. For example, the terms broker and agent are consistently used interchangeably; however, the role of each is very different and important.

As a former NCAA golfer and avid golf fan who now manages risk, I couldn’t help but be struck by the similarities between a golf caddie and a risk manager. For those of you who share my love of the game, it’s easy see how managing business risks is not unlike playing a round of golf. In golf and in business, there is always a risk versus reward consideration applied to decision-making. While many opt for the risky play on the golf course without much concern for a penalty or lost ball, the same approach is not typically prudent in business.

A constant struggle for the risk manager of an organization is balancing the profitability expectations of its shareholders and maximizing operational efficiency of the risk management team in order to reduce the organization’s Total Cost of Risk (TCoR). Having a clear perspective of the organization's appetite for risk and risk tolerance is a fundamental element needed in order to achieve this balance.

Many companies are crossing national boundaries to exploit new opportunities and minimize any potential threats. Globalization brings both opportunities and risks to multinational enterprises (MNEs) doing business in another country, and requires the MNE to have a system in place to detect and respond to these potential threats and challenges.

IT-related threats originate from multiple angles, all of which require proper attention and application of mitigation techniques. Perhaps the biggest threat to a company’s IT security is their internal contacts (staff, vendors, contractors, etc.). Many companies are utilizing heightened IT security measures, but fail to account for the negligible or malicious actions from these internal contacts who often have high-level access to company systems.  Inside access often isn’t monitored and can easily lead to stolen data or corrupted systems.

As you may or may not have heard, there is currently a bill sitting in the New Jersey Legislature, which, if passed, would swiftly alter the landscape of commercial liability policies for New Jersey construction contractors.

One of the most misunderstood areas of the insurance business is claims handling. Often mishandled, this function is the reason companies buy insurance. To be certain the following four key elements are being managed effectively, there are several points to remember when evaluating your claims management program:

1. Do you have an excellent working relationship with your carrier and intermediary [broker or third party administrator (TPA)], including a written agreement on roles, responsibilities (key performance indicators – KPI’s) and communication?

Is your gross payroll more than $800,000? Do you know what your experience modification, or “mod” is? Is it above a 1.20 rating? If you answered yes to these questions then understanding the Industrial Code Rule 59 (“ICR59”) Program will save you money.

One of the most effective ways to implement a company-wide Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Program is to make it interactive and involve participants from all levels of the organization. This will create a sense of teamwork and foster an environment of understanding. Risks are inherent at all levels of an organization, hence the need for interaction and input from various team members throughout the business.