AI Risk program targets middle market

NEW YORK—AI Risk Specialists Insurance Inc., a wholly owned brokerage subsidiary of American International Group Inc., has introduced AI Risk Property Complete, a suite of general property and inland marine insurance for middle-market businesses with annual premiums of $5,000 to $100,000.

Designed for a variety of businesses--such as retail, wholesale, light manufacturing, real estate, health care and agribusinesses--the program, underwritten by Lexington Insurance Co., is a modular policy that allows various coverages to be combined into one policy.

The coverages, underwritten on a nonadmitted basis for customers with limited exposure to natural catastrophes, include: general all-risk property, contractors equipment, scheduled property, and Lex TransportPlus motor truck cargo insurance and vehicle physical damage insurance.

In addition, Property Complete can be enhanced with additional coverage for equipment breakdown, electronic data processing equipment, valuable papers, transit offsite storage locations, employee theft with motor truck cargo coverage, debris removal and temporary transportation retail expenses.

Limits up to $10 million are available for general property. Coverages can be quoted and bound online via AI Risk ProgramConnect at www.programconnect.com.

Higher limits are available, subject to referral to Lexington's underwriters.

For more information, visit www.airisk.com.

RiskMeter Online adds batch processing

BOSTON—CDS Business Mapping L.L.C. has enhanced its RiskMeter Online real-time, natural hazard risk reporting service by adding a batch processing feature that enables underwriters, agents and brokers to run schedules through RiskMeter Online.

With the new tool, users can obtain natural hazard risk reports without having to type in individual addresses, resulting in substantial time savings and increased productivity. All RiskMeter reports are available, including distance to coast, flood zone determinations, wind pool eligibility and brush fire scores. Schedules can be run at any time, with users uploading their schedules on the RiskMeter Web site. Users will receive an e-mail with their policy exposure results a few hours later.

Dan Munson, founder of RiskMeter Online, said the tool will enable underwriters, agents and brokers to be more competitive by turning around submissions quicker and will help underwriters streamline their underwriting process by reducing manual submissions.

For more information, contact Mr. Munson at 617-737-4444 or visit www.riskmeter.com.

'Investigative Photography' released by ASSE

DES PLAINES, Ill.—The American Society of Safety Engineers has released "Investigative Photography," a book by John Wenzel Jr. that provides information for occupational safety and health professionals on how to improve their investigative photographic skills and the role photos play in investigations and legal proceedings.

The book contains strategies that safety, health and environmental professionals can use to develop and exercise the skills necessary to increase their investigative photography skills under a variety of conditions, and provides guidance on many aspects of the legal use of photographs from ownership and control issues to protecting trade secrets.

Mr. Wenzel shares his experience and tips, such as methods of documenting and collecting evidence involving motor vehicle accidents, pesticide releases and fatalities.

Safety concerns also are covered, from personal protective equipment to protection from falls in and around machinery and moving vehicles. The book also has a section of exercises that include safety briefings, existing light photography, flash bouncing, and photographing reflective surfaces and motor vehicles. Basics such as how to hold a camera and lighting techniques along with how to hire and work with contract photographers also are included.

Mr. Wenzel, the founder of Precision Image Photography Co., has testified using investigative photographs in hundreds of legal cases. He has served as an occupational safety and health compliance officer and regional supervisor for the state of Maryland. He has taught at the University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, Washington College, Harford Community College and for several professional organizations. He is currently an instructor for the U.S. Department of Defense, where he has also served as a senior safety specialist.

For more information or to order a copy of the book, order number 4415, contact ASSE Customer Service at 847-699-2929, by e-mail at customerservice@asse.org or go to www.asse.org.