ACE Group Podcast: Contractors and Consultants Face Increasingly Strict Environmental Laws

In this ACE Group podcast, Barbara Deas,  President, ACE Westchester Environmental, the U.S.-based wholesale focused property & casualty operation of the ACE Group, and Bill Hazelton,  Senior Vice President of ACE Environmental Risk, a unit of ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operation of the ACE Group, will examine the implications of the growing environmental sensitivity that has been reflected in the evolution of environmental laws, the historical evolution of public concerns about the environment, and ensuing regulations over the past five decades. In addition, they will examine the evolution of insurance laws and insurance liabilities stemming from incidents of toxic waste and the spread of contamination. They will also discuss how the rigid stance toward environmental regulation has led government at all levels to increasingly require both environmental and non-environmental contractors and consultants to carry pollution liability coverage, as a condition of bidding on and winning projects. Finally, they will discuss the expanded environmental risks and liabilities faced by contractors and environmental consultants resulting from external influences, highlight environmental liability and key coverage concerns, and offer some best practices with regard to quality insurance protection.   Legal disclaimer: The views expressed by Ms. Deas and Mr. Hazelton are their own and do not represent those of the ACE Group. Celebrating 25 years of insuring progress, the ACE Group is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE), a component of the S&P 500 stock index, the ACE Group conducts its business on a worldwide basis with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries.  Additional information can be found at: www.acegroup.com . Copyright ACE Group 2010. All rights reserved.