Insurance Market Source | Fall 2026 by H.W. Kaufman Group

INSURANCE MARKET SOURCE | FALL 2026 INSIGHTS FOR BROKERS AND AGENTS

NEWS YOU CAN USE

CONSTRUCTION

Crane Collapses at YMCA Project, Narrowly Missing Driver A passing motorist narrowly avoided disaster when a crane collapsed just feet from his vehicle on a roadway near a YMCA facility construction site in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For construction companies, crane incidents can lead to serious losses including damage to the project, the equipment, and property outside of the construction site, as well as potential employee or third-party injuries. “When a crane lands on a building or a bunch of cars, those are the losses that I have seen most. There is definitely the potential for a lot of different third-party claims.” — Justin Peterson

Underwriter, Commercial Insurance Burns & Wilcox, Orlando, FL

MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION

Taco Bell Lawsuits Mount After Cyclospora Outbreak A cyclosporiasis outbreak reportedly involving Taylor Farms lettuce served at Taco Bell has prompted multiple lawsuits. Products Liability Insurance can help protect businesses against covered claims alleging bodily injury caused by contaminated food. Companies that produce or sell food are also encouraged to purchase Product Recall Insurance and review documentation protocols and contractual risk transfer.

“Companies need to look at whether they can sustain the business if a loss shuts them down for a while.” — Steve Bartell Senior Broker, Casualty Burns & Wilcox, Brokerage Division, Chicago, IL

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

1 in 10 Homes Sit Vacant, Raising Risk of Costly Losses An empty home can face risks such as frozen pipes, water damage, fire, burglary, vandalism, and unauthorized occupants — and the longer a problem goes unnoticed, the more extensive the damage can become. The financial impact can be compounded if the homeowner did not notify their insurance carrier that the property was vacant.

“If this is the first time a property owner has had a vacant home, they may not be thinking about the insurance considerations at all.” — Sandy Reynolds

Underwriter, Personal Insurance Burns & Wilcox, Kansas City, KS

HOSPITALITY

$1.5M Lawsuit Alleges Mashed Potato Slip-and-Fall A recent mashed potato spill at an Outback Steakhouse was not just messy — it has turned out to be costly. A woman in Virginia is seeking $1.5 million in damages after allegedly slipping on mashed potatoes at the restaurant, underscoring how seemingly minor hazards can lead to major liability claims for hospitality businesses.

“This is why insurance companies exist. You try your best to mitigate these risks, but a slip-and-fall is one of the most common loss you are going to run into at a restaurant.” — Jeffrey Phillips

Manager, Commercial Insurance, Toronto Burns & Wilcox, Canada Division, Toronto, ON

CYBER INSURANCE WEBINAR

Emerging AI Risks and Coverage Considerations AI is making cyberattacks more convincing, more scalable, and more costly. At the same time, insurers are evaluating how coverage should respond. In this on-demand webinar, host Andy Wood, Senior Vice President, Practice Group Leader, Professional Liability, Burns & Wilcox, Chicago, IL, leads a conversation on Cyber Insurance market trends, AIdriven exposures, and strategies to help clients navigate emerging risks.

WATCH NOW

EXPERT INSIGHTS “Because AI is still so new, many policy wordings have not been amended to address it specifically. At the same time, carriers are introducing affirmative coverage endorsements and AIspecific exclusions, creating ongoing questions about how coverage will respond. This is posing a particular challenge for E&O policies, making it important to take a deeper look at how insureds are using AI and whether they are covered properly.” — Erica Rangel, Associate Managing Director, Broker, Professional Liability, Burns & Wilcox, Chicago, IL

“We can talk about MFA deployment, EDR, employee phishing training, and other security measures, but at the end of the day, it comes down to being proactive. These tools can help prevent cyberattacks, but it is ultimately up to insureds and end users to use them effectively. For small and mid-sized businesses that do not have the resources of a Fortune 500 company, taking advantage of the tools available is critical to protecting the business.” — Joey Franiak, Broker, Professional Liability, Burns & Wilcox, San Diego, CA

"Insurers and clients can leverage AI for faster threat detection, enhanced incident response, and improved fraud detection. However, on the other side of the equation, AI is dramatically reducing the time, energy, and resources needed for threat actors to identify and exploit potential targets. This is not a problem for tomorrow. This is happening now.” — Michael Spinks, Head of SME Cyber, US, CFC

ACCESS MARKET OVERVIEW

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

140-MPH Tornado Strikes Before Warning A 140-mile-per-hour EF3 tornado tore through northeastern Wisconsin before the first tornado warning was issued, damaging homes, uprooting trees, and knocking out power to thousands. Homeowners who face tornado damage typically have coverage for repairs under their Homeowners Insurance, but increasingly common percentagebased Wind and Hail Deductibles and age-based roof settlement schedules can leave some homeowners paying more out of pocket than they may expect. “Convective storms are all-encompassing of not just tornadoes but hail, strong winds, and the ensuing water damage. They can cause significant damage — tens of thousands of dollars or more.” — Kate Wright Vice President, Senior Regional Practice Group Leader, READInsurance, MORE Burns & Wilcox, Indianapolis, IN Personal

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Century-Old Clubhouse Destroyed by Fire Faces Complex Rebuild A fire recently destroyed the historic Lochmoor Country Club clubhouse in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. Historic properties may require specialized Commercial Property Insurance with Historical Replacement Cost to reproduce original materials, designs, and craftsmanship after a loss. Business Interruption Coverage and Extra Expense Coverage can help companies recoup lost revenue and maintain payroll during restoration.

“Golf courses often host Sunday brunch, holiday celebrations, and other special events. Coverage for business income is definitely something they would want to have.” — Omar Martinez

Underwriter, Commercial Insurance Burns & Wilcox, Orlando, FL

HEALTHCARE

$253,000 and Rising: Senior Care Claim Costs Climb The growing number of older adults is fueling rapid growth in demand for skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care facilities. At the same time, new industry data shows that senior care providers are facing a higher volume of insurance claims, particularly in the skilled nursing sector, along with greater claim severity, increased handling costs, and longer settlement times. “The Healthcare Insurance market is still really tough, and the information in this report shows exactly why. A lot of it really revolves around resident safety and what is happening to residents because of staffing shortages.” — Heidi Johnson Broker, Professional Liability, Burns & Wilcox, Kansas City, KS

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

Family Faces Lawsuit After Senior Skip-Day Pool Party An Arizona teenager is suing the parents of a classmate after he allegedly suffered serious injuries while jumping from the roof of a home into a swimming pool during a senior skip-day party. Homeowners Insurance can help respond to thirdparty bodily injury lawsuits, including legal defense and settlements. Personal Umbrella Insurance can provide an additional layer of liability protection above underlying Homeowners Insurance limits. “Insurance is the transfer of financial risk. You are paying a premium now for that potential lawsuit down the road.” — Jacob Timmons

Senior Underwriter, Personal Insurance Burns & Wilcox, Scottsdale, AZ

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