Distinguished Blog - In The Press

Market insights and industry news.

Distinguished Programs Expands Fine Art and Collectibles Program Capacity to $125 Million Limit 

NEW YORK – Distinguished Programs, a leading insurance program manager, has announced an increase in its Fine Art & Collectibles program capacity to $125 million for single risks in the United States, effective now. This expansion from the current $100 million capacity highlights Distinguished’s dedication to offering brokers and their clients enhanced coverage options to…

Read More...

Slow Postal Service Impacts Small Businesses

United States citizens will vote by mail this year in record numbers. This, in conjunction with the new U.S. Postal Service leadership, is expected to slow the mail system as a whole. Beyond affecting the presidential election this November, it can impact everyday life for Americans in many other ways.

Read More...

California to Beginning Phasing Out Gas-Powered Cars in 2035

The Golden State recently announced its plan to ban sales of new in-state gas and diesel vehicles starting in 2035, a move by California regulators to help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Only electric vehicles will be available for purchase as new vehicles from 2035 forward in the state. The executive order does not ban the sale…

Read More...

The Hidden Flood Risk Across America

In late June, nonprofit research organization, First Street Foundation publicly released flood risk data for over 142 million homes and properties across the country. Their data assigned every property in the contiguous United States a “Flood Factor,” a score from 1 to 10,  based on its risk of flooding over a thirty-year mortgage.

Read More...

How Generation Z Is Handling the Pandemic

Americans of all ages are grappling with life amid the coronavirus pandemic, but among those most affected is Generation Z. True, older generations are experiencing the highest fatality rates from COVID-19. And every generation is indeed under economic strain, as jobs are lost, hours are reduced, and pay is lowered. But older generations benefit from…

Read More...

Wildfires Rage Across Northern California

Record-breaking wildfires continue to engulf northern California. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports that 650 wildfires have burned over 1.5 million acres in the state since August 15. Officials say the flames have collectively burned an area larger than the size of Delaware.

Read More...

Inside Civil Unrest and Commercial Property Damage

On the heels of a number of deaths committed by police, protests broke out throughout the country. While most of the protests have been peaceful, rioting and looting have taken place in several cities, including most recently in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the wake of Jacob Blake’s shooting. Many small businesses that have property damage as…

Read More...

Insurance Industry Innovates with New Pandemic-Related Products

Most of what we’re reading about regarding the pandemic and the insurance industry involves the potential for litigation. But just as with any other major event and disruption that occurs, there is also an opportunity for individuals and companies to innovate. This is exactly what the insurance industry is doing, as evidenced by the number…

Read More...

How the Insurance Industry Is Tackling Systemic Racism

Systemic racism has come to the forefront of our collective consciousness as we struggle as a country to truly address racial injustice and its impact on our society. Along with other industries, the insurance sector is looking at how to tackle systemic racism on various fronts and put into practice diversity and inclusion. Many organizations…

Read More...

Avoiding Legionnaires’ Outbreaks as Businesses Reopen

Amid COVID-19, remote work became the new normal, with the doors to most commercial offices closed for at least 90 days. The same was true for hotels, restaurants, theaters, gyms, factories, and other businesses that have been temporarily shut due to the pandemic. As businesses reopen, now there are also concerns about Legionnaires’ outbreaks, a…

Read More...

Vegas Rolls the Dice and Reopens Hotels, Casinos, and Restaurants

Nevada’s workforce has been among the hardest hit from the coronavirus pandemic. According to state data cited in an article in the Wall Street Journal, the pandemic and lockdown left one in every three workers in the Las Vegas area jobless. The unemployment rate in Nevada in April reached 28.2% − the highest of any…

Read More...