Declarations

A Philanthropic Model

“As a company, we believe it is important to raise awareness of the needs of local fire departments. Supporting the fire service means rescuers will be better protected and our communities will be safer.”

—Michael LaRocco, president and CEO of Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co., said it will be an honor for his company’s Heritage Program to be recognized by the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s Annual Benefit Dinner in May. Through the program, Fireman’s Fund employees and independent agencies award grants to fire departments for equipment, training and community education programs. Since the program’s inception, the company has donated more than $27 million in grants to more than 1,600 local fire departments and fire safety organizations.

D&O Limits Driven Up

“Clearly, companies are reacting to the fact that D&O liability exposures facing directors and officers are arguably at an all-time high. Insurance buyers continue to be threatened by an ever-expanding litigation environment and have an increased awareness over regulatory issues they might encounter.”

—Larry Racioppo of the executive liability group in Towers Watson’s Brokerage business. Towers Watson’s 2010 D&O liability survey reports that 21 percent of respondents increased their D&O limits compared to their prior policy, versus 12 percent in 2008. While 75 percent said their limits had stayed the same —versus 86 percent in 2008 —only 3 percent said they had decreased their limits.

Disaster Disability Plan

“Because of the city’s failure to address their unique needs, individuals with disabilities are disproportionately vulnerable to harm in the event of an emergency or disaster.”

—U.S. District Court Judge Consuelo Marshall said Los Angeles discriminates against disabled people because it lacks specific plans to meet their needs in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency. The lawsuit she presided over noted that Los Angeles is vulnerable to disasters, including earthquakes, wildfires and possibly terrorist attacks. The city has some 800,000 disabled residents out of a population of about 4 million, according to the Disability Rights Legal Center in Los Angeles. A disability disaster plan would include provisions for transportation and evacuation assistance, and wheelchair-accessible emergency shelters equipped with electricity for people on life-saving machines, refrigeration for medicines, and commonly used medications. (AP)