The ALS Group Risk Management Articles

We manage more than a quarter billion dollars of premiums for a diverse range of clients around the globe. 

National Cyber Risk Awareness Month | Scare Risk Away in October

The beginning of October marks the start of the ninth annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) – is your company prepared in the event of a disruptive computer virus, a damaging loss of data or an unexpected intrusion by computer hackers? As organizations increasingly incorporate the use of laptops, smartphones and tablet devices into the success of their businesses, the potential dangers of cyber risk become much more prevalent.

Read More »

Just How Far Can One Fire Spread?

On September 12th, calamity struck the Pakistani port city of Karachi when a fire broke out at the Ali Enterprises garment factory.  Hundreds of workers found themselves trapped inside the burning factory by locked doors, barred windows and only one open exit.  Panicky workers threw themselves from the four-story roof while those trapped below died of smoke inhalation.  All told, the fire claimed the lives of nearly 300 workers in a gruesome disaster reminiscent of the legendary Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911 in New York.

Read More »

Protect Your Overseas Shipments | Go Beyond Ocean Cargo Coverage

The first step for many businesses seeking to operate abroad usually involves the transport of goods internationally. Initial shipments are often vital to the success of the venture, so protecting them in case of a catastrophic event is as important as getting the shipments to their proper destination. This is especially relevant considering the recent natural disasters that have affected the shipping trade. Carriers who write Ocean Cargo have suffered a spate of heavy losses, and as a result are actively seeking to narrow their exposures. Ocean Cargo Insurance is subject to less stringent regulation than other types of coverage as state regulators do not require rate and form filing.

Read More »

How Good Is Your Product Recall Insurance?

Product contamination and product recall risks are becoming prevalent for many industries.  In 2008 there were 351 FDA Class I recalls. Over the next 24 months, the number of Class I recalls had jumped to 1,499. The FDA defines a Class I recall as a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that use or exposure to a product will cause serious adverse health conditions or possibly death.

Read More »

Travel Risk Management: Are Your Employees Safe Abroad?

One of the most overlooked risks in Risk Management when looking across an organization is the risk to employees traveling abroad. However, according to a recent survey in Business Travel magazine, it appears that more companies are beginning to incorporate risk management techniques to keep their employees safe overseas.

Read More »

Preparing for the Worst

A subject that should never be far from the minds of employers expanding into new areas is the personal safety of the staff they are sending into the field. Those doing business in foreign markets, especially in countries with unstable governments, have to face the fact that there are inherent risks to Americans working and/or travelling overseas, and therefore risks to the companies that employ them.

Read More »

Reputational Disaster – Are You Protected?

Recently, ABC News was hit with a $1.2 billion defamation lawsuit by a meat processing company that accused the network of misleading viewers into believing that their product was unsafe. The company filed its complaint alleging ABC “knowingly” and “intentionally” published nearly 200 false, defamatory and disparaging statements in on-air and online reports, and in social media postings. They claim this ultimately destroyed their reputation by causing major consumer backlash which, subsequently, impacted revenue as several of their national customers publicly vowed to discontinue selling their product. The lost revenue (over $20 million monthly) forced the meat processing company to shut three of its four plants and eliminate more than

Read More »

Risk: More Than Just a Four Letter Word, It’s Strategic

An indication of how Enterprise and Strategic Risk Management have become discussion topics in all circles of the business world is the fact that Business Insurance Magazine has devoted a recent issue solely to this topic.  The issue contains numerous articles that range from discussing Risk Appetite, to how ERM can become the spring board for a company’s Strategic Risk Management program. The magazine also describes success stories of companies such as Lego and Paychex who utilized Strategic Risk Management to increase their company’s profits even in these tough economic times.  However, it was an article in the Perspectives section of the magazine that stood out in its honest assessment

Read More »

Keeping Your Business Operations Overseas Compliant

A major consideration for American Companies doing business abroad is the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977. This far-reaching piece of legislation is both largely misunderstood and incredibly broad in scope. The classic images of briefcases full of cash slipped under the table or millions siphoned into private bank accounts are part of it, but the Act can extend towards much more innocent activities. The Department of Justice can bring proceedings against a company for the conduct of a “stockholder acting on behalf of a firm” (say, an agent, or a local sales representative).

Read More »

Our areas of expertise include:

  • Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
  • Cyber Security & Cyber Liability Insurance
  • Construction Management
  • Customized Risk Management Assessments (RMAs)

Subscribe to our articles

blog posts form
Skip to content