The October issue of New Jersey Lawyer, a publication of the New Jersey State Bar Association, focuses on a variety of topical insurance issues, from cannabis to COVID, cybersecurity programs to social media, and more. It also looks at how the impact of unprecedented losses in these areas are affecting insurance coverage and the handling of insurance claims.
The magazine’s recurring features, “Practice Perfect,” “Working Well,” and “Writer’s Corner,” offer a cornucopia of useable information this month. Additionally, readers will be introduced to the first of a three-part series on writing for readability and advice about business development and the advantages of pro bono work.
NJSBA President Domenick Carmagnola’s column, “President’s Perspective,” describes the range and impact of the Association’s amicus advocacy program, which has focused on some of the most critical issues of our time, including the constitutional right to a fair and impartial jury.
The magazine begins and ends with pieces about COVID insurance coverage. “The Clash for COVID Coverage” and “Will Insurers Maintain Their Successes in New Jersey COVID-19 Insurance Coverage Litigation” describe recent litigation that could pave the way for more companies to recoup business interruption losses sustained as a result of the ongoing pandemic, and insurers’ increasing reliance on “virus exclusions.”
“In this COVID-19 world, it has become the norm to expect all facets of our lives to be impacted by the pandemic. The insurance industry is no exception,” write Special Editors Reka Bala and Lisa J. Trembly.
Beyond the pandemic, the magazine examines other insurance challenges. “A Hack a Day—Can Insurance Keep the Resulting Losses Away?” delves into cyber liability coverage, which can cover costs associated with cyber losses, but also require higher premiums or deductibles for an insured looking to protect against hacking or ransomware attacks.
Coverage for cannabis businesses is explored in “High Time to Open a Cannabis Business Legally in New Jersey—and You Can Obtain Insurance.” While there are opportunities for insurance coverage, some cannabis businesses are subject to certain exclusions that could impede coverage for their losses.
And in “Media Liability Coverage Isn’t Just for News Conglomerates Anymore,” the magazine examines the trend for businesses to purchase insurance coverage to protect against liability from social media usage, such as for slander, libel, cyberbullying and even intellectual property rights violations.
There’s additional exploration in the magazine of settlement concerns facing both insurers and policyholders, as well as the evolving judicial interpretation of common policy provisions.
To read New Jersey Lawyer online, log in at njsba.com and click on the members tab.