Scholarship Winner – Sabrina Lem Each year, ae ProNet proudly awards the AIA David Lakamp Scholarship to a worthy up and coming architect. a/e ProNet AIA David W. Lakamp Scholarship (American Institute of Architects Scholarship) This scholarship was initiated…
Give Back: Adopt-a Family at Christmas! Professional Underwriters has partnered with the Novi Youth Assistance to participate in their Adopt-a-Family program this Christmas. We’ve been proudly donating new toys, clothes and household items to less fortunate families since 2009. Not only…
ae ProNet SCHOLARSHIP WINNER JENNIFER STIEBEN’S COLLABORATION ON BELLEVOIR ORMSBY ESTATE IN LOUISVILLE Jennifer Stieben is a recipient of the 2022-2023 David. W. Lakamp Scholarship. This scholarship was initiated in 1990 and renamed in 1999 for David W….
Safer Online Shopping ‘Tis the season for online shopping! A lot of top stores start to offer incredible Internet-only deals and free shipping during the holidays. Not to mention the shipping is quite fast and they make returns pretty hassle-free….
a/e ProNet AIA David W. Lakamp Scholarship (American Institute of Architects Scholarship) This scholarship was initiated in 1990 and renamed in 1999 for David W. Lakamp. Mr. Lakamp was a founder of a/e ProNet and a trusted advisor to the…
ae ProNet SCHOLARSHIP WINNER’S WORK ON BELLEVOIR ORMSBY ESTATE IN LOUISVILLE Jennifer Stieben is a recipient of the 2022-2023 David. W. Lakamp Scholarship given to promising Design Professionals courtesy of ae ProNet. She worked this past summer on an…
A/E PRONET ANNOUNCES OUR TWO RECIPIENTS FOR THE 2022-2023 DAVID. W. LAKAMP SCHOLARSHIP Initially launched in 1990, the scholarship was renamed after a/e ProNet’s Founder, David W. Lakamp in 1999. Lakamp was a trusted advisor…
Graduation Party – Social Hosting Liability The state of Michigan defines a Social Gathering as “an assembly of two or more individuals for any purpose, unless all of the individuals attending the assembly are members of the same household or…
GIVING BACK PUI Helping Out a Local Family This Holiday Season Every year our team at PUI gets together to support a local family through Novi Youth Assistance. This year we were matched with a family having 2 boys –…
What to do Before a Flood Floods can happen anywhere and just one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damage. The best way to protect your home and belongings from flood damage is to purchase flood insurance. Flood insurance…
New RVers – Safety Tips Summer travel and safety tips for new RVers | PropertyCasualty360 Independence Day travel is expected to approach pre-pandemic levels during the 2021 July Fourth weekend, according to AAA, with more than 47.7 million Americans planning…
Graduation Party Hosting Liability Spring is the time of year to host a party to celebrate the accomplishments of our children graduating school! This is a very special and exciting time for your family. Your to-do list is long; full of…
THE COVID LITIGATION EXPERIENCE AND THE NEW NORMAL This past year has created new obstacles and hurdles in nearly every facet of life, the legal world being no exception. When the pandemic hit, we were forced, over night, to…
International Women’s Day Year after year, March 8 is celebrated as the International Women’s Day all over the world. The day celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women from all walks of life, while highlighting the…
Keeping Workers Warm Extreme cold can cause a number of health problems for employees during the winter months. Hypothermia and frostbite are just two conditions that may affect workers if the proper precautions are not taken. If workers must…
ae ProNet’s New Executive Director Lynda Colucci Per ae ProNet president Mark Jackson: Lynda will be assuming the position effective December 1 after her retirement from current employment. On behalf of the board and members of the Association, I…
Online Shopping Safety ‘Tis the season for online shopping! A lot of top stores start to offer incredible online shopping deals and free shipping during the holidays. Not to mention the shipping is quite fast and they make returns pretty hassle-free….
Post COVID-19 World for Design Professionals The 2020 Pandemic of COVID-19 has caused industries around the country to either rapidly come to a halt or experiment with new ways of working. Estimates show that 1 Billion have been told to…
Online Video Conference Meeting Tips With this new era of video conferencing and online meetings, many have found that there are a new set of guidelines to follow – things that we might not have needed to discuss in person,…
Fall 2020 Back to School Checklist Returning to school this fall certainly will be different due to COVID-19. Whether we plan to attend for face-to-face instruction, have online classes or a hybrid of the the two necessary safety measures need…
RESPONDING TO COVID-19 AND OTHER EMERGENCY SITUATIONS FOR DESIGN PROFESSIONALS In emergency situations such as the challenge of COVID-19 and natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes, design firms and those involved in the design and construction industry face many…
Summertime REMINDERS! As the weather gets hotter and the days stay light longer, it’s a fact that mishaps will happen more. Be SAFE out there this summertime! Car accidents: More teenagers are killed in motor-vehicle accidents between Memorial Day and…
PROJECT CERTIFICATION AND CLOSEOUT IN A VIRTUAL COVID WORLD AND AFTER The past few weeks have brought a jarring amount of change. Multiple architecture events have been postponed or canceled. The AIA has indefinitely postponed its annual conference, originally scheduled…
3 Keys to Combat Hackers in Cybercrime Surge Cyber attacks have spiked dramatically since the COVID-19 crisis began, leading to what some are calling a “cybercrime pandemic” as hackers capitalize on vulnerabilities inherent in a newly remote workforce. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation is…
AUTO NO-FAULT REFORM QUICK FACTS The following information is provided on behalf of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. When Does the New Law Take Effect? The law currently requires you to carry unlimited medical coverage to pay…
GIVE BACK, It’s the Holiday Season The holiday season is upon us, and as we bake cookies and decorate the house, it’s important to take some time to give back. How do you give back? You don’t have to be…
Cybersecurity Insurance is the best present! Heather Turner, digital managing editor of NU Property Casualty 360, provides us with 10 digital tips for a secure holiday shopping season. “The advent of the digital age transformed the way we shop — especially for…
Online Shopping – Safe for the Holidays! Let’s face it – online shopping is becoming the way to go! A lot of top stores start to offer incredible Internet-only deals and free shipping during the holidays. Not to mention the…
On the brink of another insurance crisis for drinking water not containing lead? A September article from the Insurance Journal explains this next public health issues and discusses the General Liability insurance and Environmental Liability Insurance: ‘Drinking water: a commodity…
Is your Property Insurance prepared for disasters? Are you? September is National Preparedness Month, is your insurance prepared? Property Casualty360 contributor, Heather Turner, advised: “Recent events have been a sobering reminder at just how destructive hurricanes and storms can be….
Climate Change – Risk to Michigan Properties In the last 30 years, Michigan’s average temperature has increased by less than 2 degrees. However, that’s enough to cause changes that affect Michigan policy holders in negative ways. The GLISA confirms that…
CYBER SECURITY CYBER ATTACKS – are you next? CYBER ATTACKS seem to be happening more and more frequently these days. One reason is because we as individuals and businesses are becoming forever reliable on technology. We love the speed and convenience…
CYBER INSURANCE MARKET UPDATE 2019 By Aubrey Gene | July 09, 2019 at 12:00 PM – Presented by National Underwriter PropertyCasualty360 Historically, buyers of cyber coverage have been large organizations in industries like health care, finance and retail. Makes sense, right? They store…
Fireworks Safety Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades and fireworks. The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home. They may be legal but they are…
The Masterful Modernism of I.M. Pei Spencer Bailey,Alex Scimecca May 19, 2019 I.M. Pei, who died last week in his Manhattan home at age 102, was among the most celebrated architects of the last century, widely praised for his high-profile…
E-Scooter Sharing Programs – Insurance Risks Burns & Wilcox, national insurance broker, published this article regarding expanding use of e-scooters (electric scooters) . They talk about the inherent risk to the e-scooter sharing companies but no mention of the ‘driver’ being…
Earth Day is here – let’s celebrate! “The Earth is what we all have in common.” Recycle – Clean Air – Fight Pollution – Sustainability – Environment – Wildlife – Conservation – Climate – Natural Resources – Ozone Earth Day…
Space Heater Fires – Are You Covered? Travelers Insurance provides helpful information in their safety article, if you have space heaters in your office. If you are renting a building or a suite your Business Liability insurance provides coverage for ‘Damages…
Winter Weather Safety As another winter storm approaches here in Michigan, let’s take a minute to freshen up on a few reminders about being safety through it all. Understand that a ‘wintry mix’ will be different from city to city,…
Architecture Scholarships (taken from the architectsfoundation.org website) You’ve got big plans for your future. A scholarship from the Architects Foundation can help you reach them. Every year, the foundation awards thousands of dollars in architecture scholarships to high school students;…
Growing Marijuana Industry Can Affect Design Professionals Victor O. Schinnerer, leading company in Design Professionals Liability risk management practices, provided their insight into the conflicting laws between federal and state governments which may affect the construction and design industry including…
New Year’s Checklist Happy New Year! Now is a popular time of the year to declare resolutions, plan vacations or try something new. Some of us decide we’re going to eat better and spend more time exercising. We vow to…
Manage Injured Worker Claims Through Additional Insured Status A very informative risk management article from Victor O. Schinnerer relates to having the contractor name the design professional as an Additional Insured under their General Liability coverage. They write “Construction operations…
Adopt-A-Family for Christmas! Professional Underwriters has partnered with Novi Goodfellows, Oak Pointe Church and Novi Youth Assistance to participate in their Adopt-a-Family program. We’ve been proudly donating new toys, clothes and household items to less fortunate families since 2009. Not only does…
Insurance, Active Shooters & Workplace Violence We know that no one really wants to read any more about active shooters especially how it may affect their insurance. However, Insurance and risk management issues become important considerations according to Patricia L. Harman,…
How to Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing Subzero temperatures can cause even interior pipes to freeze. When temperatures plummet, the risk of your pipes freezing and bursting skyrockets. In fact, burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property…
HALLOWEEN SAFETY CHECKLIST Kids love the magic of Halloween: Trick-or-treating, classroom parties and trips to a neighborhood haunted house. But for moms and dads, often there is a fine line between Halloween fun and safety concerns. Here’s a scary statistic:…
a/e ProNet is a network of independent insurance brokers specializing in the professional liability insurance and risk management needs of design professionals. Founded in 1988, the original core goals of a/e ProNet remain the same today: To provide an…
a/e ProNet AIA David W. Lakamp Scholarship Every year a/e ProNet is proud to provide the David W. Lakamp Scholarship to an outstanding and deserving student who aspires to study design or engineering in college. The a/e ProNet…
Employment Practices Liability Insurance High Risk of Testing Applicants According to Travelers Insurance RiskManagement Plus+ Online article it appears another employee practice that should be instituted is careful testing of your applicants to avoid insurance claims. The EEOC sued Ashley…
Not carrying insurance on your vacant commercial building? It could cost you more than just losing the rents. According to Burns & Wilcox, a leading insurance broker, ‘each year, vacant commercial buildings experience more than $500 million in fire…
Summertime Dangers It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt, right? As the weather gets warm and the days stay light longer, it’s a fact that mishaps will happen more. Be SAFE out there this summertime! Car accidents: More teenagers…
SPRING OFFICE MAINTENANCE The milder days of spring are a perfect time to do a thorough spring cleaning and perform building maintenance. After a long winter, it is a good idea to spend time on preventive measures to help maintain…
Online Cyber Risk Index Chubb Insurance Group has used their 20 years of commercial insurance cyber claims data to create an online cyber risk index which shows the threat for cyber losses for companies based on their size and the…
Vacation Safety Tips! Vacations are a time to relax and have fun, but travel can quickly unravel due to unforeseen disruptions; including travel delays, medical emergencies, and crisis situations. There are ways to prepare and prevent any interruption while on…
APRIL 2018 – National Volunteer Month WHY do we volunteer? To give back and lend a helping hand. To make a difference either in someone else’s life or your own. To gain a new skill or build on an existing…
Design Professionals earn your continuing education credits, HSW, AIA approved for 4 learning units. Hear from Jim Case of Kerr Russell and Weber law firm regarding the 2017 changes to the AIA and EJCDC contracts, real life war stories and Sarah Chambers…
Insurance for Cryptocurrency Cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, etc., may be the waive of the future as more and more companies are beginning to accept the products as legitimate currency. Along with this wide acceptance comes the potential for risk…
Agree to Comply? Did you know that your insurance could be compromised if you agreed to comply with all laws, rules, and regulations? As with most design professionals liability insurance there is an exclusion for claims based on or arising out…
Super Bowl Short-Term Home Rental Insurance PHILADELPHIA EAGLES vs. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS is really all that one really cares about when you make the decision to take a trip to Minnesota for the Big Game on February 4th. However, those…
It’s the season for giving! Protecting Your Christmas Gifts After the excitement of Christmas has faded, you should begin to think about protecting those precious gifts you received. A valuable item can take a week,…
GIVING BACK! Professional Underwriters has partnered with Novi Goodfellows, Oak Pointe Church and Novi Youth Assistance to participate in their Adopt-a-Family program. We’ve been proudly donating new toys, clothes and household items to needy families since 2009. Not only does it put…
5 Extra Special Gifts to Give Your Clients This Holiday Season The holiday season will creep up quickly on the unsuspecting small business owner and before you know it, it’s time to start buying and delivering holiday gifts to your…
a/e ProNet Adds Associate Members Effective immediately, a/e ProNet’s members rolls will include Associate Members: invited attorneys who specialize in serving design professionals. Associate Member information: An Associate Member must be an attorney who specializes in providing services to design…
Contractors Professional Liability Insurance Trends Contractors Professional Liability insurance policies are increasing in number. Due to the increase in the proposed spending plan for our infrastructure the insurance coverage provided under this Professional Liability policy is becoming more attractive…
Thanksgiving Day Claims Did you know that cooking-related home insurance claims more than double on Thanksgiving Day? Well – you do now! It’s makes complete sense with all the cooking, baking and frying done to prepare the grand feast for this…
Marketplace – Strong Lineup of Insurance Companies in 2018 The Michigan Department of Insurance announced that consumers will continue to have a robust choice of insurance companies offering health insurance through the Marketplace for the 2018 plan year. According to…
Social Engineering – What is this new phrase you have been hearing about? Social engineering, in the context of information security, refers to psychological manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging confidential information. This is becoming very common and more…
Eclipse Viewers Is insurance necessary for commercial and personal property owners allowing others to view the eclipse? You may want to review the potential liability issues if you said ‘no’. As with any landowner, or if you are renting property,…
Drone Insurance for Commercial Use More and more small businesses are turning to the use of drones these days. Whether it be for photography, surveillance, mapping or filming you better look into getting the right amount of insurance for your…
Fireworks Summer is upon us! We welcome the warm weather to help celebrate our traditions of BBQ’s, parades and fireworks. With Independence Day right around the corner it’s a great time to remind ourselves of the danger of fireworks….
a/e ProNet AIA Scholarship Winners Professional Underwriters, Inc. is a proud member of a select group of specialty agents that form the organization of ae ProNet. We pride ourselves on being the pinnacle agencies of the Design Professionals world. We…
FLOOD INSURANCE Business Property Insurance doesn’t cover it, homeowners insurance doesn’t cover it, renters insurance doesn’t cover it. It’s the time of year where flood insurance could be very important to your wallet. Business Property Insurance doesn’t cover it, homeowners insurance…
Cyber Security At Home If you don’t take a few security and privacy steps, cyber-criminals can break into your home Wi-Fi network and compromise your data. Here are some steps you can take to protect your in home wireless network….
Memorial Day Trivia 1. What war was first associated with Memorial Day? A. WWI B. Civil War C. Vietnam War 2. What year was General Order No. 11 set aside to honor what became known as Memorial Day? A. 1768…
2017: Architects Go Back to School There comes a time where the old school of thought is outdone and outsmarted by the new ideas of today’s youth. We see it in all walks of life and design professionals are no…
NEW CYBER THREAT! Advisen Cyber Insurance reports that a new meme is making the rounds on Facebook and could be a threat to your online security and privacy. A request to list 9 concerts you attended and one a ‘fake’ and…
Easter Egg WARNING! Did you know? Hard boiled eggs left out at room temperature longer than 2 hours should not be eaten – YIKES! My whole life we’d color eggs Easter morning then proudly display them as an edible decoration…
Technology is continually changing the way design firms provide services to their clients. One of the advancements that has had an immediate impact on the industry is the commercial use of drones. Due to the massive increase in commercial drone…
Employment Practices Liability Trends Among Small Businesses Statistically businesses are more likely to have an Employment Practices Liability (EPL) claim then a General Liability or property claim. Additionally, approximately 40% of EPL claims are against companies with less than 100…
CYBER SECURITY and SENSITIVE DATA Unfortunately, the likelihood of a cyber attack on your business is no longer an “if” but a “when” scenario. Most, if not all, businesses use technology to varying degrees of severity in their everyday operations….
Sinkholes It’s probably not something you think could ever happen to you; the ground suddenly opens up and swallows your home and the posessions within. With the recent news about just that happening in the metro Detroit area, you may…
Happy New Year! Now is a popular time of the year to declare resolutions, plan vacations or try something new. Some of us decide we’re going to eat better and spend more time exercising. We vow to spend more time…
Holiday Claims This time of year if for celebrating with family and friends. What is often overlooked is the potential for accidents and negligence during the Holiday Season. Most of us will join together with our family and indulge in…
‘Tis the season for online shopping! A lot of top stores start to offer incredible Internet-only deals and free shipping during the holidays. Not to mention the shipping is quite fast and they make returns pretty hassle-free. And let’s face…
Stucky Vitale Architects, Inc. Celebrating 50 Years- We are happy to share in the celebration of our insureds success of providing architectural services for the past 50 years. Stucky Vitale has established a reputation for excellence and leadership in the…
CYBER ATTACKS – are you next? CYBER ATTACKS seem to be happening more and more frequently these days. One reason is because we as individuals and businesses are becoming forever reliable on technology. We love the speed and convenience of it…
Does my insurance carrier cover a pot shop design exposure? With Colorado and Oregon passing the law to allow for recreational pot shops this question has come up more frequently. Nine States have the recreational marijuana legalization on the ballot,…
Cyber Insurance – Hijacked video recorders ATTACK Advisen Front Page News from CRC Swett, insurance broker, reported “attackers used an army of hijacked security cameras and video recorders to launch several massive internet attacks last week, prompting fresh concern about…
Have you thought about, or already began, using drones in your day to day business? If so, you are going to want to look into aviation liability insurance. The most important stipulation for getting good drone insurance is that…
Denver City Council approves affordable housing fund. Currently, Denver is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. The large growth in the city has caused a housing shortage and an increase in the cost of rent. So the…
Protected Bicycle Lanes Protected bicycle lanes have been popping up everywhere! And this Thursday, 9/22 you can weigh in on the discussion for the proposed protected bicycle lanes along Michigan Avenue in Detroit. Bicycling to work, to school, to the store…
Data Breaches on the Rise The recent Panama Papers leak is by far the biggest data breach in history. The leak further underlines the need for businesses to carry cyber insurance. Data breaches and cyber attacks are on the rise,…
Insuring the 2016 Olympics How do you do that? And what insurance companies are going to take on that kind of risk? Aside from the obvious health concerns of the Zika virus and unclean water, along with safety advisories against…
ACEC Awards First a/e ProNet Engineering Scholarship Winner a/e ProNet is an organization of insurance brokers that specialize in the servicing of design professional firms. Lauren Grimley was awarded by the ACEC a/e Pronet’s first engineering scholarship. Lauren is…
One of the most frequently asked questions a personal auto insurance service representative receives is – do I need to purchase the insurance from the rental company when I’m renting a car? The short answer is – yes. Whether or…
How Does FMLA affect your office? When it comes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) there are many questions. Both employers and employees must be concerned with the effects of FMLA on a business. The FMLA provides some…
Social Hosting Liability Spring is the time of year to host a party to celebrate the accomplishments of our children graduating school! This is a very special and exciting time for your family. Your to-do list is long; full of just…
Video Games and Architecture I continue to ask my 12 1/2 year old son that cliche question “What do you want to be?” and I get the same shoulder shrug every time! How does he NOT know?! I knew by…
Does the spring weather have you guessing as to what you are going to do this weekend? Is it going to be 2-24 inches of snow or just rain? You got to love our Colorado Spring weather it always keeps…
Commuter Train to Denver International Airport (DIA) will be here soon! April 22nd the commuter train will begin taking passengers to DIA. CBS Denver reports that the train is almost ready for departure and gives an inside look at the…
Seminar 2016 Professional Liability Last week at our seminars in Grand Rapids, MI and Troy, MI we had an ASTOUNDING 70 firms join us!! Every year we are completely amazed and humbled by the incredible turnout. Our knowledgeable speakers…
Cyber Liability Frequently asked questions How is my company at risk? Hackers can gain access to your system through compromised wifi networks or lost/stolen laptops and cell phones. Phishing or social engineering attacks, via email, that direct you to a…
Drones – Should Architects/Engineers Use Them? Aren’t drones just a toy? Not anymore, they are no longer toys—they are true drone aircraft in the FAA’s eyes and cannot be flown without a certificate of authorization or special airworthiness certificate. Until now,…
Denver, Colorado ranked the #1 place to live by US News & World Report. http://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/press-room/2016/03/02/us-news-launches-the-best-places-to-live-rankings If you are from Colorado or currently live here this is not difficult to believe. Denver has fairly mild winters, four seasons and a plethora…
Under Gov. Rick Snyder’s 2017 budget, the cost to look up someone’s driving record is going up 38%. The change being applied in the 2017 budget, the cost of a driver record look-up will increase to $11 from $8 on October 1st….
Continuing Education Credits can be earned at our upcoming seminar – Professional Liability for Design Professionals. This seminar is registered with AIA/CES! Click HERE to REGISTER TODAY! GRAND RAPIDS, MI – March 16th TROY, MI – March 17th Mark your…
Were you one of the many that made a New Year’s resolution this year? Trends show that by the third week in January most people have tossed those right out the window! We all have the same good intentions or…
Do you operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/Drones in business? If the answer is yes you made need to purchase a separate liability policy. Your business owners or general liability policy that you have may have an exclusion for aircraft. If…
Used Christmas Cards – WANTED! Yes, you heard right. Not just Christmas cards, but all occasion cards are wanted – birthday, thank you, sympathy, any holiday! Although many of us chose to send an ecard or photo postcard this holiday…
GIVING BACK! Professional Underwriters has partnered with the Lighthouse of Oakland County to participate in their Holiday Adopt a Family Program. We’ve been proudly donating new toys, clothes and household items to needy families since 2009. Not only does it…
Click here to see some of the design trends for 2015. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2016!
Denver, CO The much anticipated Westin Hotel is now open at Denver International Airport (DIA). Here are some interesting facts about the new hotel. Our client, AndersonMasonDale Architects, is one of the local design firms that worked on this beautiful…
AIA Awards We are happy to announce that one of our insured’s has won an AIA Award for a project in Bow Mar, CO. Click here to see this beautiful home. Congratulations to Nest Architectural!
Recent state-wide bond / override initiatives may not be a source of exhilaration for local Architects and Engineers, so a longer-term economic outlook may be required to generate more enthusiasm. In Tucson / Pima County, seven (7) propositions covering 100…