A question of conscience.

Several months ago, as the controversy over the use of the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange for underwriting homeowners insurance was gathering steam, I proposed an article on the debate to the Best's Review editorial board. Senior Editor Brendan Noonan, who has covered insurance news for more than a decade, pointed out that although the CLUE issue was significant, it was only a recent offshoot of a much larger concern that insurers and regulators have wrestled with since insurance began: how to balance insurance companies' need to make a profit with their responsibility to meet society's need for protection.

The seriousness and pervasiveness of the question begged for a modern interpretation, which we immediately set out to find and present as a "Big Picture" in-depth reporting feature. The result is this month's cover story, "Doing the Right Thing," (page 20).

Our plan for exploring the question was to bring together industry leaders representing consumers, insurance companies, regulators and industrywide organizations and encourage them to hammer out the details and conflicts of the dilemma. They needed no encouragement. The eagerness of the invitees to participate in the roundtable and the fact that one question (we had several prepared) stimulated discussion for an hour and a half indicate how controversial this issue is.

"Doing the Right Thing" is exciting reading, which we hope will stimulate many other discussions and maybe the beginning of some solutions.

Magazine of Distinction

Once again, Best's Review has been honored with Awards of Excellence from the American Society of Business Publication Editors. In the 2002 competition, Best's Review was one of 10 finalists for national Magazine of the Year and received the following East Coast Regional awards:

* Silver award for news section: "Briefing," May 2002

* Bronze award for front-cover illustration: December 2002, designed by Karen McNamara

* Bronze award for information graphics: December 2002

Sally Whitney is editor. You may reach her at [phone], Ext. 5340, by writing to A.M. Best Co., Ambest Road, Oldwick, NJ 08858, or by e-mail at [e-mail]. The e-mail address for Best's Review is [e-mail].