Best's Review Examines the Insurance Liabilities of Office Romances.

OLDWICK, N.J. -- Failed office romances can lead to more than hard feelings; they can also trigger insurance claims. In its August issue, Best's Review magazine's cover story, "Love, Labor, Losses," reports how claims involving office romances are difficult to prove but can ultimately be costly for insurers.

If a supervisor is involved with a subordinate, the severity of the claim goes up as does the payout, said Melissa Mattioli, employment practices liability vice president for Liberty International Underwriters.

A failed relationship alone would typically not be enough to trigger coverage. Claims made under an employment practices liability policy must result from some sort of wrongful employment act that is tantamount to employment discrimination, harassment, a hostile workplace or some retaliatory action, said Catherine Padalino, vice president and employment practices liability product manager for Chubb.

"Love, Labor, Losses" also provides insight into one of the latest office romance loss mitigation methods--love contracts. Experts detail the legal parameters and pitfalls of instituting the contracts and how state laws may prohibit them. The August feature also contains a list of steps to take to achieve legally compliant employment practices. Senior Associate Editor Al Slavin also offers his insights on the article via video available on www.bestreview.com.

The August issue also contains Best's Review's special Captive Domiciles and Services Issues & Answers section featuring interviews with Joel Chansky of Milliman and Brian First of SPARTA Insurance Holdings Inc.

Both interviews can be downloaded at www.bestreview.com/captives09.html.

August's Other Highlights:

* "Sea Change" explains how tight capital and volatile equity markets will influence the negotiations at Les Rendez-Vous de Septembre.

* "Benefit Performance" answers the question: have variable annuities' lifetime withdrawal guarantees become too expensive for insurers?

* It's finally here, insurers are using mobile devices for marketing and advertising-- check out how in "On the Go."

Best's Review is published by the A.M. Best Co., for insurance professionals, including home office executives, agents, brokers and others who are affiliated with the industry, such as bankers, lawyers and educators.

To read these articles and more, subscribe to Best's Review by visiting our Web site at www.bestreview.com, calling the A.M. Best customer service department at [phone], ext. 5742, or e-mailing your request to [e-mail].

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.