Commercial Property Coverage Guide, 7th Edition

The insurance world in general and the National Underwriter Company in particular have lost a colleague and a friend. Don Malecki passed away on Friday, December 12th.

Don was a recognized insurance and risk management expert who spent over fifty years in the business as a writer, consultant, and expert witness. Don began his career as a fire underwriter and later as a supervising casualty underwriter. He began his writing career when he joined the staff of the Fire, Casualty, and Surety (FC&S) Bulletins, the National Underwriter Company, in 1966. Don left the National Underwriter Company in 1984 to start his own consulting practice, a practice in which he contributed his every working hour toward understanding the insurance business, and sharing that understanding and knowledge with all those seeking his guidance. Don was a recognized expert witness who was called upon numerous times over his career to testify in courts around the country as to the history and meaning of insurance policy language. Don was also an author and co-author of many books on insurance and risk management. He was past president of the Cincinnati Chapter of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) and a member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants.

It is safe to say that Don Malecki was a giant in the insurance industry, a man who dedicated his life's work to learning and teaching about insurance coverage and risk management. Don will be greatly missed by those who benefitted in the past and still benefit now from his sharing of his time and knowledge, and he will be especially missed by those who knew him and worked with him. God Bless.

Dr. George E. Krauss, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, ARM is President of The Magellan Group, Inc., a risk management and consulting firm located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Krauss holds a B.S.B.A. from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a M.Ed. and D.Ed. in adult education from The Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. His insurance career includes a wide range of positions at both agencies and companies with experience in the sales, marketing, underwriting, and claim fields. Dr. Krauss holds the professional designations of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) from The Institutes and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations from The American College. He is a former board member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals (SFSP), former board member of the Pittsburgh Life Underwriters Association (NAIFA), past president of the Allegheny Chapter CPCU Society, and former National Governor of the East Central Region of the CPCU Society.

In addition to his academic background, Dr. Krauss is an active member of the insurance educational community. He is a frequent instructor at various colleges and insurance education associations. He has also acted as an expert witness and consultant in over 300 legal cases involving various aspects of insurance agent, broker, and insurance company practices as well as policy interpretation. He has authored numerous insurance reference manuals including Homeowners Analysis, Personal Auto Analysis, Dwelling Policy and Personal Umbrella Policy, and the Businessowners Policy Coverage Guide. In addition, his property and casualty, life, accident and health, and public adjusting study manuals are among the most widely used sources of producer and adjuster licensing preparation in Pennsylvania.