Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company

By Carolyn Casey, Litigation Claims Manager The insurance industry continues to navigate an increasingly challenging claims environment. Across commercial auto, general liability and property exposures, claim severity is rising and so are the costs associated with resolving losses. One of the most significant trends shaping the market today is the rise of jury awards and settlements exceeding $10 million, commonly referred to as nuclear verdicts.

PHILADELPHIA — Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company (PLM), the largest mutual insurer dedicated to wood-related businesses, today announces that Courtney Flanagan has joined the organization as vice president of claims. A seasoned veteran of the insurance industry, Flanagan will oversee the company’s claims operations and strategy.

Our Claims Management team is growing, and we’re excited to introduce some new faces who help support our customers’ needs every step of the way. Learn a bit more about Casualty Claims Manager Kristine Schimdt, Litigation Manager Carolyn Casey and Assistant Vice President of Claims Ray Rogers below. We want to make sure you know exactly who to contact with any claims questions.

By Lindsey DiGangi, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer In the lumber and building materials industry, a key risk to your organization is your succession plan. Too often it is common to hear owners nearing retirement without a clear plan for who will take over the business. The lumber and building materials industry, much like insurance, is built on relationships.

By BJ Gardner, Assistant Vice President of Information Technology Gone are the days when lumber business owners primarily managed their data in-house. Today, cloud platforms and software tools have blurred the boundaries of who can access a business’s sensitive information resulting in not just third-, but fourth- and fifth-party cyber risk exposures.

By Carolyn Casey, Litigation Claims Manager Construction defect claims have become more common and complex across the lumber and building materials industry in the past year due to a combination of industry growth, project complexity, labor shortages, shifting litigation trends and other factors, leading to significant financial losses and operational disruption.

By Steve Firko, President Before delving into an overview of our operating results, I wanted to comment on how exciting it is to be a Philadelphia-based mutual insurance company while the country is celebrating its 250th anniversary. As the cradle of liberty and birthplace of our nation, Philadelphia will host an exciting series of celebrations leading up to July 4th.

By Sean Briscoe, Vice President – Loss Control The 2026 hurricane season predications may be calling for milder activity, but all it takes is one serious storm and insufficient preparation from a business owner to shutter a lumber organization’s doors. While the overall number of predicted hurricanes may be less than in years past, the threat of property damage and long-term business interruption remain due to the increased severity of storms.

PLM is pleased to announce dividend payouts for participating members of both the NAWLA Safety Group Dividend Plan and the LBM Advantage Safety Group Dividend Plan for the 2025 plan year.