SCHAUMBURG, Ill.- Zurich North America, a commercial property-casualty, health and accident insurance provider, is offering a new coverage under its Excess & Surplus Group for expenses related to product recalls. The product recall expense coverage is designed for small to mid-sized manufacturers, distributors and retailers of consumer, industrial and commercial products for a variety of industries. The coverage offers repayment of expenses directly related to the costs of recalling a product for several reasons including the possibility of imminent bodily injury or property damage as a result of accidental defects caused by ingredients; the manufacturing process; design or raw material; and malicious or intentional product tampering. The coverage is applicable to insureds whether or not the recall is mandated by a governmental agency. As an added value, the policy also offers insureds access to a crisis communications firm to guide and assist them through the product recall. "Product recalls are becoming a regular occurrence in every industry, and they pose a significant liability for a company's balance sheet," said Janet Jordan-Foster, executive vice president of the E&S Group at Zurich North America. "Our experience with product liability claims has convinced us that the magnitude of the problem is growing and there is a real need for a product that can mitigate the financial disruption caused by the recalls." With limits of $5 million, the coverage excludes aircraft, auto, chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers or distributors.