It is no secret that there are problems with the appraisal process. The ever-growing issues with appraisal include, but certainly are not limited to, exorbitant expenses pushed onto policyholders and insurance companies, gamesmanship, and the never-ending questions of: When is appraisal appropriate What can be addressed and assessed within appraisal, and Whether a policyholder’s claims … Continue Reading
As Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano continues to erupt, homeowners and businesses face an ongoing threat to their properties. In addition to potential property damage, businesses also have the risk of their business operations being interrupted as the result of loss to their property.… Continue Reading
There must be a lot of matching disputes out there because I have received two questions this week alone on matching issues in various jurisdictions. So, for today’s blog I will discuss matching in Ohio—The Buckeye State.… Continue Reading
The Arizona Court of Appeals in a recent opinion said, Yes to both. In Farmers Insurance Exchange v. Udall,1 four homeowners insured by Farmers Insurance Exchange (“Farmers”) sustained separate losses, which required water damage mitigation and restoration services. The homeowners hired a vendor to perform the mitigation and restoration services. In each case, the insureds … Continue Reading
As discussed in a previous post, Colorado allows policyholders—even repair vendors such as contractors or roofers where there has been an assignment of insurance benefits—to bring a cause of action for bad faith where an insurance company unreasonably delays or denies the payment of covered insurance benefits.1… Continue Reading
This past week, I had the pleasure of attending the Florida Association of Public Adjusters (“FAPIA”) conference in Ft. Myers, Florida. FAPIA President, Jimmy Farach did a wonderful job spearheading the event, along with the help of Nancy Dominguez and many others. They also did a great job selecting the venue; the Sanibel Harbour Marriott … Continue Reading
In a June 7, 2018, FEMA bulletin, W-18013, FEMA discusses several claims process enhancements and claims handling reminders that apply to all claims with a date of loss of June 7, 2018 through December 31, 2018. The enhancements to the NFIP’s claim process are in response to the widespread flooding that occurred in 2017.… Continue Reading
More states across the country are implementing legislation allowing for the legal use of cannabis. Currently 23 States and the District of Columbia allow for medical use with four of the states and D.C. also allowing recreational use. The conflicts between state and federal law have left businesses uninsured and often without access to bank … Continue Reading
Now that we are in June, Atlantic hurricane season is officially upon us. I write this while sitting in our Houston office that was closed less ten months ago following Hurricane Harvey’s devastation. Many homes and businesses are still damaged and Houston continues to feel the effects of Harvey. However, let’s take a moment to … Continue Reading
Last year I wrote a blogpost about the large class action lawsuit in Connecticut centered on the crumbling foundations due to pyrrhotite in the concrete poured by the J.J. Mottes Company in approximately 20,000 buildings across Connecticut.… Continue Reading
Last November in my blogpost, Does the Standard Fire Policy Vacancy/Unoccupancy Condition Apply to a Fire Loss Occurring within Sixty Days of the Inception of Coverage, I discussed how courts have measured vacancy/unoccupancy when a loss occurs within sixty days of the inception of coverage; but, the insured property had been vacant or unoccupied for … Continue Reading
Certain types of water damage are likely to fall under a water exclusion clause such as damage caused by flood, tsunami, standing water, groundwater and drain or sewage backup. Despite these categories, disputes often arise whether damages caused by water are covered under the standard homeowner’s policy. The type of water damage that may be … Continue Reading
Last week, Jason Cieri and I presented our second CLE course on Broadway in New York City: Frequently Debated First-Party Property Insurance Issues.… Continue Reading
Recognizing the public policy implications of an unsettled, recurring coverage issue involving crumbling concrete foundations in thousands of Connecticut homes, U.S. District Court Judge Stefan Underhill recently certified the following insurance coverage question to the Supreme Court of Connecticut: What constitutes a “substantial impairment of structural integrity” for purposes of applying the “collapse” provision of … Continue Reading
Since Superstorm Sandy, many of our New Jersey condominium associations clients and others are working closely with their brokers these days to review the terms of attachment for their excess insurance coverage policies. The current trend we see in the trigger language for excess insurance policies is designed to circumvent the established majority rule1 first … Continue Reading
The current volcanic activity in Hawaii is sure to have many homeowners wondering if they are covered by their homeowner insurance policy in the event of a volcanic eruption. Like hurricanes and tornados, volcanos are a peril that certain areas are subjected to. Volcanic eruptions are powerful, destructive, and often unpredictable. Although there is little … Continue Reading
Hurricane season has begun early this year, with the first named storm of the season, Alberto, making its appearance just days before the official season start date, which is June 1st. Tropical Storm Alberto is headed for the Gulf Coast and is expected to bring tropical storm conditions, including flooding rains, coastal storm surges, and … Continue Reading
Overhead and Profit can generate a lot of debate when insurance company adjusters are looking to meet their adjustment severity goals and lower claims payments. But have you ever wondered how those same insurers instruct their sales people to calculate overhead and profit when they are calculating the premiums that they charge their customers for … Continue Reading
The Sunflower State, Kansas, is also known for the many natural disaster events such as tornados, hail, flood, and thunderstorm winds. It is important that Kansas property owners be prepared and properly insured against the threat of these natural disasters that can sometimes arrive unexpectedly.… Continue Reading
An interesting ruling just took place in Georgia in the case, Southern Trust Insurance Company v. Cravey.1 In Southern Trust, the issue arose whether an insured was a third-party beneficiary under a homeowners insurance policy he did not obtain on his own behalf, know of, or make any payments toward.… Continue Reading
I recently came across an interesting opinion, Fuller v. Mercury Insurance Company of Georgia,1 where the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals discussed the effect of a guilty plea on a policyholder’s civil action against their insurance carrier. The opinion stemmed from a residential fire loss and the insured’s subsequent claim for benefits under her homeowner’s … Continue Reading
TWIA (short for Texas Windstorm Insurance Association), frequently referred to as the Texas windstorm insurance carrier of last resort, just can’t seem to get this insurance claims handling thing right. A conclusion quite alarming considering that insurance claims handling is one of the primary functions of its business. At this point many are left wondering … Continue Reading
Accord and satisfaction are legal terms frequently used in insurance contract dispute and often included in any insurance carrier’s Answer and Affirmative Defenses to any complaint filed. An agreement (accord) between two contracting parties to accept alternate performance to discharge a preexisting duty between them and the subsequent performance (satisfaction) of that agreement.… Continue Reading
