Ed Eshoo is a master of the statutory standard fire insurance policy. When I am involved with a complex issue involving statutory policy language versus issued policy language, I collegially call my Chicago-based friend for his thoughts. Three years ago, in Insurance Agent Versus Experienced Policyholder Attorney Viewpoints About Insurance Coverage Denials, I wrote:
Continue Reading Michigan Appraisals and Standard Fire Policies
This morning’s post, Chip Merlin to Speak About the Hottest Topics and Fastest Trends Regarding Appraisal of Property Insurance Claims Next Monday Afternoon in the Motor City, may leave some readers wondering about Michigan insurance law regarding appraisal. A quick search of this blog shows It has been a decade since we posted, Michigan Court, Inspired by Florida Case, Rules in Favor of Policyholder and Approves Public Adjuster in Appraisal Matter, Part II, on Michigan insurance appraisals.
Continue Reading Michigan Appraisal Law Is Impacted by the Standard Fire Policy
Michigan does not allow an action by a policyholder against a wrongful acting insurer’s failure to act in good faith. This has long been the law in Michigan, as noted in the fire damage case of Casey v Auto-Owners Insurance Company.1
Continue Reading Michigan Does Not Recognize First-Party Bad Faith
Insurance applications are extremely important. An otherwise covered claim can be denied because of an application error. A recent case1 quoted Michigan law about misrepresentation in the application of a property insurance policy:
Continue Reading What is the Michigan Law on Misrepresentation in the Application for Property Insurance? Can a Wrong Answer About Taxes Void the Policy?
The goal of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is to ensure that “[a]ll Michigan consumers. . . have access to insurance . . . provided by companies that treat them fairly.”1 DIFS’s Office of Consumer Services helps achieve this goal by investigating consumer complaints of wrongdoing by insurance companies, agencies, and agents. If you think your claim has been delayed, unfairly denied, or otherwise poorly handled, you can file a complaint with DIFS requesting an investigation
Continue Reading How to File a Complaint with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services
I recently received an inquiry from a public adjuster about the validity of anti-assignment provisions in insurance policies in Michigan. As it appears Michigan was not covered in a previous Blog Series about assignment of benefits; this post follows.
Continue Reading Assignment of Benefits: Michigan
Prompt-pay laws are important to a policyholder’s rights to recover insurance benefits following a wrongful denial or delay in payment of a property damage claim. Prompt-pay laws vary from state to state. The implementation of statutory prompt-pay laws is critical to a policyholder’s recovery following a devastating loss.
Continue Reading Statutory Interest Series: Michigan
The Michigan Director of Insurance recently issued the following bulletin:
MICHIGAN INSURANCE BULLETINS AND RELATED MATERIALS
BULLETINS
Bulletin 2019-07-INS
April 17, 2019
FROM: Anita G. Fox
Director Of Insurance
DATE: April 17, 2019
RE: RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC ADJUSTER CONTRACT
This bulletin supersedes Bulletin 2018-22-INS, dated November 20, 2018.
The Director has approved a new residential public adjuster contract. The effective date of the new contract is May 15, 2019. All licensed public adjusters must begin using the new contract on that date; and must file the new contract with DIFS no later than June 30, 2019.
Continue Reading Interesting Public Adjuster Contract Required By Michigan Director of Insurance
Michigan policyholders are entitled to timely payment of property insurance benefits. Many insurers take extraordinary measures to delay, deny, and underpay claims leaving policyholders in vulnerable positions. An insurance company’s statutory responsibility to pay interest on delayed claim payments incentivizes insurers to promptly settle viable property insurance claims.
Continue Reading Statutory Interest Series: Michigan
While I am a Florida native and reside in Florida now, I spent 3 years living in Lansing, Michigan, when I attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
This week I will discuss calculating actual cash value in Michigan.
Continue Reading Calculating Actual Cash Value, Part 6: Michigan