In a recent decision by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, a federal judge issued an order denying the property owner’s request for appraisal, holding that the insurance policy’s appraisal provision is “limited to disputes over valuation, not causation or coverage.”1
Continue Reading Wisconsin Federal Court Limits Appraisal to Valuation Only
Merlin Law Group attorneys Chris Mammel and Tamara Chen-See won an appraisal case pending before the 10th Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.1 The court ruled that the factual determination of damage to brick siding caused by a hailstorm is a factual matter for appraisal and not a coverage issue. The ruling was similar to the recent Connecticut Supreme Court holding involving matching noted in Matching is a Factual Determination and Can Be Resolved by Appraisal.
Continue Reading Insurers Cannot Escape Appraisal Arguing Factual Determinations of Damage Create Coverage Issues
Causation can be determined by an appraisal panel in Minnesota. The controversy involved a hailstorm where the insurance company denied that any damage was caused by the hailstorm. The insurance company refused to go to appraisal and filed a lawsuit seeking a declaration of no coverage. The policyholder countersued seeking the court to compel appraisal to determine the amount of damage caused by the hailstorm.
Continue Reading Causation Can Be Determined in Minnesota Appraisals
The Rocky Mountain Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (RMAPIA) had a great meeting with a candid and positive discussion of current insurance issues being faced by the Colorado Division of Insurance. The photo above is Merlin Law Group attorney Larry Bache asking Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway.1
Continue Reading What is the Appraisal Process in Arizona?
Who has the burden of proof in a typical all-risk insurance policy which is now often referred to as an “open perils” policy? What does a policyholder typically have to prove to make a claim for property damage? These are fairly basic questions with answers that can become confusing when the burdens switch.
Continue Reading Who Has the Burden to Prove the Cause of Property Damage? Those Burdens of Proof Can Switch!
Merlin Law Group attorneys Jon Bukowski, Larry Bache, Corey Harris, and Ashley Harris won a before the Federal 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which held today that causation can be determined in Colorado appraisals.
I would like to give special recognition to Shane Smith who helped write the briefs and contributed to
Hurricane Laura certainly caused significant damage. Insurance claim differences of opinion about these damages and their value may be resolved through appraisal.
Continue Reading Louisiana Appraisals with Causation Determinations May Still End Up in Litigation as Coverage Issues
Hurricane Sally appears headed to the Mississippi Sound and Louisiana. Adjusters already working Hurricane Laura claims will be shifting efforts to Hurricane Sally. While there is legal authority suggesting that causation can be determined in Louisiana appraisals,1 Mississippi has long held that causation issues will not be allowed in appraisal and that a lawsuit will have to determine those issues.2
Continue Reading Mississippi Does Not Allow Causation to Be Determined In Appraisal
Tennessee is a beautiful state. The powers that be even gave me a license to ply my trade in the Volunteer State. I was recently researching whether causation can be determined by an appraisal panel in Tennessee.
Continue Reading Causation in Appraisal—What is The Causation Rule in Tennessee Appraisals?
Texas has a lot of insurance claims decided by appraisal. Maybe the appraiser for one insured should have gone to Steve Patrick’s appraisal class because the umpire and insurer’s appraiser came to a zero award, which was upheld on appeal.
Continue Reading Texas Appraisal Allows Determination of Causation and Upholds Zero Award