Insurance agents and brokers are under constant scrutiny for their errors and omissions; this scrutiny often results in questions regarding agents’ performance. Among these questions: What standard of care should clients reasonably expect from their agent or broker? What insurance customs and practices should apply to a given set of circumstances? Who said what – and when, and where? How were insurance transactions documented?
While most litigation in this area is associated with commercial lines, allegations involving Personal Auto, Homeowners and Umbrella account for perhaps 1 in 5 claims. Allegations of Insurance Agent Errors & Omissions generally originate from two sources:
Many agents consistently provide competent advice and service and are thus rarely accused of professional Errors & Omissions. Even then, sound job performance does not render them immune to such allegations. We assist attorneys defending agents who indeed met reasonable standards of care, but nevertheless are facing Errors & Omissions allegations. (For example, a client may decline coverage recommended by an agent, yet later file suit when claims are not covered.)
Conversely, some agents do not provide policyholder service within reasonable standards of care. As both an agent and an expert, Mr. Daniel has seen numerous cases involving abject professional negligence and/or outright fraud, resulting in dire financial consequences for a client. Our experience can help you analyze your particular case to determine whether an insurance agent (or agency), met or failed to meet reasonable standards of care.
We welcome a call to discuss your specific case issues: 817.980.4897.
Agent Errors And Omissions Expert Witness Cases
Cases are listed only after we are disclosed as an Insurance Expert to opposing counsel.
June 2011 – Engaged by carrier’s defense counsel as their Workers Compensation expert. Carrier and third party administrator were enjoined in litigation between policyholder and agent following a fatality injury to an out of state employee. Case involved allegations of Agent Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith relative to “Other States Insurance”, construction agreements and Certificates of Insurance. Factory Sales and Engineering v. Ellsworth Corporation, et al; Docket No. 2007-15870 Division “D”, 22nd Judicial District Court for the State of Louisiana, Parish of St. Tammany. Attorneys for carrier Heather Blackburn & Janice Unland, Rabalais, Unland, & Lorio, (985) 893-9900
April 2011 – Retained by policyholder counsel as their Property Insurance Expert to examine Agents Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith issues. Assignment required expertise with coinsurance penalties applied to claims under a Surplus Lines policy written on a Functional Replacement Cost basis and allegations of failure to disclose material facts. Oklahoma & Texas Panhandle Compress v. Aycock & Fowler Insurance Agency; Cause No. 2010-552,281; In The 72nd Judicial District, Lubbock County, Texas. Attorney Brad Parker, Parker McDonald, P.C., (817) 503-9200.
March 2011 – Designated as Agents Errors & Omissions, Insurance Bad Faith and Property Insurance Expert to evaluate policy renewal and claims handling practices. The dispute involved windstorm claims from Hurricane Ike and aspects of failure to disclose Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value. Woodforest Baptist Church v. Scottsdale Insurance Co., et al, No. 2009-37563 in District Court, 157th Judicial District of Harris County, Texas. Attorney for insured Mark Beausoleil, (936) 336-6275.
February 2011 – Engaged by policyholder’s counsel seeking coverage for construction defect claims. Case involved aspects of Agent Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith resulting from placement of Commercial General Liability and Products Liability Insurance coverage. Central to the dispute were allegations against the agent of failure to disclose material facts. Sanderson v. JDW Insurance, Cause No. 2009-3145, 120th Judicial District Court, El Paso County, Texas.. Attorney Jim Martinez, James A. Martinez, P.L.L.C. (317) 637-0700.
November 2010 – Designated by policyholder counsel as their Agent Errors & Omissions and Flood Insurance expert. Case involved NFIP policies issued using non-FEMA flood zone maps and adverse consequences to policyholder. Hometex v.. James Hooten and McMullan Insurance Agency; Cause No. BA-CV-05-0012; In the 216th Judicial District Court of Bandera County, Texas. Attorney Charles Japhet, (210) 775-1881.
August 2010 - Engaged by contractor's attorney to analyze contractual liability claim denial under Products Liability Insurance. Case involves Agents Errors & Omissions, Surplus Lines, Commercial General Liability, and aspects of Insurance Bad Faith resulting from questionable Certificates of Insurance. Cause No. 2009-65915; High Tech Plumbing v. Colony Insurance Company, et al. In the 127th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Attorney Kelly Prather, Greenwood Prather Law Firm, (713) 333-3200.
June 2010 – Engaged by policyholder’s counsel to provide analysis and testimony regarding Personal Auto and Agent Standard of Care. Case included failure to procure insurance issues. Garza v. U.S. Auto Insurance Services, Inc., et al; Cause No. 2007-CI-00169; Bexar County, TX. Counsel for plaintiff, Richard Silvas, The Silvas Law firm, San Antonio, TX (210)680-2800.
May 2010 - Engaged as a Property Insurance Expert by policyholder seeking coverage for Hurricane Ike builders risk claims. Case included allegations of Insurance Agent Error & Omission and carrier Insurance Bad Faith. Case required expertise with construction agreements relative to ordinance and law coverage, large Wind and Hail deductibles, and Business Income soft costs under Inland Marine builders risk policies. Attorney Windell Snow (316) 263-5959; Construction Services Bryant v. Cincinnati Insurance Company, Case No. 09 CV 3137 in the Eighteenth Judicial District Court, Sedgwick County, Kansas, Civil Department
May 2010 – Designated by defense counsel as their Flood Insurance and Agent’s Errors & Omissions expert. Litigation involved Hurricane Ike flood claim disputes. Pleadings included allegations against the agent of Insurance Bad Faith and failure to procure Business Income. Attorneys Aaron Rankin & Brendan Cook, Baker & McKenzie , (713) 427-5000. South Coast Cement v. Willis of Texas, et al; Cause No. 60,687 in County Court at Law Number 1, Galveston County, Texas.
May 2010 – Designated as policyholder’s expert for Property Insurance, Business Income, and Agent’s Errors & Omissions. Case issues included building & contents valuations and Ordinance or Law coverage following a total fire loss in Metairie, LA. Cardinale v. Goza, et al; Civil Action No. 09-4181 in United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, Judge Section “N”, Magistrate 4. Attorney Greg Dupuy, Dupuy & Dupuy Attorneys (504) 831-4833.
March 2010 - Engaged by defense counsel as their Agent Errors & Omissions and Homeowners Insurance expert. Case involved a fire loss to a vacant home in Dallas, TX due to grass fire started by neighbor. Attorneys David Woodward and Stacy Hoffman (214) 220-5203, Cobb Martinez & Woodward. Greene v. Farmers Insurance, et al; Cause No. 08-11723-G, 134th Judicial District Court, Dallas County , Texas.
February 2010 - Designated by policyholder counsel as their
Agents Errors & Omissions,
Insurance Bad Faith and
Property Insurance Expert. Engagement required expertise with blanket insurance, coinsurance vs.Agreed Value,
Business Income,
Wet Marine Insurance, and
Surplus Lines custom & practice. Claim dispute followed after multi-million dollar flood damage to the largest marina on Lake Texoma. Lake Texoma Highport, LLC v. Lloyd’s of London, et al; Civil Action No. 4:08cv285; In The United States District Court For The Eastern District Of Texas, Sherman Division. Attorney
Bart Higgins - Shields, Britton, Frazier (972) 788-2040
February 2010 - Engaged by policyholder counsel to provide analysis and testimony regarding Commercial Auto and Agent Standard of Care in structuring Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. Case also included technical coverage issues involving Personal Auto. Creative Young Minds, et al v. Hibbs Hallmark; Cause No. 048-23087-09 in 48th Judicial District Court, Tarrant County, Texas. Attorney Greg Clift, Clouse Dunn Khoshbin LLP (214) 220-3888.
February 2010 - Retained by defense counsel for insurance agency as Agent Errors & Omissions, Homeowners and Flood Insurance expert. Case required expertise as to the effect revised FEMA flood zone maps have on available coverage. Seale v. Lyons Insurance Agency, No.: 2007-6427, 14th Judicial District Court, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. Attorney David Calogero, Davidson Meaux Attorneys, (337) 237-1660.
October 2009 – Engaged by defense counsel to opine on issues regarding Commercial Auto, Agent Errors & Omissions, Insurance Bad Faith. Case involved insurance for Mexican truckers operating in the United States and/or Mexico. Defense counsel Elizabeth Christ, (210) 227-3243, Denton, Navarro, Rocha & Bernal, P.C.; Salazar v. Medina; Cause No. 09-02-24170-MCV, 293rd Judicial District Court of Maverick County, Texas.
July 2009 – Case included Agent Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith allegations by the carrier seeking to recover claim payments for a total fire loss. Engaged by counsel for MGA and carrier as their Property Insurance & Homeowners Insurance Expert. Attorneys Jeanie Tate Goodwin & Jerry Kimmitt (713) 917-0888, Legge, Farrow, Kimmitt, McGrath Attorneys; TSG Insurance & Lloyds London v. Nickes Insurance, Cause No. 2008-76081, 189th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas.
June 2009 – Designated by counsel for insured as Commercial Auto, Commercial Umbrella , and Agent Errors & Omissions expert. Case required analysis regarding failure to procure, non-owned autos, contractor’s liability, and additional insured endorsements. Allegations included Insurance Bad Faith. Attorney Charles Fairchild (816) 500-0280. MWR Contractors v. Becker Lassen Insurance Agency, Case No. 07BA-CV 01477 In Circuit Court of Boone County Missouri at Columbia.
June 2009 – Designated as Commercial Auto Insurance expert by counsel for policyholder. Case required expertise in Hired and Nonowned auto coverage, contractual liability, additional insureds and Commercial Umbrella policies. Pleadings involved issues of Agent Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith. Mick White Renovations v. Affordable Insurance Services, et al; Case No. K.S.A. Chapter 60, In District Court of Johnson County, Kansas. Attorney Charles Fairchild (816) 500-0280.
April 2009 - Insurance expert witness designation pertaining to Business Auto claim denial for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. Case required analysis of interplay between Commercial Auto, Agent Errors & Omissions, Insurance Bad Faith and Workers Compensation. Elizondo v. American International Group, et al; Cause No. 07-62262-1, County Court at Law No. 1, Nueces County, Texas. Plaintiff counsel Doug Allison (361) 215-7802.
March 2009 – Engaged as Property Insurance Expert by a property owner following a fire loss. Case required knowledge of coinsurance, Agents Errors & Omissions, Insurance Bad Faith and Business Interruption. Fuller v. Ramey King and Northfield Insurance; Cause No. 352232972, 352nd Judicial District Court of Tarrant County, Texas. Attorney Barry Hasten, Hasten & Hansen Attorneys, (817) 429-0956
December 2008 - Designated by plaintiff counsel as their Personal Auto and Personal Umbrella expert . Case involved Agent Errors & Omissions regarding failure to place Personal Umbrella insurance. McCulloch v. Woods Insurance Agency, et al; Cause No. 2008-1550-1 in State Court, County of San Juan, NM. Attorney Greg Steinman, Madison, Harbour and Mroz, (505) 242-2177.
December 2008 - Designated by plaintiff counsel as their Property Insurance Expert regarding a total loss due to Hurricane Wilma. Provided analysis pertaining to Agent Error & Omission. Case issues involved Florida Windstorm insurance, Business Income and Surplus Lines Insurance placement. Scott Katz & Beth Berry, Butler Pappas Attorneys , (813) 281-1900. TCB Farms v. Oswald Trippe, et al; Case No. 07-1389-CA, Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court, Collier County, FL.
December 2008 – Retained by counsel for policy holder as their Property Insurance Expert. Case issues involved a multi-million dollar total fire loss to a home and entailed specific issues regarding Insurance Agent (Broker) Error & Omission, Homeowners and Builders Risk coverage. Attorneys Bill Klain & Kevin Estevez (480) 947-1911, Lang & Baker, PLC. Cantor v. Farmers Insurance, et al Case No. CV2008-053871 & CV2008-052618 in Superior Court of the State of Arizona, County of Maricopa.
October 2008 - Expert designation regarding Personal Auto and agent failure to offer Personal Umbrella insurance. Case involved allegations of Agent Errors & Omissions & Insurance Bad Faith after an auto accident resulted in an uninsured multi-million dollar liability award. Currier v. Woodstock Insurance; Docket No. 587-9-07 Wrcv, Windsor Superior Court, SS., Windsor County, VT. Plaintiff counsel Skip Campbell, Krupnick Campbell Attorneys, (954) 712-8608
August 2008 –Designated by plaintiff counsel as a Flood Insurance and Property Insurance Expert. Flood claim was denied after Tropical Storm Allison flooded a large apartment complex in Houston, TX. Provided coverage analysis for Agent Error & Omission, Business Income and Surplus Lines Insurance coverage issues. Meg Las Villas v. United States Fire; Cause No. 2007-54444, Harris County, TX. Attorney Paul Allred, (214) 528-9560, Sullivan & Holston.
December 2007 – Designated by plaintiff counsel as their Property Insurance Expert regarding a horse barn insured under a Farm & Ranch Owners insurance program. Case involved due to the barn being significantly underinsured after a tornado caused a total loss. Runyon v. Goetz Insurors, et al; Case No. CJ-2005-3716 in District Court for Oklahoma County, State of Oklahoma. Attorney Joe Carson 405-604-5581, Buxton | Carson, PLLC
September 2007 - Retained by plaintiff counsel to provide analysis regarding Agent Errors & Omissions & Risk Manager Standard of Care. Litigation resulted after denial of a large "Construction Defect (Contractors Rework/Rip & Tear)" claim under an OCIP (Owner Controlled Insurance Program). Claim was denied under Commercial General Liability and Commercial Umbrella Insurance. Roy Anderson Corporation v. Sawyer-Foster Insurance, et al; Circuit Court Harrison County Mississippi, First Judicial District, Case No. A2401-07-215. Attorneys Paul T. Benton & Tricia Beale (228) 432-0305.
May 2007 - Retained as plaintiff counsel's Insurance expert to provide analysis and opinions regarding Agent Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith. Case issues involved placement of Claims Made Medical Malpractice insurance and Agent Standard of Care to advise when advising clients of Professional Liability market conditions. during insurance placement. Attorney Michael Hance, Franklin & Hance, PSC (502) 637-6000. Leslie Hill, M.D. v. SCW Agency, et al. Case No. 04-CI-07409 in Jefferson Circuit Court, Division 10, Commonwealth of Kentucky.
April 2007 - Selected by defense counsel as their Property Insurance Expert to provide analysis and testimony regarding and Insurance Bad Faith. Case required expertise in Business Income, Flood Insurance, Surplus Lines & Ocean Marine Insurance. Litigation resulted after damage due to Hurricanes Jeanne and Francis and subsequent claim denials. Attorneys Larry Montgomery & Lee Chase, Glankler Brown, PLLC ( 901) 525-1322 . Dyer Investment Company, LLC, et al v. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. et al, and Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, Case No. 05CV2812-D/P in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee Western Division.
February 2007 –Plaintiff engagement as their expert for Property Insurance, Agent Errors & Omissions & Business Income. Litigation involved a total fire loss to underinsured building and Business Personal Property. Attorney Jeff Stewart - Seikaly & Stewart, Attorneys, (248) 723-5120. Trojan Cleaners, et al v. The Regency Insurance Group, et al; Case No. 2006 611590 CK 6 611590 CK, State of Michigan Wayne County Circuit Court.
February 2007 – Defense counsel engagement regarding alleged Bad Faith placement of a loss sensitive insurance program and carrier’s claim reserve methodology. Case required expertise in Commercial General Liability, Workers Compensation, Agent Errors & Omissions. Case involved Attorneys Leland de la Garza and David Tabor - Shackelford, Melton & McKinley, LLP (214) 780-1400 Lauren Engineers and Contractors, Inc. v. Hilb Rogal, and St. Paul Insurance , 104th District Court, Taylor County, TX, Cause # 23376-B
November 2006 - Retained by plaintiff as consulting Property Insurance Expert to analyze issues surrounding claim denial under an Inland Marine Builders Risk policy. Case issues included Additional Insured endorsements, policy exclusions, Agent Errors & Omissions, and carrier Bad Faith. Attorney Michael Kennedy - Casey Ciklin Lubitz Martens & O’Connell West Palm Beach, FL (561) 832-5900. Suffolk Construction v. Royal Indemnity Co., Brown & Brown, Inc., et al; Cause No. 502002CA012543, 15th Judicial District, Palm Beach County, Florida.
July 2006 - Retained by defense counsel to render opinions in answer to allegations of Insurance Agent Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith claims misconduct by wholesale broker at Lloyds London. Coverage issues involved Builders Risk coverage under Lloyds Ocean Marine Insurance coverage form. Attorney Ashley Parrish - Cantey & Hanger, LLP, (214) 978-4145, The Houston Exploration Company v. Tysers International Insurance & Reinsurance Brokers & At Lloyds, et al, Cause No. 2004-61582 in the 234th District Court, Harris County, Texas.
May 2006 - Engaged by counsel for plaintiff to assist with Agent Errors & Omissions and Homeowners claims issues in regard to Excess Flood Insurance. Attorney Peter Koeppel - Best Koeppel Attorneys (504) 598-1000. Best v. Independent Insurance Associates, Inc., Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, State of Louisiana; No. 05-13441, Division “H”, Docket No. 12.; Best v. Independent Insurance Associates, Inc. and Employers Reinsurance Corporation; United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana; No. 06-1130, Section “C”, Magistrate 5.
April 2006 - Retained by plaintiff counsel as Homeowners Insurance Expert to advise regarding Agent Errors & Omissions allegations for failure to replace Dwelling Fire Policy coverage, and claims procedures “customs and practice”. Attorney Guillermo Cronfel - The Cronfel Firm (512) 347-9600; Olga Palacios v. AIC-Sunbelt Group, Inc., et al, Cause No. 276966 in The County Court at Law No. Two (2) of Travis County, Texas.
February 2006 - Retained by defense counsel for insurance carrier. Case involved Agent Errors & Omissions as to timely reporting claims for General Liability Insurance and Professional Liability Insurance where both policies were issued by the same carrier. Attorney Carol Keough - Coats Rose Yale Ryman Lee (713) 653-7372; REO vs. Zurich American Insurance Co., RN Jones Agency, Inc. & Sidney Brown Cause No. C-1739-01-CA (Severed cause).
October 2005 - Case issues involved misrepresentation of material policy terms contained in proposal for hailstorm coverage. Retained as Property Insurance Expert by plaintiff counsel to offer opinion on Insurance Agent Errors & Omissions relative to Article 21.21 Section 4(11). Attorney Conrad Bodden - Cowen & Bodden Law Offices (956) 541-4981. Cowen, et al v. Robert Wade Sales, et al., Cause NO.2004-08-3923 in the 357th Judicial District Court of Cameron County, TX.
September 2005 - Engaged to assist defense attorneys answering alleged Agent Errors & Omissions. A fireworks explosion and fire resulted in multiple fatalities and widespread property losses. Allegations involved coverage placement disputes for numerous lines of insurance: Commercial Auto, Workers Compensation, General Liability Insurance, Commercial Umbrella, and Property Insurance. Attorneys Brent Cooper and Joyce Ondich - Cooper & Scully, PC, (214) 712-9500. Joseph M. Lamb, Jr. d/b/a Pyrotechnics by Lamb v. Britton-Gallagher, et al; Civil Action No. 2-04CV-400, US District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.
June 2005 - Engaged to assist defense counsel answering allegations of Agent Errors & Omissions resulting from Products Liability Certificate of Insurance procedures. Attorney Elaine Lenahan - Thompson, Coe, Cousins, and Irons, LLP, (214) 871-8200. P& W Quality Machine vs. Mid-Century Insurance; Cause No. 04-00157, 101st Judicial District, Dallas County, TX.
March 2005 - Defense counsel engagement regarding insurance placement “Standard of Care”, market conditions and allegations of fraud. Case issues included Insurance Agent Errors & Omissions during placement of a PEO Workers Compensation program. Attorney Troy Glander - Davis, Cedillo & Mendoza, Inc. (210) 822-6666. Texas Citrus Exchange, et al v. Brown & Brown, Inc., et al; Cause No.C-1420-02-E; in the 275th Judicial District, Hidalgo County, Texas.
August 2004 - Litigation involved General Liability Insurance third party over action and establishing “Non-employee” status of plaintiff under Texas Workers Compensation Insurance statutes. Engaged by plaintiff’s attorney Mike Henry - Jose, Henry, Brantley, MacLean & Alvarado, L.L.P., (817) 877- 3303. Lewis v. The Williams Companies, Inc., et al; Cause No. 2003-29049; 334th District Court, Harris County, Texas.
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