Engaged by carrier counsel pursuing an Insurance Agent Errors & Omissions action for Bad Faith to recover claim payments made under a Workers Compensation policy underwritten based on agent’s material misrepresentations on the application. After a tree trimming worker was seriously injured it was discovered the agent had withheld critical underwriting information relative to eligible NCCI classifications and guidelines for the Workers Compensation program. Case required analysis of NCCI class codes and disparate answers provided on multiple Workers Compensation applications. Attorneys Brad Burns and Amanda Newman, Dickinson Wright, PLLC (602) 285-5000. FirstComp v. Ensign, Case No. CV2020-007001 In the Superior Court Of The State of Arizona In And For The County Of Maricopa.
Category: Agent Errors and Omissions
08
Jun2022
Engaged by defense counsel to respond to allegations of Insurance Agency Errors & Omissions stemming from placement of Ocean Marine Insurance coverage for the lessee under a short-term barge rental and subsequent denial of a hull damage claim. Case required analysis of issues including limited carriers willing to quote short-term coverage, the barge owner’s allegations of Business Income loss, and whether any barge damage occurred during the rental. Attorney Ken Gutsch, Richmond & Quinn, (907) 276-5727. Swalling v. Alaska USA Insurance Brokers, Case No. 3AN-19-10857CI, In Superior Court For The State Of Alaska Third Judicial District At Anchorage.
June 8, 2022David Deering
08
Jun2022
Engaged by policyholder counsel to review Insurance Agent Errors and Omissions relative to standards of care for placing Homeowners Insurance policies. Agent placed coverage with a ‘Cosmetic Roof Exclusion’ whereas prior carrier’s policy had no such exclusion for metal roofs. Policyholder suffered significant financial damage after denial of a hailstorm claim. Attorney Matt Montgomery, Hossley Embry, LLP. Permenter v. Assured Partners, Civil Action No. 3:31-cv-1325 In United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas Dallas Division.
June 8, 2022David Deering
08
Jun2022
Engaged by policyholder counsel to review Insurance Agent Errors and Omissions standards of care for placing Commercial General Liability and/or Professional Liability coverage. Agent failed to recognize and address Advertising Injury exposures created by operations of the real estate firm policyholder which provided advertising and marketing services to developers and real estate entities. When policyholder was sued for “copyright Infringement” the claim was denied based on the Advertising Injury exclusion. Attorneys Andrea DeField and Austin Priddy, Hunton Andrews Kurth, LLP, (305) 810-2500. Urban Living v. ISB Insurance Services, Case No. 202055546 In The 55th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas.
June 8, 2022David Deering
08
Jun2022
Engaged by policyholder counsel to review Insurance Agent Errors and Omissions issues relative to standards of care for placing NFIP flood policies on buildings in unmapped rural areas with no Flood Zone determination. Complicating factors included issues of flood-in-progress and interstate highway construction blocking the natural drainage outlet of a glacial depression prairie lake decades before the flood. Wilkens v. Dorris; Attorney Mitch Peterson, Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP (605) 357-1242
June 8, 2022David Deering
08
Jun2022
Engaged by counsel for numerous plaintiffs who suffered flood damage from the May 2020 Edenville dam failure in Midland County, MI. Case(s) required review of NFIP guidelines for Flood Zones mapping/remapping, and notification to property owners relative to potential Insurance Agent Errors & Omissions claims. Attorney Andrew Laurila, Rasor Law Firm, PLLC (248) 543-9000.
June 8, 2022David Deering
26
Mar2021
Retained by insurance agency counsel defending alleged Agent Errors and Omissions for failure to procure Business Income coverage for Covid-19 losses under a Commercial Auto (Mobile Operations) endorsement to a Businessowners policy. Case required response to a laundry list of alleged duties owed by the agent far outside the accepted standards of care for a reasonably prudent Texas insurance agent. Case assessment included the lack of physical damage, the standard virus exclusion found in most ISO property forms, and the likelihood of the insured’s failure to read the policy. Attorneys John Nevins and Robert Bragalone, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, (214) 231-4660. Sanbuco v. Governor Insurance Agency, et al; Civil Action No. SA-20-CV-01045-XR In United States District Court, Western District of Texas San Antonio Division.
March 26, 2021Don Hirsch
04
Apr2020
Engaged by Surplus Lines intermediary’s defense counsel to evaluate allegations of Agent Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith involving placement and renewal of a contractor’s Commercial General Liability policies. Analysis involved guardrail operations being excluded, multiple policies and additional insured issues. Litigation followed carrier’s claim denial for a vehicle accident involving guardrail repairs performed by the contractor. Attorney Tom Alleman, Dykema Gossett PLLC (214) 698-7830. Guerra v. US Risk, et al, Cause No. C-3634-18-B In The District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas 93rd Judicial District.
April 4, 2020Don Hirsch
08
Dec2019
Engaged by policyholder counsel alleging Agent Errors and Omissions as its basis to recover coinsurance penalties. Despite assuming duties to set replacement cost limits for a hotel, the insurance agency made material errors resulting in deficient property limits and the property being severely underinsured for a hailstorm claim. Engagement required analysis of agency’s flawed valuation methodology using tax rolls and appraised ‘market value’, coinsurance calculations, and issues involving Ordinance & Law and extended Business Income loss. Attorney Todd Hurd (817) 426-4529. Cornerstone, et al v. Rodda Yates, et al; Cases No. 2015-514,308 In The District Court Of Lubbock County, Texas, 99th Judicial District.
December 8, 2019Don Hirsch