Honesty Is the Best Policy: A Misstatement in Your Application May Void Your Coverage
“It is inherent in human nature to question whether we will be accepted for who we are. Sometimes, this may tempt us to “hedge” a bit in how we present ourselves. But a recent Illinois appellate court decision[1] adds new meaning to the adage “honesty is the best policy.” In that case, misstatements in the business insurance policyholder’s application voided coverage for the very risk that prompted the company to purchase the policy in the first place…”
How Do You Measure a “Win”?
Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Arthur Ashe, enjoyed outstanding success as a tennis player. During his career, he won the men’s singles title at Wimbledon, the US Open, the Australian Open and, at one point, was ranked number two in the world in men’s tennis. His wins could be quantified by titles, trophies, and earnings. […]
Don’t Take No for an Answer
How dental practices can file successful COVID-related insurance claims. In my work representing owners of medical and dental practices who have suffered losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, my clients come to me with the same story: the insurance carriers say that they are “sorry,” but there just is no insurance coverage for the claims […]
COVID-19 and Business Insurance Claims: 3 Important Questions for Restaurants
Among the most tangible disruptions to regular life caused by the coronavirus pandemic is the current prohibition on dining in restaurants. Restaurants play a central role in our communities and are where we celebrate, commiserate, commune and network. For restaurant owners, the closures have set off a devastating chain of events, from layoffs to unpaid […]
Business Insurance and COVID-19 Three Questions Manufacturers Need to Answer
As the COVID-19 fallout continues to unfold in the coming weeks and months, business owners will be turning to their contracts and insurance policies to determine their options for risk-mitigation, recovery, and to defend themselves against contract claims. The devil is in the details, and the details will necessarily vary by document and situation, but […]
Business Insurance Claims and COVID-19
Business insurance may cover losses companies experience due to the virus, but only if owners are smart about how they file claims. As business owners react day to day to the complex and unprecedented impact of COVID- 19 on the marketplace, supply chain and labor force — an impact that is very much still unfolding […]
Why I Became A Lawyer: Following A Serendipitous Path
Reflecting from the vantage point of 30 years as a lawyer, I find myself in a career that I love because I followed my passion but also allowed for serendipity. I was not a kid who ever said that I wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up — but, looking back, I can […]
Intentional Acts
In my experience, insurance isn’t the first thing most people think about when they wake up in the morning. Whether something will be covered isn’t even a thought until a person has a claim against them or they experience a loss and are seeking reimbursement for damages. The “general liability insurance policies” through which most […]
Reservation of Rights
In a perfect world, you pay for insurance, something bad happens, you file a claim, the insurance company pays for it, the end. Unfortunately, that outcome is too often the exception rather than the rule. Claims are time sensitive. When a policyholder is sued or experiences a loss and files a claim, they hope and […]
Growing Pains: Protecting Your Business from the Risks Associated with New Customers and Clients
Businesses spend substantial resources on growth in sales. Online marketing efforts allow sales to customers and clients a business many only have contact with via email, and these days it is not unusual to develop new customers entirely via email engagement without “meeting” the customer by telephone or in person. Most of these electronic engagements […]
