Practice
Insurance coverage for businesses
For companies whose own insurer has denied a claim, paid too little or refused to defend them in a lawsuit. I represent policyholders only, never insurers, and I’m not a public adjuster.
Refusal to defend
Someone sues your business and the insurer says the claim isn’t covered. Its duty to defend is often broader than it admits.
Denied property and business-interruption claims
Water, fire or a closed storefront, and a letter that cites an exclusion you’ve never heard of.
Underpaid claims
The insurer accepts the claim, then values it far below what the repair or the lost income cost.
Delay and bad faith
Months of requests for the same documents with no decision. Unreasonable handling can give you claims of your own.
Read the policy, then the denial letter
A denial letter is the insurer’s argument, not the final word. I read the whole policy, including the parts the letter leaves out, and every endorsement added at renewal.
Often the first step is a detailed letter back, with the policy language the insurer skipped. Many coverage disputes end there. Where they don’t, the case goes to court, and the insurer’s handling of the claim becomes part of it.
If another lawyer is defending you in the underlying lawsuit, I work alongside them on the coverage question only.
Asked about this kind of case
The insurer sent a “reservation of rights” letter. What does that mean?
It is defending you for now while keeping the right to deny coverage later. It changes who controls the defense in some cases; it’s worth having a lawyer read it.
Is there a deadline to challenge a denial?
Yes, from the policy itself and from the law, and they can be short. Don’t wait for the insurer to reconsider on its own.
How are coverage cases paid for?
It depends on the case. In some, the law lets a policyholder who wins recover its lawyer’s fees from the insurer. We’ll agree the arrangement in writing before I start, including who pays filing fees and other costs along the way.
Forward the denial letter and the policy
Both, in full, with any endorsements. I’ll read them and tell you whether the denial holds up.