Insurance

Ransomware Attack Involves “Direct Physical Loss of or Damage to” Software, Data and Computer Systems

January 29, 2020

A Maryland federal district court has ruled that a ransomware event involved “direct physical loss of or damage to” software, data, and computer systems, thus triggering coverage under a businessowner’s insurance policy. National Ink & Stitch, LLC v. State Auto Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., No. SAG-18-2138 (D. Md. Jan. 23, 2020).…

Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog

New Jersey Introduces Legislation That Prohibits Anti-Concurrent Causation Clauses In Homeowners Insurance Policies

By Paul LaSalle

January 29, 2020

Dictionary page features the word legislation in bold print

Last year, I wrote about a New Jersey federal court decision that involved an insurance policy’s anti-concurrent causation clause. An anti-concurrent causation clause bars coverage when two identifiable causes-one covered and one not covered-contribute to a single loss. In that case, the court dismissed the insured’s claim for damages to certain portions of the property, noting that federal and state courts in New Jersey have applied and enforced anti-concurrent causation provisions.…

Insurance Law Hawaii

Hawaii Legislature Considers Bill Revising Insurance Code by Regulating Public Adjusters

By Tred Eyerly

January 29, 2020

HB No. 2320, a revision to the Hawaii Insurance Code to regulate public adjusters, has been introduced before the Hawaii Legislature. The bill would require a public adjuster to enter a written contract for services which would, among other things, describe the loss and its location, describe the services to be provided to the insured, attest that the public adjuster is fully bonded, disclose the full compensation the public adjuster is…

The D&O Diary

Court Holds Business Owner’s Policy Covers Ransomware Caused Losses

By Kevin LaCroix

January 28, 2020

One of the areas of significant concern in the global insurance underwriting community is the potential exposures insurers face from “silent cyber” – that is, the coverage of cybersecurity-related losses under traditional insurance policies that are not expressly designed to cover cyber losses. In a recent ruling in an insurance coverage dispute in which a small business sought insurance coverage for its losses following a ransomware attack, a Maryland federal court judge, applying Maryland law,…

Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog

Windstorm Claims Conference Helps Professionals Learn and Up to Date

By Chip Merlin

January 28, 2020

windstorm2020 — David Tyler, Patrick McAuliffe, and Scott Jenkins

Public insurance adjusters David Tyler and Scott Jenkins came all the way from Newport, California, to attend the Windstorm Insurance Conference on Orlando. They came by the Merlin Law Group booth asking me some questions about roofing losses involving windstorm in California and the problems of ash from wildfire claims.…

Policyholder Pulse

When International Tensions Raise Insurance Risk

By Pillsburys Insurance Recovery Law Team

January 28, 2020

Recent headlines have raised significant concerns about the possibility of cyberattacks on U.S. businesses as a result of the heightened tensions with Iran. The Department of Homeland Security, through its Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has published alerts and guidance recommending heightened awareness and vigilance. In “International Pressure Raises Cybersecurity Threats,” Tamara D. Bruno, Brian E. Finch and Cassie Lentchner explore some of the practical steps companies can take toward cybersecurity…

Bryant Legal Group News & Resources

Bipolar Disorder and Disability Insurance: A Claimant’s Guide

By Sanjeev Dasari

January 28, 2020

Jan 28, 2020 | Insurers | According to the World Health Organization, bipolar disease is the seventh most disabling condition in the world. If you’re among the estimated 5.7 million Americans suffering with bipolar, it might be difficult (or even impossible) to maintain consistent employment due to your symptoms. At Bryant Legal Group, we help people with bipolar disorder get the disability insurance benefits they deserve. In this article, we explain the essentials of bipolar disorder and how to strengthen your disability insurance…

Zalma on Insurance

Insurance Fraud and the Equitable Remedy of Rescission

By Barry Zalma

January 28, 2020

Everything Needed by the Insurance Claims Professional from Barry Zalma Over the last 51 years Barry Zalma has dedicated his life to insurance, insurance claims and the need to defeat insurance fraud. He has created the following library of books and other materials to make it for insurers and their claims staff to become insurance claims professionals. There are more jobs available in the United States than there are people looking for work. When an…

Property Insurance Coverage Law Blog

Florida Property Insurance Claim Rules and Regulations Worthy of Review

By Chip Merlin

January 28, 2020

COMPLIANCE RULES REGULATIONS GUIDELINES Directional Sign - 3D Rendering

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation did a great service for everybody by issuing rules and regulations relating to claims last July. Since I received another email request asking whether Florida has rules for “matching” regarding residential losses (the answer is “yes”) I thought it would be a good time to remind company, independent, and public adjusters as well as insurance remediation contractors and policyholders who might read this blog about the regulatory guidance provided…

Zalma on Insurance

Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations

By Barry Zalma

January 28, 2020

The Reasons Behind the California Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations The following is adapted from the Introduction to my book, California Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations Available as a Kindle book. and Available as a paperback. Every Insurance Claims Person Must Certify Knowledge of the Regulations By September the first of every calendar year. In 1993 the state of California determined that the insurance industry needed to be regulated to stop insurers from treating the…