Coverage Analysis, Policy Drafting and Interpretation

Navigating the varied laws of insurance and reinsurance markets, as well as deciphering the contractual rights and obligations of the respective parties in insurance policies, can be a daunting task. The challenges of assessing coverage and exposure are compounded by multiple jurisdictions, varied parties and the underlying subject matter of the litigation, all of which increase the potential for protracted high-stakes litigation. Harris Beach attorneys help insurers, reinsurers and insureds manage risk and protect themselves by assessing insurance and reinsurance coverage and monitoring claims. Our strength is that our attorneys, as former officers in large multinational insurance companies, have both legal experience litigating coverage disputes and practical knowledge of coverage claims.

Our attorneys advise on a wide variety of business lines and policy types, primary, umbrella and excess, including cyber liability, commercial general liability, property, professional liability, bankers professional liability, builders’ risk, directors and officers (D&O) liability, professional errors and omissions (E&O), marine, marine P&I, environmental, pharmaceutical, political risk, fidelity bonds, surety bonds and contaminated products recall. We provide legal advice, guidance and endorsement drafting services to underwriters, as well as coverage services related to claims monitoring, contribution and indemnification, additional insured, reformation and rescission, and bad faith claims. In addition, our attorneys can provide services as national lead coverage counsel and provide local counsel oversight for all multijurisdictional litigation situations where appropriate. Our counsel covers all areas of the insurance relationship including direct primary, umbrella and excess, as well as treaty and facultative reinsurance. Harris Beach is different from many firms that practice in coverage because we also have attorneys whose focus is litigating the underlying subject matter of any coverage dispute. This real-world experience allows our attorneys to both counsel on the coverage issues and opine on how that advice will develop over the course of any underlying litigation. In addition, our attorneys have worked both within major insurance companies and as outside counsel, so our work will be fully aligned with your coverage needs. Simply put: Harris Beach attorneys understand both the business of insurance and reinsurance companies, and their customers in depth.

With incidents related to business interruption and economic loss, our attorneys counsel on detailed, multilayered first-party and third-party coverage claims on all risks including natural disasters, fires, flood, environmental liability, fraud and arson. Our attorneys also provide representation on deductibles, consequential damages, punitive damages, occurrence analysis, allocation and exhaustion.

Coverage Litigation

Harris Beach attorneys know the impact litigation can have on our clients and are committed to resolving coverage cases in a cost-effective manner. Direct negotiation and alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation or arbitration, offer an effective option to traditional litigation for many cases. However, when litigation is necessary, we are prepared to aggressively defend our clients’ interests where appropriate and/or to coordinate with local counsel in any other jurisdictions where necessary.

Our attorneys have extensive experience in advising the world’s largest multinational insurance companies, both in-house and in private practice, and defending insurers and insureds, in high-exposure litigation arising out of insurance coverage disputes in state and federal courts, and international arbitration forums. This complete knowledge of our client’s ultimate business needs sets us apart from other firms who may not fully appreciate the goals of the client in their engagement. Through ardent representation and an unwavering commitment to specific objectives, our attorneys help clients resolve insurance and reinsurance coverage disputes efficiently and effectively.