The Intricacies of Construction Insurance in a Commercial Business Dispute

This case study delves into a commercial dispute between two construction companies, focusing on the applicability of multiple insurance policies.

Case Overview

This case study examines a commercial business dispute between two construction companies, with the primary contention revolving around the applicability of multiple insurance policies. The complexity of these policies, typical within the construction industry, necessitated an expert well-versed in this field.

The expert was tasked with reviewing 13 insurance policies – seven primary liability insurance policies and six excess umbrella policies.

Questions to the expert and their responses

Could you elaborate on your professional experience reviewing commercial primary and umbrella insurance policies, specifically within the construction industry?

Throughout my career, I have gained substantial experience in this area. As a former SVP of a Fortune 500 insurance carrier and chief underwriting officer, I was instrumental in writing many construction policies.

Later, as an independent agent, I wrote for numerous contractors and some of the largest home builders and subcontractor insurance programs. This exposure has equipped me with a profound understanding of both primary and excess coverage in construction.

Have you ever reviewed a similar case? If yes, could you provide some details?

Indeed, I have served as an expert witness in several construction policy disputes. These cases often involve layered programs that can be quite intricate. For instance, I managed Katrina losses for a major hotel chain in New Orleans, where I assisted in resolving coverages with 17 different carriers.

About the expert

This expert boasts over three decades of experience in the insurance field, holding numerous certifications such as an insurance counselor, professional insurance agent, and property-casualty underwriter. They have held high-ranking positions including president and chief executive officer of a prominent insurance company, and various roles within another major insurance group, including risk manager, commercial reinsurance officer, senior vice president, division officer, and chief underwriting officer. Currently, they own an insurance consultancy firm and serve as an adjunct professor of risk management at a private university.