Aug 03, 2023
How to Avoid a Costly Claim During Harvest SeasonUnderstand what makes a safe workplace and be sure you know how to avoid a costly claim during harvest season.
Insurance exists to provide peace of mind amid uncertainty. When a loss occurs, a claim is an opportunity for your insurance company to make good on the promises outlined in your policy. Our P&C Claims Advocacy teams understands that every claim is unique and depending on the facts of the situation, there can be a multitude of insurance implications. The path to claim resolution is not always clear, which is why it is important to have an experienced professional who will help you develop a strategy and advocate on your behalf.
Having the relevant expertise and support from your broker is crucial to the overall outcome. We can help you through every stage of the claims process and assist you if things go awry. Whether you’ve suffered a first-party loss or become a party to a lawsuit, our team is ready to support your organization, leveraging their years of experience, key relationships, and strategic approach to claims management.
Our goal is to minimize disruption and see that your business is brought to pre-loss condition as expediently as possible. By fostering communication and partnership between you and your claims adjuster, we strive to facilitate the prompt and fair resolution of claims.
Services available:
- Address pre-loss coverage inquiries
- Prepare and report first notice of loss to carrier
- Monitor claims and review reserves
- Analyze carrier’s coverage determination
- Advocate on your behalf during coverage disputes
- Review loss trends for risk management program improvements
- Facilitate escalation of complex or catastrophic claims
Tools & Resources
Filing a Claim
These self-service forms are intended to gather the information required for notice of a new commercial property or casualty claim. Please note that submission of these forms notifies Morris & Garritano of a new loss. It does NOT notify your insurance company. For urgent matters, please call our office at 805-543-6887, or refer to your policy for instructions to report the claim directly to the insurance company
Disclosing Policy Limits
QUESTION
I was involved in a serious auto accident, and I was found to be at fault. My adjuster has asked whether it’s okay to disclose my policy limits to the attorney representing the other party. What do you think?
ANSWER
In California, if your insurance company receives a demand to disclose your policy limits, it is required to contact you and get your permission to release that information.
Some attorneys and insurers argue that withholding the limits discourages frivolous claims, since the other party will need to file suit to find out your limits. In the interim, this may give your insurance company a tactical advantage, since it forces the other party to negotiate and make a demand without knowing what limits are potentially available to address the damages being claimed.
On the flip side, disclosing the limits may encourage the other party to present a reasonable settlement demand, and reduces the need to engage in full-scale litigation in order to resolve a claim.
If you decide to disclose your limits, you’ll probably also need to disclose whether you have an excess liability or umbrella policy, as well as the limits of that policy. Intentional concealment of your excess limits is a misrepresentation, or a lie of omission, and is contrary to the principles of good faith and fair dealing.
Whether or not you choose to disclose your policy limits, keep in mind that the value of the case is not affected by the amount of insurance available to address the damages. In other words, just because you have a policy limit of $1,000,000 doesn’t mean that the other party’s damages are worth $1,000,000, or that your insurance company will agree to pay that amount.
If, after reading this, you’re still agonizing about whether to disclose your policy limits, it’s recommended that you talk to an attorney who is familiar with personal injury claims and can counsel you with your specific situation in mind.
Related Articles
Jul 27, 2023
Liability Policies: What is the Difference between Occurrence vs. Claims Made Policies?Learn about Liability Policies and understand topics like: "What is the Difference between Occurrence vs. Claims Made Policies?"
Jul 20, 2023
New Business BasicsOur team of experts at Morris & Garritano is here to help, ensuring you have access to personalized care and expert advocacy.
Jun 08, 2023
Surety Bonds 101: What Are They and Who Needs One?Learn about Surety Bonds: what they are, who needs one, and how to get them. Our qualified team at Morris & Garritano is here to help!
May 25, 2023
Electrical Panels and Property Coverage IssuesLearn about the correlation between electrical panels and property coverage issues as carriers aim to incentivize safety and minimize risk.
Apr 27, 2023
Property Claims, Mitigating Future LossesFrom preventative maintenance to proper documentation, learn strategies for mitigating future losses and avoiding property claims.
Apr 21, 2023
Property Claims, the Repair ProcessUnderstand property claims, the repair process, and how to handle the aftermath. Here's what our experts at M&G say.
Apr 13, 2023
Property Claims, Dealing with the DamageUnderstand property claims, dealing with the damage, and what to do in the process. Here's what our experts at M&G say.
Apr 06, 2023
Navigating Water Damage Claims: What to Do If You've Faced a Loss From Water DamageWater losses can be a complex and costly challenge for property owners. Learn how to take swift action and minimize damage with these helpful tips from Morris & Garritano's disaster restoration experts.
