We Help Our Clients Resolve Insurance Coverage Disputes
If you are engaged in an insurance coverage dispute, the importance of sound legal counsel and effective representation cannot be overstated. At Hardin Thompson PC, our attorneys are well-versed in the language of insurance policies, and we frequently scrutinize and interpret policies to determine our clients’ precise obligations to insured parties.
Our firm is equipped to handle complex, single and multi-party insurance disputes involving a broad range of insurance coverage, including:
- General liability and auto claims
- Dram shop liability
- Construction disputes
- Health insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Life insurance
- Fire damage
- Flood damage
- Professional liability
We handle disputes involving primary, excess and umbrella coverage. We also provide coverage analysis and opinions and representation in litigation.
Common Causes Of Coverage Disputes
Insurance coverage disputes arise from various circumstances that create disagreements between policyholders and insurance companies regarding the scope and application of coverage under insurance policies.
- Ambiguities in policy language: These represent a frequent source of disputes when insurance contracts contain unclear or confusing terminology that can be interpreted multiple ways by different parties, leading to disagreements about coverage scope, exclusions and the specific circumstances under which benefits should be paid
- Denial of claims: These occur when insurance companies refuse to pay benefits for covered losses, often citing policy exclusions, insufficient documentation, failure to meet policy conditions or allegations that the claim does not fall within policy parameters or was caused by excluded events
- Policy exclusions: These create disputes when insurers rely on specific policy language to exclude coverage for certain types of losses or circumstances, especially when exclusion language is ambiguous, overly broad or conflicts with coverage provisions elsewhere in the policy
- Misrepresentation or nondisclosure: These issues emerge when insurers claim that policyholders failed to provide accurate information during the application process, failed to disclose material facts that could affect coverage or made statements that allegedly voided their coverage obligations
These common causes often overlap and can create complex legal challenges that require experienced legal representation to resolve effectively.
The Dispute Resolution Process
Insurance coverage disputes typically follow a structured process that begins with informal discussions and may progress through formal legal proceedings if resolution cannot be achieved through negotiation.
- Filing a complaint: This initiates the formal dispute process when policyholders submit written grievances to insurance companies detailing their coverage claims and the basis for disagreeing with insurer decisions
- Investigation and evidence gathering: This involves both parties collecting documentation, witness statements and other evidence relevant to the coverage dispute, including policy analysis and claims file reviews
- Negotiation and mediation: These provide opportunities for parties to resolve disputes without formal litigation through direct discussions or structured mediation sessions with neutral third parties
- Litigation and court proceedings: These become necessary when negotiation fails to produce acceptable resolutions, involving formal legal arguments, evidence presentation and judicial determination of coverage obligations
- Appeals process: This allows parties to challenge adverse court decisions through appellate courts when they believe trial courts made legal errors in interpreting insurance policies or applying relevant law
Each stage of this process requires careful legal strategy and a thorough understanding of insurance law principles to achieve favorable outcomes for our clients.
Schedule A Call
Our insurance law attorneys are here to protect your rights and interests in insurance coverage disputes. To schedule an appointment, please call 412-315-7195 or complete our contact form. With offices in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, the Detroit area, New York City, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, we advise and represent clients throughout the United States.