Articles by William Rabb

More Frequent Convective Storms Plus Population Growth Equals Rising Insurer Costs

Hurricanes in the East. Wildfires in the West. Those are the big disasters that grab the headlines and are driving property insurance costs and cancellations, to a large degree, right? Yes, but insurers also are seeing a huge increase in …

Could Appeal Decision in Florida Roof Case Lead to More Expert Witness Challenges?

Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Co. will have to go back to court to show how an insured’s roof expert was in error when he used questionable data and failed to inspect the claimed damage before a south Florida home …

South Carolina Bars and Restaurants Closing in Face of Rising Liability Insurance Costs

Wanted in South Carolina: $1 million in liquor liability coverage at an affordable premium to prevent closure of establishment. That’s the type of advertisement one can imagine bars and bistros across the Palmetto State running this fall, as the full …

Fla. Public Adjusters Can’t Act as Appraisers if Fees Exceed Statutory Cap

Public adjusters cannot double as appraisers in claims disputes if their total fees exceed the statutory cap, a Florida appeals court decided Wednesday in what may be seen as another win in property insurers’ long battle against tactics allegedly employed …

Workplace Shootings Not Always Compensable, Florida Appeals Court Says

Workplace shootings, more common than ever now, may happen in the course and scope of employment. But do they have to be work-related to make the victims eligible for workers’ compensation benefits? That’s the question that a Florida appeals court …

Work Comp Defense Attorneys Worry Ga. Courts Becoming Too Worker Friendly

After three major Georgia appeals court decisions have gone against employers in the last five years, some insurance defense attorneys are concerned that the state’s workers’ compensation laws have become costly to insurers and businesses, despite years of rate reductions …

Harvard Loses $15M in Excess Coverage Because of Late Notice of Claim

Even the smartest institutions in the land can miss deadlines – and can lose $15 million in insurance coverage because of it, a federal appeals court decided Wednesday. The U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling …

No Duty to Defend Doesn’t Mean No Duty to Indemnify, 5th Circuit Rules

A federal appeals court has clarified, at least under the realm of Texas law, when an insurer has a duty to indemnify – even if it has no duty to defend a tort action against the insured thanks to an …

Fla. Supreme Court Allows Early Dismissal of Medical Malpractice Cases

Like a sports league deciding to make greater use of in-game instant replay on crucial calls, the Florida Supreme Court has made it a little easier for hospitals and other medical malpractice defendants to challenge expert witnesses’ qualifications. “This is …

Fla. Insurance Reform Bill Will Dampen Construction Defect Subrogation Suits

Florida lawmakers this year approved a measure that could help reduce liability insurance premiums for home and condo builders – and limit exposure and litigation for liability insurers. But Senate Bill 360, which took effect in April, could also make …