As I sit in my living room writing this blog, my home is being bombarded by what I consider a freakishly violent windstorm. I contemplated videotaping the windstorm but as the night wears on, I find the howling winds and bent trees to be too disturbing to watch. It’s not very often that Southern California … Continue Reading
This is a quote from a recent trial court order in a New York state case where Nationwide asked the judge to decide in its favor without submitting the case to the jury. Congregation Chesed L’Avraham d/b/a V’Kollel Ohel Moshe Society v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., No. 19954/09 (N.Y.S. Sup.Ct. Kings County 2011). Since the … Continue Reading
Two weeks ago, Southern California experienced unusually strong Santa Ana winds which brought gusts up to 140 mph in some places. Southern Californians, particularly in the Pasadena area, were forced to clean up debris left by the storm. A staggering 18,000 tons of debris was cleaned up in Pasadena, which is the city’s normal total … Continue Reading
Adjusters hate to listen to lawyers pontificate about case law. I know because of surveys we have done asking adjusters what they want to get out of presentations and how they best can learn. Instead, adjusters want lawyers that are making presentations to explain the practical implications of how they can better do their job.… Continue Reading
Winter and early spring storms often bring violent tornadoes into the south. A recent article highlighted how even insurance company adjusters know that many damages from tornadoes are often overlooked.… Continue Reading
Insurance defense attorneys will not agree with this post. However, they fear the argument enough to falsely argue in some cases that a hurricane is not a “windstorm,” in order to avoid policy language that may provide coverage for total losses where wind and water combine to destroy a structure. As promised in yesterday morning’s … Continue Reading
Zurich Insurance Company has a new web site, Zurich HelpPoint Windstorm. Zurich’s risk engineering and claims groups recently unveiled a micro-web site which provides Zurich customers and distributors with tools and information to help them prepare for, and recover from, “windstorm” events in North America. Some insurance company attorneys have been arguing that a “windstorm” is … Continue Reading
As the New York Times explained, mobile homes burn easily. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called for a review of building standards following the complete destruction of 500 manufactured homes in the Oakridge Mobile Home Park. California building officials have noted that building regulations must be strengthened to account for the wildfire hazards in California. Regulators asking … Continue Reading