Helping Clients Obtain Commercial Liability Insurance Benefits
If your company has a commercial general liability (CGL) policy, and an individual or business decides to pursue a claim against your company, you naturally expect the CGL policy to protect you. You expect your own insurance company to stand up and defend your company’s financial interests as promised.
However, like many business owners, you may find that your insurance company refuses to defend or indemnify you. This means that it refuses to fight someone else’s claim against your business or fails to properly compensate you for your losses.
In such a case, turn to Mansell & Engel in Oklahoma. Since our firm’s founding in 1994, we have become widely recognized as industry leaders and skilled litigators. No insurance dispute is too complex for our law firm to handle. Insurance companies throughout the U.S. know our name and reputation for results.
Don’t Let A Denied CGL Claim Endanger Your Business
One of the most important benefits of your CGL policy is that it requires your insurance company to defend your business against outside claims. For instance, if someone trips and falls on the steps leading up to your office building, that individual may file a premises liability claim against your business and seek financial compensation for his or her injuries.
Not only is your insurance company supposed to resolve this claim, but it is supposed to defend you and your business. It is responsible for negotiating and settling the claim and paying anything owed.
However, when your insurance carrier refuses to defend you or refuses to settle a claim against you, you are forced to bear the expenses yourself. This may threaten your business’s financial security and good name.
You can count on our team of attorneys to put their century of combined experience to work for you. We understand the stakes involved, and we will champion your cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is certainly understandable if you have a number of questions after a denied claim. As you begin exploring your legal options, consider the answers to some of the questions our firm sees most:
How can I ensure my insurance company fulfills its duty to defend my business?
Your insurance company does have a duty to defend your business, so it is important to understand your obligations and responsibilities under the duty to defend clause. You should communicate with the insurance company, keep thorough records, gather all applicable documentation and retain any communication – such as the denial letter.
Our experienced team will review your specific case and help you determine what steps you need to take if you believe your insurance company is failing in its duty.
What are the most common reasons for CGL claim denials in Oklahoma?
There are many potential reasons for a claim denial, such as timing issues and missed deadlines, policy exclusions, insufficient evidence or allegations of misrepresentation. You need to read the denial letter carefully to find out exactly what reasons your insurance company is citing, even if you believe they have acted in bad faith and should be responsible.
What is a “reservation of rights” letter, and what does it mean for my Oklahoma business?
A reservation of rights letter will help to spell out the insurance company’s position. For instance, they may provide a defense, but the letter may indicate that they still have the right to deny future claims or deny coverage in the case. Essentially, although the insurance company admits that they are investigating the claim that you have made, they may still deny that claim and fail to pay out the money you believe is due.
What evidence do I need to support my commercial liability insurance claim in Oklahoma?
Our team can help you gather the applicable evidence to support the claim, which will be different from case to case. However, it typically includes critical documentation like police reports, medical records, financial records, witness statements and photos or videos. Letters and other communications between the parties and expert opinions, in some cases, are also strong forms of evidence.
Insufficient evidence is a top reason for claim denials, making it essential to know what documents you need, how to build your case and properly submit your evidence with the initial claim or an appeal.
Learn How We Can Help Keep Your Insurance Company Honest
Remember, even when questions arise regarding policy coverage, your insurance company is usually required to defend you. In other words, even if part of the claim against you is not covered by your CGL policy, your insurance company is likely still responsible for dealing with all the details and faithfully protecting your interests. We can make sure that it lives up to this responsibility.
Learn more in a free consultation with our lawyers. Call Mansell & Engel at 405-232-4100 or email our office in Oklahoma City. We handle all bad faith cases on a contingency fee basis.
