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...rested, our office will be happy to furnish you with a household goods invento...jewelry, watches, necklaces, gems, and furs. $500 on boats, motors, and t...

...acked proper coverage for jewelry, furs, silverware, fine arts, etc. Such fa...

...there's production, so why look any further or make changes? On closer inspect...

...o find appropriate coverage for his fur-cleaning firm. Unfortunately, the agen... its companion files for each account. Furthermore, any and all forms that com...

... unconscionable conduct? Here are a few cases from our files that demonstrate common breaches of agents' duties. One of the most prevalent is failure to obtain proper coverage, as these two cases show. Case 1: The insured had asked the agent to find appropriate coverage for his fur-cleaning firm. Unfortunately, the agent did not obtain insurance covering the bailee exposure that comes with cleaning and storing valuable fur items. Result: Finding for the plaintiff (the insured) . Case 2: The insured, a swimming pool subcontractor, required General Liability and other coverages to maintain his business relationships with his clients (general contractors) . A Certificate of Insurance was issued to a general contractor indicating that the insured had all the coverages required by the general contractor's contract. The general contractor reported a loss ... . . insured at all times." This definition calls on agents to probe for and identify their insureds' needs and concerns. After examining many E&O actions, we've found that many agents have fallen on their own swords simply by superimposing their ideas, needs, and concerns upon the voiceless insured. In fulfilling their responsibility, be sure to document the results of needs-analysis conversations. A good axiom: If something is important to the insured, it deserves to be explored and documented in detail. An agent also has a duty to use reasonable diligence in placing the requested insurance and to inform the client promptly if unable to do so. In addition, an agent has a duty to notify insureds of the expiration of their policies (except for direct-billed renewals) and to pass on ...

... find appropriate coverage for his fur-cleaning firm. Unfortunately, the agen...es with cleaning and storing valuable fur items. Result: Finding for the plai...

...t of coverage provided for jewelry, furs, money, fine arts, watercraft, and si...

... doesn't have to result in that dramatic a solution, if we followed the pulse of legal actions filed recently. Here are some actual cases from our files. Case No. 1: Failure to Obtain the Proper Coverage The insured had requested the agent to find appropriate coverage for his fur-cleaning firm. Unfortunately, the agent did not pursue the Bailee insurance resource that accompanies the cleaning and storage of valuable fur items. Award for the plaintiff (insured) . If that sounds like a simple mistake, take a look at this error in obtaining the proper coverage: Case No.2: Failure to Obtain Proper Coverage To maintain his business relationships with clients, the insured required general liability and other coverages. A certificate of insurance was issued indicating that the insured had all the proper coverages to meet the standards ... a Somebody-Done-Somebody-Wrong song. After wading through substantial pounds of pleadings, depositions, exhibits, interrogatories, and causes of action, we attempt to answer three pertinent questions: 1. Did the agency have a duty to perform on behalf of the insured? If so, what gives rise to that duty, and to what extent is the agency responsible? 2. Did the practitioner (agency) provide goods and services that are customary, expected, reasonable, and within the scope of the industry? 3. Was there a breach of any of the above by the agency that caused damages to the insured? The first section of this article summarizes the myriad actions that present themselves from the time you join the battle against the Agency Nemesis. The moment you sign an application for a license to become ...