Insurance Law
Team Leader: Tracy Lyle
Insurance issues often arise at moments when people and organizations are already dealing with stress whether it be property loss, unexpected liability, or disputes over coverage. These situations can be complex and time-sensitive, and it can be difficult to know how to move forward when an insurer or another party disagrees with your interpretation of the policy.
Our Insurance Law team helps insurers, businesses, and individuals understand their rights and obligations under a policy and navigate disputes with clarity. We explain how coverage works, what the policy language means, and what steps are available if a claim is denied, delayed, or challenged. Our goal is to make a complicated process more manageable, so you can make informed decisions about next steps.
We assist with a wide range of insurance matters, including coverage disputes, title insurance issues, priority disputes, and subrogation claims. Our team also conducts and supports claims investigations when factual clarity is needed, ensuring the process is fair, thorough, and grounded in the policy language.
When disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation, we have significant experience representing clients in litigation. Our litigators are comfortable handling matters at every stage of the court process, and we work closely with clients to develop strategies that align with their goals.
Because insurance issues often overlap with other legal questions, our clients also benefit from our cross-practice expertise in areas such as business law, real estate, estates, employment, and litigation. This collaborative approach helps ensure that every angle of a dispute is properly considered, particularly when a claim affects property ownership, business operations, or estate planning.
Whether you are an insurer seeking practical guidance, a business managing a complex claim, or an individual facing a disagreement with your insurer, we are here to help.
How we support
Insurance policies can be difficult to interpret, especially when the wording is technical or when multiple coverage provisions apply to the same event. A coverage opinion helps clarify whether a loss is covered, excluded, or subject to specific conditions.
We assist insurers, businesses, and individuals in understanding how policy language applies to their situation. This includes reviewing the terms of the policy, analyzing endorsements and exclusions, and considering how courts have interpreted similar provisions. Our goal is to help you understand your rights and obligations early in the process so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Whether you’re assessing a potential claim, responding to a denial, or preparing for litigation, a clear and reliable coverage opinion provides a solid foundation for next steps.
Title insurance protects property owners and lenders from losses related to defects in title or issues discovered after a real estate purchase such as boundary problems, fraud, registration errors, or undisclosed liens. When a concern arises, it can affect not only the property but also financing, development, and resale plans.
We help with investigating the underlying facts, interpreting the title insurance policy, and determining whether coverage applies. If a claim is denied or if the scope of coverage is unclear, we help clients navigate the dispute and work toward a solution. When necessary, we represent clients in litigation to resolve title-related issues and protect their property interests.
Our team works closely with our real estate and litigation lawyers to provide comprehensive guidance when property, contractual, and insurance matters overlap.
Priority disputes arise when more than one insurance policy may respond to a claim. Determining which insurer is responsible, and in what order, often requires a detailed look at of statutory rules, policy wording, and the circumstances of the loss. These issues commonly arise in motor vehicle accidents, multi-party claims, or situations involving overlapping coverage.
We help insurers and businesses assess their potential exposure, understand how priority rules apply, and navigate discussions with other insurers. Clear advice early on can help prevent unnecessary delays in the claims process and reduce the risk of protracted disagreements. When disputes cannot be resolved informally, we represent clients in court to reach a solution.
Subrogation is the process that allows an insurer who has paid a claim to step into the policyholder’s shoes and seek repayment from the person or business that caused the loss. In plain terms, once the insurer compensates its insured, it can pursue the at-fault party to recover those costs.
Subrogated claims often require early investigation, careful preservation of evidence, and a clear assessment of liability. We help insurers in determining whether recovery is viable, provide detailed opinions on potential outcomes, and help gather and organize the evidence needed to support the claim.
When litigation is necessary, we represent insurers throughout the court process. This process includes issuing the claim to navigating discovery, settlement discussions, and trial. Our focus is on efficient, well-reasoned recovery efforts that reflect the insurer’s strategy and the facts of the case.
