Nearly all insurance policies contain what is commonly called an “appraisal clause.” While the specific language differs from one policy to another, the idea is generally the same. This provision is designed to provide a mechanism to resolve disputes about insurance claims — but not all disputes are subject to being resolved by appraisal.
On February 19, 2020, the Indiana Court of Appeals issued an opinion that clarified whether plaintiffs can recover damages for the inherent diminished value of personal property caused by the negligence of a tortfeasor. In Shield Global Partners-G1, LLC v. Lindsay Forster, the defendant rear-ended a pickup truck and admitted the accident was her fault. The truck was repaired after…
Indiana has just been clobbered – again – by fierce, widespread tornadoes. The website of the National Weather Service has excellent data you can review to track the history of the storms and the damage they caused in your area. For example, visit: http://www.weather.gov/ind/august242016severeWhen the time comes to finalize your claim with your commercial or homeowners insurance carrier for the…
Insurance policy forms are about as much fun to read as the tax code or your credit card agreement. Typically, these forms consist of various parts and pieces that refer back to one another and can only be made sense of using highlighters, sticky notes, and a diagram. Nevertheless, they are critically important documents that set forth your rights and…
Varda v. Auto-Owners Insurance Company
Today’s storms in Illinois and Indiana have been classified by the National Weather Service as a “PDS” — Particularly Dangerous Situation. Many of the storm cells blew through the area at speeds near 70 mph. These storms are known to have caused significant damage in both Illinois and Indiana.
The recent catastrophic warehouse fires in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne are a good occasion to consider what type of coverage is best on large, older industrial or commercial buildings that have useful purposes but may, in fact, be impossible or impractical to replace. It is also a good time to think about what amount your insurance company may owe you…