Articles by Jim Sams

Sams is editor of ClaimsJournal.com, the online resource and daily newsletter for property/casualty insurance claims professionals. ClaimsJournal is a member of the Wells Media Group. Sams can be reached at jsams@wellsmedia.com

Mass. High Court Upholds Consent-to-Settle Clause in Malpractice Policy

Massachusetts’ highest court on Monday rejected arguments that consent-to-settle clauses in professional malpractice insurance policies violate public policy. The Supreme Judicial Court sided with CNA subsidiary Continental Casualty Co. in an engineering malpractice lawsuit brought by homeowners Douglas and Kristen …

Insurer Market Conduct Troubles Often Traced to Claims Handling Errors

Mistakes by claims professionals were the most common reason for enforcement actions against U.S. property and casualty insurers in 2018, taking the No. 1 and No. 2 spot on a top 10 list issued by the Wolters Kluwer consulting firm. …

Court Rules Events After Email Instruction Don’t Erase Claim for Phishing Loss

A $1.7 million email phishing fraud that included phone calls with a fake lawyer and an intervention by a Wells Fargo fraud investigator is still a fraud and Ironshore Indemnity is liable for the claim, a split panel with the …

FEMA Envisions High-Tech Flood Insurance Program Using Parametrics, Blockchain

Blockchain technology and parametric insurance should be included in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s toolbox as it strives to close the nation’s flood insurance coverage gap, according to a draft report by an advisory committee that makes recommendations to the …

Insurer Market Conduct Troubles Often Traced to Claims Handling Errors

Mistakes by claims professionals were the most common reason for enforcement actions taken against U.S. property and casualty insurers in 2018, taking the No. 1 and No. 2 spot on a top 10 list issued by the Wolters Kluwer consulting …

Alabama Court Allows Workers Comp Suit Against AIG, Coventry

An Alabama appellate court has cleared the way for a lawsuit that alleges outrageous and fraudulent conduct by American International Group and Coventry against a worker who was injured in an explosion and sought psychological care. The Court of Civil …

Conn. Supreme Court Finds Insurers Not Liable for Crumbling Foundations

Insurers are not liable for crumbling foundations caused by defective concrete unless the home is on the verge of collapse, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled. The decision will likely amplify public pressure for a government solution. Thousands of homes in …

Alabama Court Gives Go Ahead to Workers Comp Suit Against AIG, Coventry

An Alabama appellate court has cleared the way for a lawsuit that alleges outrageous and fraudulent conduct by American International Group and Coventry against a worker who was injured in an explosion and sought psychological care. The Court of Civil …

States Vary Widely in How They Control Workers’ Comp Medical Costs: WCRI

Workers’ compensation medical costs vary widely among the states both in terms of price and how often services are used. The differences appear to relate closely to which cost-drivers each state legislature tried to control and which were overlooked, according …

States Eye Private Flood Insurance Model Law Industry Thinks Is Unnecessary

An organization of state lawmakers is moving ahead toward adoption of a “model law” designed to encourage the sale of private flood insurance, even though insurers don’t think any new state laws are necessary and agents think the current draft …