Understanding Significant Insurance Coverage Issues that Currently Arise in Natural Disasters
By Stevan D. Phillips
8/31/2011

Summary:

In a guidebook published by Aspatore Books, Stoel Rives attorney Stevan Phillips and his attorney co-authors provide an insider's perspective on recent trends in disaster insurance coverage disputes. From investigating causes of loss to determining the amount the insured is entitled to recover under the policy, the authors offer tips on navigating the complicated legal questions that arise in disaster coverage litigation.

Phillips discusses the impact of the BP Gulf Oil Spill, Hurricane Katrina and the World Trade Center destruction on insurance coverage disputes. In his conclusion, he notes the following:

"I think the advice here is the same whether there is a disaster or a simple claim. There simply is no substitute for a thorough review and analysis of the applicable policy. Never take someone's word for what the policy is supposed to do or what conventional thinking may say about the coverage. Read and analyze the policy from beginning to end, and make sure you understand what the different coverage and exclusions mean. Then you can apply the policy to the factual situation at hand."

Phillip's chapter "Understanding Significant Insurance Coverage Issues that Currently Arise in Natural Disasters" is included and available for purchase in Inside the Minds™ Recent Developments in Disaster Coverage Litigation, published by Aspatore Books, 2011.