Tag Archive: 2019

SMW’s Diane Swerling Joined MCLE Seminar on Settling Cases Involving Insurance Companies

December 30, 2019 2:34 pm Published by Leave your thoughts If you’re an attorney representing a client in an insurance claim, you want to secure a favorable outcome.  Whether you’re negotiating settlements for cases, or mediating with insurance companies, it’s critical that you understand issues related to insurance companies and how they handle cases. For many attorneys, however, questions remain: What does the insurance company… View More

Gifting vs. Loaning: Know The Difference Between a “Gift” and a “Loan” When it Comes to Your Insurance Coverage

December 23, 2019 2:39 pm Published by Leave your thoughts The holidays are a time when family members exchange thoughtful gifts.  In the case of family keepsakes – jewelry, watches, etc. – these gifts require careful management on your insurance policy. Update your policies accordingly! Think about a family example: they have beautiful pearl earrings that family members have handed down through the generations. The… View More

Understand Your ‘Loss of Use’ Coverage

December 17, 2019 2:43 pm Published by Leave your thoughts Protect your property – that’s the fundamental reason for purchasing insurance.  To do so effectively, you need the right coverage.  And the only way to truly ensure that you have the right coverage is to understand every provision within your insurance policy. One area policyholders often struggle to grasp is the “Loss of Use” coverage…. View More

Best Practice Tips for Managing a ‘Burnt Out of Sight’ Insurance Claim

December 3, 2019 12:57 pm Published by Leave your thoughts SMW recently had a client referral – all the way from across the country.  An attorney, who is an old friend (going back to SMW patriarch Bruce Swerling’s college days!), had a claim that presented some interesting lessons for homeowners who suffer “burnt out of sight” (BOS) property losses. In this case, the insureds experienced… View More

Homeowners Beware: Don’t Let Your Thanksgiving Turkey Fry Turn into a Fireball of Property Destruction!

November 27, 2019 1:09 pm Published by Leave your thoughts Here at SMW, we love turkey, and we love Thanksgiving.  And though oven roasting is an endorsed technique, we are not without affection for the savory, oil-filled repast that you can get from deep-frying your holiday turkey. It’s delicious! It’s also, however, incredibly dangerous.  Do you doubt us?  We have seen the damage first-hand –… View More

L.A. Wildfires and Burnt Out of Sight Homes: Important Lessons Learned

November 14, 2019 1:26 pm Published by Leave your thoughts Specifics.  Details.  Invoices and receipts from years past.  Document everything! These are the top-line lessons to learn if you’re dealing with an insurance claim related to a property that is “burnt out of sight” (BOS) – that is, with the building and personal property completely destroyed by fire (see picture). I was recently reminded of… View More

What Community Association Boards and Managers Need to Know When Dealing with a Loss

November 12, 2019 2:23 pm Published by Leave your thoughts Any decent-sized community association – whether it’s a condo complex, co-op, or other homeowners’ group – depends on an experienced property manager to function.  This need is never more acute than after a major property loss, when the property manager becomes the go-to person for coordinating post-event response.  The property manager suddenly must oversee insurance… View More