Coverage Analysis

Effective coverage analysis involves knowing how to apply policy language to the unique facts of each case. George Reede, a partner with our firm, regularly advises insurers on a variety of coverage issues. Having co-authored a commercial property insurance policy, he has a unique perspective on insurance policy interpretation. His experience as coverage counsel has included:

• A wide variety of property insurance coverages, including computers and media, civil authority, builders risk and business interruption;
• Liability insurance coverage issues, including the duty to defend in trademark and patent cases;
• Many different businesses and industries, including chemical manufacturers, professional sports teams, airports and convention centers;
• Over a thousand examinations under oath, many involving suspected insurance fraud.

Litigation

Even the best coverage decisions are still subject to challenge, and litigation can be unavoidable. George has effectively represented insurers in federal and state courts, at both the trial and appellate level, and in administrative hearings. In addition to the published cases referenced below, his experience includes:

• Complex property coverage litigation involving loss of income claims at 58 airports across the country, all arising from the events of 9/11;
• A variety of coverage cases relating to natural disasters;
• Declaratory judgment actions regarding the duty to defend and indemnify an Insured in trademark and patent litigation;
• Subrogation litigation involving significant explosion, fire and water losses;
• Administrative proceedings arising from complaints under Maryland's Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Act;
• National and international discovery, including depositions in 30 states, Israel, England and Canada

Training Resource

George regularly provides training as a service to his clients. This has included classes offered through CEU Institute for adjuster licensing requirements on topics such as ethical claims management, wind claim causation analysis, mold claims, and insurance fraud detection. He has also spoken at seminars and conferences on various property insurance issues. In 2009, George co-presented "Ethics for Adjusters" with John Curl, Ph.D. of Sequoia Insurance, at the Eastern, Central and Western PLRB/LIRB Regional Adjusters Conferences. In 2010, he co-presented "Business Writing Skills: Correspondence, Complaints and Compliments" with Gary Sullivan, CPCU, AIC, AIM, AIS of Erie Insurance, again at the Eastern, Central and Western PLRB/LIRB Regional Adjusters Conferences. 

Honors & Awards

• Rated AV Preeminent (5.0 out of 5.0) by Martindale Hubbell

Published Works

• "Power of the Pen: One wrong word can mean the difference between effective claim resolution and litigation," Claims Advisor Magazine, Winter 2011, with Gary Sullivan, CPCU, AIC, AIM, AIS of Erie Insurance.
• Ruthless Objectivity: Impartiality and Ethical Claim Decisions, Claims Magazine, September 2009.

Representative Clients

• Brethren Mutual Insurance Company
• Hartford Insurance Group
• Harford Mutual Insurance Company
• Hanover Specialty Property
• Zurich American Insurance Group

Representative Cases

• MDB Communications, Inc. v. Hartford Casualty Ins. Co., 531 F. Supp. 2d 75 (U.S. District Court, District of Columbia 2008)
• Cecilia Schwaber Trust Two v. Hartford Accident & Indem. Co., 437 F. Supp.2d 485 (U.S. District Court, District of Maryland 2006)
• Martinez v. Hartford Casualty Ins. Co., 429 F. Supp.2d 52, 2006 WL 911895 (U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia 2006)  
• Quandrangle Dev. Corp. v. Hartford Ins. Co., 645 A.2d 1074 (District of Columbia Court of Appeals 1994)
• Sylvan Paper Corp. v. Verlan Fire Ins. Co., 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 29325 (U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey 2005)

Additional Interests

• Volunteer/Reference, America World Adoption
• Classic Car Restoration, 1954 Packard Cavalier

Community Involvement

• Board of Elders, Hunt Valley Presbyterian Church, 2002-2008, 2010-present