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  • Case 01 · Non-profit

    Midwest Church's Insurer Balks At Supporting Its Claim, Claim Advocacy Restores Full Coverage

    Issue

    A church in the Midwest contacted us and asked for help with a claim that their current provider did not want to support. The issue severely impacted church operations and needed quick resolution.

    Action

    We interviewed the church leadership concerning the claim and the current insurance coverage. We spoke with the contractor who had supplied the initial quote and the adjuster working for the insurance carrier. After a detailed review of the church's current policy we were able to see where some disconnects had arisen in views of the claim. We then found a reputable contractor in the church's local area that the adjuster and carrier were willing to work with. Reviewed all the necessary items to make the church whole again and presented a new claim to the carrier based on what the policy provided for.

    Outcome

    The carrier agreed to cover the loss on the new claim and payment was provided to the church for the work to commence within two weeks of our being contacted. The church was made whole with like and kind materials and only paid out for their deductible.

    Small white rural church with steeple
  • Case 02 · Business

    Petroleum-Lubricant-Oil Supplier Out Of Compliance With Aerospace Certifications, End-To-End Risk Analysis

    Issue

    A Petroleum-Lubricant-Oil (POL) supplier that belonged to a larger global conglomerate was not in compliance with customer requirements and its aerospace certifications. The Quality Manager and the Division President contacted us to assist them with an end-to-end risk analysis and report.

    Action

    A three-week process audit preceded the risk analysis of each of the processes that supported the operation of the facility. Interviews with employees at all levels that worked within each of the processes were conducted. Then a collaborative exercise with myself, the Quality Manager, and key stakeholders was conducted for the purpose of completing a (Process Failure Modes/Effects Analysis) PFMEA on each process.

    Outcome

    A report on each process, its associated risks, effects and impacts, and potential outcomes was delivered to the company. These reports enabled the company to operate within compliance to its customer requirements and aerospace certifications. Additionally, there were several severe risks that were determined that were immediately acted upon by the company for the sake of protecting its employees and saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential losses.

    Drums of petroleum lubricant product staged outdoors
  • Case 03 · Business

    National Packaging Manufacturer & Distributor, Broker Evaluation & Competitive Bidding Process

    Issue

    CFO and CEO were concerned whether their broker of 20+ years was truly looking out for their growing firm.

    Action

    We designed and orchestrated a thorough process of analyzing the work done over the years to date and identified where improvement opportunities existed. We interviewed the incumbent broker and several challengers, narrowed the field to two, worked closely with both … and a new company earned the business.

    Outcome

    The newly selected broker asked better questions, explored additional exposures for evaluation and presented enhanced coverages for consideration. The new placement enables annual savings exceeding 15% (over $32,000) and, more important, far more secure protection.

    Stacked shipping boxes with packaging labels
  • Case 04 · Business

    Video Game Developer Launching New Adventure On XBox, Needed Counsel On Intellectual Property And Liability Protection

    Issue

    The new game's nature created perils ranging from threats of defamation to patent infringement to psychological injuries. Additionally, the internationally known platform company imposed extraordinarily broad and deep insurance requirements prior to allowing distribution.

    Action

    We scrutinized all contracts, development documents and the game's content to determine the true scope of risks. Then, we engaged a specialty insurance agent and designed the coverage specifications and insurance bidding strategy.

    Outcome

    Coverages were placed for the Developer which afforded full a. protection of risks and b. compliance with the distributor's stipulations … at prices well below those budgeted. The game launched to critical acclaim and achieved financial success.

    Xbox game controller on a desk
  • Case 05 · Non-profit

    World Renowned Children's Hospital Insurance Bidding Process

    Issue

    CFO was initially facing an annual premium increase exceeding $70,000 ... despite highly favorable claims experience. The agent stated "it is just the marketplace" and was reluctant to aggressively take the program out for competing bids. Reliant upon Medicaid and private donations (rather than health insurance reimbursements), the new cost structure proposed was simply unaffordable.

    Action

    We arranged a detailed RFP ... including specific results desired ... and a new provider stepped in with the same protections at a cost even lower than the prior year.

    Outcome

    Hospital saved over $75,000 (in the midst of the pandemic).

    Empty hospital ward with patient beds
  • Case 06 · Business

    Acquisition Of Frozen Foods Warehouse Due Diligence

    Issue

    Private Equity group exploring and then executed acquisition of area's largest - but poorly performing - frozen foods warehouse ... amid plans to add 12 more locations nationally. Our investigation uncovered former insurance placements had close to a $100,000 unnecessary expense.

    Action

    Partnered with client as well as with landlord, lenders, investors and attorneys on all aspects of risk management, lease terms and insurance to assure integral elements were identified, understood and addressed.

    Outcome

    Transaction closed successfully and insurance program was properly placed with appropriate rather than excessive expenses ... and platform now created for planned future expansion to be handled easily and cost-effectively.

    Warehouse pallet racking stocked with boxes
  • Case 07 · Family

    Homeowners Lose Multi-Million Dollar Residence to Fire, Recovery And Two Years Of Claim Advocacy

    Issue

    Reputable insurer and agent both unable to comprehend and respond to magnitude and complexity of the claim, family needs comparable housing, and home rebuilt, and wonders how to proceed?

    Action

    We analyze all coverages applicable and guide family in negotiations with insurance company and emergency contractors.

    Outcome

    Within fifty weeks, insurer issues payments for over $4,000,000 and is also paying the $15,000 monthly rental expense on their temporary home during what may be two years of reconstruction. The family lived in a luxury spec home (fully paid for by the insurer) for a year following the fire; all personal belongings replaced with brand new items; and is now moving into a new home, featuring all amenities destroyed in their former residence (also fully funded by the insurer).

    House engulfed in fire at night
  • Case 08 · Non-profit

    Business Advocacy Group's Nationally Broadcast Annual Fundraising Festival With Over 1,000,000 Spectators, Coverage Analysis And Program Corrections

    Issue

    Leadership concerned whether they are properly insured despite long relationship with insurance agent, particularly due to festival's live music and fireworks display and enormous risks to spectators?

    Action

    We perform an exposure and coverage analysis, evidencing that the Liability insurance purchased has previously unknown, absolute exclusions in case of any claims from live music and/or fireworks.

    Outcome

    Proper insurance is arranged … Client's relationships with national sponsors, as well as its own finances, are protected. And in an uprising sign of Chicago's recovery, the Association - after being forced to create and host a virtual event in late 2020 - is bringing back its national renowned and broadcast live event in November ... which will be bigger and better than ever and properly insured!

    Fireworks display over a city skyline
  • Case 09 · Business

    Manufacturer Of Custom Steel Cables, Outsourced And Ongoing Risk Management

    Issue

    Owner and CFO both were troubled about overall quality of general insurance program placed and serviced by then-broker.

    Action

    We carefully analyzed exposures, engaged safety experts, determined accurate risk profile and appropriate protective levels... and then arranged a new broker interview, selection and engagement process.

    Outcome

    New broker, following our ongoing partnership directions and guidance, placed and is servicing a 'right-sized' program. Owner and CFO report "now being able to sleep" with us as retained Risk Manager.

    Close-up of braided steel cable
  • Case 10 · Non-profit

    National Medical Association's Annual Conference Generates Majority of Annual Operating Income Through Attendees' Fees, Event Cancellation Insurance Program Design

    Issue

    What if the Conference is cancelled and no fees - which represent a majority of the Association's annual revenues - are collectable?

    Action

    We explain and outline Meeting Cancellation Insurance and partnered with broker and insurer on comprehensive and cost-effective protective placement.

    Outcome

    Association's broker secures the insurance for $35,000 total cost. Conference is subsequently cancelled due to circumstances beyond its control … and recovery exceeds $750,000.

    Stethoscope on a light blue background
  • Case 11 · Business

    Contractor Accidentally Destroys $5,000,000 Home, Claim Support And Advocacy During Legal Proceedings

    Issue

    Contractor was alleged to have accidentally caused a fire destroying a historical mansion and neither their insurer nor agent provided timely assistance.

    Action

    We immediately engaged all parties representing the contractor, the building owners, its insurer and the insurer's litigators (who got involved within just days of the blaze) and secured claim set up, policy/coverage documents, kept everyone working cooperatively and arranged and supervised joint site inspection by insurers, forensic experts, debris removal and renovation specialists. Additionally, partnered with legal counsel for insurer and homeowner throughout negotiations.

    Outcome

    Without any litigation, we and the respective insurers negotiated a complete and reasonable resolution. The homeowners have lived in a comparably exquisite residence and the contractor, rather than being mired in aggravation and litigation, was able to focus all energies on its successful business and customers... and was released from any future liability.

    Classical column facade of a stately home
  • Case 12 · Business

    90 Year Old Processing Company Faces Federal Environmental Impairment Lawsuit, Insurance Archeology Finds Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars Of Insurance Defense

    Issue

    Client could not locate any former insurance to provide a claim defense.

    Action

    Our policy archeologists, using bank and other records located in a site document "dig" spanning generations of ownership, found insurance placements dating to 1948. Though many of the former insurers identified has ceased to exist many decades ago, we located survivorship insurance companies who assumed long term fiduciary responsibility and have filed claims with these companies as well.

    Outcome

    With these newly discovered records, along with secondary evidence of applicable insurance, the defendant was been able to file claims... and recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars from policies dating back to late 1960s.

    Sunlight through a tree canopy
  • Case 13 · Business

    International Beauty Products Manufacturer & Distributor, Uninsured Claim Triggers Brokerage Competition And Coverage Overhaul

    Issue

    A $70,000,000 international manufacturer and distributor of beauty products unexpectedly learned a large claim against them was outside the scope of their insurance program … on which they had been spending over $820,000. Their out-of-pocket expenses approached $200,000. We were introduced by their corporate attorney who had other clients we had successfully served.

    Action

    We immediately went to the facility and learned as much as possible about their operations, exposures, insurance (through a 20 year agent relationship) … and their biggest concerns. The agency had become part of a national Private Equity led aggregator. We arranged and executed a transparent brokerage competition - including the incumbent firm - and a new servicing broker was selected by the company.

    Outcome

    Most important, numerous critical coverage gaps were filled via a far more synthesized coverage portfolio via the brokerage team. Additionally, we identified and partnered on the implementation of several impactful loss control measures (vastly improving the risk profile) … and the annual insurance cost reduced to $670,000.

    Retail shelves stocked with beauty and hair care products