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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.