Agency Operations

The wave of post-pandemic lawsuits has prompted independent insurance agents to review their errors & omissions (E&O) coverage and risk mitigation strategies.

“In the past, E&O coverage for seed dealers has been very cost-prohibitive,” says independent agent Shelly Turner. “Educating both clients and other agents on the availability of a lower cost, higher coverage option is a big focus.”

A well-documented agency file can mean the difference between outright vindication and a murky swearing contest that results in a lawsuit, settlement or both.

Generally, when consumers feel they are paying more and receiving less in return, problems arise.

The agency errors & omissions environment has become more complicated, and the result has led to several implications for independent agencies.

Agency errors & omissions coverage has been impacted by the hard market, with premiums increasing over the past few years, and difficulty in replacing waves of retirees with younger workers.

It is possible to offer a quote without substituting your judgment for your customer’s, which is a leading cause of E&O claims.

Any business where the threat of physical harm could occur on or near the premises has an assault and battery exposure. It is not limited to liquor stores, restaurants and bars.

Inadequate limits are an all-too-common claim in independent insurance agency E&O. And with inflation today outstripping even the inflation guards inserted on some policies, these claims are becoming more frequent.

There are myriad of issues that can lead to a claim against accountants and E&O coverage provides the necessary protection.