Interpretation of Insurance Contracts: Law and Strategy for Insurers and Policyholders

Addressing critical real world issues for insurance lawyers, litigators and corporate practitioners, Interpretation of Insurance Contracts is your up-to-the-minute guide to practice in this burgeoning field. Nationally-known insurance law expert Jeffrey Stempel focuses on policy language - zeroing in on the finer points that can make or break your case - and provides detailed guidance to help you handle such specific problem areas as: * Defining "total loss" to determine policy limits * Applicability of valued policy laws to dwellings other than traditional single family homes * Employment disputes, with particular reference to the intentional act exclusion * Negligent delivery of professional services * Professionals acting in nonprofessional capacities * Regulatory estoppel and its effect on the "sudden and accidental" pollution exclusion * Allocation of coverage * Trigger of coverage * D&O special apportionment issues * Coverage for environmental claims * Bad faith litigation * The duty to settle and defend * Fraud and excess insurance availability