With over 30 years of experience representing insurance companies in California and nationwide, Coddington Hicks & Danforth is one of the premier firms that provides insurance counseling. We advise clients on a wide range of issues, whether assisting in transactional matters, resolving coverage disputes or helping ensure prompt and fair claims handling. Much of our practice is devoted to counseling insurers on compliance with the various applicable state statutes and regulations which govern claims handling processes and procedures.
Insurance Counseling
Our firm has expertise in all phases of claims handling, from implementation of training programs intended to minimize the likelihood of regulatory violations and disputes, to the defense of insurers in complex bad faith or extra-contractual litigation. Our attorneys provide a full range of counseling services to clients on all aspects of insurance business practices, including:
- Reviewing and drafting policy and procedure guidelines for claims departments, special investigations units and automobile clubs and towing services.
- Reviewing, evaluating, and revising in-house training curricula.
- Drafting policy language.
- Medicare reporting requirements.
- Body shop labor rates and anti-steering laws and regulations.
- Fair claims settlement practices and regulations.
- Compliance with privacy laws.
- Anti-fraud compliance.
- Market conduct examinations.
- Vendor management and contracts.
- Escheat.
- Employment.
As experienced educators and lecturers, our attorneys frequently present in-house seminars and classes to insurance company personnel on a broad range of essential topics, including:
- Compliance with fair claims practices statutes and regulations.
- Compliance with anti-fraud statutes and regulations.
- Avoiding extra-contractual exposure.
- Fraud detection and prevention.
- Proper file maintenance.
- Privacy rights and considerations in claims handling.
- Statutory and common law privileges associated with claims handling.
Our insurance counseling services include the monitoring and coordinating of litigation handled by both in-house and outside counsel in a broad range of matters, including claims that involve potential class issues, extra-contractual exposure and punitive damages.
Department of Insurance Proceedings
Our counseling services aim to help our clients implement comprehensive training programs and detailed policies to ensure good business practices and minimize unnecessary disputes and regulatory action. However, even with the best policies in place, some claims will still be reviewed by the Department of Insurance for possible wrongful denial or other bad faith allegations. When these occur, our attorneys will advocate on behalf of our insurer clients in Department of Insurance proceedings and respond to all inquiries regarding the handling of specific claims. For example, our attorneys have helped clients respond to regulatory inquiries, market conduct examinations, pending class action matters, policy interpretation, and claims handling guidelines.
Insurance Litigation
Our firm has over 30 years of litigation experience. As one of the premier insurance firms in California, we have an in-depth understanding of insurance litigation involving even the most complex of claims, including class actions.
Experienced Insurance Counseling
At the California law firm of Coddington, Hicks & Danforth, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive and responsive counseling services to insurance companies throughout the nation. We understand that our clients often need quick answers to important questions and will respond promptly by telephone to all client inquiries. To speak with an experienced insurance attorney today, contact Coddington, Hicks & Danforth.