Why a Great Broker Makes the Difference When a Commercial Insurance Claim Stalls
Why do some commercial insurance claims get paid and others don’t?
In my view, one of the biggest differences is the attitude of the insurance broker involved.
As a property damage and insurance dispute lawyer, I spend every day dealing with claims that have stalled, been underpaid or been declined altogether.
The reality is this:
Great brokers make the difference to claim outcomes.
Not because they perform magic. Not because they are lawyers. But because they know how to move a claim.
It is often as simple as prioritising claims, being persistent, knowing what expertise is needed and when.
The best brokers understand the interests and needs of the different parties and know how to present the claim properly.
They know when a claim needs to be escalated.
And importantly, they know when legal help is needed.
That last point matters.
A lot of commercial claims turn into disputes about policy wording, causation, exclusions, disclosure, expert evidence and whether the insurer is applying the policy properly.
That’s the right time to introduce an insurance lawyer, but the broker still has a role to play.
That is where a broker’s skill really counts.
The best brokers know their role and they know their limits. They know when the issue is no longer just broking, but a legal dispute requiring someone who understands policy construction, case law and legal process.
I act for policyholders, property owners and businesses in property damage and insurance disputes. My job is to help get claims paid, challenge denials and deal with the legal issues that sit underneath difficult claims.
Trust me, I understand a broker’s job because I did it for many years. But now I’m a lawyer, I am not a broker.
My leverage is proceedings. A broker has relationships and influence.
Most claims get paid because I work with a great broker, a broker who knows their role and who knows mine.
Good brokers know that the real test of their quality is at claim time.
They resolve claims.
This article is a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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