Surety & Insurance

Insurance Defense for the Construction Industry

The attorneys of Righi Fitch Law Group represent insurance companies, contractors, developers, and other construction clients involved with insurance and surety law issues. We are uniquely positioned to pursue insurance coverage for our developer clients while working within the parameters established by the insurance industry. Our skilled team represents clients across Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah in these key areas.

Call our offices at (602) 483-6352 to find out how we can address your needs.

Risk Management: Establishing & Enforcing Insurance Requirements

When a developer, homebuilder, or general contractor begins a construction project, the insurance needs can be complex and vary widely depending upon the circumstances. Our firm is well versed in the insurance requirements necessary to fully protect against risks associated with construction.

Our construction insurance attorneys help in many different ways:

• We assist clients by managing their complex insurance needs.
• We assess coverage and indemnity requirements and then document them for direct insurers.
• We determine coverage and indemnity obligations to be imposed on individual subcontractors.
• We establish a protocol for subcontractors regarding their purchase of insurance coverage.
• As the project moves forward, we ensure that all subcontractors follow these requirements.

Just as it takes an experienced eye to read and understand the nuances of a blueprint, it takes an attorney experienced in construction insurance and surety law to sort out the complex network of responsibilities for the risks associated with a construction project. Our law firm has that experience.

Proactive Litigation Management: Protecting the Client's Interests

If a homebuilder or general contractor is sued, we analyze relevant documentation at the outset of every case to determine the availability of insurance coverage and indemnity protection.

First, we will look at the insurance you have in place and, if it applies, request the insurance company to defend and indemnify (cover claims) so that the client does not have to incur expenses for costs, attorney's fees, or even a judgment.

Next, we look at the subcontracts and certificates of insurance to determine if any of the subcontractors have named the client as an additional insured under their policies. If so, we will seek coverage for our client under those policies.

We have the experience and staff to tender claims to the right insurers, aggressively pursue all available insurance coverage, and manage the insurance portion of small and complex cases. Insurance companies regularly retain us to represent homebuilders and general contractors because of our insurance defense experience. We understand how to protect the homebuilders’ and general contractors’ interests while working with the insurance companies that are paying for the defense.

Direct Representation of Insurance Companies

We also represent insurance companies directly, analyzing the coverage available and rendering a coverage opinion. If an insurance company is sued for its handling of a claim or defense, we will represent them in an insurance coverage dispute or defend them in an insurance bad faith claim. Likewise, architects, engineers, and other construction professionals who face litigation can rely on our experience in professional liability defense.

To learn more about our surety and construction insurance practice, please contact us online or at (602) 483-6352.