We blogged about this a few month ago, but are still getting questions about whether a malpractice policy has an “innocent Insured” clause and what does it mean. There seems to still be a misunderstanding as to the meaning and intent of this clause in a policy.
Deliberate or illegal acts are normally not insurable either by rule of law or the insurance language in a particular policy. But what happens when a firm member commits an act that is clearly illegal or deliberate and thereby excluded from coverage. This “deliberate” act may also cause there to be a malpractice claim that normally would not be covered. Is it fair to the rest of a firm, if they did not know or participate in the excluded act to not have attorney malpractice coverage for this incident?
The “innocent insured” clause in a policy is intended to provide coverage for the “innocent” parties that are members of the firm so that they are not left without insurance protection. As each malpractice insurance policy is different, this “clause” may differ in wording and may not be called an “innocent insured” clause, while the intent remains the same.
The current AXIS Lawyers Professional Liability Insurance policy is just one such policy. The “innocent Insured” clause is buried as part of the deliberate acts exclusions:
4. Fraudulent, Criminal, Malicious, Deliberately Wrongful Acts, or Omissions. This policy does not apply to any claim based upon or arising out of any dishonest, fraudulent, criminal, malicious or deliberately wrongful acts or omissions committed by you.
This exclusion shall not apply to a claim until and unless such conduct is evidenced by any judgment, final adjudication, alternate dispute resolution proceeding or written admission by you.
This exclusion does not apply to those of you who did not personally commit, personally participate in committing, or remain passive after learning about one or more of the acts or omissions described in this exclusion. However, our obligation to provide coverage in any such case shall be excess of the deductible and excess of the full extent of any assets in the named insured, or monetary value attributed to such assets, of anyone to whom this exclusion applies.
This exclusion shall not apply to claims alleging personal injury.
A further caution, while the “innocent Insured” clause is a very common clause for a professional liability insurance policy. It is not found in all policies. If you have concerns about this clause, check with an experienced professional liability insurance agent.
Note: The above is general information about a Claims Made Insurance policy concept. Different insurance policies and different situations may or may not treat these concepts in a similar manner.
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Lee Norcross, MBA, CPCU Managing Director, CEO (616) 940-1101 Ext. 7080 |
