What Makes General Liability Insurance Coverage -- Key Issues in Every State a Unique 50-State Survey Book:

Those involved with general (and professional) liability insurance claims, such as insurance company claims professionals, coverage counsel, risk managers and brokers, all respond to a new claim scenario with the same three words: Is it covered? [That may also be the last time that they agree on anything.] It’s just three words -- but the answer can be vexing.

Despite the relative uniformity of general liability policies, states can differ widely in their interpretation and application of them. So the answer to the “Is it covered?” question can depend a great deal on whether the case arises on one side of the street (or river or mountain) or another.

General Liability Insurance Coverage -- Key Issues in Every State sets forth the law that has been adopted by all 50 states, and the District of Columbia, for 20 important and commonly occurring general liability insurance coverage issues. And about half the issues are just as relevant for professional liability claims scenarios.

50-State surveys on insurance coverage issues are inherently limited. But at nearly 1,000 pages, with a singular objective of proving the rule of law in every state, Key Issues seeks to overcome these limitations. It does so by setting out aspects of cases (e.g., facts and/or policy language) that were relevant to the court’s decision. In other words, it does not provide the rule of law in a vacuum. Rather, it provides context. This enables the reader to compare the cases in the book, to his or her own claim at hand, and come away with an understanding of how the issue may be resolved by a court. Take a look at the sample pages for examples of this.

If you want an esoteric discussion of coverage, do not buy Insurance Key Issues. Buy a treatise. If you want to have the law at your fingertips, in all 50 states, on the liability coverage issues that arise every day, Insurance Key Issues is the place to turn.

Although Key Issues is aimed at attorneys and insurance professionals with some degree of experience, it is accessible to entry-level readers as well. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the CGL policy. Each chapter after that contains an overview of the nature, background, development, and competing schools of thought concerning a key issue followed by a comprehensive state-by-state summary of relevant law, including the latest cases and developments.