About Claims Law
Philosophy
The claims experience is one of the most important for any consumer of insurance products, whether that consumer is a publicly traded company, an independent professional responding to a regulatory investigation or a small business experiencing their first cyber breach. The professionalism and knowledge of the claims professional, the ease of process and information flow and the speed of payments are critical components. On the company side, the data gleaned from claims supports strategy, pricing, product development and innovation.
While parts of the claims process can be standardized, the increasing complexity of many specialty products, the challenges of the current litigation environment and the nuances of the coverage itself, often mandates a customized approach to claims, coverage and litigation management.
Drawing on over 15 years of experience working for Canada’s largest P&C and specialty insurers, as both litigation counsel and in claims management roles, I aim to provide customized and agile claims management solutions, legal and coverage advice and advocacy services to carriers, brokers and policyholders. Above all, my goal is to ensure claims and coverage outcomes that are transparent, equitable and efficient and which honour the terms and intent of the insurance contract.
LAURA HODGINS
Laura is a lawyer and insurance professional based in Toronto. She has extensive experience managing complex claims for some of the largest specialty insurers in Canada. Laura is known for her skilled claims handling and litigation management, expertise in policy interpretation and insurance law and proactive and collegial approach to claim resolution and customer service.
Over the past decade, Laura has handled and had oversight of hundreds of complex claims under directors’ and officers’ liability, employment practices, professional liability, financial institutions, cyber, transactional risk, fidelity, commercial general liability and fiduciary liability policies.
As a claims practice leader and internal business partner, Laura has worked closely with leaders in underwriting, operations, legal and compliance on product development, policy wording, audit and regulatory requirements and the provision of market-leading claims intelligence and thought leadership.
Laura began her legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice before entering private practice, where she focused on insurance defence litigation. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2010.
Services
The following customizable and flexible service arrangements are available to meet specific client needs:
· Claims File Handling and Program Management
· Claims Oversight & Audit Services
· Claims Team Training, Coaching and Management Support
· Coverage Counsel & Litigation Monitoring Services
· Product Review and Development Support
· Legal & Regulatory Advice
· Litigation Support Services / locum work
· Policyholder Advisory Services
· Thought leadership / Ghostwriting
Please reach out for further information about any of the above services.
Clients
Claims Law seeks to serve a diverse range of clients across the insurance industry, including insurance carriers, brokers, agents, and individual and corporate policyholders.