Hi does anyone know the difference between practicing insurance coverage as opposed to insurance defense? thanks
Coverage firms advise an insurer whether they are obligated to cover a claim.
Once an insurer knows it has to pick up coverage, it assigns an insurance defense firm to do the legal defense.
thanks. so is it fair to say its not litigation?
No. Both are specific types of litigation. For example, coverage disputes can arise in declaratory judgment cases. Insurance defense is litigation as well, ie the law firm assumes the defense of the insured and has their bills paid by the insurer.
ok thanks for the explanation
If you are working at a biglaw shop, the insurance coverage practice largely consists of suing insurers (on behalf of policyholders) for refusing to provide coverage or tender a defense. It’s sort of a niche practice area but there are a few firms (Covington, Dickstein Shapiro, Jenner, etc.) who do a ton of it.