HeplerBroom

Insurance Services

We ask. We listen. We appreciate what success means to our clients, every time.

The insurance industry seeks the advice and counsel of the HeplerBroom Insurance Services Group because our experience and knowledge leave us uniquely equipped to prepare and implement creative solutions to coverage and defense claims. Our insurance partners possess experience in in-house claims and management roles with insurers, allowing us a unique ability to understand the issues, strategies, and goals to resolve each claim.

We keep our insurers updated with new developments in applicable state law and help them adapt their policy language to reflect those developments. We provide guidance in handling claims, evaluating the insurer’s options, and assisting in responding to tenders, demands, and coverage arguments. When practical, we work with the insurer to reach a favorable settlement without the need for litigation. If litigation becomes necessary, we vigorously represent the insurer in federal and state trial and appellate courts. We also defend insurers against allegations of bad faith in both first- and third-party claims.

We also possess a strong statewide practice defending captive and independent insurance producers against errors and omissions claims. For more than a decade our experience and activity in this arena has favorably guided the common law for insurance producers, limiting their potential legal duties and exposure for uncovered claims.

DuChateau and Fay Secure Dismissal of Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Action in U.S. District Court
Melton and DuChateau Secure Dismissal with Prejudice and Sanctions Against Plaintiff in Federal Insurance Case
DuChateau and Fay Secure Summary Judgment in High Exposure Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Case
Moch, Fay, and Mucci Secure Significantly Reduced Award in Jury Trial in Cook County
Fay Attains Second Favorable Verdict in Cook County Jury Trial
Fay Attains Favorable Verdict in Cook County Jury Trial
Insurance Attorneys Receive Defense Verdict for Client in Ohio
Fowler and Zaffiri Obtain Defense Verdict in St. Louis County Trial
Hammond and DuChateau Help Create Favorable New Law in a Case of First Impression
HB Attorneys Prevail in Bench Trial in Schuyler County, Illinois
Varadachari and Wells Secure Defense Verdict
Farroll and Kuchar Obtain Defense Verdict for Client
Fowler Obtains Favorable Verdict for Insurance Client
HeplerBroom Attorney Obtains Summary Judgment for Client

News

DuChateau Receives Distinguished Member Award from State Defense Counsel Association
Varadachari Joins Board of Directors of State Defense Lawyers Association
Fowler Inducted into Prestigious Trial Lawyers Association
HeplerBroom Adds Additional Insurance Defense Attorney
Five HeplerBroom Attorneys Named 2024 Missouri-Kansas Super Lawyers/Rising Star
HeplerBroom Included in Best Law Firms® 2024 Edition
Varadachari Selected to Board of Directors of National Defense Attorney Organization

Events

Moch, Weiner, and Fay Guide In-House Counsel Through Insurance Fundamentals
Fay Discusses Public Adjusters and Property Claim Investigation Strategies with Special Investigators
Moch Speaking on AI at National Perrin Conference on Insurance Coverage & Allocation Issues
Oldenburg Discusses Litigation Hot Topics at Prestigious Defense Counsel’s Insurance Industry Institute
Banasek Helps Long-Term Care Leaders Understand Legal Effects of Utilizing Agency and Ancillary Staff
McGonigle Among Featured Speakers at Chicago Insurance Claims Conference
Davis Presents Webinar on Cyber & Data Privacy Insurance
McGonigle Leads Panel Discussion About Settlement Values with Insurance Claims Professionals
Varadachari to Speak at National Claims and Litigation Management Conference
Melton and Moch Speak at 30th Annual Insurance Fraud Conference
Moch to Speak at State Defense Counsel Conference
Varadachari and Burkett to Discuss Insurance Issues at National Conference
HeplerBroom to Host International Conference
Johnson and Collins to Talk about Legalities of Business Formation
Duchateau Speaks to Business Owners About Cyber Liability and Other Insurance Issues
Varadachari and Young to Speak at National Insurance Claims and Litigation Conference
Varadachari to Lead a Table at Insurance "Speed-Dating" Conference
Varadachari Discusses Transportation Verdicts
Bozarth and Varadachari Spoke at Defense Trial Attorneys National Conference
Varadachari Spoke at CLM National Conference
Weiner Talks with Illinois Chamber of Commerce about New Prejudgment Interest Statute
Varadachari Addresses Transportation Carriers and Insurance Claims Professionals
HB Attorneys Present Seminar for American Bar Association
Moch and Young Present Litigation Webinar
Insurance Attorneys Take Part In Podcasts
Curtis Speaks at Indiana State Attorney Conference
Jones and Khan to Speak to Independent Insurance Agents about Buying, Selling, and Perpetuating Insurance Agencies
Hammond and Moch to Speak at International Association of Special Investigation Units Conference
3 HB Attorneys Speak at IDC Synergy Forum
Varadachari to Speak at Annual CLM Conference
Varadachari to Speak at CLM Annual Conference
Varadachari to Speak at 2016 CLM Annual Conference
Varadachari to Speak at Claims and Litigation Management Alliance 2014 Transportation Conference

Publications

Five HeplerBroom Attorneys Publish Features, Articles, and Columns for Illinois Defense Counsel’s Professional Journal
HeplerBroom Attorneys Publish Columns for IDC Quarterly
Moch Highlights Impacts of Changes in Insurance Industry on Claims Practices
HeplerBroom Attorneys Published in State Professional Journal
Moch Discusses Social Media-Inspired Car Thefts Plaguing Insurance Companies
Insler Publishes Article on Law360 About BIPA and Insurance Coverage
HeplerBroom Attorneys Contribute to State Law Journal
Moch Discusses Insurance Fraud Convictions
Moch Explores the Perils of “Playing Dead for Money”
Moch Discusses Organized Insurance Fraud in Slip-and-Fall Claims
Duchateau Publishes Article on Replacement Cost Coverage and Aesthetic Mismatches
Reda and McGonigle Publish Article on Data Downloads for Vehicles Involved in Accidents
Curtis Publishes Article on Covid-19 Business Interruption Litigation in Indiana
Curtis Publishes Article in Indiana Attorney Journal
Moch Authors Article On Exaggerated Injuries For International Insurance Magazine
Insurance Investigators Journal Features Five HeplerBroom Attorneys
Illinois Auto & Homeowners Insurance Reform Laws Take Effect July 2027
Artificial Intelligence is Changing Auto Accident Claims—But Human Judgment Still Rules the Road
So, Requests for Admission Served on You are Deemed Admitted. Now What?
Appellate Court Expands Role of Insurance Appraisal Process to Include Causation Issues
Parametric Insurance: A Paradigm Shift in Risk Management and Claims Handling
A Missouri Insurer’s Right to Intervene: The Seminal Case of McCrackin and Its Early Treatment in Federal Court
Medicare Secondary Payer News, Notes, and Updates for 2025
Keeping the Humanity in Insurance Decision-Making
Contracts and Indemnification: Appellate Court Clarifies What’s Needed for Indemnification to be a Valid Part of a Contract
Expenses Covered by Medicaid Rendered Unrecoverable to Parents in Illinois
Settlement of Whistleblower Claims under False Claims Act Points out Importance of Submitting Accurate Medicare and Medicaid Claims
Navigating Regulatory Expectations for Artificial Intelligence in Insurance: Insights from Illinois Department of Insurance Bulletin
Understanding the Innocent Insured Doctrine: A Legal Perspective
Illinois Joins Nationwide Trend: Setting New Professional Standards for Public Adjusters
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Issue Final Rule Regarding Civil Money Penalties for Failing to Timely Report Personal Injury Settlements Involving Medicare Beneficiaries
Is There Insurance Coverage for an Underlying BIPA Lawsuit?
One Year After Legalization: Cannabis and Insurance Coverage in Missouri—Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Attempting to Go
CAFA: Seventh Circuit’s Interpretation of the Home-State Controversy Exception
Missouri Supreme Court Declines to Address Constitutionality of Missouri’s “No Pay, No Play” Statute
BIPA Ruling Furthers Mixed Signals On Insurance Coverage
Oh Snap! Fast-Acting Defendants Circumvent the Forum Defendant Rule
Confusing Jury Instructions Create Unexpected Liability for Trucking Brokers and Shippers
How and When to Present Residency Evidence Can Be Key to Trial Success
Illinois Appellate Court Rules Policy Exclusion Clause Does Not Apply: Insurer Had Duty to Defend and Indemnify
Medicare Secondary Payer News, Notes, and Trends for 2022
Missouri Appellate Court Reaffirmed Owned-Vehicle Exclusions in Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Missouri’s “No Pay, No Play” Law Provides Severe Consequences for Motorists Without Auto Liability Insurance
Illinois Governor Signs SB0072, Amending 735 ILCS 5/2-1301 Providing For Prejudgment Interest To Personal Injury Plaintiffs
Missouri Legislature Passes Reform to RSMo § 537.065
Murder, Intrigue, Wrongful Arrest, Malicious Prosecution, and …… Insurance Coverage???
What’s in a Name? The Importance of Defining Your Client’s Role in Insurance Procurement Matters
Illinois Governor Vetoes Initial Bill Providing for Pre-Judgment Interest to Personal Injury Plaintiffs; Revised Legislation is Pending
PAID Act Heralded As Benefit To Those Resolving Injury Claims With Medicare Beneficiaries
Avoiding Bad Faith Liability Claims in Missouri in Cases Involving Multiple Claimants
How will COVID-19-Related Property Foreclosures Affect Property Insurance Claims?
Coverage Implications When An Insured Fails To Appear For An Examination Under Oath
A Review of Negligent Credentialing Case Law
Auto Dealers and Finance Industry Beware: The FTC is Watching
Illinois Department of Insurance Cannot Decide Owner-Operator Employment Dispute, Appeals Court Rules
To Save or Not to Save? Protected Health Information and the Changing Landscape of Protective Orders in Illinois
What’s the Outlook for Insurance Producers’ Liability if Their Clients’ COVID-19 Business Interruption Claims are Denied?
Flaunting Insurance Coverage: Missouri Court Reaffirms, Explains Rule Against Referencing a Party’s Liability Insurance (And the Rare Exception)
Putting Your Legal Malpractice Carrier on Notice of a Potential Claim: Must a Missouri Lawyer “Foresee” Changes in the Law?
Right to Intervene Under Missouri Statute Section 537.065 is Not Retroactive to Trials and Contracts Pre-Dating the 2017 Amended Statute - Even if Judgment Was Not Yet Entered
Uncovering Fraudulently Incorporated Professional Service Corporations
Missouri Introduces New Venue Statutes for Lawsuits Against Insurance Companies
Does an Illinois Insurance Producer Owe a Legal Duty to an Additional Insured on a Policy It Procured? It Certainly Shouldn’t, and Here’s Why
Illinois Supreme Court has Opportunity to Clarify Fiduciary Duties Owed by Insurance Producers to Clients
Self-Serving Pleadings for Additional Insureds
Punitive Damages Demand Alone Likely Insufficient to Trigger Independent Counsel
Read Your Insurance Policy Carefully: Insured Bound to Terms of Policy Despite Alleged Representations by Insurer’s Agent
Be Careful What You Say: Insurer Estopped from Asserting Coverage Defenses Based on Agent’s Representations
Insurer Seeks Rescission Due to Misrepresentation in an Application for Insurance - Court Rules that an Insurer is Required to not only Ask Questions but also to Investigate Answers
Private Health Insurance Companies Can Seek Double Damages Remedy Under Medicare Secondary Payer Act
New Missouri Statutes May Substantially Impact How Insurance Carriers Approach Liability Claims
Illinois Insurance Law: Discovery of an Insurance Company’s Handling of Prior, Unrelated Claims
The Fifth Circuit Holds that a Corporation is Not a Person—At Least for Purposes of Insurance Coverage
An Irritant is … Something that Irritates: The Eighth Circuit Weighs In On Scope Of The Pollution Exclusion To Liability Coverage