MINNESOTA: Legislature Looks to Address Rising Insurance Premiums
One distressing trend that has become all too familiar for Minnesota residents is the rising cost of homeowner’s insurance. An increase in hail storms and major weather events is surely ...
RECENT ARTICLES
Is There a Hidden Deadline in Your Homeowners Policy?
In prior posts, we have commented on the standard two-year time limit for suit found in many Minnesota homeowners policies that effectively serves to shorten the time in which you may make a claim for insurance proceeds. The two-year time limit for suit is generally enforceable and acts as a contractual statute of limitation. But, there are other deadlines tucked…
SJJ Secures Another Victory for Policyholders
SJJ attorneys already established a policyholder’s ability to recover interest on an underpaid insurance claim when the policyholder is forced to resolve it through the appraisal process in 2017 before the Minnesota Supreme Court. Since then, some insurance companies have tried to alter their policies in an attempt to prevent policyholders from receiving interest on these underpaid claims.
Probate Part III – When Probate Should Be Avoided
In part three of Smith Jadin Johnsons series on probate, this post discusses the scenarios when drafting a revocable trust as a client’s main estate planning device, and subsequently avoiding probate, makes the most sense. Depending on the type of estate, revocable trusts can be the preferred method of asset distribution for estates that are complex and for estates that require control over assets and/or privacy.
Dial Back, Minnesota: Effects on Homeowners Associations
On Wednesday, November 18, 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced that he was dialing back Minnesota’s Stay Safe Plan for the COVID-19 pandemic. The updated plan is a reaction to a continued rise in all relevant metrics, including number of cases, rate of positive tests, and use of hospital capacity.
Probate Part II – When Probate Is Preferred
In part two of Smith Jadin Johnson’s series on probate, this post discusses the scenarios when drafting a will as a client’s main estate planning device, and subsequently probating the will, makes the most sense.
Probate Part 1: Is It a Four Letter Word?
For many people, when they hear the word “probate” it conjures up something to be avoided like the plague. Most of that stems from misunderstanding the process and procedure. This is the first of a three part series in which Smith Jadin Johnson explains when probate is appropriate for clients and when it should be avoided.
COURT RULES THAT ONE-YEAR RCV DEADLINE IS NOT ALWAYS ENFORCEABLE
RSJ attorney Tim Johnson recently won another important insurance case. In Anderson v. American Family, the homeowner’s insurance policy required that she complete the repairs to her hail damaged house within one year of the storm. Because of circumstances outside of her control, including delays caused by the insurance company, she was unable to complete the work within one year.…
MINNESOTA QUARRY CAUSES LOCAL PROPERTY DAMAGE
Property damage is an unfortunate but often inevitable part of owning a home or operating a business. This is why insurance against weather and other damage is one of the main building blocks of a secure responsibility with a property. A bizarre incident in Minnesota is showcasing a less-common need for reliable property insurance. A quarry in Mankato is having…
INSURANCE PROVIDERS SUED BY MINNESOTA OVER CLAIMS DISPUTES
Homes, cars, possessions – insurance is necessary for a safe, secure lifestyle even without considering medical needs. There are dozens of major insurers that offer hundreds of plans in an effort to offer coverage for every situation. At times, these insurers need extra oversight to make sure this coverage is fair. Minnesota’s commerce commissioner recently fined two insurance companies for…
ELEMENTS OF PROPERTY INSURANCE CLAIMS IN MINNESOTA
When it happens, it feels like nothing will ever be the same. Homeowners and other building owners dread the idea that an event beyond their control could damage or destroy their property. Investments, businesses and personal possessions are all at stake in a disaster. Insurance policies help introduce some relief and predictability into the unpredictable world of real estate ownership.…
AT RSJ WE DON’T JUST ARGUE INSURANCE LAW, WE MAKE IT!
‘s attorneys are on the forefront of changing the law to protect policyholders’ rights. Here are just a few examples of times RSJ helped develop and create new law in the last couple of years: Cedar Bluff v. American Family. RSJ wins a Minnesota Supreme Court case holding that insurance policies provide for a reasonable match between existing and replacement…
SJJ WINS A MAJOR CASE IN THE IOWA COURT OF APPEALS
RSJ attorney Tim Johnson won a case before the Iowa Court of Appeals involving the scope of an insurance appraisal panel’s authority to determine the amount of a disputed loss. Walnut Creek v. Depositors Ins. Co involved a disputed hail claim to a 36 building homeowner’s association. The Association suffered hail damage to the buildings, but the insurance company denied…