Moat Associates

It is realistic to expect differences of view on the part of even the most distinguished of insurance experts. Thus, it is imperative that your expert witness be more than simply one who espouses, “… a long and envied career in the insurance industry.” Your insurance expert witness must be able to effectively articulate his/her opinions based on expertise in regard to your specific insurance issue. Generalists should not be entertained.

Be Very Selective – Find the Right Insurance Expert for Your Case

Start Early

Once you decide that you must contest a problem – whether through insurance arbitration or litigation, immediately start looking for the right insurance expert services.
The right expert witness consultant:

• can help your insurance agency assess the cause,
• can be an important part of your legal team in planning the pre-hearing or pre-trial process, and
• with intimate knowledge of your agency’s case, may ultimately prove to be valuable as your arbiter should you decide to go that route.

The Right Expert Witness Has Specific Insurance Experience

The right insurance expert witness has proven experience with respect to the specific issues of your case. No two insurance companies, no two insurance agencies, no two claims are alike. Details and nuances are important. Be selective.

Require Proof of Competence and Expert Witness Testimony Experience

• Look at a sample of the expert witness’s work product.
• If a written report will be required ask to see examples of prior reports, if possible, dealing with the subject of your contest. Are they thorough, clear and professionally presented?
• Require a list of cases on which the insurance expert witness has been deposed and testified. There is no substitute for trial or arbitration experience.

Interview

Telephone interviews are useful in an initial determination of the expert witness’s communication skills and general experience. An in-person, face-to-face interview is preferable. Take the time to discuss your insurance agency’s issues and measure the responses in terms of level of the expert’s knowledge, direct experience and ability to articulate clear and precise responses. Above all, feel comfortable about the person and confident that while he/she will do all that is possible to support your agency’s case, he/she will refuse to compromise professional standards to do so.

Why Moat Associates, LLC Insurance Expert Witness Services

Mr. Moat has extensive experience as an expert witness on insurance matters – especially those of insurance agency valuation, custom and practice in the insurance industry.
As an expert witness in regard to insurance issues, Mr. Moat may be your best choice.

• A lawyer with years of insurance experience as an agent, company officer, director, and financial services with special advantage when dealing with or conducting difficult cross-examination.
• An expert who understands the nuances of insurance valuation and management,
• An insurance executive who has been deposed and given expert witness testimony across the country and in several foreign jurisdictions and is familiar with the requirements of the Federal Rules of Evidence.
• A knowledgeable and articulate insurance executive with courtroom experience. As an extensive public speaker he has a proven ability to articulate difficult issues to a judge or jury.

Mr. Moat has provided expert witness testimony on insurance related issues in over 50 trials, arbitrations or mediations in 14 states and the Federal Tax court. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants and been twice appointed by a trial judge as an independent witness.
To discuss your insurance expert witness needs in confidence, call Douglas Moat directly at 845.758.5753 or 843.705.2851

Insurance Expert Witness Related ARTICLES:

• The Right Expert Witness for Insurance Litigation
• Key Issues When Preparing and Testifying on a Valuation Report

For a selected list of recent cases please visit our About Moat Associates page.

REFERENCES:

David Bakst, Esq. Morrison & Mahoney 617-439–7565
William Tedards, Esq. Tedards Associates 202–797-9135