In a liability claim or lawsuit, the first insurance policy identified is rarely the complete picture. Knowing what coverage actually exists matters before a case is built or a settlement is negotiated, and a denied claim or low policy limits are not always the end of the inquiry.

What a coverage investigation looks for

A thorough coverage investigation looks past the first policy found to other insurance that may apply, such as:

• Umbrella and excess policies
• Commercial or business policies
• Additional-insured coverage
• Resident-relative policies
• An employer’s coverage when the person was acting in the course of employment

The work involves confirming policy numbers, carriers, and effective dates rather than relying on assumptions.

Why there is no single place to look

There is no central database of liability insurance. Identifying coverage means going beyond a database check to sources such as licensing records, court filings, prior claims history, business records, and interviews.

What Horizon reports, and what it does not

Horizon helps identify potential insurers, policies, and claims contacts, and reports what the investigation finds along with the sources and limitations. Horizon does not make coverage determinations. Whether a policy applies to a particular loss is a question for the carrier, counsel, and the courts.

Learn more about our Financial, Asset, and Insurance Research.

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