Scandals: Insurance Uncovered

Theresa Guertin and Amy Lamb

"Scandals: Insurance Uncovered" is a cutting-edge podcast where two leading women in the insurance industry dissect real-life case law with a touch of mystery. Join legal guru Theresa Guertin and policy pro Amy Lamb as they navigate the complexities of policy language, coverage, and how these elements shape court rulings. These two offer invaluable advice to business owners, contractors, and industry professionals on safeguarding their interests. This podcast uniquely combines humor, expert knowledge, and a little murder-mystery vibe, making it a must-listen for anyone in the insurance field.

  1. Jul 20

    The Residential Exclusion Trap

    A contractor may believe they never perform residential work, but their insurance policy may define residential construction much more broadly. In this episode of Scandals: Insurance Uncovered, Amy Lamb and Theresa Guertin examine residential exclusions and the unexpected ways they can affect contractors, subcontractors,general contractors, brokers, and insurance reviewers. They explore how manuscript language may extend beyond dwelling units to mixed use buildings, commercial spaces, common areas, sidewalks, utilities, paving, and other workconnected to a residential development. Amy and Theresa also discuss condo conversion language, project specific coverage, unit count restrictions, incomplete checkbox forms, and why coverage that does not match the work being performed can create devastating financial consequences. The episode begins with an update on New York’s AVOID Act, including the revised 90 day framework and its application to actions commenced on or after April 18, 2026. Listeners will learn: Why commercial work inside a mixed use building may still be treated as residential workHow definitions within manuscript exclusions can dramatically expand the restrictionWhy future apartment to condominium conversions may affect completed operations coverageHow unit count limits can apply across an entire policy period rather than one projectWhy incomplete checkboxes and blank fields should never be ignoredWhen contractors and general contractors should involve the broker or underwriterHow a coverage gap can leave the insured responsible for a six or seven figure loss..... Resources from this Episode: Previous Episode: Understanding New York’s AVOID ActResidential Exclusion Review ChecklistSubmit a Policy or Exclusion for Review..... Have a burning insurance question or a case you want us to dissect? We're all ears! Submit your topics, cases, or anyareas of interest, and let our hosts dive into the details. Reach out to us directly—your suggestion could be featured in an upcoming episode! Reach us directly at ⁠⁠scandalsinspod@gmail.com⁠⁠ ..... Follow the Scandals: Insurance Uncovered Podcast: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/scandalspod/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/scandalspod/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠facebook.com/scandalspod⁠ ..... Connect with our hosts: Theresa Guertin & Amy Lamb ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/theresaguertin/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/amy-lamb-ba948528/⁠⁠ ..... Review our show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

    The Residential Exclusion Trap
  2. Feb 16

    Sixty Days to Indemnity

    What Compressed Deadlines Mean for Risk TransferIn this Season 2 premiere of Scandals: Insurance Uncovered, Amy Lamb and Teresa Guertin unpack New York’s newlyenacted AVOID Act and the compressed deadlines now governing third party practice in construction litigation. Under the new law, defendants have just sixty days to bring contractual indemnity and impleader claims after answeringa complaint. What once allowed flexibility in third party claims strategy is now governed by strict timelines that could reshape how general contractors, subcontractors, carriers, and risk managers approach risk transfer. But this episode goes beyond a statutory breakdown. Amy and Teresa explore: How compressed impleader deadlines may front load litigationWhy “kitchen sink” third party actions could increaseThe cost shifting implications for carriers and insuredsWhat this means for documentation, site investigation, and contract disciplineHow pending construction litigation may also be affectedAlthough the AVOID Act is specific to New York, the structural implications reach far beyond one jurisdiction. Compressed timelines force clarity. They expose weak documentation. And they challenge long standing assumptions about how indemnity claims unfold. As the April 18, 2026 effective date approaches, construction professionals must rethink how quickly indemnity decisions are made. If you work in construction risk, coverage, claims, or contract management, this conversation is essential listening. ..... Resources from this Episode: New York State Senate — AVOID Act bill text and summaryOfficial legislative language for the Avoiding Vexatious Overuse of Impleading to Delay (AVOID) Act.New York Senate Bill S8071A (AVOID Act) — Text and Summary New York Workers’ Compensation Law § 11 — “Grave Injury” definition The statutory definition of a “grave injury,” which is an exception to certain limitations on indemnity/contribution.New York Workers’ Compensation Law Section 11 (Grave Injury) ..... Have a burning insurance question or a case you want us to dissect? We're all ears! Submit your topics, cases, or anyareas of interest, and let our hosts dive into the details. Reach out to us directly—your suggestion could be featured in an upcoming episode! Reach us directly at ⁠⁠scandalsinspod@gmail.com⁠⁠ ..... Follow the Scandals: Insurance Uncovered Podcast: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/scandalspod/⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/scandalspod/⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠facebook.com/scandalspod⁠..... Connect with our hosts: Theresa Guertin & Amy Lamb ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/theresaguertin/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/amy-lamb-ba948528/⁠⁠ ..... Review our show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

    Sixty Days to Indemnity
  3. 12/15/2025

    IRMI 2025 Recap

    Amy Lamb and Theresa Guertin are back from the IRMI Construction Risk Conference 2025 and they brought stories,strategy, and a few conference confessions with them. This IRMI recap episode breaks down what actually matters once the badge is off and you are back in the inbox pile. In this conversation, Amy and Theresa dig into: What made this IRMI Construction Risk Conference feel different and why fewer meetings led to stronger relationshipsHow intentional networking, courage, and curiosity open doors with senior leaders, clients, and future mentorsWhy the IRMI Women’s Happy Hour and the influx of UGA risk management students felt like a turning point for young talentBehind the scenes of Soledad and Theresa’s packed master class on wrap up placements for complex projectsHow wrap up one oh one and more advanced sessions could work together as a full wrap up track at future conferencesEarly warning signs in the market, including increasingly aggressive residential and mixed use exclusions in construction insurance policiesAdvice for young professionals on picking up the phone, asking the questions that feel scary, and learning by doingWhy sobriety, boundaries, and life outside the conference hotel change how you experience events and your careerIf you are a construction insurance professional, risk manager, broker, or carrier partner who wants to get more out of conferences like IRMI, this recap will give you both practical takeaways and a reminder that relationships still drive this industry. Perfect for listeners interested in IRMI, construction risk, wrap up programs, OCIP placements, and the real life side of networking and career growth in insurance. ..... Have a burning insurance question or a case you want us to dissect? We're all ears! Submit your topics, cases, or anyareas of interest, and let our hosts dive into the details. Reach out to us directly—your suggestion could be featured in an upcoming episode! Reach us directly at ⁠⁠scandalsinspod@gmail.com⁠⁠ ..... Follow the Scandals: Insurance Uncovered Podcast: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/scandalspod/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/scandalspod/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠facebook.com/scandalspod⁠..... Connect with our hosts: Theresa Guertin & Amy Lamb ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/theresaguertin/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/amy-lamb-ba948528/⁠⁠ ..... Review our show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

    IRMI 2025 Recap
  4. 08/12/2025

    Death By A Thousand Endorsements: Unpacking Completed Operations, Wrap-Up Tails, and the Exclusions That Bleed You Dry

    Just because the work is done doesn’t mean your coverage is. In this season finale of Scandals: Insurance Uncovered, Amy and Theresa dig into the messy, misunderstood world of completed operations coverage — and why the most dangerous endorsements don’t show up until long after the project ends. From wrap-up tail coverage to exclusions J and L, this episode pulls back the curtain on how “completed” work can still trigger very active liability. Plus, the story of a retired contractor, a forgotten policy, and a six-figure payout that nearly disappeared. In this episode, you’ll learn: What the Products-Completed Operations (PCO) Hazard really coversThe difference between a PCO hazard and a PCO extensionWhy wrap-up tails are only as strong as your excess carrier languageHow exclusions J(6) and L draw the line between covered and deniedWhen punch list and warranty work can blow up your completed ops assumptionsSeason 1 may be wrapping up, but this episode is just the beginning of the conversations we need to have aboutcoverage that lingers long after the job is done. ..... Resources from this Episode: Products-Completed Operations Cheat Sheet A quick reference guide to completed ops basics This one-page summary breaks down what the PCO hazard actually covers, how it differs from a PCO extension, and where it shows up in exclusions, limits, and endorsements. Perfect for internal training or a compliance refresh. Download here: https://2284419.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2284419/Scandals%20Reference%20Files/Scandals%20PCOs%20Cheat%20Sheet.pdf   SDV Law Whitepaper: The Products-Completed Operations Hazard & Wrap-Up Insurance Understanding coverage for warranty work under wrap-ups This in-depth whitepaper from SDV Law explores how bodily injury claims during warranty work should be handled under a wrap-up policy. Includes real-world hypotheticals, policy language breakdowns, and key reminders about PCO hazardextensions and repair work endorsements. Download here: https://2284419.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2284419/Scandals%20Reference%20Files/2015.03.PCO%20Hazard%20&%20Wrap%20Insurance%20Whitepaper.pdf ..... Have a burning insurance question or a case you want us to dissect? We're all ears! Submit your topics, cases, or anyareas of interest, and let our hosts dive into the details. Reach out to us directly—your suggestion could be featured in an upcoming episode! Reach us directly at ⁠⁠scandalsinspod@gmail.com⁠⁠ ..... Follow the Scandals: Insurance Uncovered Podcast: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/scandalspod/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/scandalspod/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠facebook.com/scandalspod⁠ ..... Connect with our hosts: Theresa Guertin & Amy Lamb ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/theresaguertin/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/amy-lamb-ba948528/⁠⁠ ..... Review our show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

    Death By A Thousand Endorsements: Unpacking Completed Operations, Wrap-Up Tails, and the Exclusions That Bleed You Dry
  5. 07/14/2025

    The Phantom Payout: When One Loss Triggers Many Policies, But Only Pays Once

    What if you paid for 20 years of coverage—only to come up short? Amy and Theresa unpack anti-stacking endorsements: the quiet clauses that quietly slash insurance recovery whenclaims span years, policies, or joint ventures. If you think 5+5 equals 10 in insurance, this episode might surprise you. In this listener-requested episode, you'll learn: Why June 1st is peak renewal season—and a prime time for anti-stacking to slip inThe three key claim types where stacking matters mostHow a single clause can block stacking across years, insurers, or policy linesWhy multi-year triggers once helped policyholders—and how carriers are reversing thatThe hidden relationship between SIRs (self-insured retentions) and stacking limitsWhy the word “you” might not mean you in your policy—and how that gets used against youRecorded on Friday the 13th (yes, really), this episode is part policy lesson, part horror story. Amy and Theresaalso reflect on one year of Scandals as they prepare to wrap up Season 1—with one last summer episode to go.   Key Terms Explored: Anti-Stacking Endorsements, Long-Tail Claims, Joint Ventures, Construction Defects, SIRs vs. Deductibles, Horizontal Exhaustion   Listener Tip: If your policies involve overlapping coverage, anti-stacking endorsements could quietly shrink your limits. Always read your forms—and never assume coverage stacks the way it should. ..... Have a burning insurance question or a case you want us to dissect? We're all ears! Submit your topics, cases, or anyareas of interest, and let our hosts dive into the details. Reach out to us directly—your suggestion could be featured in an upcoming episode! Reach us at ⁠⁠scandalsinspod@gmail.com⁠⁠ ..... Follow the Scandals: Insurance Uncovered Podcast: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/scandalspod/⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/scandalspod/⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠facebook.com/scandalspod⁠..... Connect with our hosts: Theresa Guertin & Amy Lamb ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/theresaguertin/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/amy-lamb-ba948528/⁠⁠ ..... Review our show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

    The Phantom Payout: When One Loss Triggers Many Policies, But Only Pays Once
  6. 06/09/2025

    The Joint Venture Jumble: When Contracts and Chaos Collide

    When two become one, who’s really liable? In this episode of Scandals: Insurance Uncovered, Amy and Theresa unravel the tangled world of joint ventures in construction and the insurance chaos that often follows. From surprising court decisions to critical contract language mistakes, this episode is a must-listen for anyone working with complex project structures. Key Takeaways: The surprising reason why joint venture partners might BOTH be liable, whether they know it or not.How poorly worded AI endorsements can lead to years of litigation (and who really foots the bill).Real-life case studies including Travelers v. Harleysville and the hilariously named Bacon Construction case.Why defense costs can sometimes exceed the value of the claim itself and how to protect against it.The one contract clause that could save your company from a coverage nightmare.Don’t let your next JV become a financial fiasco! Tune in now! ..... Resourcesfrom this Episode: Bacon Construction Co Inc v Ohio Security Insurance Co Westfield Insurance Company v WalshK-Five JV Travelers Property Casualty Company of America v Harleysville Insurance Company of New York Resources are provided for educational purposes only and may not represent the most current version of these forms. Always consult your broker or carrier for current policy language. ..... Have a burning insurance question or a case you want us to dissect? We're all ears! Submit your topics, cases, or any areas of interest, and let our hosts dive into the details. Reach out to us directly—your suggestion could be featured in an upcoming episode! Reach us directly at ⁠⁠scandalsinspod@gmail.com⁠⁠ ..... Follow the Scandals: Insurance Uncovered Podcast: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/scandalspod/⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/scandalspod/⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠facebook.com/scandalspod⁠..... Connect with our hosts: Theresa Guertin & Amy Lamb ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/theresaguertin/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/amy-lamb-ba948528/⁠⁠..... Review our show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

    The Joint Venture Jumble: When Contracts and Chaos Collide
  7. 05/12/2025

    Clause & Effect: The Hidden Risks in Professional Liability Exclusions

    You think your general liability policy has you covered… until it doesn’t. In this episode of Scandals: Insurance Uncovered, Amy and Theresa unravel the often-overlooked (but highly consequential) world of professional liability exclusions. From shop drawings and design assist work to vague carrier language that leaves too much room for denial, they reveal how even the most routine construction tasks can trigger unexpected exclusions. You’ll learn: What actually counts as a “professional service” (and why the answer might surprise you)How to spot the fine print in ISO forms CG 2279 vs. CG 2243Why exclusions from carriers like Hanover and Hartford are making brokers nervousReal trade examples where seemingly covered work crosses into exclusion territoryThe questions brokers should be asking when writing policies for contractorsIf you’re in the business of reviewing policies, managing risk, or just trying to keep your coverage airtight—this episode is your new secret weapon. ..... Resources from this Episode: ISO CG 22 79 04 13 ISO CG 22 43 04 13 Hanover professional liability exclusion Hartford BOP policy exclusion ..... Have a burning insurance question or a case you want us to dissect? We're all ears! Submit your topics, cases, or any areas of interest, and let our hosts dive into the details. Reach out to us directly—your suggestion could be featured in an upcoming episode! Reach us directly at ⁠⁠scandalsinspod@gmail.com⁠⁠ ..... Follow the Scandals: Insurance Uncovered Podcast: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/scandalspod/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/scandalspod/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠facebook.com/scandalspod ..... Connect with our hosts: Theresa Guertin& Amy Lamb ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/theresaguertin/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/amy-lamb-ba948528/⁠⁠ ..... Review our show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

    Clause & Effect: The Hidden Risks in Professional Liability Exclusions
  8. 04/14/2025

    Chutes, Ladders, & Liability: The Endorsement Dilemma

    In this episode of Scandals: Insurance Uncovered, hosts Theresa Guertin and Amy Lamb return to untangle the next layer of additional insured (AI) endorsements. From broad form ISO endorsements like CG 2033 and CG 2038 to custom manuscript nightmares, they explore how language, privity, and policy design can make or break your coverage. Whether you're an insurance pro, broker, or risk manager, this episode offers a deeper look into how endorsements affect ongoing vs. completed operations, contractual risk transfer, and the true meaning behind "blanket additional insured." Spoiler alert: It's not always what it seems. You'll learn: The real difference between CG 2033, CG 2038, CG 2040, and CG 2039How privity requirements can leave insureds uncoveredWhy some manuscript endorsements are like playing Chutes and Ladders with your policyWhat courts have said (and not said) about blanket AI formsRed flags to watch for in policy schedules and contract language Tune in and uncover the hidden traps in your endorsements—before they slide your client straight into a claim denial. ..... Resources from this Episode: CG 2033 07 04 – Broad Form Additional Insured Endorsement (Ongoing Operations) CG 2038 12 19 – Broad Form AI Endorsement expanding beyond privity SDV Law White Paper on State Farm AI Endorsements ..... Have a burning insurance question or a case you want us to dissect? We're all ears! Submit your topics, cases, or any areas of interest, and let our hosts dive into the details. Reach out to us directly—your suggestion could be featured in an upcoming episode! Reach us directly at ⁠⁠scandalsinspod@gmail.com⁠⁠ ..... Follow the Scandals: Insurance Uncovered Podcast: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/scandalspod/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/scandalspod/⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠facebook.com/scandalspod ..... Connect with our hosts: Theresa Guertin& Amy Lamb ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/theresaguertin/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/amy-lamb-ba948528/⁠⁠ ..... Review our show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

    Chutes, Ladders, & Liability: The Endorsement Dilemma

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

"Scandals: Insurance Uncovered" is a cutting-edge podcast where two leading women in the insurance industry dissect real-life case law with a touch of mystery. Join legal guru Theresa Guertin and policy pro Amy Lamb as they navigate the complexities of policy language, coverage, and how these elements shape court rulings. These two offer invaluable advice to business owners, contractors, and industry professionals on safeguarding their interests. This podcast uniquely combines humor, expert knowledge, and a little murder-mystery vibe, making it a must-listen for anyone in the insurance field.