Insurance Program Overview

The following summary outlines the key features and requirements of the General Bar, Inc. Insurance Program. This summary is provided solely for convenience and is qualified in its entirety by the specific terms and conditions of the official Policy and the rules of the General Bar, Inc.

Please note that the General Bar, Inc. does not insure any forwarded claim or provide any surety for any listed firm. The Policy is issued by a commercial insurer. The General Bar, Inc.’s obligation is limited to forwarding the claim and supporting documentation to the insurer. If the insurer denies coverage or coverage is otherwise unavailable, the forwarder will not be entitled to payment from the General Bar, Inc.

Subject to Policy terms, the program indemnifies forwarders against loss due to theft by listed attorneys. It does not cover negligence, errors in judgment, malpractice, or other forms of misconduct. The Insurance Program is a $2,000,000 policy, and the liability of General Bar, Inc. and its affiliates is limited to claims for which the insurer accepts liability.

Program Details

• Coverage applies to acts of “Theft” as defined in the Policy. It covers theft by listed attorneys, not employees of firms. This is not malpractice insurance.
• Coverage applies for 36 months from date of employment, or 12 months from date of termination of a listee. Proper registration requires notification to the General Bar, Inc. within 35 days of each referral.
• Coverage applies to listees in the 50 states and Canada. It does not cover foreign attorneys including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
• The General Bar, Inc. and insurer assume no liability for attorneys whose names are not listed at the time of employment. Users must consult the current directory, supplements, and website.
• Loss calculation is based on the net sum due after costs, fees, and commissions. The Policy pays 90% of the net loss after a $250 deductible per claim.
• Suit fees and advanced court costs are covered only if it is proven that suit has not been filed. These amounts are subject to the $250 deductible and 90% coverage.
• The insurer and General Bar, Inc. assume no liability regarding disputes over fee deductions for suit or legal work.
• Forwarders must notify the law list immediately upon discovering any act that may lead to a claim and provide full documentation within 90 days.
• The Policy does not cover costs incurred to establish the existence or amount of loss due to theft.
• Discrepancies in remittances must be submitted to the General Bar, Inc. along with the original check. Returning the check to the attorney voids coverage.
• A forwarder may not seek insurance coverage from more than one law list on the same item. Doing so nullifies coverage.

The General Bar, Inc. anticipates continuing this Insurance Program. However, because program terms may change at the direction of the underwriters, the General Bar, Inc. reserves the right to modify or terminate the Insurance Program at any time, with or without notice.