| name | coverage-opinion |
| title | Insurance Coverage Opinion |
| description | Drafts structured insurance coverage opinions analyzing duty to defend and duty to indemnify for carriers. Applies eight corners rule, policy exclusion analysis, and state-specific law. Use when a carrier receives a claim or lawsuit, needs a coverage determination, reservation of rights analysis, or defense obligation assessment. |
| author | CaseMark |
| author_url | https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/coverage-opinion |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| execution_mode | open |
| jurisdiction | us |
| practice | insurance |
| language | en |
Insurance Coverage Opinion
Analyzes policy language, complaint allegations, and state law to produce a definitive coverage opinion on defense, indemnification, and reservation of rights for carriers.
Prerequisites
Gather before starting:
- Insurance policy — declarations page, coverage forms, all endorsements, policy period
- Complaint or claim — operative pleading or demand triggering analysis
- Supporting materials — police reports, claim file notes, correspondence (if available)
- Controlling jurisdiction — state whose insurance law governs
Quick Start
Write from the carrier's perspective. Be definitive — carriers need actionable guidance, not hedging. When genuinely uncertain, recommend defend-under-reservation.
Core Workflow
Draft each section in order (except Executive Summary — write last, place first):
1. Executive Summary
"Based on our analysis of the [Policy Type] policy and the allegations in the complaint, [Carrier] has [no duty to defend / a duty to defend subject to a reservation of rights / a clear duty to defend and indemnify] because [primary reason]."
Be definitive. Avoid "probably" or "might."
2. Factual Background
- Recite only facts from complaint or claim file — no speculation
- Coverage-relevant facts only; neutral tone
3. Policy Analysis
Three sub-sections, always quoting exact policy language (never paraphrase):
| Sub-Section | Focus |
|---|
| Coverage Provisions | Quote exact language; identify specific section (CGL Coverage A, etc.) |
| Exclusions | List every applicable exclusion with exact quoted language — typically where coverage is defeated |
| Conditions | Notice requirements, cooperation clauses, late-notice defenses, consent-to-settle |
4. Legal Analysis
Duty to Defend — Apply the Eight Corners Rule (unless state permits extrinsic evidence):
