Special Arbitration

Special Arbitration Forum

The Special Arbitration Forum resolves disputes between insurers, self-insureds, and commercial insureds with retentions for claims involving third-party liability and/or disputes regarding concurrent, overlapping, or excess/primary coverage. The losses are not to exceed $250,000 unless agreed upon by the parties.

Special Arbitration is used:

To apportion liability/damages when there are two or more parties allegedly responsible for the bodily injury and/or property damage of a third party
To resolve concurrent disputes when there are two or more insurers or self-insureds allegedly providing liability coverage for the same insured
To resolve workers' compensation subrogation claims against the alleged responsible party

Example of Cases in the Special Forum

(Contribution) Two vehicles collide and veer into a third vehicle resulting in injuries to the driver of the third vehicle as well as property damage. The carriers for the two vehicles can’t agree on the apportionment of liability. The case is settled with the third party on behalf of both vehicles and the case is submitted to Special Arbitration to apportion the liability and damages.
(Contribution) A man is injured when the blade comes off an electrical saw and makes a claim against the manufacturer and the company who recently made repairs on the saw. The carriers for the manufacturer and repair companies can't agree on liability. They settle the case with the claimant and submit the claim to Special Arbitration to apportion the liability and damages.
(Concurrent Coverage) An individual has an accident resulting in damage to a third party while driving his personal car on his employer’s business. The carriers for his personal auto and his employer can’t agree on how their coverage applies. The third party claim is settled and the case is submitted to Special Arbitration to resolve the coverage dispute.
(Uninsured Motorists) Company 1 has made an Uninsured Motorists' settlement with its insured (paid under UMBI or UMPD) and a tortfeasor has been identified with liability coverage. Company 2 subsequently acknowledges coverage for the tortfeasor but is disputing liability and/or challenging the damages amount paid by Company 1. Note: As in all forums, if Company 2 alleges that they do not have coverage for the tortfeasor’s liability exposure, the dispute over whether Company 2’s coverage denial was valid could be filed in the Special Forum under “non-compulsory” as long as all parties consent to the arbitration.

(Concurrent Coverage - Construction Defect) The insurer of a general contractor receives and defends a lawsuit against their insured for damages resulting from a construction project for which the general had subcontracted with Company 2's insured. The contract required that Company 2 name Company 1's insured as an additional insured under their policy. Company 1 files in Special Arbitration to recover all or part of their loss payment and/or legal expenses from Company 2.
(Concurrent Coverage - Construction Defect) Company 1 and Company 2 both insure the same general contractor for different policy periods over which a construction project takes place. Suit is filed against their mutual insured for negligence arising from the project. Company 1 defends their insured and resolves the claim and seeks apportionment of loss payment and/or legal expenses from Company 2.
(Workers Compensation Subrogation) A delivery person is injured when he trips and falls making a delivery resulting in a workers compensation claim. The workers compensation carrier makes a subrogation claim against the premises owner, whose carrier denies liability. The workers compensation carrier submits the workers compensation subrogation claim against the premises owner's carrier in Special Arbitration.

Learn More

Please refer to the Rules for more information about the Special Forum. If you need further information about these rules, please contact the Forum Rules Department.

Special Forum Tutorial

This tutorial covers the basics of Special Arbitration, including the dispute types and a brief overview of the Special Arbitration Agreement and Rules.

Interested in Becoming Signatory?

If your organization fits the qualification of an insurer, self-insured, or commercial insured with a large retention, and you wish to become signatory to the Special Arbitration Forum, please complete the Agreement or call 1-866-977-3434.

Special Arbitration