Supreme Court Decision Proves Positive for One Preferra Liability Insurance Policyholder

Preferra Insurance Company Risk Retention Group (Preferra) is committed to focusing on what’s best for its policyholders and advocating for them. That commitment to policyholders drives everything we do through our comprehensive liability insurance protection.

One monumental issue before the North Carolina Supreme Court, Piro v. McKeever, is a prime example of our commitment to our valued policyholders. And for one policyholder, the importance of a strong professional liability insurance program was illustrated.

This case exemplifies the advocacy and support offered by Preferra to its policyholders.

Social workers involved in divorce litigation are frequently drawn into legal battles. In these cases, having comprehensive liability insurance is critical. In this case, Preferra provided an experienced attorney to assist our policyholder at all levels of the litigation and was able to mobilize and produce an amicus curiae brief with strong legal arguments in support of the policyholder. Legal fees were also paid by Preferra, which was more than $100,000 for this matter.

Preferra argued the case to the North Carolina Supreme Court and won it for our policyholder. We rejected any notion of a case settlement, which would only encourage more frequent nationwide litigation motivated by cash settlements. We were willing to fight at every turn and fully support the attorney defending McKeever against a $1,000,000 settlement demand.

“By holding in favor of the social worker, the Court made a statement of public policy in favor of the social service professional that will influence social workers nationwide,” says Joseph T. Monahan, Preferra Board Past President.

Most malpractice insurance carriers specifically exclude coverage relating to matters connected with divorce litigation. However, Preferra covers all matters arising from divorce litigation and marital disputes concerning professional services rendered by insured policyholders.

“Preferra has a strong and unyielding commitment to the continued protection and peace of mind of all its policyholders. We believe this case is a positive step in the right direction for social workers to treat clients with less fear of retaliation or a lawsuit by a third party,” says Tony Benedetto, Preferra Insurance Company RRG CEO.

This case exemplifies the advocacy and support offered by Preferra to its policyholders. “Because I was able to trust my insurance carrier and my assigned attorney fully, I was able to set aside any anxiety,” says McKeever, Preferra Insurance Company professional liability insured.