Chubb's Snub

I think we all find ourselves in a state of disbelief in reading the post on Law.Com detailing the attorney being denied malpractice insurance because he publishes a blog. 

Can this be true?

According to the New Jersey Law Journal:

James Paone II, of Lomurro Davison Eastman & Munoz, says that when he called Executive Risk Specialty, a unit of Chubb, he was told "this is not a risk they are interested in undertaking."  Though the reasons were not specified, Paone says he took the no-go message to mean the insurer anticipated that the blog might contain postings that could be construed as legal advice. He says he is still pursuing the idea and awaiting the carrier's fuller explanation. Chubb did not return calls by press time.

...And, if this is true, then why is it exactly that Chubb is writing insurance on any lawyer that talks to the press, appears on TV, advertises, talks shop at cocktail parties, sends out a newsletter, or shares war stories at the courthouse?  You cannot say that these other examples are preposterous because they amount to the same thing. Frankly, how is this different from what attorneys might post on a traditional website.  Obviously, what Chubb is frightened of is the future - technology - the Third Wave - change.

Of course instead of all of us feeling outraged, what we need to conclude is that Chubb is really not interested in insuring lawyers. For whatever reason, Chubb is misdirected.  It is a private company. It is not the only company that writes legal malpractice insurance.  In fact, they must often compete against the state bar associations in larger states, who are non-profit and often cheaper.  Just like Chubb does not have to write malpractice coverage to James Paoene or his law firm, lawyers -- and especially Third Wave lawyers -- do not have to solicit insurance coverage from Chubb or its subsidiaries.  My advice, plain and simply, is boycott Chubb.  Snub them back.  When you get a letter from some agency presenting Chubb insurance, do not trash it. Use their pre-paid envelope and send them a message that Chubb is not welcomed.  Bloggers and Third Wavers have alternatives.  Do not accept relationships with people and companies that do not accept you.