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Frederick J. Fisher: The ‘Coverage Terrorist’ Raising the Bar in Insurance Litigation

Frederick J. Fisher, J.D., CCP isn’t just an expert witness, he’s a force of nature. With over 50 years in the insurance and professional liability industry, Fisher has earned a reputation as one of the most incisive minds in his field, combining deep technical expertise with a courtroom presence that demands attention. Revered, respected and sometimes feared, he’s affectionately—and proudly—known in the industry as “The Coverage Terrorist.”

“It started out as a dig,” Fisher says with a laugh, “but I embraced it. I’m relentless about coverage accuracy, contract language, and making sure the parties understand exactly what’s in front of them. If that makes me the bad guy, then I’ll take the title.”

As founder and principal of Fisher Consulting Group, Fisher provides litigation support and expert testimony in professional liability, agent-broker liability and claims-handling disputes.

I’m relentless about coverage accuracy, contract language, and making sure the parties understand exactly what’s in front of them. If that makes me the bad guy, then I’ll take the title.”

Frederick J. Fisher

From Claims Adjuster to Coverage Authority

Fisher began his professional liability career in the 1970s as a professional lines claims adjuster, working directly with policyholders and insurers at a time when the professional liability landscape was rapidly evolving. He spent a total of 20 years managing claims and overseeing complex litigation including founding his own third-party administrator, where he handled thousands of cases and helped shape internal standards for professional claims management.

The next 25 years he was the founder of what later became ELM Insurance Brokers, a wholesale and managing underwriter of professional lines insurance which focuses on providing financial security.

That on-the-ground experience, combined with his legal education (he earned his Juris Doctor from Lincoln University Law School in 1976) and a later certification as a certified claims professional, gave him a uniquely well-rounded understanding of the intersection between law, insurance and risk. It also lit the fuse for what would become a defining principle of his career—protecting clients from avoidable financial harm.

“I’ve always believed that insurance should be a safety net, not a trap,” Fisher says. “When you peel back the layers of most disputes, it often comes down to unclear communication and misunderstood expectations. That’s where I come in.”

The Gotchya’s That’ll Getchya: Navigating Insurance Pitfalls

If there’s one phrase that sums up Fisher’s entire approach to litigation, it’s the trademarked warning he coined and frequently repeats in lectures and testimony: “The Gotchya’s That’ll Getchya.”

“It’s my way of flagging all those little traps and assumptions that can derail coverage,” he explains. “People assume they’re protected when they’re not. They assume their broker understood their needs, but they never got it in writing. That’s where the gotchya’s live—and they’ll getchya if you’re not careful.”

He regularly cautions clients, attorneys and insurance professionals to document all expectations and requests in writing, especially in conversations with brokers. Misaligned assumptions, he says, are one of the leading causes of disputes over professional liability and claims-made policies.

“You have to really make sure you have it in writing what your expectations are when talking to your insurance broker,” Fisher says. “Otherwise, you’re gambling.”

People assume they’re protected when they’re not. They assume their broker understood their needs, but they never got it in writing. That’s where the gotchya’s live—and they’ll getchya if you’re not careful.”

Expert Testimony Built on Ethics and Clarity

Frederick J. Fisher

Fisher’s current work as an expert witness is split evenly between plaintiff and defense by design. “I like that balance,” he says. “It keeps me objective and reminds me that no side has a monopoly on truth or error. My job is to help the court understand what really happened and what the standard of care required.”

But he draws a clear ethical line in the sand: “I won’t take a case if I don’t agree with it. Period. I’m not a hired gun. If I can’t support the argument with facts, contract language and professional standards, I’m out.”

This principled stance has earned him credibility across the legal community. Attorneys who hire Fisher know that he won’t just echo what they want to hear, he’ll give them the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

“I’ve turned down a lot of cases where I didn’t believe the position was defensible,” Fisher notes. “If I’m going to testify, I need to know I’m standing on solid ground.”

That integrity, paired with his encyclopedic knowledge of policy language and claims practices, has made Fisher a formidable presence in court. Judges often lean in when he testifies. Jurors find his direct style refreshingly clear. And opposing counsel know they’ll have to be sharp—because The Coverage Terrorist does not play games.

I’ve turned down a lot of cases where I didn’t believe the position was defensible.”

Frederick J. Fisher feature

Author of the Plain-Speaking Insurance Bible

While Fisher is respected for his courtroom contributions, he may be even prouder of his written work—especially his groundbreaking book, “Claims-Made Insurance – The Policy That Changed the Industry: A Deep Dive, Review, and History.”

“People don’t understand claims-made policies,” Fisher says. “Even a lot of lawyers and insurance professionals don’t fully grasp how they work or how dangerous some of the coverage gaps can be. I wrote the book to lay it all out, in plain English, with real-world examples.”

The book, a comprehensive but highly readable examination of the claims-made coverage structure, is widely considered a must-read in professional liability circles. It traces the history of the policy form, explores common misinterpretations, and offers a practical guide to identifying and addressing its hidden risks.

“Policies changed the industry, but not necessarily for the better,” Fisher explains. “Too often, clients don’t even realize their policy has prior act/error (aka retroactive date) limitations or lacks proper tail coverage. That’s where the financial devastation happens. My book is meant to prevent that.”

He has also authored over 80 articles in insurance magazines and journals, delivered over 175 presentations and CE classes, and has been the senior technical advisor for the International Risk Management Institute’s reference manuals titled “Professional Liability Insurance” since 1990. His writing reflects the same straight-shooting style he’s known for on the stand—no fluff, no jargon—just essential information clearly delivered.

Teaching the Next Generation

In addition to his consulting and litigation support work, Fisher is a sought-after speaker and educator. He has delivered and participated in webinars across the country for professional liability carriers, professional and insurance organizations, and legal education seminars.

His presentations—often peppered with anecdotes, case studies, and his signature Gotchya’s That’ll Getchya warnings—focus on helping professionals navigate the evolving risks of insurance coverage and claims handling.

“My goal is always the same—to prevent problems before they turn into lawsuits,” Fisher says. “That starts with education. If people understand what to watch for, they can protect themselves and their clients.”

His educational impact is perhaps most evident in the number of attorneys and brokers who now probably quote him verbatim in client meetings, depositions and policy reviews.

Frederick J. Fisher

A Relentless Advocate for Policyholders and the Profession

Despite the hard edge his nickname might suggest, Fisher is ultimately driven by a desire to protect the integrity of the insurance industry—and the people it serves.

“I’m tough because the consequences are serious,” he says. “We’re talking about people’s financial survival, professional reputations and business continuity. There’s no room for sloppy thinking or fuzzy assumptions.”

That ethos has guided Fisher throughout a remarkable career. From his early days as a claims handler to his current role as a nationally respected expert witness, he has stayed true to a singular mission—to bring clarity, ethics and accuracy to every case, every policy and every courtroom.

At a time when legal and insurance professionals are facing increasing complexity and heightened scrutiny, Fisher’s voice remains one of the clearest and most uncompromising in the field.

And if that means being a little terrifying now and then? “I’ll take it,” he says, grinning. “As long as we get it right.”

At a Glance

Fisher Consulting Group
214 Main Street, Suite 181
El Segundo, California 90245
310-426-4105
fishercg.com

EDUCATION

  • Juris Doctor, Lincoln University Law School (Merged into University of San Francisco College of Law), 1976
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of California at Berkeley, 1972

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Licensed California Property & Casualty Insurance Adjuster
  • Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Broker-Agent
  • Licensed Surplus Line Broker
  • Certified Claims Professional
  • Former Life Agent with Mutual of New York
  • Professional Liability Underwriting Society, Founding Member
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Books

  • Claims-Made Insurance – The Policy That Changed the Industry: A Deep Dive, Review, and History, Published by Wells Media Group and the Academy of Insurance, 2024
  • BROKER BEWARE: Selling Real Estate Within the Law, Published by Prentice-Hall/Reston Publishing, 1980

Honors

  • Founders Award, Professional Liability Underwriting Society, 2019

Community

  • Supporter of PBS, The Los Angeles Food Bank, Hope for PAWs, St. Lous Animal Rescue and Others

Hobbies

  • Live Music
  • Cooking
  • Getting Together With Friends & Family

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