Insurance Expert Witness | Agent & Broker Standards of Care | Coverage Analysis | Litigation Support
40+ Years of P&C Insurance Expertise — Trusted Expert Witness on Agent Duties, Policy Analysis & Standards of Care
Schedule a ConsultationExperience at a Glance
About Michael W. Gay
Michael W. Gay is a property and casualty insurance expert witness and litigation consultant with more than four decades of experience spanning underwriting, retail agency operations, brokerage, agency management, MGA/MGU and program administration, risk management, and insurance education. Since 2008, he has assisted both plaintiff and defense counsel in state and federal matters involving agent and broker standards of care, negligent procurement, agency errors and omissions, coverage analysis, commercial property valuation, underwriting practices, commercial auto and transportation risks, and insurance industry customs and practices. Mr. Gay evaluates whether insurance professionals acted consistently with accepted industry standards and explains complex insurance issues in language attorneys, judges, and juries can understand. His opinions are grounded in the evidence, applicable policy language, recognized insurance principles, and real-world industry practice — not the position of the party that retained him. Throughout his career, Mr. Gay has held senior executive and leadership positions across multiple sectors of the insurance industry, including service as Chief Underwriting Officer, President of a retail agency and an MGA, and National Sales Manager for a major commercial insurance program. His practical industry experience is complemented by decades of teaching insurance professionals nationwide through continuing education programs and professional seminars. He is the co-author of Risk-Proof Your Business: The Complete Guide to Smart Insurance Choices (Wells Media Group, 2024) and has authored or co-authored dozens of continuing education courses and industry articles. Mr. Gay holds the CPCU, ARM, ARM-P, AAI, AAI-M, AINS, AIS, and CRIS designations and holds active resident insurance licenses in North Carolina.
Areas of Expertise
Representative Matters
- Agent & Broker Duties — Standards of Care DisputeTestifying ExpertRetained to evaluate whether the agency's conduct in procuring coverage met accepted industry standards of care for agents and brokers.
- Negligent Procurement of Insurance CoverageConsulting & Testifying ExpertAnalyzed whether the insurance professional properly identified and secured the coverages requested and needed by the insured client.
- Commercial Property Insurance-to-Value DisputeTestifying ExpertAssessed valuation methodology and whether replacement cost coverage limits were adequate under applicable underwriting and industry standards.
- Agency Errors & Omissions ClaimConsulting & Testifying ExpertEvaluated agency practices, client communication, and policy placement decisions in connection with an alleged failure to procure appropriate coverage.
- Specialty Insurance Program AnalysisConsulting ExpertReviewed program design, MGA/MGU operations, and underwriting practices in connection with a coverage dispute arising from a specialty commercial program.
- Commercial Auto & Transportation Risk Coverage AnalysisTestifying ExpertAnalyzed policy language, endorsements, and industry customs applicable to commercial auto and transportation risk placements in state court litigation.
Credentials & Designations
- Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) — The American Institute for Property and Liability Underwriters
- Associate in Risk Management (ARM) — The Insurance Institute of America
- Associate in Risk Management – Public Entities (ARM-P) — The American Institute for Property and Liability Underwriters
- Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) — The American Institute for Property and Liability Underwriters
- Accredited Advisor in Insurance – Management (AAI-M) — The American Institute for Property and Liability Underwriters
- Associate in Insurance (AINS) — The American Institute for Property and Liability Underwriters
- Associate in Insurance Services (AIS) — The American Institute for Property and Liability Underwriters
- Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) — International Risk Management Institute
- Property and Casualty Insurance Agent – Resident (North Carolina) — North Carolina Department of Insurance
- Surplus Lines Broker – Resident (North Carolina) — North Carolina Department of Insurance
- Approved P&C Continuing Education Instructor — North Carolina and numerous other states
Frequently Asked Questions
- What types of insurance litigation does Michael Gay typically support?
- Mr. Gay accepts engagements involving agent and broker standards of care, negligent procurement, agency errors and omissions, coverage analysis, insurance-to-value disputes, commercial property, commercial auto, transportation risks, underwriting practices, and specialty program design. He works on behalf of both plaintiff and defense counsel.
- Is Mr. Gay available to serve as both a consulting expert and a testifying expert?
- Yes. Mr. Gay is available in both capacities — as a behind-the-scenes consulting expert to help counsel evaluate the merits of insurance-related claims, and as a testifying expert who provides written reports and courtroom testimony.
- In which jurisdictions has Mr. Gay served as an expert witness?
- Mr. Gay has served as a consulting and testifying expert in state and federal litigation since 2008. He has held resident insurance licenses in North Carolina and non-resident producer/broker licenses across all 50 states.
- How does Mr. Gay form his expert opinions?
- His opinions are grounded in the evidence, applicable policy language, recognized insurance principles, and real-world industry practice. He does not tailor his conclusions to the position of the retaining party.
- What professional designations does Mr. Gay hold?
- Mr. Gay holds eight advanced insurance designations, including the CPCU, ARM, ARM-P, AAI, AAI-M, AINS, AIS, and CRIS — reflecting deep expertise across underwriting, risk management, and agency operations.
- Does Mr. Gay have experience explaining complex insurance concepts to non-specialist audiences?
- Yes. With decades of experience as a licensed continuing education instructor and author of numerous insurance courses and publications, Mr. Gay is skilled at translating complex insurance concepts into clear, accessible language for judges, juries, and attorneys.
Schedule a Consultation with Michael Gay
Available for plaintiff and defense engagements in state and federal litigation. Contact Mr. Gay to discuss your matter confidentially.