Situations that change the answer

Domain guide

These are not theories. Each one changes what a theory can do, which channel applies, or whether there is anything to recover at all.

Auto situations that change the answer

Uninsured third party. The theory stands; the channel changes to direct demand or suit, and the thesis flags the insured's own UM/UIM coverage as the practical path. Recovery against the individual proceeds on collectability.

Reads other_parties[].coverage_status: uninsured

Hit-and-run. The at-fault party is on the roster with identity_status: unknown. The theory is indeterminate, the referral is investigate, and the preservation list becomes locate steps: police report, partial plate, witnesses, camera canvass, crash data. Never no referral.

Reads identity_status: unknown

No-fault states. Property damage subrogation proceeds in every no-fault state. For PIP-paid BI benefits, recovery exists only where the state provides loss transfer or reimbursement, and in New York only where the other vehicle exceeds 6,500 pounds unloaded or is for hire. In tort-election states (Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) the BI answer depends on the insured's election.

Reads vehicle_weight_unloaded_lbs, for_hire

Contributory and comparative fault. Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Alabama and the District bar recovery at any insured fault. Modified comparative states bar at 50 or 51 percent. Pure comparative states reduce recovery by the insured's share. Without a stated percentage the base is shown as a ceiling pending fault confirmation.

Reads stated_fault_pct

Under-deductible and coverage not responding. No carrier payment, no subrogation. The engine still identifies the theory in the trace and tells the adjuster the insured may pursue the party directly.

Reads first_party_coverage_responds, repair_estimate_stated vs deductible_stated

Adverse inbound demand. The other side is claiming against the insured. If the record places fault with the insured, no outbound theory exists; the thesis flags adverse exposure and routes to liability handling.

Reads direction of fault

Property situations that change the answer

Waiver of subrogation. The single most common Property defeat. Construction contracts (AIA forms include one by default), commercial leases and condominium declarations routinely waive recovery rights. Stated: full bar with the clause cited. Not stated (contract checked): no bar. Omitted: indeterminate defense and a verification item.

Reads waiver_of_subrogation_present

Act of God. A superseding natural cause. The engine evaluates it only when the carrier states it; it never infers it from a weather word in the narrative.

Reads act_of_god

Statute of repose. Runs from substantial completion (construction) or sale or delivery (product), not from the loss. Absolute in some states, a rebuttable presumption in others; the engine says which applies.

Reads work_completion_timing_stated, installation_or_age_stated

Adverse inbound demand. The insured's property damaged a neighbour, and the neighbour's carrier is demanding. No outbound theory; adverse exposure flagged; liability handling.

Reads direction of cause