Court finds liability policy's definition of `authorized agent' is unambiguous
An accounting firm bought a professional liability insurance policy from a broker's subagent. The broker obtained the policy through a managing general agent. The policy read, in part:

“I. Notice of Claim: Upon the Insured becoming aware of any Act, Error or Omission which could reasonably be expected to be the basis of a Claim covered hereby, written notice shall be given by or on behalf of the Insured to the Company or any of its authorized agents as soon as practicable during the Policy Period or Extended Reporting Period, together with the fullest information obtainable. If a Claim is made against the Insured, the Insured shall immediately forward to the Company every demand, notice, summons or other process received by the Insured or by the Insured's representative(s) [emphasis added].

On or about July 2, 1997, the accounting firm's president was notified of a potential professional liability lawsuit, to be filed by one of the firm's clients. The client wished to enter into a tolling agreement to extend the statute of limitations in the matter for six months. The president called the subagent to discuss the situation. Subsequently, the subagent allegedly advised the president that the carrier had given the insured permission to enter into the tolling agreement. That afternoon, the accounting firm signed the tolling agreement and delivered it to the broker's offices.