A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
Southgate Gardens Condominium had buildings damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. See Mid-Continent Cas. Co. v. Basedeo, 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 11864 (11th Cir. June 12, 2012). First State Development Corporation was hired by Southgate to do repairs.
On November 1, 2005, First State completed tarping on the buildings. Thereafter, on November…
The Fifth Circuit rejected the insured's argument that under Texas law it had a right to select its own counsel after the insurer agreed to defend, but under a reservation of rights. Navigator v. Nautilus Ins. Co., 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 13342 (5th Cir. June 20, 2012).
The insured serviced the oil drilling…
The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's decision finding no coverage due to exclusions from the all-risk policy for losses related to mold, rot and condensation. Koskovich v. Am Family Mut. Ins. Co., 2012 Minn. App. Unpub. LEXIS 581 (Minn. Ct. App. June 25, 2012).
In 1978, the insureds purchased…
The Seventh Circuit predicted that the Wisconsin Supreme Court would adopt the continuous injury trigger for first party property loss that extends over several policy periods. Miller v. Safeco Ins. Co. of Am., 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 12940 (7th Cir. June 25, 2012).
A home inspection report performed before the Millers purchased…
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals considered whether coverage existed for a defectively built tennis court in light of a contractual liability exclusion. Ewing Construction Company, Inc. v. Amerisure Ins. Co., 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 12154 (5th Cir. June 15, 2012).
Ewing Construction Company entered a contract with the School District to construct…
A U.S. District Court in Washington found coverage in what it described as a text book study of the efficient proximate cause rule. Hiller v. Allstate Pro. & Cas. Ins. Co., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84862 (E.D. Wash. June 19, 2012).
The Hillers purchased a newly constructed home in December 2006. They also purchased an…
My Damon Key blogging colleague, Rebecca Copeland at www.Recordonappeal.com., reports here that the Hawaii Supreme Court accepted certiorari in Willis v.Swain, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd., No. SCWC-29539. Our post on the Hawaii Intermediate Court decision is here. The case involves whether the insurance company owes a duty of good faith in…
The Minnesota Supreme Court held that the phrase "amount of loss" permits the appraiser to determine not only the cost but also the cause of the loss. Quade v. Secura Ins., 2012 Minn. LEXIS 244 (Minn. June 13, 2012).
The insureds suffered extensive damage to buildings on their farm due to a windstorm. They were…
The Ninth Circuit determined that under California law, the insurer's failure to attempt to reach a settlement after it was reasonably clear that the insured's liability would exceed policy limits breached the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Du v. Allstate Ins. Co., 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 11755 (June 11, 2012 9th Cir.)…
