A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
The Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's decision finding the policy's collapse coverage did not apply. Cmty. Garage v. Auto-Owners Ins. Co., 2018 Mich. App. LEXIS 2680 (Mich. Ct. App. June 19, 2018).
The insured operated a truck repair business. In June 2016, the insured's place of business…
The trial court erred in excluding lay testimony on diminution of value of the insured's property and by requiring expert testimony. Woodrum v. Georgia Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co., 2018 Ga. App. LEXIS 429 (Ga. Ct. App. June 27, 2018).
During a thunderstorm, a large tree fell onto the roof…
On August 21, 2018, with Hurricane Lane approaching, the Hawaii Insurance Commissioner issued a declaration allowing out-of-state independent adjusters to assist with claims for thirty days. The declaration is here. The adjuster must be licensed in a state with similar licensing requirements as Hawaii. Hopefully, the addition of more adjusters will assist…
The Fourth Circuit certified the following question to the South Carolina Supreme Court: Does South Carolina law support application of the "at issue" exception to the attorney-client privilege such that a party may waive the privilege by denying liability in its answer? In Re: Mt. Hawley Ins. Co., 2018 U.S. App. LEXIS…
The Second Circuit reversed the District Court's issuance of summary judgment to the insurer because a windstorm exclusion was deemed ambiguous. 7001 East 71st Street, LLC v. Continental Cas. Co., 2018 U.S. App. LEXIS 17334 (2nd Cir. June 26, 2018).
A windstorm during Hurricane Sandy caused the roof of 7001…
The Fifth Circuit reversed the district court's dismissal of the insured's complaint by granting the insurer's motion for judgment on the pleadings. Spec's Family Partners, Ltd. v. Hanover Ins. Co., 2018 U.S. App. LEXIS 17246 (5th Cir. June 25, 2018).
Spec's was a specialty retail chain that accepted payments from…
The insurer unsuccessfully moved to dismiss portions of the insureds' counterclaim based upon prior knowledge. Hudson Spec. Ins. Co. v. Talex Enter., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 105598 (S. D. Miss. June 25, 2018).
The insureds' building collapsed in McComb, Mississippi. Pubic utilities were damaged and traffic disrupted. The City sued…
In yet another collapse case from Connecticut, the federal district court denied the insurer's motion to dismiss. Maki v. Allstate Ins. Co., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 102708 (D. Conn. June 20, 2018).
In February 2016, the insureds noticed a series of cracks throughout the basement walls of their home. The…
The Ninth Circuit upheld the District Court’s decision that the insured Association of Apartment Owners was entitled to coverage for the attorneys’ fees incurred [prior post here].Ass’n of Apartment Owners of the Moorings, Inc. v. Dongbu Ins. Co., Ltd., 2018 U.S. App. LEXIS 20251 (9th Cir. July 20, 2018).…
The court granted the insured's motion for summary judgment despite the insurer's denial based upon faulty workmanship. Engineered Structures, Inc. v. Travelers Prop Cas. Co. of Am., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 102822 (D Idaho June 18, 2018).
Engineered Structures, Inc. (ESI) contracted with Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. to build a…
