A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
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…
As homeowners on the Big Island contemplate pursuing claims due to loss caused by volcanic eruption or lava flow, SuperLawyers has a post addressing some of my thoughts on the issue. The post is here.
The Arizona Court of Appeals upheld the insured's assignment of benefits despite the policy's anti-assignment provision. Farmers Ins. Exchange v. Honorable David Udall, 2018 Ariz. Ct. App. LEXIS 94 (Ariz. June 12, 2018).
Farmers issued homeowners' policies to four homeowners who later required water damage mitigation and restoration services. Each…
Faced with a series of policies, earlier ones which did not define collapse, newer policies which did, the court determined there was a possibility of coverage under the older policies which did not define collapse. Vera v. Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 100548 (D. Conn. June 15, 2018).…
The Third Circuit upheld the district court's order granting summary judgment in favor of the insurer on a claim seeking coverage for construction defects. Lenick Constr. v. Selective Way Ins. Co., 2018 U.S. App. LEXIS 15197 (3d Cir. June 6, 2018).
Westrum was the general contractor for a 92 unit…
