I was honored to be a panel member at the recent Hawaii State Bar Association convention for the Insurance Coverage Section. I spoke on coverage for flood, volcanoes, and climate change.
2019
Pro Se Plaintiff’s Motion to Dismiss Federal Claim against Carrier Without Prejudice Denied
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The Hawaii federal district court denied the pro se plaintiff's motion to dismiss his claim against the carrier without prejudice. Greenspon v. AIG Specialty Ins. Co., et al., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 144148 (D. Haw. Aug. 23, 2019).
Greenspon secured a default judgment against AIG's insured in state court in…
Insurance Agent Successful in Dismissing Insureds’ Claims for Fraud
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The Federal District Court for Hawaii granted Moa Insurance Services Hawaii's (Moa) motion to dismiss the insureds' complaint alleging that they had been forced to purchase worthless surplus lines policies for volcano damage. Aquilina v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's Syndicate #2003, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 165866 (D. Haw. Sept. 26, 2019).
…
Equal Access to Justice Act Fee Request Rejected in Flood Case
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The insured's claim for fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) for seeking coverage under a flood policy was rejected. Hampson v. Wright Nat'l Flood Ins. Co., No. 4:19-cv-10083-KMM (S.D. Fla. Aug. 11, 2019)(Order on Motion to Dismiss). The order is here.
The insurer did not compensate…
Hawaii Supreme Court Finds Insurer’s Actions Prior to Submission of Claim Can Constitute Bad Faith
By Tred R. Eyerly on
In an issue of first impression in Hawaii, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that an insurer's actions before an actual claim is submitted can be considered in determining whether the insurer acted in bad faith. Adams v. Hawaii Medical Service Ass'n, 2019 Haw. LEXIS 263 (Haw. Sept 30, 2019). Disclosure – our…
Endorsements Preclude Coverage for Alleged Faulty Workmanship
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court found coverage for alleged faulty workmanship was barred by the Combination Construction Related Endorsement and Roofing Endorsement. Evanston Ins. Co. v. A&S Roofing, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 142828 (W.D. Okla. Aug. 22, 2019).
In 2010, A&S entered into a subcontract with the contractor to replace roofs on three…
Insured’s Remand of Bad Faith Action Granted
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The federal district court agreed remand of the insured's bad faith action to state court was appropriate. Kavanaugh v. Nat'l Union Fire Ins. Co., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 138465 (C.D. Calif. Aug. 15, 2019).
The insured sued National Union and Great American Insurance Company in state court for failing to…
Court Grants Motion to Dismiss Negligence Claim Against Flood Insurer
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The insurer successfully moved to dismiss the insured's negligence claim and demand for jury trial, leaving only the insured's breach of insurance contract claim under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). La Mirage Homeowners Association Inc. v. Wright National Flood Ins. Co., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 147667 (S.D. Tex. Aug 29, 2019). …
Insurer’s Quote on Coverage for Theft by Hacker Creates Issue of Fact
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The appellate court found that the insurer's quote created an issue of fact on whether loss caused by a computer hacker would be covered. Metal Pro Roofing, LLC v. Cincinnati Ins. Co., 2019 Ind. App. LEXIS 355 (Ind. Ct. App. Aug. 9, 2019).
The insureds, Metal Pro Roofing, LLC and…
Ongoing Operations Exclusion Bars Coverage
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The insurer denied the insured contractor's claim seeking a defense for faulty workmanship based upon the ongoing operations exclusion. PJR Constr. of N.J. v. Valley Forge Ins. Co., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 127973 (D. N. J. July 31, 2019).
PJR Construction was the general contractor to build a swim club…