Answering certified questions from the federal district court, the Hawaii Supreme Court reaffirmed its prior holding that reckless conduct is an "occurrence' or accident. The court further held that green house gas (GHG) emissions were pollutants under liability policies. Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburg, PA., et al.,
No Prejudicial Error in Refusing to Give Jury Instruction on Predominant Cause
The California Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's judgment after the jury determined there was no coverage for a leaking pipe. Mendoza v. Pacific Spec. Ins. Co., 2024 Cal. App. Unpub. EXIS 5477 (Cal. Ct. App. Aug. 20, 2024).
The Mendoza's third amended complaint alleged their home was damaged
No Ambiguity in Determining Unharvested Pears are Excluded from Coverage
The federal district court determined there was no coverage for the insured winery's damaged pears. Root v. Hanover Ins. Co., 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 152481 (D. Or. Aug. 26, 2024).
The winery owned and operated a commercial vineyard that produced and sold pear cider. To protect their business and property
Late Disclosures Do Not Merit Dismissal of Insured’s Case
The court agreed that the insured's required disclosures were untimely, but it did not support dismissal of the insured's case. Ulloa v Geovera Spec. Ins. Co., 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 150279 (E.D. La. Aug. 22, 2024).
The insured's home suffered property damage from Hurricane Ida. The insured filed suit against
Finding Insurer’s Declaratory Relief Action Raises Unsettled Questions of State Law, Case is Dismissed
The federal district court for the District of Hawaii dismissed the insurer's action for declaratory relief because it raised issues that were unsettled by Hawaii courts. Association of Apartment Owners of Lahaina Residential Condominium, et al., No. 1-24-cv-00075-JAO-BMK, Order Granting AOAO's Motion to Dismiss (D. Haw. Aug. 29, 2024).
The
Insured Succeeds on Remand by Adding Non-Diverse Agent
The court granted the insured's motion for remand by finding a cognizable claim was asserted against the non-diverse agent. Kamovitch v. Am. Econ. Ins. Co., 2024 U.S. LEXIS 150295 (W.D. Pa. Aug. 22, 2024).
American Economy Insurance Company issued a homeowners policy to the insured. The insured alleged that he
Insured’s Collapse Claim Survives Summary Judgment
The insurer's motion for summary judgment seeking to dispose of the insured's claim for collapse was denied. Life Skills, Inc. v. Harleysville Ins. Co., 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 143658 (D. Mass. Aug. 13, 2024).
Life Skills was a non-profit social service agency providing residential and day habilitation services to adults
Insurer’s Subrogation Rights Preserved
The insured's motion for partial summary judgment to eliminate the insurer's right to subrogation was denied. Fireman's Fund Ins. Co. v. S.A. Comunale Co, Inc., 2024 U,S. Dist. LEXIS 141930 (N.D. Ohio Aug. 9, 2024).
Fireman's Fund provided property insurance to Raisin Industries for property it owned and operated at
California Supreme Court Finds Virus Endorsement Does Not Cover COVID-19 Claim
Reversing the Court of Appeal, the California Supreme Court determined a virus endorsement did not salvage coverage for business loss due to COVID-19. John's Grill v. Hartford Fin. Serv. Group, Inc., 2024 Cal. LEXIS 4241 (Cal. Aug. 8, 2024).
John's Grill was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and
Insurer Waives Objection to Appraiser’s Partiality by Waiting Until Appraisal Issued
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of the insurer's objections on partiality grounds to the insured's appraiser. Biscayne Beach Club Condominium Association, Inc. v. Westchester Surpus Lines Ins. Co., 2024 U.S. App. LEXIS 19663 (11th Cir. Aug. 6. 2024).
Storms damaged buildings at Biscayne Beach Club Condominium. Biscayne