Presentation at ABA’s Insurance Coverage Litigation Seminar on coverage for climate change in Tucson this morning. My co-panelists were Rina Carmel and Karin Aldama it was our fifth year of presenting together.
Finding of No Coverage Overturned Due to Lack of Actual Policy
The Appellate Division overturned a verdict for the insurer when the actual policy was never introduced at trial. Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mut. Ins. Co. v. B&F Land Dev. Corp., 2019 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 264 (N.Y. App. Div. Jan 16, 2018).
The decedent was killed when he fell through a skylight
Suit Limitation Provision Upheld
The policy's one year suit limitation provision was upheld, depriving insureds of benefits under the policy. Oswald v. South Central Mut. Ins. Co., 2018 Minn. App. Unpub. LEXIS 1077 (Dec. 24, 2018).
The Oswalds' hog barn burned down on June 21, 2016. Arson was a possible cause.
The
Exclusion Used to Deny Claim for Cyber Fraud Found Ambiguous
The policy's false pretense exclusion relied upon the insurer to deny coverage for an act of cyber fraud was found ambiguous. Rainforest Chocolate v. Sentinel Ins. Co., 2018 VT LEXIS 140 (Vt. Dec. 28, 2018).
Rainforest Chocolate, LLC was insured under a business-owner policy issued by Sentinel. In May 2016
Excess Insurer Must Indemnify for Sexual Abuse Claims
Affirming the district court, the Second Circuit agreed that the excess insurer had a duty to indemnify the insured for sexual abuse claims. Hartford Roman Catholic Diocesan Corp. v. Interstate Fire & Cas. Co., 905 F.3d 84 (2nd Cir. 2018).
The Archdiocese had excess policies from Interstate between September 1
No Coverage for Defects in Subcontrator’s Own Work
Damage to the concrete floor installed by the insured subcontractor was not property damage and thus not covered under the insured's CGL policy. Kalman Floor Co. v. Old Republic Gen. Ins. Corp., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3319 (D. Colo Jan. 8, 2019).
In 2007, Kalman Floor Co. was subcontracted to
Confusion in Renewing Policy Leads to Coverage
The court determined the insurer must defend after confusion arose in renewal of the insured's policy. Nat'l Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Infini PLC, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1052 (D. Ariz. Jan 3, 2019).
The insured, Infini, was insured by Lexington Insurance Company for medical procedures it performed. Wells
Tucson ABA Insurance Coverage Seminar Coming Soon
The dates for this year's ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee CLE Seminar in Tucson are February 27 to March 2, 2019. Again this year, the seminar promises to provide cutting edge CLE programming and many networking opportunities. I will be on a panel addressing "Changing Climate, Changing Risks and Policies," with my esteemed
Insurer Must Defend Subcontractor For Claims Alleging Faulty Workmanship
Interpreting Florida law, the federal district court found that the insurer must defend the subcontractor for claims based upon faulty workmanship. S. Owners Ins. Co. v. Gallo Bldg. Servs., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 212961 (M.D. Fla. Dec. 18, 2018).
Gallo Building Services entered a subcontract with KB Homes, developer, related
Insured May Recover Consequential Damages From Insurer’s Breach of Duty to Defend
Answering a certified question, the Nevada Supreme Court determined that an insurer breaching its duty to defend may be liable for consequential damages caused to the insured. Century Sur. Co. c. Andrew, 2018 Nev. LEXIS 112 (Nev. Dec. 13, 2018).
Michael Vasquez struck a minor, causing significant brain injury. Vasquez used the