On the heals of a decision from a federal district court that smoke damaged was a direct physical loss, the California Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's grant of summary judgment to the insurer regarding the insureds' claim for loss due to smoke damage. Gharibian v. Wawanesa General Ins. Co., 2025
Bad Faith
Insurer Granted Summary Judgment After Insured Fails to Establish Claim is Covered
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The federal district court granted the insurer's motion for summary judgment because the insureds failed to meet their burden of establishing the claim was covered by the policy. Cutchall v. Chubb Lloyd's Ins. Co. of Tex., 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 234546 (S. D. Texas Dec. 31, 2024).
In September 2021…
Insured’s Count for Bad Faith Stripped from Claim
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The insurer's motion for partial summary judgment challenging the insured's bad faith claim was successful. Baker v. Allstate Index. Co., 2024 U,.S. Dist. LEXIS 227802 (N.D. Miss. Dec. 17, 2024).
Teresa Baker alleged that the roof of her rental property sustained wind and rain damage during a storm. She further contended…
Portions of Insured’s Expert’s Opinions Stricken
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court granted in part, denied in part, the insurer's motion to strike the expert report submitted by the insured's expert expressing opinions on coverage. Allied World Nat'l Assurance Co. v. MNS's Expert NHC, Inc., 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 220680 (D. Haw. Dec. 5, 2024).
Allied World denied coverage to…
Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals Reverses Lower Court’s Dismissal of Insureds’ Claims Arising from Work-Related Death
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court reversed dismissal of all claims against the insurers for a work-related death after determining that policy exclusions conflicted with statutory mandates on coverage. Waiau, et al. v. Hawaii Employers' Mut. Ins. Co, Inc., et al., 2024 Haw. App, LEXIS 583 (Haw. Ct. App., Dec. 31, 2014).
Amos K.
Court Grants Bifurcation of Coverage Issues from Bad Faith Claim
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The federal district court for the district of Hawaii granted the insurer's motion to bifurcate the trial of coverage issues from issues regarding the insurer's alleged bad faith. Allied World Nat'l Assur. Co. v. Counterclaim NHC, Inc., 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 174961 (D. Haw. Sept. 26, 2024).
Insured MNS, Ltd.
Sexual Misconduct Exclusion Found Ambiguous
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court granted the insured's motion for summary judgment, finding a duty to defend was owed because the policy's Sexual Misconduct Exclusion was ambiguous. Powers v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's London, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 153265 (D. Nev. Aug. 26, 2024).
Plaintiff was sexually assaulted while walking to her apartment.
Insurer’s Motion for Summary Judgment to Dispose of Hail Damage Claim Fails
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court denied the insurer's motion for summary judgment seeking to dismiss the insured's complaint requesting coverage for hail damage and a claim for bad faith. Rodriquez v. State Farm Lloyds, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 160007 (W.D. Tex. Sept. 5, 2024).
Mr. Rodriquez sought coverage under his homeowners policy after…
No Prejudicial Error in Refusing to Give Jury Instruction on Predominant Cause
By Tred R. Eyerly on
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…
Insured’s Claim for Water Damage Dismissed with Leave to Amend
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court granted the insurer's motion to dismiss the insured's claim for water damage under a homeowners' policy, but granted leave to amend. Thompson v. State Farm Gen. Ins. Co., 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 98486 (C.D. Cal. June 3, 2024).
The insureds' first amended complaint alleged they "suffered a sudden…