A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
The underlying plaintiff's allegations contended the contractor was in breach of contract for construction defects caused in building her home. Accordingly, the court found no coverage. See Nat'l Builders and Contractors Ins. Co. v. Slocum, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 81694 (S.D. Miss. July 26, 2011).
Slocum Construction LLC sold a home it…
Although the court determined there was an occurrence, coverage was excluded by the business risk exclusions. See Cont'l W. Ins. Co. v. Shay Constr. Co., 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 82839 (D. Colo. July 28, 2011).
White was the general contractor on the project. White had three subcontracts with Shay to provide framing, siding, and…
A policy's "other insurance" clause and a contractual indemnity provision were at the root for determining which of two insurers had to cover for injuries at a construction site. Valley Forge Ins. Co. v. Zurich Am. Ins. Co., 2011 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 76061 (N.D. Calif. July 14, 2011).
Hathaway was the general contractor at a demolition…
Coverage was denied under the policy's condominium exclusion in California Traditions, Inc. v. Claremont Liability Ins. Co., 2011 Cal. App. LEXIS 912 (Cal. Ct. App., ordered published July 11, 2011).
California Traditions was the developer and general contractor for a housing development. California Traditions subcontracted with Ja-Con to perform the rough framing work for 30 residential…
Coverage for damage caused by the installation of Chinese drywall was the issue in Dragas Mgt. Corp. v. Hanover Ins. Co., 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 80178 (E.D. Va. July 21, 2011).
Dragas built housing developments. Dragas hired Porter-Blaine Corp. to supply and install drywall for the homes in two of its developments.
After the trial court determined the insurers had no coverage obligations for alleged construction defects, a ruling that was subsequently reversed, it was still possible to demonstrate the insurers acted in bad faith. See Lennar Corp. v. Transamerica Ins. Co., 2011 Ariz. App. LEXIS 123 (Ariz. Ct. App. July 5, 2011).
Lennar oversaw…
The insured was a developer of a residential project. Mid-Continent Cas. Co. v. Siena Home Corp., 2011 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 79132 (M.D. Fla. July 8, 2011). The homeowners filed suit, alleging their homes had defectively constructed exterior wall assemblies which allowed moisture and water to penetrate.
Mid-Continent filed suit for a declaratory judgment…
Interpreting Missouri law, a federal district court determined that property damage arising from faulty workmanship did not arise from an occurrence. Employers Mut. Casualty Co. v. Luke Draily Constr. Co., 2011 U.S. Dst. LEXIS 69929 (W.D. Mo. June 29, 2011).
Draily Construction Company was hired as general contractor on a hotel construction…
The homeowners sued their contractor, alleging the contractor had defectively constructed and failed to complete their home. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. v. Vogelgesang, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 72618 (D. Haw. July 6, 2011). The homeowners' complaint pled, among other things, damage caused by breach of contract and negligence. State Farm agreed to…
In a brief decision analyzing Oregon law, the Ninth Circuit determined that once an insurer breaches its duty to defend, it must indemnify. See Desrosiers v. Hudson Speciality Ins. Co., 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 12591 (9th CIr. June 21, 2011).
The victim secured a judgment against the insured after he was beaten…
