The Washington Supreme Court found that a title insurer breached its duty to defend when it was discovered that a Native American tribe had rights to access the land under a treaty with the State of Washington. Robbins v. Mason County Title Insurance Co., 2020 Wash. LEXIS 288 (Wash. May 7, 2020).
Duty to Defend
Texas Supreme Court Stands By Eight-Corners Rule In Determining Duty to Defend
By Tred R. Eyerly on
In answering a certified question from the Fifth Circuit, the Texas Supreme Court held that the eight-corners rule applied when determining the duty to defend even if the policy did not promise to defend suits that were "groundless, false or fraudulent." Richards v. State Farm Lloyds, 2020 WL 1313782 (Tex. March 20…
Insurer Must Defend Negligent Misrepresentation Claims
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The Missouri Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's ruling that the insured's policy did not cover claims based upon negligent misrepresentation. Am. Family Mut. Ins. Co. v. Sharon, 2020 Mo. App. LEXIS 123 (Mo. Ct. App. Feb. 4, 2020).
Robert Sharon sued Gregory and Kristine Schwenzer for, among other…
Allegations of Properly Damage Caused by Leaky Roof Must be Defended
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The business risk exclusions did not apply to bar coverage for the underlying claims of damage caused by a leaky roof. Westfield Ins, Co, v. Miller Architects & Builders, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 2972 (8th Cir. Jan. 30, 2020).
Miller began construction on luxury apartment complex, but was terminated a…
No Duty to Defend Breach of Contract Claim Which Does Not Constitute Property Damage
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court determined there was no duty to defend because the underlying complaint alleged the contractor's breach of contract, but no property damage. Southern-Owners Ins. Co. v. Mac Contractors of Florida, 2020 U.S Dist. LEXIS 14611 (M.D. Fla. Jan. 29, 2020).
KJIMS Construction contracted with the homeowners to construct their…
Umbrella Carrier Must Drop Down to Fill Gap in Coverage
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The umbrella insurer was required to drop down when the primary carrier's policy only covered the additional insured when it was vicariously liable for the named insured's operations. Am. States Ins. Co. v. Ins. Co. of the State of Pa., 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 585 (9th Cir. Jan. 7, 2020).
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Claims of Contamination by Lead Paint Must be Defended
By Tred R. Eyerly on
In an unpublished decision, the Illinois Appellate Court determined that claims against the insured painting contractor had to be defended by the CGL carrier. Owners Ins. Co. v. Precision Painting & Decorating Corp., 2019 Ill. App. Unpub. LEXIS 2425 (Ill. App. Ct. Dec. 31, 2019).
The homeowners hired Precision to…
Property Damage Not Covered, Personal Property Damage is Covered
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The Illinois Appellate Court held that there was no coverage for faulty workmanship causing damage to property, but there was coverage for damage to personal property. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's London v. Metropolitan Builders, Inc., Ill. App. LEXIS 979 (Ill. Ct. App. Dec. 18, 2019).
Metropolitan was the general contractor…
Insurer Entitled to Reimbursement of Defense Costs Under Unjust Enrichment Theory
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The federal district court for the district of Hawaii determined that the insurer could recover defense costs from an additional insured consistent with its Reservation of Rights letter under an unjust enrichment theory. Giga, Inc. v. Kiewit Infrastructure W. Co., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10151 (D. Haw. Jan. 22, 2020).
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Insurer Must Defend Vague Allegations in Underlying Complaint
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The Ninth Circuit reversed the District Court's denial of a defense based upon ambiguous allegations in the underlying complaint. Pulte Home Corp. v. TIG Ins. Co., 2019 U.S. App. LEXIS 35988 (9th Cir. Dec. 4, 2019).
Pulte Home Corporation sued TIG for failing to defend in two lawsuits brought by…