In a dispute between two insurers regarding which had a duty to defend in the underlying lawsuit, the federal district court denied one insurer's motion to join the underlying plaintiff as a necessary party. Amerisure Ins. Co. v. Burlington Ins. Group, Inc., 2025 U.S. Distl LEXIS 144927 (N.D. Ill. July 29, 2025).
Duty to Defend
Insurer Estopped from Denying Coverage Due to Confusion Regarding Who is the Insured
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court denied the insurer's motion for summary judgment on its claim that a defense was not owed to an entity not named as the insured under the policy. Safeco Ins. Co. of Am. v. Order Denying Rip Van 898, LLC, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 139269 (D. Nev. July 22, 2025).
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Insurer Must Defend Additional Insured
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The federal district court determined that the insurer must defend the additional insured even though it was premature to determine whether there was also a duty to indemnify. Liberty Mutual. Fire Ins. Co. v. Acuity Mut. Inx. Co., 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 121429 (D. Nev. June 26, 2025).
Royal…
Court Resolves Carriers’ Dispute Over Which Must Defend
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court agreed with Travelers that Lloyd's had a duty to defend the underlying personal injury case. Travelers Indem. Co. v. Underwriters at Lloyd's, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 118445 (S.D. N. Y. June 23, 2025).
Jerome Avenue owned a multi-tenant property in the Bronx, New York. Jerome Avenue leased…
One Insurer Cannot Assert Equitable Estoppel to Force Another Insurer to Defend
By Tred R. Eyerly on
In a dispute over coverage obligations between two insurers, the court rejected one insurer's claim that the other insurer was equitably estopped from denying a defense. Associated Industries Ins. Co. v. Sentinel Ins. Co., 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 114423 (S.D. N. Y. June 16, 2025).
Eduardo Molina was a construction…
Court Addresses Insurers’ Dispute Over Which is Primary, Which is Excess
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court considered cross-motions for summary judgment to determined which carrier was primary and which was excess for coverage of bodily injury. Travelers Indemn. Co. v. Hudson Excess Ins. Co., 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 110298 (S.D. N. Y. June 10, 2025).
21 West 86 LLC, the owner of a building…
No Duty to Defend or Indemnify Parties Not Named as Insured or Additional Insured
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The appellate court reversed the lower court's denial of the insurer's motion to dismiss a claim pursued by non-insured parties. Nino & Nino Corp. v. Utica First Insurance Co., 2025 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 3226 (N.Y. App. Div. May 28, 2025).
Granville Wiltshire (decedent) was an employee of Door Restaurant…
Contractor Entitled to Defense in Suit Filed by Performance Bond Carrier
By Tred R. Eyerly on
Interpreting Kentucky law, the Sixth Circuit determined that the contractor who failed to complete a project was entitled to a defense in an action brought by its performance bond carrier. Phoenix Ins. Co., et al. v. Wehr Constructors, Inc., 2025 U.S, App. LEXIS 9258 (6th Cir. April 18, 2025).
Wehr…
Insurer Must Defend Additional Insured
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The federal district court found that the insurer owed a duty to defend the additional insured. Owners Ins. Co. v. Colliers Bennet & Kahnweiler, LLC, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 24893 (N.D. Ill. Feb. 11, 2025).
Colliers Bennett Kahnweller, LLC (Colliers) managed property owned by North Shore Industrial Holdings LLC (North…
Excess Policy that Follows Form Does Not Agree to Pay Defense Costs
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The Texas Supreme Court determined that language in the following form excess policy did not obligate it to defend the insured. Ohio Cas. Ins. Co. v Patterson UTI Energy, Inc., 2025 Tex. LEXIS 1123 (Tex. Sup. Ct. Dec. 20, 2024).
Patterson provided oil-and-gas equipment and services. Patterson was insured by…