A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
The federal district court determined that the insurer had a duty to defend a claim arising from a hacking incident suffered by the insured. Advaiya Solutions Inc. v. Hartford Fire Ins. Co., 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 170505, (W.D. Wash. Sept. 20, 2024).
Advaiya was a technology consulting and implementation company that…
The Fifth Circuit reversed the district court's granting of summary judgment to the insurer on a construction defect claim asserted against the insured. TIG Ins. Co. v. Woodsboro Farmers Cooperative, 2024 U.S. App. LEXIS 24003 (5th Cir. Sept. 20, 2024).
In March 2013, Woodsboro Farmers Cooperative contracted with E.F. Erwin, Inc.
The federal district court adopted the Report and Recommendations (R&R) of the magistrate judge, finding there was no coverage for faulty workmanship in replacing a roof for an apartment complex. Burlington Ins. Co. v. PCGNY Corp., 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 167814 (S.D. N. Y. Sept. 16, 2024).
Skyline Restoration was…
The Michigan Court of Appeals determined that the lessor of a marina was an additional insured under the lessee's policy and entitled to coverage for a wrongful death claim. Auto-Owners Ins. Co. v. JROC Inc., 2024 Mich. App. LEXIS 7053 (Mich. Ct. App. Sept. 12, 2024).
Jill Parrinello and Darrin…
The court found that even if the insured's negligent misrepresentations constituted an accident, the disclosures did not cause physical damage to the property. Wood v. USAA Cas. Ins. Co., 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 180624 (D. S.C. Sept. 12, 2024).
The insured, Clinton Wood, purchased a townhome in January 2014. After…
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.
The federal district court held that the firearms retailer was not entitled to a defense for the underlying complaints that did not allege an occurrence. Granite State Ins. Co. v. Primary Arms, LLC, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 157201 (S.D. N. Y. Aug. 30, 2024).
Granite State Insurance Company and National…
Answering certified questions from the federal district court, the Hawaii Supreme Court reaffirmed its prior holding that reckless conduct is an "occurrence' or accident. The court further held that green house gas (GHG) emissions were pollutants under liability policies. Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburg, PA., et al.,…
The trial court determined the insurer had no duty to defend or indemnify for the insured's faulty workmanship in installing a heating and cooling system. Knoblich v. Erie Ins. Exchange, 2024 Pa. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 1899 (Pa. Super Ct. Aug. 5, 2024).
The Knobiches entered a contract with M&M HVAC…
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the District Court, holding that under Hawaii law, the insurer had a duty to defend based upon deposition testimony providing facts not found in the underlying complaint. Koppers Performance Chemicals, Inc. v. Argonaut-Midwest Ins. Co., 2024 U.S. App. LEXIS 15678 (4th Cir. June 27, 2024).
