A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
The insureds attempt to secure coverage for ensuing losses after foundation damage was properly denied by the insurer. Walker v. Nationwide Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6683 (W.D. Tex. Jan. 6, 2014).
Two provisions excluding coverage under Nationwide's homeowner's policy were key to the court's decision. Exclusion 3…
The court determined that the policy's ensuing loss provision prevented the insurer's motion for summary judgment on coverage for repair of an elevator. Lloyd's Acceptance Corp. v. Affiliated FM Ins. Co., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 130405 (E.D. Mo. Sept. 12, 2013).
The insured managed an apartment building with four passenger elevators. After…
The insurer's motion for summary judgment to deny coverage for the homeowners' fuel oil leak was rejected based upon the policy's ensuing loss provision. Estate of Konell v. Allied Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 101081 (D. Ore. July 19, 2013).
The insured argued that a windstorm caused a…
Judge Kay of the Hawaii federal district court found coverage under an all-risk policy for damage caused by arsenic. Ass'n of Apt. Owners of Imperial Plaza v. Fireman's Fund Ins. Co., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 50904 (D. Haw. April 9, 2013).
Plaintiff had a fourth floor constructed on top of its existing…
Although the insurer failed to understand the pertinent law that mandated coverage under the policy, its actions did not rise to an unfair claim settlement practice justifying multiple damages. Gelwan v. Vermont Mut. Ins. Co., 2013 U.S. app. LEXIS 210 (2nd Cir. Jan. 4, 2013).
In 1999, a contractor re-roofed the insureds'…
The insurer promoted a variety of arguments for summary judgment to deny coverage for water damage under a homeowner's policy. Strauss v. Chubb Indem. Ins. Co., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 224 (E.D. Wis. Jan. 2, 2013).
Construction of the insureds' home was completed in 1994. In October 2010, they discovered water damage…
The insured sought relief from the ensuing loss provision when the wear and tear exclusion barred coverage. Rapid Park Indus. v. Great N. Ins. Co., 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 23107 (2nd Cir. Nov. 9, 2012).
The insureds leased and operated a parking garage on the lower levels of a building in Manhattan. The…
The court considered whether rain damage to a house was barred by the policy's mold exclusion. Stewart v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 2012 U.S. Dist LEXIS 127804 (D. S.D. Sept. 7, 2012).
The insureds hired DJ Construction to build a new home. Before construction was completed, it was discovered that DJ Construction…
The insureds unsuccessfully argued that water damage to their home was covered by the ensuing loss provision. Friedberg v. Chubb & Son, 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 18817 (8th Cir. Sept. 7, 2012).
The insureds' home was built in 1989. In 2006, extensive water damage was found to the house. The insureds notified…
The insured homeowners were successful in establishing coverage for water damage after demonstrating an exception to the exclusion relied upon by the insurer was ambiguous. Plantek v. Town of Hamburg, 948 N.Y.S. 2d 797 (N.Y. App. Div. 2012).
The insureds' basement was flooded after an abutting water main ruptured. Allstate denied coverage…
