A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
The appellate court affirmed the decision of the trial court granting summary judgment to the insurer after agreeing that the policy’s anti-concurrent causation clause barred coverage. Lido Hospitality, Inc. v. AIX Specialty Ins. Co., 2026 Iii. App. Unpub. LEXIS 133 (Ill. Ct. App. Jan. 27, 2026).
One of the brick veneer walls of the…
The court granted the insurer’s and the mortgagee’s motions to dismiss the homeowner’s claims for breach of contract, bad faith and breach of fiduciary duty. Morris v. Standard Guar. Ins. Co., et al., 2026 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12354 (N.D. Okla. Jan. 23, 2026).
PHH Mortgage Corporation was Plaintiff Sidney Morris’ mortgagee. The mortgage required…
The insured’s claim that the insurer breached its duty to advise on coverage offered by the policy failed. Piatt Lake Bible Conference Ass’n v. Church Mutual Ins. Co., 2026 U.S. App. LEXIS 1095 (6th Cir. Jan. 13, 2026).
Piatt Lake Bible Conference Association held a blanket insurance policy with Church Mutual insuring several buildings…
The federal district court granted the insured’s motion to dismiss the insurer’s federal suit for declaratory judgment because the insured filed a more complete action in state court. Church Mut. Ins. Co. v. Elmwood Baptist Church, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 259762 (S.D. W.V. Dec. 16, 2025).
Elmwood purchased a property policy from Church Mutual…
The Illinois Appellate Court affirmed the district court’s grant of summary judgment to the insured’s agent because there was no breach of duty. Jon Van Order v. Hauk, et al., 2025 Ill. App. Unpub. LEXIS 2378 (Ill. Ct. App. Dec. 23, 2025).
The insured began renovating a vacant home in October 2018. He met…
Applying Texas law, the federal district court found there was no coverage for damage to the insured’s commercial building due to the bursting of frozen pipes. Barona v. State Farm Lloyds, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 257379 (S.D. Texas Dec. 12, 2025).
Freezing weather froze Barona’s plumbing fixtures, causing significant water damage to the commercial property…
The Hawaii Supreme Court affirmed the Circuit Court’s denial of the insurers’ motion to intervene in the class settlement proceedings finding the insurers did not have a protectable interest. Burnes, et al.v. Hawaiian Electric Co., Inc,, et al., SCAP-25-0000531 (Haw. Feb. 10, 2026).
Following the Maui fires, a class action suit and individual suits were…
Applyng California law, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court’s finding that water damage caused by a leaking pipe over time was not covered under the insured’s homeowners’ policy. Mojica v. State Farm General Ins. Co., 2025 U.S. App. LEXIS 32405 (9th Cir. Dec. 11, 2025).
A small hole, slightly larger than a pen…
The court denied the insurer’s motion to dismiss the insured’s complaint seeking coverage for a cyber loss. Balgo Technologies, LLC v. Hiscox Ins. Co, Inc., 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 251531 (M.D. Fla. Dec. 5, 2025).
Balgo was a financial technology company with an online platform enabling customers to utilize artificial intelligence tools to manage…
Applying Missouri law, the Eighth Circuit affirmed the jury verdict awarding damages for the presence of soot after a fire. Maxus Metropolitan, LLC v. Travelers Property Cas. Co. of Am., 2025 U.S. App. LEXIS 29921 (8th Cir. Nov, 17, 2025).
A fire destroyed Phase 6 of a multi-building apartment complex known as the Metropolitan.
