While the court determined the virus or bacteria exclusion precluded coverage under business income, extra expense, or civil authority for the insured's COVID-19-related shutdown, the insurer's motion to dismiss was denied based upon the communicable diseases coverage. Salon XI Color & Design Group v. W. Bend Mut. Ins. Co.,, 2021 U.S. Dist.
First Party Insurance
Unclear Sublimits Inapplicable to Superstorm Sandy Damage
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The Supreme Court of New Jersey found the policies' sublimits were not applicable to reduce coverage for property damage caused by Superstorm Sandy. N.J. Transit Corp. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's London, 2021 N.J. LEXIS 4 (Jan. 27, 2021).
At the time Superstorm Sandy struck New Jersey, the New Jersey…
Restaurant Group’s Multi-Litigation Business Interruption Claims Survive Motion to Dismiss
By Tred R. Eyerly on
Society Insurance Company unsuccessfully sought to dismiss plaintiff restaurant group's claims for business interruption after shut-down orders followed the onset of COVID-19. In re Soc'y Ins. Co. COVID-19 Business Interruption Protection Insurance Litigation, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32351 (N.D. Ill. Feb. 22, 2021).
The multi-district litigation addressed Society Insurance's denial…
Sub-Limit Restricts Insured’s Flood Damage Recovery
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The insured's recovery for flood damage was controlled by the policy's sub-limit. David S. Brown Enters. v. Affiliated FM Ins. Co., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 239208 (D. Md. Dec. 18, 2020).
Roughly 6.6 inches of rain fell in Ellicott City, Maryland, causing extensive flooding. During the storm, a water main…
No Coverage for Home Damaged by Falling Boulders
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The policy's earth movement exclusion barred coverage for the home damaged by large boulders rolling down from the hillside above. Sullivan v. Nationwide Affinity Ins. Co. of Am., 2021 U.S. App. LEZXIS 628 (10th Cir Jan. 11, 2021).
Plaintiffs' home sustained extensive damage when two or three large builders rolled…
Cherokee Nation Prevails on Summary Judgment in COVID-19 Case
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The Oklahoma trial court granted partial summary judgment to the Cherokee Nation for its business interruption claim due to the mandated closure of its casinos. Cherokee Nation, et al v. Lexington Ins. Co., et al., Case No. CV-10-150, Order Granting Summary Judgment (Okla. Dist. Ct. Jan. 28, 2021). The decision is here…
Insured’s Expectations of Coverage Allows Escape from Dismissal in COVID-19 Claim
By Tred R. Eyerly on
While the court found no allegations of direct physical loss in a claim arising from COVID-19, the insured survived a motion to dismiss based upon its expectation of coverage. Humans & Res. v. Firstline Nat'l Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3998 (E.D. Pa. Jan. 8, 2021).
The insured owned…
California Superior Court Overrules Insurer’s Demurrer on COVID-19 Claim
By Tred R. Eyerly on
A Superior Court in California overruled the insurer’s demurrer to the policy holder’s complaint seeking business interruption coverage after government shutdown orders were issued because of the coronavirus pandemic. Goodwill Industries of Orange County, California v. Philadelphia Indemnity Ins. Co., Cal. Superior Ct., Civil No. 30-2020-01169032-CU-IC-CXC (Minute Order Jan. 28,, 2021). The…
Policyholder Prevails on Summary Judgment in COVID-19 Business Interruption Claim
By Tred R. Eyerly on
Summary judgment was awarded to the insureds on their business interruption claim due to governmental closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Henderson Rd. Rest. Sys. v. Zurich Am. Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9521 (N.D. Ohio, Jan. 19, 2021).
Plaintiffs owned restaurants in several states. In the spring of 2020…
Motion to Dismiss Policyholder’s COVID-19 Claim Denied
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court denied the insurer's motion to dismiss a preschool's claim for business interruption due to COVID-19. An endorsement provided coverage for shutdowns by order or recommendation of government authorities due to a communicable disease. Baldwin Acad., Inc. v. Markel Ins. Co., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 239916 (S.D. Calif. Dec. 21, 2020). …