A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
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…
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…
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…
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). …
The court found there was no coverage for the property management company after a fraudster sent a false email with wiring instructions, causing a loss of $200,000. Ernst & Haas Mgmt. Co. v. Hiscox, Inc., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 218379 (C.D. Calif. Nov. 5, 2020).
Ernst & Haas (E&H) employee…
The federal district court in Virginia denied the insurer's motion to dismiss the insured's claim for losses due to COVID-19. Elegant Massage, LLC v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 231935 (E.D. Va. Dec. 9, 2020).
Elegant Massage owned and operated its business providing therapeutic massages.
Damage to a building caused by the break of a water pipe was not a collapse under the policy. Naabani Twin Stars v. Travelers Cos., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 196443 (D. N. M. Oct. 22, 2020).
An underground water line ruptured on plaintiffs property This caused a collapse under the…
Having failed to adequately secure cyber coverage, the insured law firm's lawsuit was properly dismissed by the trial court on summary judgment. Johnson v. Smith Bros. Ins., LLC, 2020 Vt. Unpub. LEXIS 98 (Vt. Sept. 4, 2020).
The law firm attended a CLE seminar presented by the Vermont Attorneys…
A Washington state trial court denied the insurer’s motion to dismiss the insured’s business interruption and civil authority claims arising from COVID-19. Hill and Stout PLLC v. Mutual of Enumclaw Ins. Co., No. 20-2-0725-1 (Wash. Super. Ct. Nov. 13, 2020). The case is here.
Plaintiff Hill and Stout PLLC (H&S) was …
The federal district court exercised its discretion under the Declaratory Judgment Act, declining jurisdiction over a case presenting claims arising from COVID-19. Marc Daniel Hospitality, LLC v. AmGuard Ins. Co., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 191956 (D. N.J. Oct 16, 2020).
Plaintiff operated an upscale sit-down restaurant and whiskey bar offering…
