A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
The insurer was unsuccessful in seeking rescission or reformation of an umbrella policy. Great Am. Ins. Co. v. Zelik, 2020 U.S. District. LEXIS 5229 (S.D. N. Y. Jan. 6, 2020).
Kim Hodges tripped and fell in front of vacant lot owned by Joseph Zelik, a real estate investor. Zelik tendered…
The insurer unsuccessfully moved to dismiss portions of the insureds' counterclaim based upon prior knowledge. Hudson Spec. Ins. Co. v. Talex Enter., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 105598 (S. D. Miss. June 25, 2018).
The insureds' building collapsed in McComb, Mississippi. Pubic utilities were damaged and traffic disrupted. The City sued…
Interpreting Missouri law, the federal district court found that the insurer must defend the negligent misrepresentation claim filed against the insured seller of a home. Am. Family Mut. Ins. Co. v. Spencer, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEIS 44272 (E.D. Miss. March 19, 2018).
The insurer issued a homeowners policy to Nancy…
The seller's alleged negligent misrepresentation about the condition of the house was not covered by the homeowner's and umbrella policies. Allstate Ins. Co. v. Swaminathan, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 211931 (D. Conn. Dec. 27, 2017).
The insureds owned a home insured by Allstate under both a homeowner's and umbrella policy.
The Tennessee Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's determination that the seller's alleged negligent misrepresentation regarding the propensity of the property to flood was covered. Erie Ins. Exh. v. Maxwell, 2017 Tenn. App. LEXIS 746 (Tenn. Ct. App. Nov. 15, 2017).
The Chapmans purchased a residence from the Maxwells…
The California Court of Appeal reversed the trial court's issuance of summary judgment to the insurer, finding that the insured did not make misrepresentations when applying for a policy to cover rental property. Duarte v. Pacific Spec. Ins. Co., 13 Cal. App. 5th 45 (2017).
Duarte rented his house to…
The Montana Supreme Court held that the insurer had a duty to defend allegations of misrepresentation against the insured seller of a home. Huckins v. United Serv. Auto. Assoc., 2017 Mont. LEXIS 334 (Mont. June 13, 2017).
Barry Van Sickle placed his home on the market for sale and completed…
The Sixth Circuit reversed the district court's order granting summary judgment to State Farm based upon the insured's alleged concealment of the truth when questioned about a fire that destroyed his home. Rose v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 17312 (6th Cir. Sept. 8, 2014).
A fire…
A complaint lodged against the insureds' broker and FEMA was dismissed for failure to state a claim. Lopez v. State Farm Gen. Ins. Co., 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 109803 (E.D. La. Aug. 8, 2014).
The insureds held a Standard Flood Insurance Policy (SFIP) issued by FEMA, but sold by the broker. The…
The Illinois Court of Appeal found that an innocent law partner was entitled to coverage under the firm's malpractice policy despite misrepresentations made by another partner. Illinois State Bar Association Mutual Ins. Co. v. Law Office of Tuzzolino and Terpinas, 2013 Ill. App. LEXIS 816 (Ill. Ct. App. Nov. 22, 2013).
Tuzzolino…
