The Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, found that the lower court properly determined that the wrap-exclusion applied to the insured even though it was not enrolled in the Wrap-up Insurance Program for the project. Skanska USA Building Inc. v. Harleysville Ins. Co., 2023 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 1893 (N.Y. App.
Marine Cargo Policy Covers only Portion of Hurricane Loss
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district courts granting of summary judgment to the insurer after a portion of the claim for loss of vegetable crops were lost due to a hurricane. Certain Underwriters at Lloyds of London vs. Pero Family Farm Food Co., Ltd., 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 8451 (11th Cir. April…
Surplus Lines Carriers Cannot Compel Arbitration in Louisiana
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court denied the surplus lines insurer's motion to compel arbitration based on Lousiana's law prohibiting arbitrations of coverage disputes. Fairway Village Condominiums v. Independent Spec. Ins. Co., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 62135 (E.D. La. April 20, 2023).
The plaintiff's condominium complex was damaged by Hurricane Ida. A claim was…
Hurricane Claim Cannot Survive Anti-Concurrent Causation Clause
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The court upheld the insurer's denial of coverage for hurricane damage caused by storm surge. Heritage Motorcoach Resort & Marina Condominium Association, Inc v. Axis Ins. Co., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 58931 (S.D. Ala. April 4, 2023).
Heritage operated a resort with a marina, dock and clubhouse. Hurricane Sally caused…
Lower Policy Limits for Nonowners of Vehicle Do Not Violate Public Policy
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The federal district court granted the insurer's motion for summary judgment deciding that lower policy limits for nonowners of a vehicle did not violate public policy. Talana v. Liberty Surplus Ins. Co., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 50222 (D. Haw. March 24, 2023).
Judy Talana collided with a car while operating…
Motion to Dismiss COVID-19 Claim Denied
By Tred R. Eyerly on
Finding that a contamiation exclusion was ambiguous, the Court denied the insurer's Motion to Dismiss the insured's COVID-19 claim. C.J. Segerstrom and Sons v. Lexington Ins. Co., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 33293 (C.D. Cal. Feb. 27, 2023).
Segerstrom owned and operated a shopping mall. It was forced to close the…
Law Firm Fails to Survive Insurer’s and Agent’s Motions to Dismiss
By Tred R. Eyerly on
Interpreting New Jersey law, the federal district court dismissed without prejudice the law firm's complaint against its insurer and agent. Law Office of Drew J. Bauman v. Hanover Ins. Co., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 31844 (D. N. J. Feb. 27, 2023).
The law firm had a professional liability policy issued…
Hawaii Supreme Court Remands Malpractice Claim Against Agent
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The Hawaii Supreme Court vacated and remanded the decision of the Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA) regarding a malpractice claim against the insured's agent. Pflueger, Inc. v. AIU Holdings, Inc., 2023 Haw. LEXIS 44 (Haw. Feb. 22, 2023). Our prior post on the ICA's decision is here.
In May…
No Coverage for Employer Under Professional Liability Policy
By Tred R. Eyerly on
Although the employer raised numerous claims against the insured employer, none were covered under the policy. Hemphill v. Landmark Ins. Co., 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 8079 (April 5, 2023).
Carl Hemphill and MJC Labor provided temporary employee placement and visa application processing services to workers from Mexico and Central America.
Trial Court Abuses Discretion in Appointing Unqualified Umpire for Appraisal
By Tred R. Eyerly on
The Texas Court of Appeals agreed with the insurer that the trial court abused its discretion in appointing an attorney as umpire in a property damage dispute. In re State Farm Lloyds, 2023 Tex. App. LEXIS 966 (Tex. Ct. App. Feb. 15, 2023).
The insured filed an application for the…