A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
The federal district court largely denied the insurer's motion for summary judgment seeking a judgment of no coverage for snow removal and related property damage. Thurston Foods v. Wausau Bus. Ins. Co., 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74935 (D. Conn. May 17, 2017).
The insured was a food distributor with a…
Although the insureds timely filed their suit for denial of flood benefits in state court, the Fourth Circuit found the lawsuit against the Insurer was untimely because it was not filed in federal district court. Woodson v. Allstate Ins. Co., 2017 U. S. App. LEXIS 7862 (4th Cir. May 3 , 2917).
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The court found that the insured was entitled to a defense against claims for its alleged willful removal of coal from third parties' land. Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Bizzack Constr, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 70285 (W.D. Va. April 27, 2017).
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) contracted with Bizzack to perform work…
Loss of the insured's home caused by a renter who demolished the home was covered under the homeowner's policy. Fisher v. Garrison Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 2017 Idaho LEXIS 143 (Idaho May 26, 2017).
The insured, Shammie L. Fisher, entered a Purchase Agreement to sell her home to Ron Reynoso. The purchase of…
The Hawaii Supreme Court held that a health insurer did not have subrogation rights against third-party tortfeasors who caused injury to its insureds. Yukumoto v. Tawarahara, 2017 Haw. LEXIS 92 (Haw. May 26 2017).
Gregory Yukumoto was injured while driving his moped and struck by Ruth Tawarahara, driving her SUV.
Although the policy excluded pollution, the negligence that preceded the escape of the pollution was the efficient proximate cause, negating the impact of the pollution exclusion. Xia v. ProBuilders Specialty Ins. Co. RRG, 2017 Wash. LEXIS 443 (Wash. April 27, 2017).
Zhaoyun Xia purchased a new home in May 2006.
The Massachusetts Appeals Court determined that scallops damaged by a cause never determined by the underlying court was sufficient to establish an occurrence under the insured's CGL policy. The Hanover Ins. Group, Inc. v. Raw Seafoods, Inc., 2017 Mass App. LEXIS 49 (Mass. Ct. App. April 26, 2017).
The insured, Raw Seafoods, Inc. (RSI) had…
The insured's involvement in damaging a customer's corn syrup while preparing it to be transported was an occurrence and covered under the CGL policy. Travelers Prop. Cas. Co. of Am. v. United States Container Co., 2017 U.S. App. LEXIS 6602 (3rd Cir. April 18, 2017).
USA Container supplied industrial containers…
The federal district court found that the insurers could not escape coverage by summary judgment under their all risk policies. Eagle Harbour Condo Ass'n v. Allstate Ins. Co., 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54761 (W.D. Wash. April 10, 2017).
Eagle Harbour Condominium Association sued several of its insurers who denied coverage for hidden water damage.
In a session dominated by the failed attempt to find a solution for further funding of the Honolulu rail project, a few insurance-related measures passed and have been sent to the Governor for signature.
SB 952 expressly provides that the insurance commissioner has authority to approve long-term care insurance rates, effective January 1…
