A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
The court determined that the insurer improperly denied a defense for construction defect claims made against the insured. Amerisure Mut. Ins. Co. v. McMillin Tex. Homes, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEIS 40363 (W.D. Texas March 8, 2022).
McMillin was a developer, general contractor and home seller. It constructed multiple homes in…
The insurer's motion for summary judgment was granted based upon the insured's late notice nearly two years after a hurricane caused property damage. Ramirez v. Scottsdale Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 209716 (S.D. Fla. Oct. 29, 2021).
Plaintiff alleged he suffered property loss due to wind and water damage…
The court agreed that the insurer had no potential liability under a policy where the insured allegedly concealed facts and made misrepresentations regarding the condition of the property it sold. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. v. TFG Enterprises, LLC, 2021 Neb. LEXIS 27 (Neb. Feb. 19, 2021).
TFG sold…
Given the underlying allegations of damage to personal property, the court determined the insurer had a duty to defend. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's London v. Metropolitan Builders, Inc., 2019 Ill. App. LEXIS 979 (Ill. Ct. App. Dec. 18, 2019).
Metropolitan was hired as the general contractor for construction, renovation and…
The insurer unsuccessfully sought summary judgment based upon the underlying complaint's allegations of damage caused by faulty workmanship. Barton v. Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 2020 U.S. District. LEXIS 25943 (D. Ala. Feb. 14, 2020).
The Bartons contracted with Stacy Alliston Design and Building, Inc. (Stacy) to build their home…
The Missouri Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's ruling that the insured's policy did not cover claims based upon negligent misrepresentation. Am. Family Mut. Ins. Co. v. Sharon, 2020 Mo. App. LEXIS 123 (Mo. Ct. App. Feb. 4, 2020).
Robert Sharon sued Gregory and Kristine Schwenzer for, among other…
Most property policies provide coverage for property damage only when there is "direct physical loss" to covered property. Early indications are that the coronavirus remains on surfaces. The duration can last from a few hours to three weeks, depending on the type of surface material. If an employee is infected and the store…
The court determined there was no duty to defend because the underlying complaint alleged the contractor's breach of contract, but no property damage. Southern-Owners Ins. Co. v. Mac Contractors of Florida, 2020 U.S Dist. LEXIS 14611 (M.D. Fla. Jan. 29, 2020).
KJIMS Construction contracted with the homeowners to construct their…
In an unpublished decision, the Illinois Appellate Court determined that claims against the insured painting contractor had to be defended by the CGL carrier. Owners Ins. Co. v. Precision Painting & Decorating Corp., 2019 Ill. App. Unpub. LEXIS 2425 (Ill. App. Ct. Dec. 31, 2019).
The homeowners hired Precision to…
Although the appellate court agreed there was property damage caused by an occurrence, the "your work" exclusion barred the insured contractor's claim. King's Cove Marina, LLC v. Lambert Commercial Construction. LLC, 2019 Minn. App. LEXIS 389 (Minn. Ct. App. Dec. 16, 2019).
King's Cover Marina sought to expand and remodel…
