In a case that was briefed and argued by Wiley Rein in the trial court and on appeal, along with Fox Rothschild LLP as Delaware local counsel, the Delaware Supreme Court held that Texas law applies to a comprehensive insurance program issued to a Texas corporation and its subsidiaries nationwide. The Travelers Indemnity Company v. CNH Industrial America, LLC, No. 420, 2017 (Del. July 16, 2018). The Court reversed a decision of the Superior Court holding that Wisconsin law applied and, as a result, that the anti-assignment provisions of the policies at issue were unenforceable. Noting that it was undisputed that the anti-assignment provisions are enforceable under Texas law, the Court reversed the nearly $14 million judgment in favor of the purported assignee of rights under the policies and directed entry of judgment for the insurer.
Appeals Court Holds that Computer Fraud Policy Covers Spoofing Attack
Posted in Cyber Policies and IssuesThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, applying New York law, has held that an email spoofing attack was covered under a computer fraud policy because the attack involved manipulating the insureds’ email system. Medidata Solutions Inc. v. Federal Ins. Co., No. 17-2492-cv (2d Cir. July 6, 2018)
6th Circuit Affirms No Coverage Where Insured Concealed Claim and Underlying Facts Before Giving Untimely Notice of Claim
Posted in “Claim”, Late NoticeIn a case that was briefed and argued for the primary carrier by Wiley Rein at the trial court level and on appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit unanimously affirmed summary judgment on behalf of the insurers where the insured bank concealed key facts concerning a government investigation until the eve of settlement, holding that the insured failed to provide timely notice of a Claim or adequate notice of a potential Claim. First Horizon Nat’l Corp. v. Houston Cas. Co., No. 17-5767/5844 (6th Cir. July 10, 2018).
Property Management and Financial Interest Exclusions Bar Coverage for Real Estate Professionals
Posted in Personal Profit/Advantage exclusionApplying Connecticut law, a Connecticut state trial court has held that no coverage exists under a real estate errors and omissions policy for a lawsuit brought by property investors against two real estate professionals arising from the purported mismanagement of property investment companies. Sarfaty v. United States Liab. Ins. Co., 2018 WL 3060110 (Conn. Super. Ct. May 25, 2018).
Contract Exclusion Does Not Bar Defense Obligation for Alleged Payment Card Breach
Posted in Breach of Contract – coverage for amounts due pursuant to contract, exclusions, Cyber Policies and IssuesThe United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, applying Texas law, has reversed an order granting an insurer judgment on the pleadings, holding that a breach of contract exclusion did not bar coverage for a demand received by an insured retailer from its credit card processor for indemnification and other relief arising from a payment card breach. Spec’s Family Partners, Ltd. v. Hanover Ins. Co., 2018 WL 3120794 (5th Cir. June 25, 2018).
West Virginia High Court Reinstates Rescission Suit
Posted in RescissionThe West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has reinstated a lawsuit seeking to rescind a doctor’s professional liability policy on the grounds that the insured made material misrepresentations in applying for the policy. Admiral Ins. Co. v. Fisher, 2018 WL 2688182 (W. Va. June 6, 2018). In reversing the trial court, the Supreme Court of Appeals noted that the insured omitted information concerning several patient overdose deaths in response to questions on the application for the policy.
Insurer Obligated to Defend Entire Suit Where Covered Claim Could Stand Independent of Non-Covered Claims
Posted in Dishonesty ExclusionThe United States District Court for the District of Colorado, applying Massachusetts law, has held that an insurer had a duty to defend an entire suit against an au pair sponsor because the negligent misrepresentation claim asserted in that suit fell within the scope of the policy’s insuring agreement and could stand independent from other claims that were excluded from coverage by a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exclusion and an intentional conduct exclusion. Cultural Care, Inc. v. AXA Ins. Co., 2018 WL 3008686 (D. Colo. June 15, 2018).
Intentional Acts Exclusion Precludes Duty to Defend Complaint Alleging Willful Conduct
Posted in Dishonesty ExclusionAn Illinois intermediate appellate court has held that an intentional acts exclusion precluded a duty to defend a lawsuit alleging that an insured engaged in willful misconduct. Ill. State Bar Ass’n Mut. Ins. Co. v. Leighton Legal Grp., Inc., 2018 WL 2688182 (Ill. App. Ct. May 22, 2018).
Insureds Entitled to Advancement of Defense Costs But Not Equitable Reallocation of Policy Proceeds
Posted in Defense CostsThe United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, applying Texas law, has held that the directors and officers of a corporation in receivership were entitled to advancement of defense costs despite the receiver’s objections. SEC v. Faulkner, 2018 WL 2761850 (N.D. Tex. June 6, 2018). The court declined, however, to reallocate the insurer’s prior payments based on the objections of one insured who contended he had not received a sufficient share of the policy proceeds.
Failure of Insured to Provide Timely Notice Under Claims-Made Policy Bars Suit Against Insurer of Bankrupt Insured
Posted in Bankruptcy, Notice of ClaimThe United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, applying Pennsylvania law, has held that an insured’s failure to provide timely notice of a claim under a claims-made policy barred coverage for that suit. Frazier v. Exide Techs., No. 17-2399, 2018 WL 2727396 (3d Cir. June 6, 2018).