Archive for 2016
Posted In: Duty to Defend
A Chapter 93a Demand Letter Is Not a “Suit” and Therefore Does Not Trigger a Duty to Defend

In 1990, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that a demand letter from the EPA to a potentially responsible party (PRP) under CERCLA is the functional equivalent of a suit…
Posted In: Uncategorized
Appeals Court Rules on Pre-Notice Defense Fees, Capping Defense Counsel’s Rates, Settlement Allocation

In a decision of significance on many hot-topic issues in coverage law, the Massachusetts Appeals Court decided Rass v. Travelers earlier this month. The court found that: an insurer has no…
Posted In: Duty to Defend
Bill Cosby Scores Victory for Insureds Interpreting “Arising Out Of” Exclusions

AIG unsuccessfully sought to disengage itself from Bill Cosby by seeking a declaration that it had no duty to defend or indemnify Cosby in three underlying suits. The decision is…
Posted In: Uncategorized
When Intentional Conduct Isn’t Intentional Enough to Disclaim Coverage

Two recent federal appeals decisions demonstrate that, in most cases, an allegation of intentional conduct is not enough to relieve insurers of the duty to defend under personal injury coverage….
Posted In: Environmental and Toxic Torts
Does New York’s Viking Pump Decision Help Massachusetts Policyholders Argue for Expanded Insurance Coverage for Some Long-Tail Environmental Liabilities?

The New York Court of Appeals’ recent Viking Pump opinion may help policyholders who seek to argue that — notwithstanding the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s application of pro rata allocation…
Posted In: Professional Liability
Only Claims Alleging Consumer Confusion Are Barred By “Unfair Competition of Any Type” Exclusion, First Circuit Holds

Professional Liability Policy Covers Claims by Competitors. In an unusual professional liability coverage case arising out of claims against the insured by a competitor (rather than a client), the First…
Posted In: Cyber Liability
UPDATED – Fourth Circuit Rules CGL Policy Covers Data Breach

Information accessible on the internet is “Published” even if no one reads it Updated: Please see below for a letter from a reader suggesting this case would have gone differently…
Posted In: Uncategorized
Do New Claims Added to a Suit Require Insurers Defending under Reservations of Rights to Issue Additional Reservations?

Not necessarily. Twice is nice, but sometimes once is enough, says Massachusetts federal district court. An insurer’s initial reservation of rights can be sufficient to preserve the right to disclaim…
Posted In: Policy Construction
Policy Expires, Accident Occurs: Insurer on the Hook (Why You Can Never Read a Policy Too Carefully)

Applying Georgia law, the 11th Circuit has concluded that the definition of “occurrence” is ambiguous. The take away is: don’t assume that, if there is an accident after a policy…
Posted In: Contribution and Subrogation, Other Insurance
Massachusetts Says “No” to Selective Tender Rule

Massachusetts policyholders can’t protect their limits or prevent premium increases by notifying only one of two insurers that might cover a claim. In other words, Massachusetts will not be joining…