Newly introduced bills would significantly expand jurisdiction over business entities in Nevada and create a specific business court
5/5/25
By: Galina Kletser Jakobson
Two bills introduced in Nevada’s 2025 legislative session can potentially elevate Nevada as a forum for litigation against business entities by expanding personal jurisdiction over business entities and creating a dedicated business court.
If passed, Nevada …
Tenth Circuit clarifies scope of absolute pollution exclusion
5/5/25
By: Geoffrey R. Hafer
The Tenth Circuit’s recent decision in Chisholm’s-Village Plaza LLC v. The Cincinnati Ins. Co. No. 23-2133, 2025 WL 1178099 (10th Cir. April 23, 2025), provides important guidance regarding the application and enforceability of absolute pollution exclusions …
Seventh Circuit seeks Illinois Supreme Court’s input on pollution exclusion in liability policy
5/1/25
By: Jason S. Callicoat and Josh W. Zhao
After a 2018 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report about the rates of cancer in residents of Willowbrook, Illinois, due to ethylene oxide (EtO), Griffith Foods was sued by over …
Kentucky court rejects homeowners’ bad faith insurance claim
4/30/25
By: Barry M. Miller
In February, the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled against homeowners who claimed their insurance company acted in bad faith and violated the state’s consumer protection act by initially denying coverage for water damage. Holland v. United …
Got coverage? Claims-made policies, tolling agreements and “no prior knowledge” conditions
4/23/25
By: Edward Solensky Jr.
In Allied World Assurance Co. (U.S.) Inc. v. Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe, LLP, No. 2024-01377, 2025 WL 793350 (N.Y. App. Div. Mar. 13, 2025), a New York appellate court examined whether coverage was …
Georgia Court of Appeals decides “resident relative” determination is for the jury
4/16/25
By: Mallory D. Ball
The Georgia Court of Appeals held in Allred v. Progressive County Mutual Insurance Co. that residence and domicile – and, in turn, whether a person qualifies as a “resident relative” under an insurance policy – typically …
Ninth Circuit re-affirms that suit against an insurer in a property valuation dispute is premature pending appraisal
4/8/25
By: Rachel E. Hobbs
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently re-affirmed that when a property policy mandates an appraisal, the insured lacks standing to sue the insurer until the appraisal is complete. In 50 Exchange Terrace LLC v. Mount …
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirms denial of coverage for data breach under CGL policies
3/27/25
By: Kyle A. Ference
In Home Depot, Inc. v. Steadfast Ins. Co., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit recently applied Georgia law in ruling that a commercial general liability (CGL) insurance policy did not provide coverage …
Washington Legislature to consider new bill creating presumption of negligence against driver of “major motor vehicle” involved in a collision with a pedestrian, bicycle or “minor motor vehicle”
3/25/25
By: Galina Kletser Jakobson
House Bill 1518, introduced during Washington’s State House of Representatives 2025-2026 Regular Session, would establish a presumption of negligence in a tort action upon the driver in a collision between a “major motor vehicle”—defined as “any …
Texas Appellate Court wipes away hospital’s claim of Covid property damage
2/24/25
By: Gabriel Canto
Another court of review joined a growing consensus in finding that the presence of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) does not cause “direct physical loss of or damage to” property. In Lloyd’s Syndicate 1967 et al. v. Baylor College …
California Insurance Commissioner approves $1 billion FAIR Plan assessment in response to Southern California wildfires
2/21/25
By: Kristin Ingulsrud
The California FAIR Plan Association is a private association of all insurers licensed to conduct property or casualty business in California. The FAIR Plan was created by the California legislature to provide insurance to California residents who …
California increases auto insurance minimums for the first time since 1967
2/12/25
By: Matthew D. Walters
After 58 years, California has raised the minimum amount of auto insurance drivers are required to carry. The Protect California Drivers Act, Senate Bill 1107, went into effect on January 1, 2025, with the goal of …