Lane Powell PC - Insurance Coverage Law

SYNOPSIS On July 5, the Washington Court of Appeals issued its decision in Tarutis v. Farmers Insurance, concerning an insurer’s duty to accurately adjust claims and settle within policy limits. The Court held that the…more

On April 6, the Oregon Court of Appeals issued its decision in State Farm Fire and Casualty Company v. American Family Mutual Insurance Company. The case pertains to whether an insurer has a duty to defend where the complaint…more

On 4 September 2008, the Washington Supreme Court issued its decision in Mutual of Enumclaw Ins. Co. v. USF Ins. Co., concerning the distinction between contribution and subrogation claims between insurers and the rules of…more

On 25 June 2008, the United States Supreme Court issued its opinion in Exxon Shipping Co. v. Baker, concerning the limits of punitive damages which may be assessed under federal maritime law. The Court held that under federal…more

On 13 June 2008, the Alaska Supreme Court issued its opinion in Whittier Properties Inc. v. Alaska National Insurance Company, concerning the interpretation of the “absolute pollution exclusion.” The Court held that leaked…more

On 23 May 2008, the Alaska Supreme Court issued its opinion in Amos v. Allstate Insurance Company, concerning an insurer’s indemnification obligation for bodily injuries occurring in the period between the insurance policy’s…more

On 7 April 2008, the Washington Court of Appeals issued its decision in Polygon Northwest Co. v. American National Fire Ins. Co. et al., concerning trigger-of-coverage, contribution, and allocation of damages between multiple…more

On 20 March 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rendered its decision in New Hampshire Ins. Co. v. C’Est Moi, Inc., addressing the maritime insurance doctrine of Uberrimae Fidei, or the duty of the assured and…more

A Ray of Hope for Washington Insurance Defense Law Insurance companies in Washington are still allowed to make good-faith mistakes. On November 15, 2007, the Honorable Ronald B. Leighton of the U.S. District Court for the…more

THIS UPDATE HAS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO THE PREVIOUS 11/06/07 UPDATE OF THE SAME NAME On November 6, 2007, Washington voters approved R-67, a referral to the people of the legislation entitled “Insurance Fair Conduct Act.”…more

On November 6, 2007, Washington voters approved R-67, a referral to the people of the legislation entitled "Insurance Fair Conduct Act." We first reported on this legislation in May, when it was signed by Gov. Christine…more

In a close 5-4 decision that yielded two sharply worded dissents, the Washington Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals and held that the insurer breached the duty to defend a dentist who played a practical joke in Woo v…more

On May 15, 2007, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire signed the Insurance Fair Conduct Act into law. The Act allows recovery of uncapped treble damages for unreasonable denial of a claim for coverage or payment of…more

Governor Gregoire Signs Insurance Fair Conduct Act into Law On May 15, 2007, Governor Christine Gregoire signed the Insurance Fair Conduct Act into law. The Act allows recovery of uncapped treble damages for unreasonable…more