Strategies, Challenges, and Answers

Archives for 2018

Nevada’s Auto Liability Compulsory Insurance Minimums Have Risen

I have been practicing law in Nevada for nearly 30 years. For as long as I can remember, Nevada has required autos registered in this state to have bodily injury automobile liability insurance of at least $15,000 per person / $30,000 per occurrence.  The minimum automobile liability limit for property damages has been set at $10,000 per occurrence.  NRS 485.185 and NRS 485.3091. That changed on July 1, 2018. An increase in the minimum limits took effect.  On that date, the required bodily … [Read more...]

Nevada Does Not Recognize An Independent Tort Action For Spoliation

After remodeling, the Taco Cabana Restaurant was open again for business. But the remodeled decorative ceiling collapsed onto the customers.  People were hurt.  A lawsuit followed. The contractors and the restaurant entered into an agreement to preserve the collapsed ceiling until all lawsuitsregarding the collapse were resolved.  Thereafter, the insurance companies of the contractor and the restaurant became involved.  The insurance companies paid the warehouse fees to store the debris. But … [Read more...]

The Duty To Defend Continues Through The Entire Litigation

Once the duty to defend arises, the insurer's duty continues throughout the entire litigation.  United Nat'l Ins. Co. v. Frontier Ins. Co., 120 Nev. 678, 687, 99 P.3d 1153, 1158 (Nev. 2004).  The duty to defend continues until final resolution of the claim.  Allstate Ins. Co. v. Miller, 125 Nev. 300, 309, 212 P.3d 318, 325 (2009).  An insurance company may not terminate its duty to defend by depositing the insurance proceeds with the court when the policy terms are ambiguous as to whether the … [Read more...]

Mills Contributes to DRI’s 2018 Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act Compendium

DRI has again honored Mike Mills, selecting him to author the Nevada and Utah Chapters in its 2018 Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act Compendium.  DRI turns to it most respected members from across the country to author state-specific sections to all of its Compendia.  Mike Mills also authored the Nevada Chapter of DRI’s 2016 Duty to Defend Compendium.  A full copy of the UCP Compendium can be ordered from DRI at Order Your Copy Here!. Feel free to preview the Compendium by CLICKING HERE … [Read more...]

When Is A UM/UIM Provider Bound By A Judgment Against The Tortfeasor?

Lucky for John Pietrosh, his parents bought UM/UIM coverage as part of their Allstate auto insurance policy.  Not so lucky for John, one day in July 1966, he was riding his bike when an uninsured driver hit and injured him. His parents reported the accident to their Allstate agent.  The agent responded that the family was “fully covered” and that it would “take care of the whole thing”. The Pietrosh family sued the uninsured driver and sent notice of the suit to Allstate.  Allstate did not … [Read more...]