In 2019, Nevada Coverage Law asked whether Nevada would follow the California case of Buss v. Superior Court, 16 Cal. 4th 35, 49, 939 P.2d 766 (1997) and allow Nevada insurance companies the right to seek reimbursement for uncovered defense cost. We said that Nevada often looks to California for direction on topics of law not yet addressed in Nevada. See Zurich Am. Ins. Co. v. Coeur Rochester, Inc., 720 F. Supp. 2d 1223, 1234 n. 11; see also Commercial Standard Ins. Co. v. Tab Constr., 94 Nev. … [Read more...]
The Immense Sacrifice Of Our Fallen Heroes Must Always Be Remembered . . .
May 26, 2023 by
“Was it worth it?” This is a question, sometimes politically-loaded, that is often asked of family members and war buddies of our Fallen Heroes. Marine Corps General John Kelly recently offered a unique perspective. A veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan himself, General Kelly lost his youngest son, First Lieutenant Robert Kelly, while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province in 2010. General Kelly was asked if the loss was worth it by a reporter with National Public Radio. He said, … [Read more...]
Mixed Claims? Defend as to One, Defend as to All
May 3, 2023 by
Mr. Alm bought his Homeowner’s Policy from Hartford Fire Ins. Co. He got sued for bodily injuries. The First Cause of Action of the Complaint alleged that the injury happened because of Mr. Alm’s negligence. But the Second Cause of Action alleged that the injury was a result of a violent and intentional assault on the part of Mr. Alm. Mr. Alm presented the suit to Hartford. Hartford admitted that it has insured Mr. Alm but it refused to defend him. The argument was that the claim for … [Read more...]
Does An Insurer Have A Duty To Defend When Other Insurers Have Already Taken Up The Defense?
October 15, 2019 by
The Nevada Supreme Court has not decided whether an insurance company is obliged to defend when other insurers, who also owe a duty to defend the same insured, have already taken up the defense.. The cases of Commercial Standard Ins. Co. v. Tab Constr., Inc., 94 Nev. 536, 539, 583 P.2d 449, 451 (1978) and Zurich Am. Ins. Co., 720 F. Supp. 2d 1223, 1234 n. 11 (2010) remind us that where Nevada law is silent, Nevada often looks to California law for direction. California law provides that even … [Read more...]
Where An Insurance Company Breaches Its Duty To Defend, It Can Be Liable For An Excess Verdict Even If The Company Did Not Act In Bad Faith
February 5, 2019 by
Ryan Pretner suffered critical injuries when he was hit by a truck driven by Michael Vasquez. Mr. Vasquez’s truck was covered by two auto policies, his personal policy, and his business auto policy. His personal insurance with Progressive had a limit of $100,000 per person. His commercial auto policy with Century Surety Company had a $1,000,000 limit. Century Surety conducted an investigation and determined that Mr. Vasquez was not in the course and scope of his business as an auto … [Read more...]
