prior and pending litigation

Theoretically, claims made insurance coverage applies to claims made during the policy period regardless of when the underlying acts took place. The claims made arrangement contrasts with the framework under an occurrence policy, where coverage applies according to when the underlying acts took place, regardless of when the claim is made. But even though claims made coverage is intended to apply to claims made during the policy period, there are sometimes claims made policy provisions that can preclude coverage for some or all of the past acts alleged. These coverage limiting provisions can under certain circumstances substantially limit the past acts coverage available under a claims made policy.
Continue Reading Coverage Complications for Prior Acts Under Claims Made Insurance Policies

In an insurance coverage dispute arising out of the high-profile and long-running SEC investigation of and enforcement action against the investment firm Patriarch Partners and its CEO Lynn Tilton, a federal district court judge has ruled that coverage under Patriarch’s excess D&O insurance policy is precluded under the policy’s “Pending and Prior Claim” exclusion, because the investigation pending at the time the excess policy incepted represented a “Claim” under the relevant policy language. The court’s analysis includes an interesting discussion of the interaction between the SEC’s investigative actions and the applicable definition of the term “Claim.” The court’s analysis also involves a consideration of the implications for coverage purposes of the various stages within the SEC’s investigative processes. Southern District of New York Judge Valerie Caproni’s September 22, 2017 opinion can be found here.
Continue Reading Ongoing SEC Investigation is a “Claim” Sufficient to Trigger Prior Claim Exclusion

connecticutA recent summary judgment ruling in a D&O insurance coverage lawsuit in the District of Connecticut addressed several potentially preclusive coverage issues. In her February 28, 2017 opinion (here), Judge Vanessa Bryant, applying Connecticut law, ultimately held that coverage for the underlying claim was precluded due to the insured’s late provision of notice of claim, a conclusion that under the facts presented arguably is unremarkable. What makes Judge Bryant’s opinion interesting is not her ruling on the notice of claim issue, but rather her analysis of other issues, particularly her conclusion that the “related claim” and “prior or pending litigation” exclusions did not preclude coverage. The facts involved present other seemingly critical issues that Judge Bryant’s decision does not address.
Continue Reading D&O Insurance: Prior and Pending Litigation Exclusion Doesn’t Preclude Coverage, Late Notice Does

paUnder which claims made D&O insurance policy is there coverage for a claim that was filed under seal years ago but not served on the policyholder until the policy period of the current policy? If you find the answer “no policy” as unsatisfying as I do, read on. In a September 15, 2014 opinion (