The San Antonio Court of Appeals issued an opinion in USAA Texas Lloyd’s Company v. John Doe and Jane Doe, and as next friends of XXX, a Minor. The case is an appeal from a motion for summary judgment in a declaratory judgment action filed by USAA seeking a declaration…
Articles Posted in Interpreting An Insurance Policy
Liability Insurance Settling When You Think They Are Wrong
Insurance lawyers often will hear a story that goes like this. – I was involved in an accident last year. The other guy was at fault. I let my insurance company know about the wreck and then I found out that my insurance company paid the other guy. Can I…
Appraisal Clauses In Policies
Either the insurance company or the insured has a right to demand an appraisal in lots of property insurance contracts. The Waco Court of Appeals issued an opinion recently that discusses these appraisal clauses. The case is styled, In Re GuideOne Mutual Insurance Company. This case is a writ of…
Compliance With Insurance Policy Provisions
This Eastern District, Sherman Division opinion is good reading for how the courts look at an insured’s responsibility to comply with policy provisions in an insurance contract. The opinion is styled, Tommy Wilson v. Allstate Insurance Company. Wilson made a claim for damages to his home after wind and hail…
Denial Due To Exclusion In Policy
There are several reasons an insurance company will deny coverage under an insurance policy. Probably the most common reason is due to a misrepresentation in the policy application. The second most common reason is based on exclusions or limitations in the policy. This makes reading the policy and comparing that…
Insurance Policy Interpretation
Insurance lawyers need to understand how the Courts interpret insurance policies. The 1991, Texas Supreme Court opinion styled, National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA. v. Hudson Energy Company, Inc., is good reading on this subject. On May 23, 1980, Hudson, the president of Hudson Energy purchased a Cessna…
When Policies Are Ambiguous
What do Texas Courts do when a policy is ambiguous? Guidance on the answer is provided in a 2009, Texas Supreme Court opinion styled, Progressive County Mutual Insurance Company v. Regan Kelley. Regan Kelley was struck by a car while riding her horse. Medical expenses for her injuries are alleged…
Can Coverage Be Expanded By Waiver?
What if someone with the insurance company does something to cause you to believe you have coverage that you do not have? Mason County lawyers should read this 2008, Texas Supreme Court opinion. It is styled, Ulico Casualty Company v. APA. In this case, the court considered what has become…
Who Is Insured Under A Policy
Llano County insurance lawyers need to keep up with how the Courts interpret insurance policies. The 5th Circuit issued an opinion worth reading in 2016. It is styled, AIG Specialty Insurance Co. v. Tesoro Corp. In this case the 5th Circuit had to decide whether a subsidiary not designated as…
Flood Insurance
For those insurance lawyers handling flood claims, a Corpus Christi Court of Appeals opinion issued in 2017, is a must read. It is styled, Housing & Community Services, Inc. and HCS 401, LLC D/B/A Lantana Square Apartments v. Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. This is an appeal in favor of TWIA…