Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith
The interpretation of coverage obligations is one of the most critical steps in the claim process. There is no firm in New Jersey with greater expertise or knowledge of insurance coverage law; we have been involved in some of the most significant rulings on coverage and bad faith in the state. We routinely advise carriers on the nature and extent of their obligations – with respect to both defense and indemnity – and provide sound advice which will stand up in court. We assist in the drafting of coverage position correspondence such as reservations of rights and disclaimers. The firm frequently files declaratory judgment actions on behalf of carriers seeking adjudication of their rights and liabilities, deploying pleadings designed to expedite disposition of claims at a fraction of the time and expense involved in full-fledged DJ actions.
Representative Published Cases:
- Encompass Insurance v. Quincy Mutual (NJ Sup. Court 2014 – App. Div)
- Bardis v. Stinson (NJ Sup. Court 2014 – App. Div)
- Masaitis v. Allstate New Jersey Insurance Co. – NJ Sup. Court, App. 2014
- Peterson v. New Jersey Manufacturers – NJ Sup. Court App. 2014
- Johnson v. Plasser American Corporation – NJ Sup. Court, App. 2014
- Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company v. Lajara (NJ App. Div 2013)
- Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Salem v. NJPLIGA -–NJ— (2013)
- Potomac Insurance Company of Illinois v. Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association Insurance Company (NJ Supreme Court 2013)
- Citizens United Reciprocal Exchange v. Perez (NJ App. Div. 2013)
- Jacob v. The Netherlands Insurance Company — N.J. Super. – (App. Div. 2013)
- JAE v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, — N.J. Super. – (App. Div. 2013)
- Davis v. 1982 Springfield Ave. LLC, — N.J.Super. – (App. Div. 2012)
- Puhlovsky v. Rutgers Casualty Insurance Company, — N.J. Super. – (App. Div. 2012)
- Bello v. Merrimack Mutual Fire Insurance Co., — N.J. Super. – (App Div. 2012)
- CPR Restoration and Cleaning Services, LLC v. Franklin Mutual Insurance Co., — N.J. Super. (App. Div. 2012)
- Kieffer v. High Point Ins. Co., First Trenton Ins. Co., and N.J. Mfrs. Ins.Co., 422 N.J. Super. 38, 25 A. 3d 1206 (App. Div. 2011)
- IFA Ins. Co. v. Mercury Indemnity of America, — N.J. Super. – (App Div. 2011)
- ARI Mutual Ins. Co. v. Jorge, — N.J. Super. – (App Div. 2011)
- Wells Fargo Home Mortgage V. Cumberland Mutual Fire Insurance Company, — N.J. Super. – (App Div. 2011)
- Bay State Insurance Company v. Jennings, — N.J. Super. – (App Div. 2011)
- Kay Park v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (2011)
- Schafer v. Paragano Custom Building, Inc., — N.J. Super. – (App Div. 2010)
- Woltmann Assoc., Inc. v. Preferred Mutual Ins. Co., NY Slip Op 30286 (2010)
- Janicky v. Point Bay Fuel, Inc., 410 N.J. Super. 203, 981 A. 2d 96 (App. Div. 2009)
- Kaufman v. Allstate New Jersey Ins. Co., 561 F. 3d 144 (3d Cir. 2009)
- Matos v. Farmers Mut. Fire Ins. Co. Of Salem Cty., 399 N.J. Super. 219, 943 A. 2d 917 (App. Div. 2009)
- Preferred Mutual Insurance Company v. SAV Carpentry, Inc. (2007)
- Progressive Group v. Hurtado, 393 N.J. Super. 517, 924 A. 2d 607 (App. Div. 2007)
- Aquino v. State Farm Ins. Companies, 349 N.J. Super. 402, 793 A.2d 824 (App. Div. 2002)
- Powell v. Alemaz, Inc., 335 N.J. Super. 33, 760 A.2d 1141 (App. Div. 2000)
- Wickner v. American Reliance Ins. Co., 273 N.J. Super. 560, 642 A.2d 1046 (App. Div. 1994)
- Pickett v. Lloyd’s, 131 N.J. 457, 621 A.2d 445 (1993)
- Search EDP, Inc. v. American Home Assur. Co., 267 N.J. Super. 537, 632 A.2d 286 (App. Div. 1993)
- Voorhees v. Preferred Mut. Ins. Co., 128 N.J. 165, 607 A.2d 1255, 75 Ed. Law Rep. 347, 8 A.L.R.5th 937 (1992)
- Hofing v. CNA Ins. Companies, 247 N.J. Super. 82, 588 A.2d 864 (App. Div. 1991)
- Harleysville Ins. Co. v. Crum & Forster Personal Ins., 246 N.J. Super. 503, 588 A.2d 385 (App. Div. 1990)
- Sinopoli v. North River Ins. Co., 244 N.J. Super. 245, 581 A.2d 1368 (App. Div. 1990)
- Berger v. U.S. Fidelity & Guar. Co., 834 F.2d 1154 (3rd Cir.(N.J.), Nov 30, 1987)
- Solomon Lieberman and Chevra Lomdei Torah v. Interstate Fire & Cas. Co., 768 F.2d 81 (3rd Cir. (N.J.), Jul 18, 1985
- Calvert Fire Ins. Co. v. Sussex Mut. Ins. Co., 532 F.Supp. 393 (D.N.J., Dec 28, 1981)
- New Jersey Property Liability Guaranty Ass’n v. Brown, 174 N.J. Super. 629, 417 A.2d 117 (App. Div. 1980)
- Tell v. Cambridge Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 150 N.J. Super. 246, 375 A.2d 315 (N.J. Dist.Ct., May 11, 1977)