When Insurer Settles Claim Against Insured for Less Than Policy Limits it Fulfills its Obligations Under the Policy
Post 4916
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Raymond Kvalvog challenged the dismissal of his claims against his insurer, Secura Supreme Insurance Company. Kvalvog argued that his complaint states a claim upon which relief can be granted because it alleges Secura (1) breached its duty of good faith by failing to inform Kvalvog of his right to withdraw from the liability coverage he invoked and take over his defense, (2) breached its duty of good faith by failing to properly evaluate the claims against Kvalvog, and (3) failed to pay Kvalvog $17,500 in uninsured-motorist benefits.
In Raymond Kvalvog v. Secura Supreme Insurance Company, No. A24-0226, Court of Appeals of Minnesota (October 14, 2024) the Court of Appeals resolved the allegations.
FACTS
After a tragic automobile accident where Kvalvog’s son was driving an automobile as part of a high school athletic trip. The passengers in the automobile included Kvalvog’s other son and Mark Schwandt. As a result of the accident, Kvalvog’s sons died and Schwandt was injured. At the time of the accident, Secura provided automobile insurance coverage to Kvalvog that included liability coverage.
Kvalvog brought a wrongful-death action against, among others, the school and a coach who was driving a different vehicle as part of the school trip only to lose.
Schwandt later commenced a separate action against Kvalvog, the school, the coach, and Schwandt’s own insurer (the underlying action), asserting in part that Kvalvog was liable for Schwandt’s substantial injuries. Kvalvog tendered the defense of the underlying action to Secura, which appointed a lawyer to defend Kvalvog. The case settled with Secura paying less than the policy limits in exchange for a release of all claims against Kvalvog.
The district court granted Secura’s motion reasoning that Secura had the right to settle the claims against Kvalvog, did so within his policy limits.
Kvalvog asserts that his complaint supports three theories of liability, the first two of which are premised on Secura’s claimed breach of its duty of good faith.
The district court granted Secura’s motion to dismiss, determining that Secura did not breach their duty of good faith by settling the claims at mediation within policy limits and that the complaint did not state a viable claim for $17,500 in uninsured-motorist benefits.
DECISION
A complaint is subject to dismissal if it fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Kvalvog’s complaint fails to state a legally sufficient claim that Secura breached its duty of good faith.
An insurance policy, like other contracts, is governed by its terms. But Minnesota law imposes an additional duty of good faith on a liability insurer that assumes control of the right of settlement of claims against its insured. This duty arises because an insured and insurer may have conflicting interests, with an insurer being obligated to represent an insured’s best interests and to defend and indemnify while also wanting settlement at the lowest possible figure. An insurer’s right to control the negotiations for settlement must be subordinated to the purpose of the insurance contract-to defend and indemnify the insured within the limits of the insurance contract
Secura Did Not Have A Duty To Inform Kvalvog That He Could Withdraw From The Coverage He Invoked.
A liability insurer’s duty of good faith springs from the purpose of the insurance contract-to defend and indemnify the insured within the limits of the insurance contract. If an insured is clearly liable the insurer must attempt to settle with the injured party. A liability insurer’s obligations are tethered to a purpose: protecting an insured’s financial interests and ensuring that the insured receives the full benefits it is entitled to under the policy.
Creating the duty advanced by Kvalvog would do the opposite. Such a duty would run counter to an insurer’s other rights and obligations.
Secura Is Not Liable For Any Failure To Investigate.
Kvalvog has not stated a claim for a breach of the duty of good faith on which relief can be granted. Kvalvog’s theories of liability, failing to advise him that he could fire the appointed lawyer, are not viable under Minnesota law.
Kvalvog’s Complaint Fails To State A Legally Sufficient Claim For Uninsuredmotorist Benefits.
Without an identified liability theory, the complaint does not provide fair notice of the basis for Kvalvog’s uninsured motorist claim. It was appropriately dismissed.
ZALMA OPINION
Liability insurance provides for a defense of the insured. It does not, nor should it, provide for the insured’s attempt to gain a judgment against a third party or UM coverage when the responsible party is insured. No good deed was punished – Secura settled the claim against Kvalvog only to be sued for doing what the policy required it to do.
(c) 2024 Barry Zalma & ClaimSchool, Inc.
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Concealing a Weapon Used in a Murder is an Intentional & Criminal Act
Post 5002
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In Howard I. Rosenberg; Kimberly L. Rosenberg v. Chubb Indemnity Insurance Company Howard I. Rosenberg; Kimberly L. Rosenberg; Kimberly L. Rosenberg; Howard I. Rosenberg v. Hudson Insurance Company, No. 22-3275, United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit (February 11, 2025) the Third Circuit resolved whether the insurers owed a defense for murder and acts performed to hide the fact of a murder and the murder weapon.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Adam Rosenberg and Christian Moore-Rouse befriended one another while they were students at the Community College of Allegheny County. On December 21, 2019, however, while at his parents’ house, Adam shot twenty-two-year-old Christian in the back of the head with a nine-millimeter Ruger SR9C handgun. Adam then dragged...
Renewal Notices Sent Electronically Are Legal, Approved by the State and Effective
Post 5000
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Washington state law allows insurers to deliver insurance notices and documents electronically if the party has affirmatively consented to that method of delivery and has not withdrawn the consent. The Plaintiffs argued that the terms and conditions statement was not “conspicuous” because it was hidden behind a hyperlink included in a single line of small text. The court found that the statement was sufficiently conspicuous as it was bolded and set off from the surrounding text in bright blue text.
In James Hughes et al. v. American Strategic Insurance Corp et al., No. 3:24-cv-05114-DGE, United States District Court (February 14, 2025) the USDC resolved the dispute.
The court’s reasoning focused on two main points:
1 whether the ...
Rescission in Michigan Requires Preprocurement Fraud
Post 4999
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Lie About Where Vehicle Was Garaged After Policy Inception Not Basis for Rescission
This appeal turns on whether fraud occurred in relation to an April 26, 2018 renewal contract for a policy of insurance under the no-fault act issued by plaintiff, Encompass Indemnity Company (“Encompass”).
In Samuel Tourkow, by David Tourkow v. Michael Thomas Fox, and Sweet Insurance Agency, formerly known as Verbiest Insurance Agency, Inc., Third-Party Defendant-Appellee. Encompass Indemnity Company, et al, Nos. 367494, 367512, Court of Appeals of Michigan (February 12, 2025) resolved the claims.
The plaintiff, Encompass Indemnity Company, issued a no-fault insurance policy to Jon and Joyce Fox, with Michael Fox added as an additional insured. The dispute centers on whether fraud occurred in...
Insurance Fraud Leads to Violent Crime
Post 4990
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CRIMINAL CONDUCT NEVER GETS BETTER
In The People v. Dennis Lee Givens, B330497, California Court of Appeals, Second District, Eighth Division (February 3, 2025) Givens appealed to reverse his conviction for human trafficking and sought an order for a new trial.
FACTS
In September 2020, Givens matched with J.C. on the dating app “Tagged.” J.C., who was 20 years old at the time, had known Givens since childhood because their mothers were best friends. After matching, J.C. and Givens saw each other daily, and J.C. began working as a prostitute under Givens’s direction.
Givens set quotas for J.C., took her earnings, and threatened her when she failed to meet his demands. In February 2022, J.C. confided in her mother who then contacted the Los Angeles Police Department. The police ...
Police Officer’s Involvement in Insurance Fraud Results in Jail
Post 4989
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Von Harris was convicted of bribery, forgery, and insurance fraud. He appealed his conviction and sentence. His appeal was denied, and the Court of Appeals upheld the conviction.
In State Of Ohio v. Von Harris, 2025-Ohio-279, No. 113618, Court of Appeals of Ohio, Eighth District (January 30, 2025) the Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
On January 23, 2024, the trial court sentenced Harris. The trial court sentenced Harris to six months in the county jail on Count 15; 12 months in prison on Counts 6, 8, 11, and 13; and 24 months in prison on Counts 5 and 10, with all counts running concurrent to one another for a total of 24 months in prison. The jury found Harris guilty based on his involvement in facilitating payments to an East Cleveland ...
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To Dispute an Arbitration Finding Party Must File Dispute Within 20 Days
Post 4988
EXCUSABLE NEGLECT SUFFICIENT TO DISPUTE ARBITRATION LATE
In Howard Roy Housen and Valerie Housen v. Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company, No. 4D2023-2720, Florida Court of Appeals, Fourth District (January 22, 2025) the Housens appealed a final judgment in their breach of contract action.
FACTS
The Housens filed an insurance claim with Universal, which was denied, leading them to file a breach of contract action. The parties agreed to non-binding arbitration which resulted in an award not
favorable to the Housens. However, the Housens failed to file a notice of rejection of the arbitration decision within the required 20 days. Instead, they filed a motion for a new trial 29 days after the arbitrator’s decision, citing a clerical error for the delay.
The circuit court ...
