New York Cases

CHOICE OF FORUM

Choice of Law Admission of Extrinsic Evidence Insurer Allocation Pre-Tender FeesStatute of Limitations
Center of gravity testFacts known to the insurer If one claim is potentially covered, must defend entire suitNot recoverable6 years
Zurich Ins. Co. v. Shearson, 642 N.E.2d 1065, 1068 (N.Y. 1994)Fitzpatrick v. American Honda Motor Co., 78 N.Y.2d 61, 67 (N.Y. 1991)
Int’l Bus. Machs. Corp. v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 363 F.3d 137, 144 (2nd Cir. 2004) (“An insurer's duty to defend claims made against its policyholder is ordinarily ascertained by comparing the allegations of a complaint with the wording of the insurance contract. Horace Mann Ins. Co. v. Barbara B., 846 P.2d 792, 795 (Cal. 1993) (in banc); Ruder & Finn Inc. v. Seaboard Sur. Co., 52 N.Y.2d 663, 669 (1981). … The duty is to defend any action, regardless of its merit, that seeks damages potentially within the indemnity coverage. Horace Mann, 846 P.2d at 795 (citing Gray v. Zurich Ins. Co., 419 P.2d 168 (Cal. 1966)); [Cont’l Cas. Co. v. Rapid-American Corp., 80 N.Y.2d 640, 648 (1993)].”)
U.S. Fid. & Guar. Co. v. U.S. Underwriters Ins. Co., 194 A.D.2d 1028, 1029, 599 N.Y.S.2d 654 (1993) ("The complaint asserts… These assertions, if true, could support an inference that…")
C.W. Davis Supply Co. v. Newark Ins. Co., 304 N.Y.S.2d 124, 127-28 (N.Y. Sup. 1969)Smart Style Indus. v. Pennsylvania Gen. Ins. Co., 930 F. Supp. 159, 163-64 (S.D.N.Y. 1996) -- Recoverable for policies issued after January 17, 2009
In re St. James Mechanical, Inc., 2010 WL 3212037, at *5, n.2 (E.D.N.Y August 9, 2010)
(N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213, subd. 2)
Pre-Judgment Interest Late Notice Public Policy Bar Independent CounselAtty's Fees/Decl. Relief Action
9%Notice condition precedent to coverageBar to indemnityMay choose own counselRecoverable for Defending Insurer's Decl. Relief Action
(N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 5004)Argo Corp. v. Greater NY Mut. Ins. Co., 4 N.Y.3d 332, 339 (2005)
Security Mut. Ins. Co. v. Acker-Fitzsimons Corp., 31 N.Y.2d 436, 440-43 (1972)
Dodge v. Legion Ins. Co., 102 F. Supp. 2d 144, 157 (S.D.N.Y. 2000)Nelson Elec. Contracting Corp. v. Transcontinental Ins. Co., 660 N.Y.S.2d 220, 222 (N.Y. App. Div. 1997)
Elacqua v. Physicians' Reciprocal Insurers, 800 N.Y.S.2d 469, 473 (N.Y. App. Div. 2005)
Progressive Halcyon Ins. Co. v. Giacometti, 899 N.Y.S.2d 783, 787-88 (App. Div. 2010)
Not Recoverable Where Insured Brings Decl. Relief Action
Silva v. F.R. Real Estate Dev. Corp., 870 N.Y.S.2d 328, 330 (App. Div. 2009)
Not Recoverable for Defending Insurer’s Decl. Relief Counterclaim
West 56th Street Assocs. v. Greater New York Mut. Ins. Co., 681 N.Y.S.2d 523, 527 (App. Div. 1999)