Oklahoma

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Trade Secret Claims Covered Despite Insurer Reconsideration Motion

The court, analyzing coverage for a variety of claims, including trade secret misappropriation under a 1986 ISO policy provision, found a duty of defense properly arose and reaffirmed such opinion on a reconsideration motion brought by the insurer. 

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CHOICE OF LAW

Choice of Law Admission of Extrinsic Evidence Insurer Allocation Pre-Tender FeesStatute of Limitations
Lex loci contractusFacts known, knowable, or available to the insurer Not AddressedNot Addressed5 years
Bohannon v. Allstate, 820 P.2d 787, 793 (Okla. 1991)First Bank of Turley v. Fidelity & Deposit Ins. Co. of Md., 928 P.2d 298, 305 (Okla. 1996)
Scottsdale Ins. Co. v. Owl Nite Sec., Inc., No. 06-CV-0097-CVE-SAJ, 2006 WL 3742102, at *3–4 (N.D. Okla. Dec. 15, 2006) (“Under Oklahoma law, the duty to defend is separate from and broader than the duty to indemnify. … An insurer ‘must defend an action in which damages that are potentially within the policy's coverage are sought, even though coverage may ultimately not be afforded.’ [First Bank of Turley v. Fid. & Deposit Ins. Co. of Md., 928 P.2d 298, 304 n.16] (emphasis in original); see also Montrose Chem. Corp. of Cal. v. Superior Court, 861 P.2d 1153, 1160 (Cal. 1993); CNA Cas. of Cal. v. Seaboard Sur. Co., 222 Cal.Rptr. 276, 278–79 (Cal. Ct. App. 1986). There need only be a possibility of recovery, not a probability of recovery. First Bank of Turley, 928 P.2d at n.14.”)		(12 Okl. St. § 95)
Pre-Judgment Interest Late Notice Public Policy Bar Independent CounselAtty's Fees/Decl. Relief Action
15%Notice-prejudiceBar to indemnity and defenseRight to independent counsel if conflict is strong enoughRecoverable only if bad faith
(12 Okl. St. § 727)Baldridge v. Kirkpatrick, 63 P.3d 568, 570-71 (Okla. Ct. App. 2002)Safeco Ins. Co. of Am. v. Sanders, 803 P.2d 688, 695 (Okla. 1990)Nisson v. American Home Assur. Co., 917 P.2d 488, 490-91 (Okla. Ct. App. 1996)Barnes v. Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co., 11 P.3d 162, 180 (Okla. 2000)