IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
§ No. 518, 2014
§ No. 523, 2014
§ No. 525, 2014
IN RE VIKING PUMP, INC. § No. 528, 2014
AND WARREN PUMPS, LLC §
INSURANCE APPEALS § CASES BELOW:
§
§ Superior Court of the
§ State of Delaware
§ Consolidated C. A. No. N10C-06-141
§
§ -and-
§
§ Court of Chancery of the
§ State of Delaware
§ C.A. No. 1465-VCS
Submitted: July 13, 2016
Decided: September 12, 2016
Before HOLLAND, VALIHURA, and VAUGHN, Justices; WALLS and RYAN,
Judges, constituting the Court en Banc.
Upon appeals from the Superior Court and the Court of Chancery: AFFIRMED in part
and REVERSED in part.
David J. Baldwin, Esquire, Jennifer C. Wasson, Esquire, Michael B. Rush, Esquire,
Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP, Wilmington, Delaware. Of Counsel: Robin L. Cohen,
Esquire (Argued), Keith McKenna, Esquire, McKool Smith, New York, New York, for
Appellant Warren Pumps LLC.
Paul Cottrell, Esquire, Tighe & Cottrell, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware. Of Counsel:
Laura S. McKay, Esquire, Hinkhouse Williams Walsh LLP, Chicago, Illinois; AND
Anthony G. Flynn, Esquire, Timothy Jay Houseal, Esquire, Jennifer M. Kinkus, Esquire,
Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP, Wilmington, Delaware. Of Counsel: Lynn H.
Murray, Esquire (Argued), Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP, Attorneys for The Continental
Insurance Company as successor by merger to Fidelity & Casualty Company of New
York.
Sitting by designation pursuant to Del. Const. art. IV § 12.
Lisa A. Schmidt, Esquire, Travis S. Hunter, Esquire, Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.,
Wilmington, Delaware. Of Counsel: Michael P. Foradas, Esquire (Argued), Lisa G.
Esayian, Esquire, William T. Pruitt, Esquire, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Chicago, Illinois, for
Appellant Viking Pump, Inc.
Kenneth J. Nachbar, Esquire (Argued), Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP,
Wilmington, Delaware AND Garrett B. Moritz, Esquire and Nicholas D. Mozal, Esquire,
Ross Aronstam & Moritz LLP, Wilmington, Delaware. Of Counsel: Tancred Schiavoni,
Esquire and Gary Svirsky, Esquire, O‘Melveny & Myers LLP, New York, New York;
AND John D. Balaguer, Esquire, White and Williams LLP, Wilmington, Delaware. Of
Counsel: Brian G. Fox, Esquire and Lawrence A. Nathanson, Esquire, Siegal & Park,
Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Attorneys for Defendants TIG Insurance Company, f/k/a
International Insurance Company, with respect to policies numbered 5220113076 and
5220282357, and Westchester Fire Insurance Company, with respect to policy numbered
5220489339, by operation of novation; ACE Property & Casualty Insurance Company
(f/k/a CIGNA Property & Casualty Insurance Company), as successor-in-interest to
Central National Insurance Company of Omaha, but only as respects policies issued
through Cravens, Dargan & Company, Pacific Coast (improperly named as The Central
National Insurance Company of Omaha); and Century Indemnity Company, as successor
to CCI Insurance Company, as successor to Insurance Company of North America and
Century Indemnity Company as successor to CIGNA Specialty Insurance Company (f/k/a
California Union Insurance Company).
Paul Cottrell, Esquire, Tighe & Cottrell, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware. Of Counsel:
Laura S. McKay, Esquire, Hinkhouse Williams Walsh LLP, Chicago, Illinois; AND
Anthony G. Flynn, Esquire, Timothy Jay Houseal, Esquire, Jennifer M. Kinkus, Esquire,
Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP, Wilmington, Delaware, Attorneys for Certain
Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London and certain London Market Insurance Companies,
Granite State Insurance Company, Lexington Insurance Company And National Union
Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA.
Robert J. Katzenstein, Esquire, Smith Katzenstein & Jenkins LLP, Wilmington,
Delaware. Of Counsel: Christopher R. Carroll, Esquire, Heather E. Simpson, Esquire,
Carroll McNulty & Kull LLC, Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Attorneys for TIG Insurance
Company, as successor by merger to International Insurance Company, as successor by
merger to International Surplus Lines Insurance Company (Policy No. XSI 5217 only).
Thaddeus J. Weaver, Esquire, Dilworth Paxson LLP, Wilmington, Delaware. Of
Counsel: Laura S. McKay, Esquire, Douglas M. DeWitt, Esquire, Hinkhouse Williams
Walsh LLP, Chicago, Illinois; AND Anthony G. Flynn, Esquire, Timothy Jay Houseal,
Esquire, Jennifer M. Kinkus, Esquire, Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP,
Wilmington, Delaware, Attorneys for OneBeacon America Insurance Company as
successor to Commercial Union Insurance Company, XL Insurance America, Inc., as
2
successor to Vanguard Insurance Company, and Republic Insurance Company, n/k/a
Starr Indemnity & Liability Company.
James W. Semple, Esquire, Cooch & Taylor P.A., Wilmington, Delaware. Of Counsel:
Kristin Suga Heres, Esquire, Zelle LLP, Framingham, Massachusetts, Attorneys for
Defendant Westport Insurance Corporation.
Robert M. Greenberg, Esquire, Tybout Redfearn & Pell, Wilmington, Delaware. Of
Counsel: Amy R. Paulus, Esquire, Mark D. Paulson, Esquire and Don R. Sampen,
Esquire, Clausen Miller P.C., Chicago, Illinois, Attorneys for Old Republic Insurance
Company.
Neal J. Levitsky, Esquire, Seth A. Niederman, Esquire, Fox Rothschild LLP,
Wilmington, Delaware. Of Counsel: Kathleen D. Monnes, Esquire, Joseph K. Scully,
Esquire and John W. Cerreta, Esquire, Day Pitney LLP, Hartford, Connecticut, Attorneys
for Defendant, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company f/k/a The Aetna Casualty and
Surety Company.
VALIHURA, Justice:
3
This is a consolidated appeal in an insurance-coverage dispute from separate
judgments by the Court of Chancery and the Superior Court. Viking Pump, Inc.
(―Viking‖) and Warren Pumps, LLC (―Warren‖) seek to recover under insurance policies
issued to a third company, Houdaille Industries, Inc. (―Houdaille‖). In the 1980‘s, Viking
and Warren acquired pump manufacturing businesses from Houdaille. As a result,
Viking and Warren have been confronted with potential liability flowing from personal
injury claims made by plaintiffs alleging damages in connection with asbestos exposure
claims dating back to when the pump manufacturing businesses were owned by
Houdaille (the ―Houdaille-Era Claims‖). Each year from 1972 through 1985, Houdaille
purchased occurrence-based primary and umbrella insurance from Liberty Mutual
Insurance Company (―Liberty‖). Above the Liberty umbrella layer, Houdaille purchased
layers of excess insurance. In total, Houdaille purchased 35 excess policies through 20
different carriers (the ―Excess Policies‖). Houdaille‘s 14-year insurance tower offered
$17.5 million in primary coverage, $42 million in umbrella coverage, and $427.5 million
in excess coverage.
Viking and Warren now seek to fund the liabilities arising from the Houdaille-Era
Claims using the comprehensive insurance program originally purchased by Houdaille.
The insurance companies that issued the Excess Policies (the ―Excess Insurers‖) contend
that Viking and Warren are not entitled to use the Excess Policies to respond to the
Houdaille-Era Claims. The Excess Insurers also dispute the extent of any coverage
available, particularly with respect to defense costs.
4
I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
A more detailed history of this litigation can be gleaned from several other
significant opinions.1
A. The Court of Chancery Proceedings
This litigation first arose in 2005, when Viking brought suit in the Court of
Chancery claiming that it was the successor to insurance policies that Liberty had issued
to Houdaille or, in the alternative, seeking partition of the Liberty policy limits. Liberty,
Viking, and Warren settled that dispute.
Viking and Warren then filed new complaints in the Court of Chancery against
more than twenty other insurers that had issued excess policies to Houdaille. The parties
cross-moved for summary judgment on how to allocate the losses where the underlying
asbestos injuries potentially trigger coverage against multiple policy periods.2
With regard to allocation, the Court of Chancery considered the ―pro rata‖ and
―all sums‖ approaches and observed that New York law, which governs interpretation of
the policies, did not impose either approach on all insurance contracts. Rather, New
York precedent required that the court ―apply traditional principles of insurance contract
interpretation to the policies at issue and then apply the approach that results from that
1
See In re Viking Pump, Inc., 52 N.E.3d 1144 (N.Y. 2016) [hereinafter, ―Viking Pump V, 52
N.E.3d at __‖]; Viking Pump, Inc. v. Century Indem. Co., 2014 WL 1305003 (Del. Super. Feb.
28, 2014) [hereinafter, ―Viking Pump IV, 2014 WL 1305003 at __‖]; Viking Pump, Inc. v.
Century Indem. Co., 2013 WL 7098824 (Del. Super. Oct. 31, 2013) [hereinafter, ―Viking Pump
III, 2013 WL 7098824 at __‖]; Viking Pump, Inc. v. Century Indem. Co., 2 A.3d 76 (Del. Ch.
2009) [hereinafter, ―Viking Pump II, 2 A.3d at __‖]; Viking Pump, Inc. v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co.,
2007 WL 1207107 (Del. Ch. Apr. 2, 2007) [hereinafter, ―Viking Pump I, 2007 WL 1207107
at __‖].
2
Viking Pump II, 2 A.3d 76.
5
interpretative exercise.‖3 Thus, under New York law, the method of allocation depended
upon the language of the policy,4 and the Court of Chancery held that the Houdaille
policies ―unambiguously provide for all sums allocation.‖5 In so holding, the Court of
Chancery distinguished a leading New York case on the issue, Consolidated Edison
Company of New York, Inc. v. Allstate Insurance Company,6 on the ground that the
policies in this dispute contain additional provisions—namely, the ―Non-Cumulation‖
and ―Prior Insurance‖ provisions—that the court viewed as inconsistent with pro rata
allocation.7
B. The Superior Court Proceedings
Following the Court of Chancery proceedings, the case was transferred to the
Superior Court on June 11, 2010 to hear and determine several other issues, one of which
was whether the Excess Policies were subject to vertical or horizontal exhaustion. The
Superior Court held a three week trial in October and November 2012. The jury verdict
was predominately in Warren and Viking‘s favor.8 Warren and Viking sought a
judgment incorporating the verdict, and the defendants sought a judgment
notwithstanding the verdict.
3
Id. at 107-08.
4
See Raymond Corp. v. Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co., 5 N.Y.3d 157, 162 (N.Y. 2005) (―In
determining a dispute over insurance coverage, we first look to the language of the policy.‖
(citations omitted)).
5
Viking Pump II, 2 A.3d at 119.
6
774 N.E.2d 687 (N.Y. 2002).
7
Viking Pump II, 2 A.3d at 118-27.
8
The Superior Court commented that ―[t]he evidence was substantial and, for the most part,
supports the jury‘s verdict. . . . But, reading each policy closely and without extrinsic evidence,
the verdict must be refined to conform to the policies‘ unambiguous meaning.‖ Viking Pump III,
2013 WL 7098824, at *16.
6
In a post-trial Opinion dated October 31, 2013, on Plaintiffs‘ Motion for Final
Judgment and Defendants‘ Renewed Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law, the
Superior Court held that, as a matter of New York law, Viking and Warren were
obligated to horizontally exhaust all triggered ―primary and umbrella insurance layers
before tapping‖ into any of Houdaille‘s excess coverage.9 In a subsequent Opinion dated
February 28, 2014, the Superior Court clarified that this horizontal-exhaustion
requirement was limited to the primary and umbrella coverage layers and not the excess
coverage.10
On June 9, 2014, the Superior Court entered a Final Judgment Order After Trial.11
Warren moved to clarify and amend the judgment, which motion the Superior Court
denied on August 20, 2014. All parties appealed, and this Court heard oral arguments.
Following oral argument, because resolution of this appeal depended upon significant and
unsettled questions of New York law that had yet to be answered in the first instance by
the New York Court of Appeals, this Court advised the parties that it had decided to
certify two questions to the New York Court of Appeals.
C. Certified Questions to the New York Court of Appeals
This Court certified the following questions to the New York Court of Appeals:
1. Under New York law, is the proper method of allocation to be used
all sums or pro rata when there are non-cumulation and prior
insurance provisions?
9
Id. at *21.
10
Viking Pump IV, 2014 WL 1305003, at *11-12.
11
Final Judgment Order After Trial, Viking Pump, Inc. v. Century Indem. Co., No. N10C-06-141
FSS (Del. Super. June 9, 2014) [hereinafter Final Judgment at JA____], available at JA1862-75.
7
2. Given the Court‘s answer to Question #1, under New York law and
based on the policy language at issue here, when the underlying
primary and umbrella insurance in the same policy period has been
exhausted, does vertical or horizontal exhaustion apply to determine
when a policyholder may access its excess insurance?12
In an Opinion, dated May 3, 2016, the New York Court of Appeals answered the
foregoing certified questions of law.13 The Court held that ―based on the policy language
and the persuasive authority holding that pro rata allocation is inconsistent with non-
cumulation and non-cumulation/prior insurance provisions, we hold that all sums
allocation is appropriate in policies containing such provisions, like the ones at issue
here.‖14 The New York Court of Appeals also concluded that the Excess Policies ―are
triggered by vertical exhaustion of the underlying available coverage within the same
policy period.‖15
D. The Litigation Resumes in Delaware
12
In re Viking Pump, Inc., 2015 WL 3618924, at *3 (Del. June 10, 2015).
13
See Viking Pump V, 52 N.E.3d 1144.
14
Id. at 1156. The New York Court of Appeals determined that ―[t]he policy language at issue
here, by inclusion of the non-cumulation clauses and the two-part non-cumulation and prior
insurance provisions, is substantively distinguishable from the language‖ at issue in
Consolidated Edison. Id. at 1152. In fact, the Court found that ―the excess policies before us
here present the very type of language that [the Court] signaled might compel all sums allocation
in Consolidated Edison.‖ Id. Contemplating ―whether the presence of a non-cumulation clause
or a non-cumulation and prior insurance provision mandates all sums allocation‖ (Id. at 1152),
the New York Court of Appeals concluded ―that it would be inconsistent with the language of
the non-cumulation clauses to use pro rata allocation here.‖ Id. at 1153.
15
Id. at 1157-58 (citing United States Fid. & Guar. Co. v. Am. Re-Ins. Co., 985 N.E.2d 876, 888
(N.Y. 2013)) (citation omitted). The Court reasoned that ―[a]ll of the excess policies at issue
primarily hinge their attachment on the exhaustion of underlying policies that cover the same
policy period as the overlying excess policy, and that are specifically identified by either name,
policy number, or policy limit.‖ Id. at 1156. It also observed that ―vertical exhaustion is
conceptually consistent with an all sums allocation, permitting the [i]nsured to seek coverage
through the layers of insurance available for a specific year.‖ Id.
8
With these critical questions helpfully answered by our sister Court, this Court, by
letter, dated May 11, 2016, ordered the parties to file a stipulation of remaining legal
issues. On June 3, 2016, the parties filed a Joint Stipulation Setting Forth Remaining
Legal Issues on Appeal (the ―Joint Stipulation‖). The Joint Stipulation identified five
principal issues to be resolved by this Court:
(i) Whether the Court of Chancery erred in ruling that Warren and
Viking obtained valid assignments of insurance rights;
(ii) Whether the Superior Court erred in ruling that the aggregate
product liability limits of the 1980-1985 Liberty Mutual Insurance
Company primary insurance policies are exhausted;
(iii) Whether the Superior Court erred in ruling that 33 of the 34 excess
policies that are at issue in this case provide coverage for Warren
and Viking‘s costs of defending the underlying asbestos claims;
(iv) Whether the Superior Court erred in ruling that defense cost
payments under sixteen of the excess policies at issue in this case
count toward the reduction of the policy limits of liability; and
(v) Whether the Superior Court erred in holding that only those policies
in place during a claimant‘s significant exposure to asbestos were
triggered.
We address each of the issues below, combining the discussion of the third and
fourth issues on defense costs to avoid repetition.
II. ANALYSIS
A. The Court of Chancery Correctly Held That There Were Valid Assignments
1. Contentions of the Parties
On appeal, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company (―Travelers‖) advances two
principal arguments to support its claim that the Court of Chancery erred in concluding
9
that Houdaille had validly assigned the insurance coverage rights under the Excess
Policies to Viking and Warren.16 First, Travelers contends that the assignments to
Viking and Warren are invalid because the Excess Insurers did not consent to the
assignments. Second, it asserts that certain transaction agreements failed to effect any
assignment of the Excess Policies to Viking or Warren.
Viking and Warren both argue that the Court of Chancery properly held that they
maintain the rights of an insured under the Excess Policies. That is, both urge that
Houdaille validly assigned the insurance coverage rights under the Excess Policies to
them. We agree and affirm the decision of the Court of Chancery.
2. Standard of Review
We review a trial court‘s grant of summary judgment de novo.17 We also review
questions of contract interpretation de novo.18
3. Discussion
i. Houdaille Validly Assigned Coverage Under the Excess Policies to Warren
Houdaille was an industrial conglomerate that dissolved in 1989. During its
existence, it operated a variety of distinct businesses, either as unincorporated divisions
or through wholly-owned subsidiaries. Both Warren and Viking were initially
independent companies that were acquired by Houdaille. In 1985, Houdaille divested
16
In a footnote, the Excess Insurers join the arguments raised by Travelers with respect to the
validity of the assignment of insurance coverage rights under the Excess Policies. See Excess
Insurers‘ Op. Br. 49 n.16.
17
Moses v. Drake, 109 A.3d 562, 565 (Del. 2015) (citation omitted).
18
Salamone v. Gorman, 106 A.3d 354, 367 (Del. 2014).
10
itself of all of its assets, including both the Warren Pumps and Viking Pump businesses.19
The Viking Pump unit operated as a division within Houdaille until 1985. The Warren
Pumps unit was originally acquired in 1972 through a stock purchase transaction and
later merged into Houdaille. From that point until December 1984, Warren Pumps
operated as an unincorporated division within Houdaille.
In December 1984, Houdaille transferred the Warren Pumps business to a wholly-
owned subsidiary, Warren Pumps-Houdaille, Inc. (―WPH‖). Shortly thereafter, a
management group proposed to purchase the Warren Pumps business. Houdaille and
WPH agreed to sell the Warren Pumps business to Warren.20 Houdaille, WPH, and
Warren entered into the 1985 Asset Sale Agreement by which Warren acquired the
Warren Pumps business (the ―Warren ASA‖). Through the Warren ASA, Warren agreed
to be liable for all of the as-yet-unasserted Houdaille-Era Claims arising out of the
Warren Pumps business. The Warren ASA provided:
2.10 Insurance. . . . [A]s of the commencement of business on the day of
the Closing and thereafter, [Warren] agrees that [Warren] shall be
responsible and liable for all workers‘ compensation claims, general
liability (including, without limitation, product liability) claims and
automotive liability claims on a claims made basis for which [WPH]
directly or through any [p]redecessor is responsible [other than certain
claims that are asserted prior to the Warren ASA‘s closing.]21
19
At relevant times, Warren Pumps and Viking Pump were operated through various legal
entities. For ease of reference, we use the generic labels ―Warren Pumps‖ and ―Viking Pump‖ to
refer the actual businesses.
20
At the time, Warren was a corporation, W.P., Inc. Accordingly, Warren‘s predecessor
corporation was a party to the asset sale transaction.
21
App‘x to Travelers Op. Br. 791-92 [hereinafter ―TA___‖].
11
The Warren ASA, as initially drafted, did not grant Warren rights to Houdaille‘s or
WPH‘s insurance coverage. However, as a condition to closing, Warren was obligated to
obtain $25 million in claims-made insurance.
Warren was unable to obtain the coverage required by the Warren ASA in advance
of closing. On August 30, 1985, Warren, WPH, and Houdaille amended the Warren
ASA (the ―Warren ASA Amendment‖) in order to afford Warren the right to access the
insurance coverage related to the Houdaille-Era Claims. The Warren ASA Amendment
provided that Warren need only obtain $1 million in general liability insurance. The
Amendment further provided:
[Warren], [WPH] and Houdaille acknowledge that [WPH] and Houdaille
have permitted [Warren] to utilize the insurance coverage in excess of the
primary casualty limits identified above, which [WPH] and Houdaille have
in effect, for claims made pertaining to occurrences prior to the date of the
[c]losing, but only to the extent that such insurance coverage is in fact
available.22
After executing the Warren ASA Amendment, Warren, WPH, and Houdaille closed on
the Warren ASA. Warren assumed the Warren Pumps business.
Relying upon extrinsic evidence, Travelers contends that the parties to the
instrument failed to manifest any intent to assign rights to the excess policies.
Specifically, Travelers urges that the unamended portions of the Warren ASA and the
―overall context‖ of the original Warren ASA indicate that Houdaille was not attempting
to effect any assignment of rights to the Excess Policies through the instrument. Further,
22
TA969-70.
12
it asserts that the Warren ASA Amendment was intended only as a transfer of rights to
the Liberty umbrella policies.
Despite Travelers‘ argument to the contrary, the contractual language of the
Warren ASA Amendment is unambiguous. Under New York law, which governs the
Warren ASA,23 ―[e]xtrinsic evidence of the parties‘ intent may be considered only if the
agreement is ambiguous, which is an issue of law for the courts to decide.‖24 ―A contract
is unambiguous if the language it uses has ‗a definite and precise meaning, unattended by
danger of misconception in the purport of the [agreement] itself, and concerning which
there is no reasonable basis for a difference of opinion.‘‖25
As initially drafted, the Warren ASA did not assign Warren coverage under the
Excess Policies. But the Warren ASA Amendment did. The Amendment assigned ―the
insurance coverage in excess of the primary casualty limits.‖26 As the Court of Chancery
observed, ―[t]he Excess Policies were unquestionably coverage ‗in excess of the primary
casualty limits.‘‖27 Moreover, the Warren ASA Amendment contains no language that
indicates that Houdaille and Warren intended that the assignment be limited to the
Liberty umbrella policies. Rather, the ASA Amendment, on its face, is reasonably
susceptible of only one meaning: it assigned coverage under the Excess Policies to
Warren. Because the meaning of ―the insurance coverage in excess of the primary
23
The Warren ASA is governed by the ―laws of the State of New York.‖ TA865.
24
Greenfield v. Philles Records, Inc., 780 N.E.2d 166, 170 (N.Y. 2002) (citing W.W.W. Assocs.,
Inc. v. Giancontieri, 566 N.E.2d 639, 642 (N.Y. 1990)) (emphasis added).
25
Selective Ins. Co. of Am. v. Cnty. of Rensselaer, 47 N.E.3d 458, 461 (N.Y. 2016) (quoting
Greenfield, 780 N.E.2d at 170-71) (alteration in Selective Ins.).
26
TA969 (emphasis added).
27
Viking Pump II, 2 A.3d at 94.
13
casualty limits‖ is clear, extrinsic evidence may not be considered under New York law.28
Accordingly, we conclude that the Court of Chancery did not err in concluding that
Houdaille validly assigned coverage under the Excess Policies to Warren.
ii. Houdaille Validly Assigned Coverage Under the Excess Policies to Viking in the
1985 Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated January 31, 1985,
the Viking Pump business was assigned to Viking (the ―Viking AAA‖).29 Viking was, at
that time, operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Houdaille. The Viking AAA
assigned Viking Pump assets—and their related liabilities—to Viking. Specifically,
under the Viking AAA, Viking was assigned ―all of the right, title and interest of
[Houdaille] in and to all of the properties and assets of [Houdaille] (whether tangible or
intangible, real or personal) required for the conduct of the business of [Viking
30
Pump] . . . .‖ Included among such properties and assets of Houdaille were, ―without
limitation, . . . [all] arrangements or understandings of whatsoever nature, whether oral or
written . . . .‖31 Viking also agreed to assume ―[a]ll obligations and liabilities for which
[Viking Pump] . . . or any other [p]redecessor‖ was responsible under such arrangements
and understandings.32
28
See W.W.W. Assocs., 566 N.E.2d at 642 (―A familiar and eminently sensible proposition of law
is that, when parties set down their agreement in a clear, complete document, their writing should
as a rule be enforced according to its terms. Evidence outside the four corners of the document
as to what was really intended but unstated or misstated is generally inadmissible to add to or
vary the writing.‖ (citations omitted)).
29
TA1036-40.
30
TA1036.
31
TA1036.
32
TA1038.
14
Through the Viking AAA, Viking explicitly ―assume[d] and agree[d] to pay or
otherwise perform when due all of the obligations and liabilities, directly or indirectly, of
[Viking Pump] . . . .‖33 Plainly, this provision of the Viking AAA transferred all of the
obligations and liabilities of Viking Pump to Viking. Among the liabilities transferred to
Viking were ―all of the obligations and liabilities, directly or indirectly, of [Viking Pump]
or the business in whole or in part thereof or any [p]redecessor . . . or the business in
whole or in part thereof, of whatsoever nature . . . .‖34 The Viking AAA also provided
that Viking was assigned ―[a]ll liabilities and obligations whether known or unknown of
the type covered by . . . general liability (including, without limitation, product liability)
insurance . . . of [Viking Pump.]‖35
Under Florida law, which governs the Viking AAA,36 ―[w]hen interpreting a
contract, the court must first examine the plain language of the contract for evidence of
the parties‘ intent.‖37 ―The intention of the parties must be determined from an
examination of the whole contract and not from the separate phrases or paragraphs.‖38
―In reviewing the contract in an attempt to determine its true meaning, the court must
review the entire contract without fragmenting any segment or portion.‖39 Further, where
33
TA1037.
34
TA1037.
35
TA1039.
36
The Viking AAA is governed by ―the laws of the State of Florida.‖ TA1040.
37
Hatadis v. Achieva Credit Union, 159 So. 3d 256, 259 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2015) (citation
omitted) (internal quotation marks omitted).
38
Jones v. Warmack, 967 So. 2d 400, 402 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2007) (quoting Lalow v. Codomo,
101 So. 2d 390, 393 (Fla. 1958)) (internal quotation marks omitted).
39
Id. (quoting J.C. Penney Co. v. Koff, 345 So. 2d 732, 735 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1977)) (internal
quotation marks omitted).
15
a contract is unambiguous on its face, the parol evidence rule bars the introduction of
extrinsic evidence.40 A word or phrase is ambiguous, permitting the consideration of
extrinsic evidence, ―only when it is of uncertain meaning, and may be fairly understood
in more ways than one.‖41
The Viking AAA employed broad contractual language to transfer to Viking all of
the properties and assets of Houdaille necessary for the conduct of the business of Viking
Pump. The instrument transfers to Viking all of the tangible and intangible assets
required for the operation of Viking Pump, and it does so without limitation. That is,
under the Viking AAA, Houdaille transferred to Viking ―all of the right, title and
interest‖ of Houdaille in the contracts necessary for Viking to operate the Viking Pump
business.42 As the sweeping language of the Viking AAA makes readily apparent,
Houdaille and its then–wholly owned subsidiary, Viking, entered into the agreement with
the intention that Viking assume all right, title, and interest in the contracts,
arrangements, and understandings necessary to operate Viking Pump.
Travelers argues that the Viking AAA failed to identify the Excess Policies as
among the rights to be transferred. In view of the unambiguous contractual terms
assigning to Viking all of the right, title, and interest of Houdaille in ―all outstanding
contracts‖ necessary for the operation of the Viking Pump business, Travelers‘ argument
is unpersuasive. The Viking AAA manifests Houdaille‘s intent to assign all right, title,
and interest in such contracts and an intention by Viking to receive the same for valuable
40
See Olive v. Tampa Educ. Cable Consortium, 723 So. 2d 883, 884 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1998).
41
Friedman v. Va. Metal Prods. Corp., 56 So. 2d 515, 517 (Fla. 1952) (citation omitted).
42
TA1036.
16
consideration. That the Viking AAA did not specifically identify the Excess Policies
does not undermine the comprehensive contractual language utilized to effect the asset
transfer. Nor does Florida law require the level of specificity that Travelers seeks.43
Accordingly, considering the agreement as a whole, the Viking AAA reflects a
comprehensive transfer of all of the assets, including rights to insurance coverage,
required for the operation of the Viking Pump business.
iii. In Light of the 1988 Stock Purchase Agreement, Viking Maintained Coverage
Under the Excess Policies
After executing the Viking AAA, Houdaille continued to operate Viking Pump as
a wholly-owned subsidiary for the next three years. In January 1988, Houdaille sold all
of the outstanding shares of Viking to IDEX Corporation (―IDEX‖) through a Stock
Purchase Agreement (the ―Viking Stock Agreement‖). In addition to the shares of
Viking, IDEX purchased the stock of five other Houdaille subsidiaries (collectively with
Viking, the ―Sold Subsidiaries‖). In exchange for Viking and the other subsidiaries,
Houdaille received $190 million and 20,000 shares of stock in IDEX.
43
The principal case relied upon by Travelers states that Florida law requires ―[n]o particular
words or form of instrument is necessary to effect an equitable assignment and any language,
however informal, which shows an intention on one side to assign a right . . . and an intention on
the other to receive, if there is a valuable consideration, will operate as an effective equitable
assignment.‖ See SourceTrack, LLC v. Ariba, Inc., 958 So. 2d 523, 526 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.
2007) (quoting Giles v. Sun Bank, N.A., 450 So. 2d 258, 260 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1984)) (internal
quotation marks omitted) (alteration in original and added); see also 29 WILLISTON ON
CONTRACTS § 74:3 (4th ed. 2016) (―No words of art are required to constitute an assignment; any
words that fairly indicate an intention to make the assignee owner of a claim are sufficient . . . .‖
(citations omitted)); RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF CONTRACTS ch. 15, topic 2, § 324, cmt. a
(1981) (―Assignment requires an assignable right. Aside from statute, the assignor of such a
right may make an assignment by manifestation of intention without any particular formality.‖
(internal citations omitted)).
17
The Viking Stock Agreement does not make reference to Viking‘s or any other
subsidiary‘s right to insurance coverage. However, Section 5.12 of the instrument
provides:
5.12 Allocation of Certain Liabilities. Upon the Closing, [IDEX] will as a
result of such transaction assume only those liabilities that pertain to the
[Sold Subsidiaries], including, but not limited to, those liabilities set out on
Schedule B hereto, and [IDEX] shall release, indemnify and hold Houdaille
harmless from all such liabilities; provided, however, that Houdaille shall
remain liable to the extent of insurance coverage available (in the event of
claims arising from occurrences prior to the Closing Date, only to the
extent such coverage is available on an occurrence basis) under existing or
previously existing casualty insurance policies (including workmen’s
compensation) and only if [IDEX] reimburses Houdaille for the deductible,
if any, applicable to any such claim for which coverage is claimed.44
As the Court of Chancery observed, Section 5.12 of the Viking Stock Agreement is
complicated by the reality that, in 1985, Houdaille had already transferred the Houdaille-
Era Claims and the associated insurance rights to Viking through the Viking AAA.
Under Delaware law, which governs the Viking Stock Agreement,45 courts
interpreting a contract ―will give priority to the parties‘ intentions as reflected in the four
corners of the agreement, construing the agreement as a whole and giving effect to all its
provisions.‖46 ―Contract terms themselves will be controlling when they establish the
parties‘ common meaning so that a reasonable person in the position of either party
would have no expectations inconsistent with the contract language.‖47 When there is
44
TA1065-66 (underline in original) (italics added).
45
The Viking Stock Agreement is ―governed by the laws of the State of Delaware[.]‖ TA1060.
46
Salamone, 106 A.3d at 368 (Del. 2014) (quoting GMG Capital Invs., LLC v. Athenian Venture
Partners I, L.P., 36 A.3d 776, 779 (Del. 2012)) (internal quotation marks omitted).
47
GMG Capital Invs., 36 A.3d at 780 (quoting Eagle Indus., Inc. v. DeVilbiss Health Care, Inc.,
702 A.2d 1228, 1232 (Del. 1997)) (internal quotation marks omitted).
18
ambiguity flowing from contractual language, ―the interpreting court must look beyond
the language of the contract to ascertain the parties‘ intentions.‖48 When construing
ambiguous contractual provisions, Delaware courts are permitted to consider the parties‘
course of dealing.49
Viking was not a party to the Viking Stock Agreement. Nothing in the Stock
Agreement purports to transfer to Houdaille any rights or liabilities belonging to Viking.
In particular, Section 5.12 allocates liabilities between IDEX and Houdaille—not Viking.
Nor does Section 5.12 contemplate divesting Viking of the rights and liabilities it had
agreed to assume via the 1985 Viking AAA.
In addressing the perceived ambiguity, the Court of Chancery properly considered
the course of performance following the closing of the Viking Stock Agreement. The
court concluded that, ―for a generation [Viking] has acted as if it was responsible for the
Houdaille-Era Claims.‖50 It found that, ―everyone who was a party to the Viking Stock
Agreement has acted as if [Viking] retained both liability for the Houdaille-Era Claims
and the Insurance Rights,‖ and that ―those parties even did so when these issues were
against their own interests.‖51
Travelers suggests that an internal Houdaille memorandum, dated October 16,
1987, demonstrates the intent underlying the Viking Stock Agreement. The
memorandum provides: ―Existing claims and claims for occurrences prior to the date of
48
Eagle Indus., 702 A.2d at 1232 (citations omitted).
49
Id. at 1233.
50
Viking Pump II, 2 A.3d at 101.
51
Id. at 102.
19
closing (but yet to be reported) will be the responsibility of Houdaille and would be
covered under the previously purchased Houdaille insurance policies.‖52 That is, the
memorandum contemplates that, after the sale of Viking and other subsidiaries, Houdaille
would remain liable for occurrences preceding the closing date, including the Houdaille-
Era Claims. But the 1987 memorandum fails to address, in view of the 1985 Viking
AAA, the fact that the liability and insurance rights related to the Houdaille-Era Claims
had been assigned previously to Viking. In short, it clarifies little. Moreover, the record
evidence does not indicate that the internal Houdaille memorandum was shared with, or
approved by, IDEX.
As Travelers concedes, the Viking Stock Agreement does not manifest any
intention of Viking, Houdaille, or IDEX to re-assign the assets and liabilities that were
assumed by Viking in 1985. However, the Viking AAA reflects a comprehensive
transfer from Houdaille to Viking of all of the liabilities and assets, including rights to
insurance coverage, pertaining to the Viking Pump business. The Viking Stock
Agreement and the extrinsic evidence related thereto did not address the Viking AAA, let
alone undo its valid, unambiguous, and broad transfer of all of the right, title, and interest
of Houdaille in and to all of the assets of Houdaille required for the conduct of the
business of Viking Pump.
iv. The Anti-Assignment Provisions Do Not Preclude Transfer of Post-Loss Claims
On appeal, the principal argument raised by the Excess Insurers with respect to the
validity of the assignments made to Warren and Viking is that, under the relevant
52
TA1074 (emphasis in original).
20
insurance policies, the insured‘s failure to obtain the consent of the insurer in advance of
assigning coverage rights invalidates the efficacy of the transfer. Both Warren and
Viking disagree, urging that the anti-assignment provisions do not bar the assignment of
insurance rights for pre-assignment occurrences.53 The primary liability, umbrella, and
53
The Excess Insurers have relied upon the California Supreme Court‘s decision Henkel
Corporation v. Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company, 62 P.3d 69 (Cal. 2003), as the
foundation for their argument that the anti-assignment provisions in the Houdaille insurance
policies vitiate Houdaille‘s assignments to Warren and Viking of insurance rights for pre-
assignment occurrences. The Court of Chancery found that ―New York law on this matter is in
accord with the dissent in Henkel, which stressed that anti-assignment clauses should not apply
in this context because ‗[t]he risk insured against does not increase because the insurer‘s duty to
defend and indemnify relates to an injury or damage which was suffered by the claimant prior to
the assignment of benefits to a successor corporation.‘‖ Viking Pump II, 2 A.3d at 105 (quoting
Henkel, 62 P.3d at 79 (Moreno, J., dissenting)) (emphasis in Henkel).
In Henkel, the California Supreme Court held that consent-to-assignment clauses
preclude an insured‘s transfer of the right to invoke coverage without the insurer‘s consent, even
after the coverage-triggering event had already occurred. It concluded that such attempted
assignments would be ineffective until the underlying claims ―bec[a]me an assignable chose in
action‖ by being ―reduced to a sum of money due or to become due under the policy.‖ Henkel,
62 P.3d at 75.
Based upon California Insurance Code § 520, the California Supreme Court, in Fluor
Corp. v. Superior Court of Orange County, overruled Henkel, holding that ―after personal injury
(or property damage) resulting in loss occurs within the time limits of the policy, an insurer is
precluded from refusing to honor an insured‘s assignment of the right to invoke defense or
indemnification coverage regarding that loss.‖ Fluor Corp. v. Superior Court of Orange Cnty.,
354 P.3d 302, 334 (Cal. 2015). The California Supreme Court observed that ―[t]his result
obtains even without consent by the insurer—and even though the dollar amount of the loss
remains unknown or undetermined until established later by a judgment or approved settlement.‖
Id. (emphasis added). The court in Henkel had not considered Section 520. In Fluor, the court
held that Section 520 ―dictates a result different from that reached in Henkel.‖ Id. at 304. The
Fluor court noted that ―[S]ection 520 bars an insurer, ‗after a loss has happened,‘ from refusing
to honor an insured‘s assignment of the right to invoke the insurance policy‘s coverage for such a
loss.‖ Id. (quoting CAL. INS. CODE § 520 (West)). The court further observed that ―the rule
embodied in Section 520 is consistent with the overwhelming majority of cases decided before
and since Henkel.‖ Id.
On August 26, 2015, this Court directed the parties to file simultaneous supplemental
memoranda regarding the California Supreme Court‘s decision in Fluor. The Excess Insurers
argued that New York has rejected a statute similar to California Insurance Code § 520, asserting
that ―[i]f a court were to impose the language of § 502 [sic] as New York law today, this would
effectively overrule the expressed will of that state‘s political branches.‖ Further, the Excess
Insurers urged that the facts in this matter are distinguishable from those of Fluor. Viking and
21
excess policies contain anti-assignment provisions, which generally provide that
―[a]ssignment of interest under this policy shall not bind [the insurer] until its consent is
endorsed hereon.‖54 The policies that do not contain such language either follow form or
contain a similarly-phrased exclusion.
Because the insurance policies do not contain a governing law provision, the Court
of Chancery engaged in a choice of law analysis to determine the State law that should
govern. We agree with its conclusion that New York law applies, as the law of that
jurisdiction had the most significant relationship to the insurance coverage as a whole.55
The Court of Chancery then found that ―Houdaille never sought or received the Excess
Insurers‘ consent to transfer rights under the Excess Policies . . . .‖56 Neither Warren nor
Viking contends that this factual finding is clearly erroneous. Instead, they assert that the
insurance coverage rights were transferred after the loss triggering coverage had already
taken place, rendering the anti-assignment provisions ineffective under New York law.57
―As a general matter, New York follows the majority rule that [a no-transfer]
provision is valid with respect to transfers that were made prior to, but not after, the
Warren argued that Fluor ―aligned California with the ‗overwhelming majority‘ of American
jurisdictions that authorize transfers of insurance rights for pre-assignment events.‖ We are not
persuaded by the Excess Insurers‘ supplemental arguments on appeal for the reasons set forth
herein.
54
See, e.g., TA1123.
55
Viking Pump II, 2 A.3d at 90. While Travelers argues on appeal that Florida law applies, and
that the Court of Chancery erred, it states that any error would be ―harmless because the laws of
Florida and New York are in accord on the issues raised in this brief.‖ Travelers Op. Br. 21 n.11.
56
Viking Pump II, 2 A.3d at 103.
57
Viking, with whom Warren joins, also contends that the anti-assignment provisions fail to
defeat the transfer of insurance rights under both New York and Florida law. See Viking Ans.
Br. 20.
22
insured-against loss has occurred.‖58 The principles underlying the majority rule are
twofold. First, after a loss has occurred, an assignment is not a transfer of the policy
itself, but rather of a claim for policy proceeds that previously vested against the insurer
and in favor of the original insured.59 As the United States Court of Appeals for the
Second Circuit explained, ―[t]he idea behind the majority rule is that, once the insured-
against loss has occurred, the policy-holder essentially is transferring a cause of action
rather than a particular risk profile.‖60 Second, when the loss occurs before the transfer of
insurance coverage rights, ―the characteristics of the [assignee] are of little importance:
regardless of any transfer[,] the insurer still covers only the risk it evaluated when it
wrote the policy.‖61 Insurers have a legitimate interest in deciding whether to allow
58
Globecon Grp., LLC v. Hartford Fire Ins. Co., 434 F.3d 165, 170 (2d Cir. 2006) (citing
Travelers Indem. Co. v. Israel, 354 F.2d 488, 490 (2d Cir. 1965) (―Although assignment of the
policy prior to loss [is] ineffective without the consent of the insurer, no such approval [is]
necessary for an assignment of the right to the proceeds after the loss.‖) (alteration in Globecon
Grp.)) (citation omitted); see also Arrowood Indem. Co. v. Atl. Mut. Ins. Co., 96 A.D.3d 693, 694
(N.Y. App. Div. 2012) (same).
59
See 2 COUCH ON INSURANCE § 34:25 (3d ed. 2016) (―While the general rule regards liability
and indemnity policies as nonassignable personal contracts, assignment is valid following
occurrence of the loss insured against and is then regarded as chose in action rather than transfer
of actual policy.‖ (citations omitted)); id. at § 35:8 (―Although there is some authority to the
contrary, the great majority of courts adhere to the rule that general stipulations in policies
prohibiting assignments of the policy, except with the consent of the insurer, apply only to
assignments before loss, and do not prevent an assignment after loss, for the obvious reason that
the clause by its own terms ordinarily prohibits merely the assignment of the policy, as
distinguished from a claim arising under the policy, and the assignment before loss involves a
transfer of a contractual relationship while the assignment after loss is the transfer of a right to a
money claim.‖ (emphasis added) (citations omitted)).
60
Globecon Grp., 434 F.3d at 171.
61
Id. (quoting N. Ins. Co. of New York v. Allied Mut. Ins. Co., 955 F.2d 1353, 1358 (9th Cir.
1992)); see also 17 WILLISTON ON CONTRACTS § 49:126 (4th ed. 2016) (―Policy provisions that
require the company‘s consent for an assignment of rights are generally enforceable only before
a loss occurs, however. As a general principle, a clause restricting assignment does not in any
way limit the policyholder's power to make an assignment of the rights under the policy—
consisting of the right to receive the proceeds of the policy—after a loss has occurred. The
23
assignment of rights under an insurance policy, because the identity of an insured
determines the extent of an insurer‘s risk, and an assignee may present a greater risk of
loss to the insurer than the original insured. However, that interest is not impeded by the
assignment of rights to claims for pre-assignment occurrences since, in such instances,
the insurer is covering the risk it originally contracted to insure.
Here, at the time of assignment, the losses triggering the Excess Insurers‘ potential
liability had already occurred within the policy periods. Warren and Viking therefore
received Houdaille‘s accrued payment rights, which had vested in Houdaille prior to the
assignments. Further, Houdaille‘s policies provided occurrence-based coverage, such
that its claim to payment rights arose at the time of the injurious exposure to conditions
that resulted in personal injury. Houdaille‘s insurance rights accrued once parties were
injured by significant exposure to asbestos during the operative policy periods and prior
to the assignments to Warren and Viking.
We do not find persuasive the Excess Insurers‘ argument that the anti-assignment
provisions bar the transfers because ―the asbestos personal-injury claims for which
Viking and Warren now seek coverage were in no sense ‗fixed‘ or ‗measurable‘ at the
time of the purported assignments because they had yet to be asserted.‖62 The Excess
Insurers‘ potential liability arose at the time of injury. That the precise amount of
reasoning here is that once a loss occurs, an assignment of the policyholder's rights regarding
that loss in no way materially increases the risk to the insurer. After a loss occurs, the indemnity
policy is no longer an executory contract of insurance. It is now a vested claim against the
insurer and can be freely assigned or sold like any other chose in action or piece of property.‖
(citations omitted)).
62
Travelers Op. Br. 27 (citations omitted).
24
liability was not identifiable at the time of assignment did not alter the Excess Insurers‘
obligation to insure the risks for which they contracted.63 As they pertain to the pre-
assignment, insured-against losses, therefore, the anti-assignment provisions are
ineffective.64 Under New York law, Houdaille validly assigned the insurance coverage
rights to Warren and Viking. Accordingly, we affirm the decision of the Court of
Chancery on these issues.
B. The Superior Court Correctly Held that the 1980-1985 Liberty Primary Policies
Are Exhausted
The Superior Court held in its Final Judgment that ―[t]he aggregate limits for
products liability coverage of all primary and umbrella policies that [Liberty] issued to
Houdaille for time periods collectively covering January 1, 1972 to January 1, 1986 are
exhausted.‖65 It also held that ―[t]he aggregate limits for products liability coverage of all
primary and umbrella liability policies that Liberty or Travelers Indemnity Company
issued to Warren Pumps, Inc. for time periods collectively covering January 1, 1966 to
December 1, 1972 are exhausted.‖66 Finally, it held that, ―[a]ny aggregate limits for
products liability coverage of all alleged pre-1966 Liberty primary policies covering
Warren are deemed exhausted by Warren‘s settlement with Liberty . . . .‖67
1. Contentions of the Parties
63
See also Fluor, 354 P.3d at 334.
64
See Globecon Grp., 434 F.3d at 170; Travelers Indem. Co., 354 F.2d at 490; see also
Arrowood Indem. Co., 96 A.D.3d at 694; see also GreenHomes Am., LLC v. Farm Family Cas.
Ins. Co., 91 A.D.3d 1352, 1352-53 (N.Y. App. Div. 2012).
65
Final Judgment at JA1864.
66
Final Order at JA1864.
67
Final Order at JA1864. This Court has omitted reference to the amount of the settlement,
which has been designated as confidential by Warren.
25
Liberty issued primary and umbrella-layer coverage to Houdaille from 1972 to
1985. Only the primary policies for 1980 through 1985 had deductibles. On appeal, the
Excess Insurers contend that the Superior Court erred in holding that the Liberty
coverage for 1980-1985 was exhausted, triggering the Excess Policies, where the Liberty
policies included a $100,000 per-occurrence deductible. The Excess Insurers‘ appeal
relates only to Liberty‘s primary policies for 1980 through 1985. We agree with the
Superior Court that these policies have been exhausted.
The Excess Insurers do not dispute that Liberty paid the policies‘ full aggregate
limits. Rather, they claim that Liberty failed to collect the appropriate deductibles.
Central to their argument is their contention that payments made within the deductible
amount do not erode Liberty‘s aggregate limits.68 They argue that Viking and Warren
were motivated to avoid the deductible payments since almost all of their claims have
settled for under $100,000. The Excess Insurers contend that Liberty was similarly
motivated to effect a premature exhaustion of the policies since Liberty‘s defense costs
did not erode policy limits, and once Liberty‘s aggregate limits were reached, its
obligation to pay defense costs ended.69
68
The Excess Insurers offered an example which this Court has modified using fictional numbers
to preserve as confidential the amount of the policies‘ aggregate limits: Assume Liberty‘s
aggregate limit was $4,000 for a given year, and there was a $100 per-occurrence deductible. A
$5,000 covered claim for a single occurrence would exhaust Liberty‘s $4,000 aggregate limit for
a given year. But 400,000 $90 claims from separate occurrences otherwise entitled to coverage,
despite adding up to $36 million, would not deplete Liberty‘s $4,000 aggregate limit because
such payments are below the per-occurrence deductible and therefore do not, in their view, erode
the aggregate limit.
69
The parties do not dispute that defense costs do not erode the limits of the Liberty primary
policies.
26
The Excess Insurers argue that instead of paying the deductible, Warren and
Viking separately entered into multi–million dollar settlements with Liberty. The Excess
Insurers disagree with Viking and Warren‘s contention that the deductibles were
calculated and collected as part of an ―adjusted premium‖ and argue that such a finding
ignores the meaning of ―deductible‖ under New York law. They claim that the policies‘
deductible language is clear and that the Superior Court erred in ruling that ―whether or
not the deductible was appropriately applied on an actual per-occurrence basis is beside
the point[.]‖70
Viking and Warren contend that the Superior Court correctly found that Liberty‘s
1980-85 primary policies are exhausted. They proffer three arguments in response to the
Excess Insurers‘ challenges. First, they claim the Excess Policies are triggered when the
underlying insurers pay their full policy limits. They argue that while an excess insurer is
free to contest coverage under its own policy, it cannot avoid or reduce its liability by
challenging the propriety of an underlying insurer‘s decision to pay.
Second, they contend that whether the primary policies had $100,000 per-
occurrence deductibles is irrelevant since the deductible is part of the policy‘s limits, and
all payments of loss erode policy limits. Thus, they argue that because it is undisputed
that Liberty‘s indemnity payments under these policies matched the policies‘ total limits,
it does not matter who paid the loss (as between Viking and Warren or Liberty). Under
either scenario, they maintain that the payments exhausted the policies.
70
Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *20.
27
Third, they claim that the policies‘ plain language shows that Liberty properly
calculated and collected deductibles as part of an adjusted premium. The Premium
Endorsement expressly includes a ―Deductible Expense‖ component. The Superior Court
found that there was ―substantial evidence‖ supporting the jury‘s finding in favor of
Viking and Warren‘s contention that the deductible and premium adjustment provisions,
when read together, provided that the Liberty deductibles were calculated and paid as part
of the premium adjustment.71
2. The Proceedings Below
In the proceedings below, the parties agreed that, ―as to exhaustion, the policies
[were] unambiguous and, therefore, there [was] no need for extrinsic evidence.‖ 72 The
Deductible Endorsement, which provided for a $100,000 per-occurrence deductible,
reads, in pertinent part:
1. [Liberty‘s] obligation under Coverage A - Personal Injury Liability and
Coverage B - Property Damage Liability applies only to the amount of such
damages and ―allocated loss adjustment expense‖ in excess of a deductible
amount of $100,000 because of all ―personal injury‖ and ―property
damage‖ combined, as the result of any one occurrence.
2. [Liberty] shall be liable only for an amount equal to the ―Personal
Injury‖ and ―Property Damage‖, ―Each Occurrence‖ limit stated in the
policy minus the applicable amount of deductible damages (excluding
allocated loss adjustment expense) under the above Paragraph 1[;] and,
subject to the foregoing, only for the difference between the ―Personal
Injury‖ or ―Property Damage‖ aggregate limits stated in the policy and the
sum of deductible damages (excluding allocated loss adjustment expenses)
applicable.
71
Id.
72
Id. at *19.
28
3. The terms of the policy including those with respect to (a) [Liberty‘s]
rights and duties with respect to the defense of suits and (b) the insured
duties in the event of an occurrence apply irrespective of the application of
the deductible amount.
...
5. [Liberty] may pay any part of all of the deductible amount to effect
settlement of any claim or suit and, the ―named insured‖ shall promptly
reimburse [Liberty] for such part of all of the deductible amount as has
been paid by [Liberty].73
The Excess Insurers asserted in the trial court that Liberty had ―fail[ed] to properly
charge and collect a deductible[,]‖ and that therefore, as a matter of law, Viking and
Warren ―could not prove that the underlying Liberty policies [had been] exhausted.‖74
They contended that ―Liberty‘s $100,000 deductible must be applied to each claim under
each policy contributing to the indemnity payment, because each exposure is a separate
occurrence.‖75 In addition, they claimed that Liberty was ―only liable for claims above
the $100,000 deductible and below the $500,000 per-occurrence limit.‖76 Finally, the
Excess Insurers argued that the Premium Endorsement only permitted Liberty to collect a
―handling fee.‖77
For their part, Viking and Warren contended that the Premium Endorsement
permitted Liberty to collect a ―premium for the expenses of handling deductible losses‖
73
Joint App‘x to Warren Opening Br. JA3685 [hereinafter ―JA____‖]. Each 1980-1985 Liberty
primary policy also includes a $500,000 ―per occurrence‖ limit of liability and a specified
―aggregate‖ limit of liability for ―personal injury.‖ Addendum to Excess Insurers Opening Br.
A-42, -47, -54, -61, -71, -79; see also JA3630; JA3767; JA3923; JA4037; JA4181; JA4311.
74
Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *19.
75
Id.
76
Id.
77
Id.
29
and governed the calculation of premiums based on ―deductible amounts incurred.‖ 78
―Deductible amounts incurred‖ is defined in the Premium Endorsement to encompass ―all
losses and ‗allocated loss adjustment expenses‘ actually paid and reserves for ‗unpaid
losses‘ and ‗allocated loss adjustment expenses‘ as estimated by the company and which
are reimbursed or to be reimbursed by the named insured [in addition to] . . . payments
made directly by the named insured for all losses and ‗allocated loss adjustment expense‘
falling within the deductible.‖79
Additionally, Viking and Warren argued that their settlements to Liberty had
satisfied the deductible premium. They argued further that even if they had not paid the
deductible, Liberty remained obligated to indemnify up to the policy limits and therefore
would have exhausted the policies regardless. According to the plaintiffs at trial, insurers
generally ―reduce indemnity payments by the applicable deductible amount, eroding total
limits regardless of whether a deductible is paid.‖80 Plaintiffs argued that ―the question
of whether any portion of the amounts paid were true deductibles does not change the
fact that those payments count towards the exhaustion of the policy limits, and those
payments are sufficient as a matter of law to exhaust the 1980-85 Liberty primary
policies.‖81
78
Id. (internal quotation marks omitted).
79
JA4079; see also JA3827.
80
Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *19.
81
Id. (internal quotation marks omitted).
30
At trial, plaintiffs presented testimony from Carl Brigada, Liberty‘s managing
consultant responsible for coverage determinations.82 Brigada had been with Liberty for
36 years. He ―testified that Liberty‘s deductibles are based on a policy endorsement.‖ 83
Rather than requiring payment of a deductible when each claim is made, Liberty charged
the deductible in three stages—the advanced premium, the deductible premium, and the
excess premium—as a way for the insured to defer premiums over time.84 He maintained
that the deductible was ―nothing more than a device that‘s used to calculate the amount of
the premium,‖85 and that deductibles had ―no bearing on a policy‘s exhaustion.‖86 He
testified that Viking and Warren satisfied their deductibles for the relevant policies by
way of their settlement with Liberty.
Brigada‘s responsibilities at Liberty also included determining whether and when
exhaustion occurred on the Viking and Warren accounts. He testified that the relevant
policies were exhausted after Liberty made substantial indemnity payments to all the
Houdaille policies‘ insureds.
Theresa Carpenter, a senior claims specialist for International and Century,
testified for the Excess Insurers. She ―testified that Liberty‘s 1980-1984 and 1986
policies contained a $100,000 per-occurrence deductible, and Liberty‘s failure to capture
82
See, e.g., App‘x to Viking‘s Ans. Br. VB60-100 [hereinafter ―VB___].
83
Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *8.
84
Id.
85
Id. (internal quotation omitted).
86
Id.
31
Plaintiffs‘ deductible payment would artificially erode the indemnity limits.‖87 Based
upon her calculations, Liberty was still obligated under the Liberty Policies.
The jury rejected the Excess Insurers‘ contentions and found that Liberty‘s
deductibles were ―paid through the premium adjustment endorsement,‖88 and not on a
per-occurrence basis.
Based on the jury verdict and its own analysis, the Superior Court ruled that the
Liberty Policies were exhausted. The Superior Court observed that paragraph 3 of the
Deductible Endorsement requires that all parties thereto ―fulfill their obligations under
the policies, regardless of the application of the deductible amount.‖89 Additionally,
―paragraph 5 permits Liberty to pay the deductible itself in order to effectuate
settlements.‖90
Taking those points into consideration, the Superior Court held that ―it is clear that
whether or not the deductible was appropriately applied on an actual per-occurrence basis
is beside the point; the policy allows the parties to continue the underlying litigation
without the complicated per-occurrence deductible payments urged by [d]efendants.‖91
Further, the court held that ―the deductible endorsement clearly permits Liberty to accept
the deductible later, which is what the . . . settlement between Liberty and plaintiffs
represented, . . . [and that] although [p]laintiffs‘ argument regarding the deductible as a
premium calculation is not in accord with the endorsements‘ language, the deductible
87
Id. at *9 (internal citations omitted).
88
JA1480.
89
Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *20 (internal quotation marks omitted).
90
Id.
91
Id.
32
endorsement nonetheless permits Liberty to cover the deductible and later seek
reimbursement, presumably in the form of a premium payment.‖92 The Superior Court
concluded that Liberty‘s decision to collect the deductible in this manner was legal and
permitted under the terms of the relevant policies.93
The jury agreed with Warren and Viking. The Superior Court found that ―the jury
had an evidentiary basis to find, as it did, that Liberty‘s deductibles were part of a
premium plan, and that Warren and Viking satisfied any outstanding payment . . . .‖94
Because the trial court found that this aspect of the verdict was ―supported by substantial
evidence,‖ it concluded that there was ―no basis for overturning the jury‘s finding as to
Liberty‘s exhaustion.‖95
3. Standard of Review
This Court reviews the Superior Court‘s conclusions of law de novo and applies
the clearly erroneous standard to findings of fact.96 In addition, where supported by the
evidence, the verdict of a jury is conclusive.97
4. Discussion
92
Id.
93
Id.
94
Id.
95
Id.
96
DV Realty Advisors LLC v. Policemen’s Annuity & Benefit Fund of Chicago, 75 A.3d 101, 108
(Del. 2013).
97
Storey v. Camper, 401 A.2d 458, 465 (Del. 1979) (citing DEL. CONST. art. IV, § 11(1)(a)
(―[O]n appeal [in civil cases] from a verdict of a jury, the findings of the jury, if supported by
[the] evidence, shall be conclusive.‖)) (citations omitted).
33
We agree with Viking and Warren that the Liberty coverage for 1980-1985 was
exhausted. The Excess Insurers‘ challenge is largely dependent upon their erroneous
view that the $100,000 deductibles do not erode Liberty‘s aggregate limits.
The policies‘ Deductible Endorsements state that the policies‘ aggregate limits
(and not just per-occurrence limits) are reduced by payments within the deductible:
The company shall be liable only for an amount equal to the ―Personal
Injury‖ and ―Property Damage‖, ―Each Occurrence‖ limit stated in the
policy minus the applicable amount of deductible damages (excluding
allocated loss adjustment expense) under the above Paragraph 1. and,
subject to the foregoing, only for the difference between the ―Personal
Injury‖ or ―Property Damage‖ aggregate limits stated in the policy and the
sum of deductible damages (excluding allocated loss adjustment expenses)
applicable.98
Thus, whether an amount paid in settlement of a claim fell within the $100,000
deductible or not, its payment counted toward satisfaction of the aggregate policy limit.
It is undisputed that Liberty paid the full aggregate policy limits of each of the policies on
account of asbestos claims against Warren or Viking.99 In fact, Liberty overpaid limits in
certain instances in order to honor settlement commitments that exceeded the limits. 100 In
addition, Liberty paid approximately twice that amount pursuant to its defense
obligations, which did not erode limits. We agree with the parties and the trial court that
98
See, e.g., JA3685, ¶ 2.
99
See, e.g., JA1907-08, ¶¶ 76-77 (setting forth as an established fact for submission to the jury
that ―[t]he total amount of indemnity payments‖ documented as being made by Liberty under its
umbrella and primary policies exceeded the ―total aggregate policy limits for products liability
claims under‖ those policies).
100
VB88.
34
the Deductible Endorsement is unambiguous. As such, if a policy ―on its face is
reasonably susceptible of only one meaning, a court is not free to alter the contract.‖101
We agree with the Superior Court that under the policies, Liberty, under paragraph
5 of the Deductible Endorsement, ―may pay any part [or] all of the deductible amount to
effect settlement of any claim or suit . . . .‖102 Thus, exhaustion does not depend upon
who pays the deductible. Liberty settled a dispute over the deductibles with Warren and
Viking, retroactively billing them for the deductibles under the 1980-85 Liberty primary
policies and collecting them as part of Liberty‘s adjusted premiums.103 The trial court
correctly held that this provision of the Deductible Endorsement ―allow[ed] the parties to
continue the underlying litigation without the complicated per-occurrence deductible
payments urged by [the d]efendants.‖104 We agree with the Superior Court‘s conclusion
101
Appleby v. Chicago Title Ins. Co., 80 A.D.3d 546, 549 (N.Y. App. Div. 2011) (quoting White
v. Cont’l Cas. Co., 9 N.Y.3d 264, 267 (N.Y. 2007) (citations omitted); see also BLGH Holdings
LLC v. enXco LFG Holding, LLC, 41 A.3d 410, 414 (Del. 2012) (―Where, as here, the plain
language of a contract is unambiguous i.e., fairly or reasonably susceptible to only one
interpretation, we construe the contract in accordance with that plain meaning and will not resort
to extrinsic evidence to determine the parties‘ intentions.‖) (citation omitted).
102
JA3685, ¶ 5.
103
VB65-67; VB74; VB96-100. International and Century‘s claims handler, Theresa Carpenter,
(the sole witness for the Excess Insurers on the issue of Liberty‘s deductibles), agreed that
Viking‘s payment to Liberty was sufficient under the Premium Endorsement to satisfy the
deductibles for Viking‘s asbestos claims:
Q. . . . The payment made that Viking and Liberty take the position was a
deductible payment, you cannot sit here today and dispute that that was a
sufficient amount of pay-out deductibles up to the date that the payment was
made; correct?
A. Up to the date that payment was made, I can‘t dispute that.
VB102.
104
Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *20.
35
that ―Liberty‘s method of collecting the deductible after-the-fact . . . was legal . . . [and
that] [n]othing in the policy prevents it.‖105
Although we need not reach the issue, the Excess Insurers‘ construction of the
Premium Endorsement as simply a tool for calculating the cost of Liberty‘s handling
claims that fall within the per-occurrence deductibles ignores key features of the
Premium Endorsement. Among these features is the ―Deductible Expense‖ premium
which is calculated using the ―deductible amounts incurred,‖ which in turn includes
―payments made directly by the named insured for all losses and ‗allocated loss
adjustment expense‘ falling within the deductible.‖106 If the Premium Endorsement
merely dealt with calculating a premium for Liberty‘s handling of losses within the
deductible, it would make little sense to include in the endorsement a premium related to
the insured‘s payments within the deductible. But, even if the Excess Insurers‘ reading
were reasonable, the jury sided with Viking and Warren, and its verdict is supported
amply by Brigada‘s testimony.107 The jury was entitled to credit Brigada‘s testimony that
the settlement figure Liberty charged to Viking and Warren in 2008 satisfied any
obligation owed to Liberty relating to the deductibles.
105
Id. As the New York Court of Appeals stated in its Certification Opinion, ―parties to an
insurance arrangement may generally ‗contract as they wish and the courts will enforce their
agreements without passing on the substance of them.‘‖ Viking Pump V, 52 N.E.3d at 1151
(quoting J.P. Morgan Sec. Inc. v. Vigilant Ins. Co., 992 N.E.2d 1076, 1081 (N.Y. 2013)).
106
E.g., JA4079.
107
Additionally, New York courts commonly employ the contra proferentem rule and resolve
ambiguities against the issuer. See, e.g., Tonkin v. Cal. Ins. Co. of San Francisco, 62 N.E.2d
215, 216 (N.Y. 1945) (noting the ―well settled principle ‗that if a policy of insurance is written in
such language as to be doubtful or uncertain in its meaning, all ambiguity must be resolved in
favor of the policy holder and against the company‘‖) (citation omitted) (quoting Hartol Prods.
Corp. v. Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 47 N.E.2d 687, 690 (N.Y. 1943)).
36
For these reasons, we affirm the Superior Court‘s findings and conclusions with
respect to the exhaustion of the relevant Liberty policies.
C. We Affirm in Part and Reverse in Part the Superior Court’s Rulings With
Respect to Defense Costs
1. Contentions of the Parties
The Superior Court held that 33 of the Excess Policies at issue in this appeal
provide coverage to Viking and Warren for their defense costs.108 In deciding whether
the Excess Policies provide coverage for defense costs within or in addition to policy
limits, the Superior Court divided the policies into six categories, four of which we have
assigned to Groups for ease of reference in this discussion: (a) true follow-form; (b)
follow-form by endorsement; (c) ―coverage‖ and ―conditions‖ (―Group One‖); (d)
108
See Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *29 (holding that 32 of the Excess Policies
provide for coverage of defense costs; two of these were later resolved by the parties, leaving 30
Excess Policies at issue); Viking Pump IV, 2014 WL 1305003, at *2-3 (acknowledging that three
policies were ―inadvertently omitted‖ from the Superior Court‘s Opinion in Viking Pump III and
holding that all three of those policies ―provide full defense obligations in addition to policy
limits‖). To summarize, the 33 Excess Policies at issue in this appeal are (1) Fidelity Policy No.
SRX1889565; (2) National Union Policy No. 9601115; (3) Commercial Union Policy No.
CY9502120; (4) Republic Policy No. CDE0835; (5) Vanguard Policy No. CDE1462; (6) Puritan
Policy No. ML652652; (7) Aetna Policy No. 06XN243WCA; (8) Aetna Policy No.
06XN194WCA; (9) London Policy No. K25878; (10) London Policy No. 881/UHL0395; (11)
London Policy No. 881/UKL0340; (12) London Policy No. 881/UKL0341; (13) London Policy
No. 881/UKL0342; (14) Lexington Policy No. CE5504779; (15) Central National Policy No.
CNZ141951; (16) Central National Policy No. CNZ141989; (17) Century Indemnity Policy No.
CIZ425741; (18) Granite State Policy No. 62790163; (19) Old Republic Policy No. OZX11405;
(20) Puritan Policy No. ML651258; (21) Lexington Policy No. GC403427; (22) Lexington
Policy No. CE5503312; (23) London Policy No. CX5026; (24) London Policy No. K24961; (25)
London Policy No. 881/UGL0160; (26) London Policy No. 881/UGL0162; (27) California
Union Policy No. ZCX003889; (28) INA Policy No. XCP156562; (29) INA Policy No.
XCP145194; (30) Lexington Policy No. 5510143; (31) International Policy No. 5220113076;
(32) International Policy No. 5220282357; and (33) International Policy No. 5220489339.
37
―assistance‖ and ―cooperation‖ (―Group Two‖); (e) ―assistance and cooperation [with]
consent‖ (―Group Three‖); and (f) those that define ―ultimate net loss‖ (―Group Four‖).109
The Excess Insurers argue that the Superior Court erred for two principal reasons.
First, the Excess Insurers contend that Liberty has no duty to defend Viking‘s and
Warren‘s claims pursuant to the underlying policies. Second, the Excess Insurers assert
that certain Excess Policies contain express defense exceptions disclaiming liability for
defense costs. Specifically, the Excess Insurers urge that certain of the Excess Policies
―expressly disclaim any duty to provide defense costs,‖110 ―contain assistance and
cooperation clauses that give the insurer the right, but not the obligation, to assume the
defense,‖111 or incorporate definitions of ―loss‖ or ―ultimate net loss‖ that ―exclude any
obligation to pay defense costs.‖112
Joined by Viking, Warren responds by arguing that the Superior Court correctly
concluded that all of the Excess Policies at issue in this matter provide coverage for
defense costs. First, Warren contends that the Liberty umbrella policies cover defense
costs. Second, Warren asserts that the Excess Policies all incorporated the obligation to
cover defense costs set forth in the underlying Liberty umbrella policies.
In its appeal, Warren contends that the Superior Court erred in holding that
sixteen of the Excess Policies count the payment of defense costs against their policy
limits. In response, the Excess Insurers raise two principal arguments. First, they assert
109
See Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *24-28.
110
Excess Insurers Op. Br. 44.
111
Id. at 46.
112
Id. at 48.
38
that the policies do not pay defense costs at all. Second, they urge that if the Excess
Policies do provide for defense costs, such payments are limited to the relevant policy
limits.
2. Standard of Review
This Court reviews the Superior Court‘s construction and interpretation of
insurance policies de novo.113
3. Discussion
i. Liberty Has Defense Obligations Under Its Umbrella Policies
The Excess Insurers urge that the Superior Court erred by concluding that the
Liberty umbrella policies create defense obligations on behalf of the insurer. They
contend that Liberty has defense obligations only for claims not covered by underlying
insurance. Thus, the Excess Insurers argue that if Liberty has no duty to defend, the
Excess Insurers likewise have no duty to defend. In response, Warren asserts that the
Liberty policies contain a duty to pay defense costs.
Under New York law, ―[a]n insurance agreement is subject to principles of
contract interpretation.‖114 ―When construing insurance policies, the language of the
‗contracts must be interpreted according to common speech and consistent with the
113
Phillips Home Builders, Inc. v. Travelers Ins. Co., 700 A.2d 127, 129 (Del. 1997); see also
Rhone-Poulenc Basic Chems. Co. v. Am. Motorists Ins. Co., 616 A.2d 1192, 1195 (Del. 1992)
(―The proper construction of any contract, including an insurance contract, is purely a question
of law. Accordingly, we review de novo for legal error the Superior Court‘s decision.‖ (internal
citations omitted)).
114
Universal Am. Corp. v. Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa., 37 N.E.3d 78, 80 (N.Y.
2015).
39
reasonable expectation of the average insured.‘‖115 A reviewing court ―must construe the
policy in a way that affords a fair meaning to all of the language employed by the parties
in the contract and leaves no provision without force and effect.‖116 ―New York applies
‗a functional analysis to separate lines of insurance, and an insurance policy should be
read in light of the role it is to play.‘‖117 Further, ―while ambiguities in an insurance
policy are to be construed against the insurer, a contract is not ambiguous if the language
it uses has a definite and precise meaning, unattended by danger of misconception in the
purport of the [agreement] itself, and concerning which there is no reasonable basis for a
difference of opinion.‖118
The Liberty umbrella policies provide:
INVESTIGATION, DEFENSE, SETTLEMENT, ASSISTANCE AND
COOPERATION
With respect to personal injury . . . covered under this policy (or which
would be covered but for the Insured’s retention as stated in the
declarations), but not covered under any underlying policy or any other
insurance, the company will
(1) defend any suit against the Insured seeking damages on account thereof,
even if such suit is groundless, false, or fraudulent; . . .
(2) pay all expenses incurred by the company, all costs taxed against the
Insured in any suit defended by the company and all interest on the
entire amount of any judgment therein . . . ;
115
Viking Pump V, 52 N.E.3d at 1151 (quoting Dean v. Tower Ins. Co. of N.Y., 979 N.E.2d 1143,
1145 (N.Y. 2012)).
116
Id. (citation omitted) (internal quotation marks omitted).
117
Jefferson Ins. Co. of N.Y. v. Travelers Indem. Co., 703 N.E.2d 1221, 1226 (N.Y. 1998)
(quoting Graphic Arts Mut. Ins. Co. v. Bakers Mut. Ins. Co. of N.Y., 382 N.E.2d 1347, 1350
(N.Y. 1978)).
118
Viking Pump V, 52 N.E.3d at 1151 (internal citations omitted) (internal quotation marks
omitted) (alterations in Viking Pump and added).
40
* * *
(4) pay all reasonable expenses incurred by the Insured at the company’s
request in assisting the company in the investigation or defense of any
claim or suit . . . ;
and the amounts so incurred, except settlement of claims and suits, are not
subject to the insured‘s retention as stated in the declarations and are
payable by the company in addition to the applicable limit of liability of
this policy.119
Based upon the foregoing contractual language, the Excess Insurers assert that use
of the term ―covered‖ in the Liberty umbrella policies ―should be construed as referring
to whether the primary policy provides coverage and not to whether it is collectible.‖120
They argue further that, ―even if the primary policies were fully exhausted, the
underlying asbestos claims would remain ‗covered‘ by the primary policy so that Liberty
would have no defense obligations under its umbrella policies.‖121
In construing the agreements as a whole, the first section of the Liberty umbrella
policies, entitled ―Coverage—Excess Liability,‖ provides:
The company will pay on behalf of the Insured all sums in excess of the
retained limit which the Insured shall become legally obligated to pay, or
with the consent of the company, agrees to pay, as damages, direct or
consequential, because of: (a) personal injury . . . .122
The policy defines ―retained limit‖ as follows:
―retained limit‖ means as to each occurrence with respect to which
insurance is afforded under this policy:
119
E.g., JA3721-22 (emphasis added).
120
Excess Insurers Op. Br. 43 (quoting Am. Safety Indem. Co. v. 612 Realty LLC, 2009 WL
2407822, at *5 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. Aug. 4, 2009)) (internal quotation marks omitted).
121
Id. at 43-44 (footnote omitted).
122
JA3721.
41
(1) if any underlying policy is also applicable or would be applicable
but for breach of policy conditions; the relevant ―each person‖,
―each accident‖, ―each occurrence‖ or similar limit of liability
stated therein (less any reduction thereof by reason of an over-
riding aggregate limit of liability) plus all amounts payable under
other insurance, if any;
(2) if any underlying policy otherwise applicable is inapplicable by
reason of exhaustion of an aggregate limit of liability; all
amounts payable under other insurance, if any . . . .123
―For purpose of determining the retained limit,‖ Section V states that ―‗other insurance‘
means any other valid and collectible insurance (except under an underlying policy)
which is available to the Insured, or would be available to the Insured in the absence of
this policy . . . .‖124 The definition of ―retained limit‖ continues by observing that ―the
intention‖ of the policy is that it ―shall not apply under or contribute with‖ such other
―valid and collectible‖ insurance.125
The plain language of the Liberty umbrella policies suggests that the policies were
intended to provide coverage ―if any underlying policy . . . [was] inapplicable by reason
of exhaustion.‖126 The Liberty umbrella policies were purchased to provide coverage in
123
JA3723.
124
JA3723.
125
JA3723. Throughout this litigation, the Excess Insurers have relied upon Pergament
Distributors, Inc. v. Old Republic Insurance Company, 128 A.D.2d 760 (N.Y. App. Div. 1987),
in support of their contention that the terms ―covered‖ and ―not covered‖ refer ―to whether the
policy insures against a certain risk[,] not whether the insured can collect on an underlying
policy.‖ Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *23 (alteration in original) (citation omitted)
(internal quotation marks omitted). The Superior Court rejected the Excess Insurers‘ argument,
reasoning that ―[t]he policy discussed in Pergament differs, however, from the Liberty[] policies
here. Pergament examined a policy‘s language to determine whether an umbrella policy must
drop down to provide primary coverage where the primary carrier was insolvent. Moreover,
Pergament, itself, is limited to the policy ‗at bar,‘ in that case‘s context.‖ Id. (citations omitted).
On that basis, the Superior Court concluded that Pergament was inapposite. We agree.
126
JA3723.
42
excess of any exhausted primary coverage. A reading of ―covered‖ to refer to whether
the primary policy provides coverage, and not whether it is collectible, distorts the actual
purpose of the Liberty umbrella policies. Even assuming, arguendo, the terms ―covered
under‖ and ―not covered‖ are ambiguous,127 the jury found that that Liberty‘s umbrella
policies maintain defense obligations.128 The Jury Verdict Form asked the jury: ―Did
Plaintiffs prove that Liberty was obligated under its umbrella policies to pay defense
costs for asbestos claims once the underlying Liberty primary policies were
exhausted?‖129 The jury answered in the affirmative.130 Thus, in the context of this
multi-layered, comprehensive insurance coverage program, and considering the general
127
The policy associates the term ―cover‖ both with risks assumed by the insurer and with
payment obligations maintained by the insured. Compare JA3721 (―With respect to personal
injury, property damage or advertising injury or damage covered under this policy . . . but not
covered under any underlying policy or any other insurance . . . .‖) (emphasis added), with id.
(―which would be covered but for the Insured‘s retention‖) (emphasis added). But, in other
instances, the policy uses the term ―payable under‖ when referencing funds available pursuant to
underlying policies or other valid and collectible insurance. For example, the policy defines
―defense expenses‖ as follows:
―defense expenses‖ means all reasonable expenses (other than the amount
of any settlement) incurred by the named insured in discharging the named
insured‘s obligations in Section II with respect to investigation, defense or
settlement of claims or suits, except . . . any such expenses payable under
an underlying policy or any other valid and collectible insurance.
JA3722 (emphasis added). Under New York law, if we were to conclude that the Liberty
umbrella policies were ambiguous, that ambiguity must be resolved in favor of the insured.
Viking Pump V, 52 N.E.3d at 1151 (quoting Dean, 979 N.E.2d at 1145) (―[A]mbiguities in an
insurance policy are to be construed against the insurer[.]‖).
128
Notably, Warren observes, and the Excess Insurers acknowledge, that Liberty has defended
the asbestos claims at issue in this case. The Superior Court‘s ruling is consistent with Liberty‘s
own application of the umbrella policies for more than two decades. Regardless of this extrinsic
evidence, the plain language of the umbrella policies compels the conclusion that the insurer has
defense obligations.
129
JA1481.
130
Id.; see also Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *24.
43
purpose of the Liberty umbrella policies, the reasonable expectation of the average
insured would be that ―covered under‖ concerns whether the underlying insurance is
collectible.131 We affirm the Superior Court‘s conclusion that Liberty has defense
obligations under its umbrella policies.
ii. Liberty’s Defense Obligations under Its Umbrella Policies Are Paid in Addition to
Policy Limits
The Liberty umbrella policies unambiguously provide that Liberty has a duty to
pay defense costs in addition to policy limits. As set forth above, under
―INVESTIGATION, DEFENSE, SETTLEMENT, ASSISTANCE AND
COOPERATION,‖ the umbrella policies provide that Liberty will pay defense costs and
that such costs ―are not subject to the insured‘s retention . . . and are payable by the
company in addition to the applicable limit of liability of this policy.‖132 Thus, the
underlying policies require Liberty to pay defense costs in addition to the applicable
policy limits. Consequently, as the Superior Court held, the Excess Policies that are truly
follow form or follow form by endorsement have a corresponding duty to pay defense
costs in addition to the relevant policy limits.133
131
See Jefferson Ins. Co. of N.Y., 703 N.E.2d at 1226 (quoting Graphic Arts Mut. Ins. Co., 382
N.E.2d at 1350) (noting that ―an insurance policy should be read in light of the role it is to
play‖); Viking Pump V, 52 N.E.3d at 1151 (quoting Dean, 979 N.E.2d at 1145) (stating that the
language of insurance contracts must be interpreted ―consistent with the reasonable expectation
of the average insured‖).
132
JA3721-22 (emphasis added).
133
The Superior Court found that the Excess Policies that truly followed form and followed form
by endorsement had full defense obligations in addition to the policy limits. Viking Pump III,
2013 WL 7098824, at *24-25. Those included the following eight policies: Fidelity Policy No.
SRX1889565; National Union Policy No. 9601115; Commercial Union Policy No. CY9502120;
Republic Policy No. CDE0835; Vanguard Policy No. CDE1462; Puritan Policy No. ML652652;
and Aetna Policy Nos. 06XN243WCA and 06XN194WCA. Without reference to specific policy
44
iii. The Group One Policies Pay Defense Costs Within Policy Limits
The Group One policies contain what the Superior Court referred to as ―coverage‖
and ―conditions‖ provisions.134 The relevant provisions in each of the Group One
policies are substantially similar to the following:
I. COVERAGE
The Company hereby agrees, subject to the limitations, terms and
conditions hereinafter mentioned, to indemnify the insured for all sums
which the insured shall be obligated to pay by reason of the liability . . . (a)
imposed upon the insured by law or (b) assumed under contract or
agreement by the Named Insured . . . for damages, direct or consequential
and expenses on account of . . . (i) Personal injuries . . . caused by or arising
out of each occurrence . . . and arising out of the hazards covered by and as
defined in the Underlying Umbrella Policies . . . .
II. LIMIT OF LIABILITY – UNDERLYING LIMITS
It is expressly agreed that liability shall attach to the Company only after
the Underlying Umbrella Insurers have paid or have been held liable to pay
the full amount of their respective ultimate net loss liability . . . and the
Company shall then be liable to pay only the excess thereof up to a further
[specified monetary sum] ultimate net loss in all in respect of each
occurrence – subject to a limit of [a specified monetary sum] in the
language, the Excess Insurers argue that each of these policies—excluding the Aetna policies—
has no defense obligation. Excess Insurers Op. Br. 43-44 n.9. Because we conclude that Liberty
maintains defense obligations under its umbrella policies, we reject this contention. Cf. Excess
Insurers‘ Mem. of Law in Support of their Renewed Mot. for J. as a Matter of Law Pursuant to
R. 50(b) at 25, Viking Pump, Inc. v. Century Indem. Co. (No. N10C-06-141 FSS) (Jan. 31, 2013)
[hereinafter ―Excess Insurers JMOL Mem. at JA____‖], available at JA1550-95 (―A few Excess
Policies do not contain defense carve-outs and therefore follow form to the Liberty umbrella
policy defense obligations.‖) (citations omitted).
134
See Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *25-26. The Group One policies include Central
National Insurance Company of Omaha Policy Nos. CNZ141951 and CNZ141989; Century
Indemnity Company Policy No. CIZ425741; First State Policy Nos. FB000022 and 929817;
Granite State Policy No. 62790163; Old Republic Policy No. OZX11405; Puritan Policy No.
ML651258; and Lexington Policy Nos. GC403427 and CE5503312. We conclude, however,
that the analysis applicable to the Group Four policies—not the Group One policies—is
applicable to Lexington Policy No. CE5503312. Further, the First State policies are not before
this Court, as the disputes concerning those policies settled since the Superior Court‘s decision.
45
aggregate for each annual period during the currency of this Policy . . .
separately in respect of Personal Injury (fatal or non-fatal) by Occupational
Disease sustained by any employees of the insured.
CONDITIONS
* * *
2. MAINTENANCE OF UNDERLYING UMBRELLA INSURANCE
This Policy is subject to the same terms, definitions, exclusions and
conditions (except as regards the premium, the amount and limits of
liability and except as otherwise provided herein) as are contained in or as
may be added to the Underlying Umbrella Policies . . . prior to the
happening of an occurrence for which claim is made hereunder.135
Concluding that these policies covered defense costs, the Superior Court found
that the Group One policies paid expenses subject to policy limitations, ―meaning
aggregate limits.‖136 The Superior Court relied principally upon the Maintenance
Provision in holding that the Group One policies pay defense costs within policy limits.
Warren contends that the ―amount and limits‖ language in the Maintenance
Provisions of the Group One policies ensures only that each such policy has its own
stated limits, without reference to the type (e.g., ―each occurrence‖ or ―aggregate‖) or
amount of the underlying policy limits. Warren argues further that, even if the Group
One policies did not incorporate Liberty‘s obligation to pay defense costs in addition to
policy limits, such policies independently provide for payment of defense costs on that
basis. The Excess Insurers urge that the Group One policies pay defense costs within
135
JA3746 (emphasis added). For convenience, we refer to the ―coverage‖ clause and similar
language as the ―Coverage Provision;‖ the ―limit of liability‖ clause and similar language as the
―Limit of Liability Provision;‖ and the ―maintenance of underlying umbrella insurance‖ clause
and similar language as the ―Maintenance Provision.‖
136
Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *25.
46
policy limits, to the extent that such policies cover defense costs at all. Before the
Superior Court, however, the Excess Insurers conceded that the Group One policies
―have limited obligations to reimburse defense costs within limits for covered damages
only.‖137
Under New York law, ―whenever an insurer wishes to exclude certain coverage
from its policy obligations, it must do so ‗in clear and unmistakable‘ language.‖138 In
order to be enforced, ―exclusions or exceptions from policy coverage must be specific
and clear . . . .‖139 ―They are not to be extended by interpretation or implication, but are
to be accorded a strict and narrow construction.‖140 The insurer bears the burden of
―establishing that the exclusions or exemptions apply in the particular case, and that they
are subject to no other reasonable interpretation.‖141 Accordingly, ―[i]f there is
uncertainty concerning its meaning, a policy is construed to embrace coverage.‖142
We agree with the Superior Court‘s ultimate conclusion that the Group One
policies pay within policy limits, but find instead that the more pertinent limitation is
contained in the Coverage Provision of such policies. The Group One policies limit the
scope of indemnification for damages and expenses, making them subject to the policy
137
Excess Insurers JMOL Mem. at JA1583 (emphasis removed).
138
Seaboard Sur. Co. v. Gillette Co., 476 N.E.2d 272, 275 (N.Y. 1984) (quoting Kratzenstein v.
W. Assurance Co., 22 N.E. 221, 223 (N.Y. 1889)) (citation omitted).
139
Id.
140
Id. (citations omitted).
141
Id. (internal citations omitted).
142
Avondale Indus., Inc. v. Travelers Indem. Co., 887 F.2d 1200, 1207 (2d Cir. 1989) (citations
omitted).
47
limits.143 By contrast, the Liberty umbrella policies treat damages and expenses
differently. The Liberty policies provide coverage for damages subject to limits of
liability, but provide coverage for expenses in addition to the limits of liability.144
Expenses on account of personal injuries caused by or arising out of each occurrence,
under the Group One policies, are payable by the insurer, according to the Coverage
Provision, ―subject to the limitations, terms[,] and conditions‖ of the agreement.145 Thus,
the Group One policies speak to damages and expenses in a similar manner: Because
indemnification for damages is limited to policy limits, so too are all sums payable for
expenses.146 Accordingly, the Coverage Provision contained in the Group One policies
makes clear that the parties intended that the insurer would, within the limits specified by
the policy, indemnify the insured for both damages and expenses as they relate to
personal injury claims.
We do not find persuasive Warren‘s argument that the use of the term ―ultimate
net loss‖ in the Group One policies independently requires payment of expenses in
addition to the relevant policy limits. Warren contends that ―ultimate net loss‖ is not
defined, and the policies do not otherwise state that expenses fall within ―ultimate net
loss.‖ As used in the Group One policies, the undefined term ―ultimate net loss‖ does not
create an independent duty to pay defense expenses outside the policy limits. Rather, the
Group One policies employ ―ultimate net loss‖ to establish a limit that the insurer is
143
See, e.g., JA3746.
144
See, e.g., JA3722.
145
See, e.g., JA3746.
146
See, e.g., JA3746 (―damages, direct or consequential and expenses on account of (i) Personal
injuries . . . .‖) (emphasis added).
48
obligated to pay, and such limit is inclusive of expenses. The Group One policies fail to
exclude defense costs from the limit of covered ultimate net loss.
The Superior Court‘s conclusion that the Group One policies pay defense costs
within policy limits is affirmed.
iv. The Group Two Policies Pay Defense Costs Within Policy Limits
The four London policies constituting Group Two utilize ―assistance and
cooperation‖ clauses.147 The relevant provisions in each of the Group Two policies are
substantially similar to the following:
I. COVERAGE
Underwriters hereby agree, subject to the limitations, terms and conditions
hereinafter mentioned, to indemnify the Assured for ultimate net loss which
the Assured may sustain by reason of the liability imposed upon the
Assured by law, or assumed by the Assured under contract for damages on
account of: (a) Personal Injury Liability . . . Arising out of the hazards
covered by and as defined in the Underlying Umbrella Policy issued by the
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company . . . .
II. LIMIT OF LIABILITY – UNDERLYING LIMIT
It is expressly agreed that liability shall attach to the Underwriters only
after the Underlying Umbrella Insurers have paid or have been held liable
to pay the full amount of their respective ultimate net loss liability . . . and
the Underwriters shall then be liable to pay only the excess thereof up to a
further [specified monetary sum] ultimate net loss in all respect of each
occurrence – subject to a limit of [a specified monetary sum] in the
aggregate for each annual period during the currency of this Policy in
respect of each hazard insured with an aggregate limit in the Underlying
Umbrella Policy.
CONDITIONS
1. MAINTENANCE OF UNDERLYING UMBRELLA INSURANCE
147
The policies constituting Group Two include London Policy Nos. CX5026, K24961,
UGL0160, and UGL0162.
49
This Policy is subject to the same terms, definitions, exclusions and
conditions (except as regards the premium, the amount and limits of
liability, and except as otherwise provided herein) as are contained in or as
may be added to the said Underlying Umbrella Policy prior to the
happening of an occurrence for which claim is made hereunder.
* * *
3. ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION OF THE ASSURED148
The Underwriters shall not be called upon to assume charge of the
settlement of defense of any claim made, suit brought or proceeding
instituted against the Assured but the Underwriters shall have the right and
shall be given the opportunity to associate with the Assured or the
Assured‘s underlying insurers, or both, in the defense and control of any
claim, suit or proceeding relative to an occurrence where the claim or suit
involves or appears reasonably likely to involve the Underwriters, in which
event the Assured and the Underwriters shall cooperate in all things in the
defense of such claim, suit or proceeding.149
148
For convenience, we refer to the ―assistance and cooperation‖ clause and similar language as
the ―Assistance Provision.‖
149
See, e.g., JA2395-96. The Excess Insurers state that the Group Two policies provide as
follows: ―The [insurers] shall not be called upon to assume charge of the settlement or defense
of any claim made, suit brought or proceeding instituted against the insured . . . .‖ See Excess
Insurers Op. Br. 46 (emphasis in original and removed) (alterations in original and added).
However, the Assistance Provisions incorporated in all of the Group Two policies provide that
the insurers ―shall not be called upon to assume charge of the settlement of defense of any claim
made, suit brought or proceeding instituted against the Assured . . . .‖ E.g. JA2396. Based upon
our independent review of the Excess Policies, we also observe that at least one additional
policy, London Policy No. 881/UHL0395, provides that ―[t]he Underwriters shall not be called
upon to assume charge of the settlement of defense of any claim made, suit brought or
proceeding instituted against the Assured . . . .‖ JA3073 (emphasis added).
The Superior Court apparently assumed the word ―of‖ should have been ―or,‖ as it quoted
the relevant language as ―assume charge of the settlement of [sic] defense . . . .‖ Viking Pump
III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *26. None of the briefing addressed whether the Group Two policies
contain a typographical error in the phrase ―settlement of defense.‖ Both the parties and the
Superior Court have treated the Group Two policies as if they contain the phrase ―settlement or
defense,‖ and we decline to proceed on an alternative basis in the first instance. We sympathize
with the Superior Court in its review of each of the Excess Policies in this matter—the poor
quality of the reproductions and voluminous record have complicated the review process for this
Court as well.
50
In view of the Maintenance Provisions contained in the Group Two policies, the
Superior Court held that such clauses limited defense costs to within policy limits.
Warren challenges this holding and relies upon its arguments asserted with respect to
Group One. Warren contends that Group Two Maintenance Provisions function to
ensure only that each such policy has its own stated limits and that those provisions do
not alter the Excess Insurers‘ obligation to provide coverage for the same risks in the
same manner as the underlying insurer. Warren also asserts that the Group Two policies
independently provide for payment of defense costs in addition to policy limits.
The Excess Insurers raise two arguments with respect to the Group Two policies.
First, they contend that the Group Two policies clearly disclaim coverage for defense
costs.150 Second, the Excess Insurers urge that the policies follow form to the underlying
policies, except as regards the ―amount and limits of liability.‖
The Group Two policies follow form to the underlying umbrella policies,
maintaining both a duty to defend and a duty to pay defense expenses absent clear
contradictory language. The Group Two Excess Insurers opted out of any duty to
150
The Excess Insurers rely upon In re September 11th Liability Insurance Coverage Cases, 458
F. Supp. 2d 104 (S.D.N.Y. 2006), for the proposition that the Group Two policies disclaim
coverage of defense costs. There, certain excess policies incorporated standard forms absolving
them of the obligation to provide a defense, and, as discovery established, the underlying
primary and umbrella carriers (to which they followed form) had refused to provide defense cost
coverage in the absence of adequate loss history data. The court found that the evidence was
overwhelming that Zurich (provider of the primary and umbrella policies) refused, in the absence
of adequate loss history, to issue a policy that included defense cost coverage. In re Sept. 11th
Liab. Ins. Coverage Cases, 458 F. Supp. 2d 104, 199, 121 (S.D.N.Y. 2006). We agree with the
reasoning of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Stonewall Insurance
Company v. Asbestos Claims Management Corporation, 73 F.3d 1178 (2d Cir. 1995), modified
on other grounds, 85 F.3d 49 (2d Cir. 1996), and reject the notion that the Assistance Provisions
in the Excess Policies ―clearly disclaim coverage for defense costs.‖ See infra note 151.
51
―assume charge‖ of ―the settlement of defense of any claim‖ in the foregoing Assistance
Provision.151 Notably, the Liberty policies treat the duty to defend and the duty to pay
defense expenses as being separate and distinct, addressing the duties in separate portions
of the agreement.152 Although the Excess Insurers disclaimed their duty to defend, they
failed to effectively exclude the obligation to reimburse defense costs.153
As to whether the Group Two policies cover defense costs within policy limits, the
Group Two policies provide that they cover the ―ultimate net loss‖ relative to personal
151
See Stonewall, 73 F.3d at 1218. In Stonewall, the United States Court of Appeals for the
Second Circuit recognized two distinct duties: the duty to defend and a duty to reimburse
defense costs. There, a portion of the policies in question provided that the insurer would have
the option to assume charge of the defense, but would not be obligated to do so. Id. (setting forth
policy language providing that the insurer ―‗may, at the sole option of the company, assume
charge of the . . . defense,‘ . . . [but] the Company shall not be obligated to assume‘ [the]
defense‖ (alteration in original and added) (emphasis in original)). Applying Texas law, the
Second Circuit held that while language substantially similar to that of the Assistance Provisions
at issue in the instant matter negates the duty to defend claims, it has no impact on the duty to
reimburse the insured for the cost of defending claims covered by the insurance policy. Id.
(―[The insured] argues that the Texas Endorsement, while negating the duty to assume defense of
the Texas claims, does not in any way limit the Insurers‘ obligation to reimburse defense costs
incurred. We agree.‖). See also In re WorldCom, Inc. Sec. Litig., 354 F. Supp. 2d 455, 464 n.11
(S.D.N.Y. 2005) (citations omitted).
152
E.g., JA3721-22; JA3851-52; JA3993-94; JA4108-09.
153
See Stonewall, 73 F.3d at 1218. The Excess Insurers rely upon M.H. Lipiner & Son, Inc. v.
Hanover Ins. Co., 869 F.2d 685 (2d Cir. 1989), for the proposition that courts applying New
York law when interpreting assistance and cooperation clauses have found that insurers have no
duty to defend. There, the plaintiff, a jewelry business, brought a declaratory judgment action
that imposed a responsibility on the insurer to defend and indemnify the company following an
alleged ―misdelivery‖ of precious stones. The United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York concluded that the insurer ―properly relied on a specific exclusion clause in
the insurance policy‖ when it disclaimed ―any obligation to defend or indemnify.‖ Id. at 686.
On appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed, ―agree[ing] that
the insurance policy in question d[id] not provide the insurance coverage claimed‖ by the
plaintiff. Id. The Second Circuit held that, ―[u]nder such circumstances, an insurer is entitled to
judgment declaring that it need not defend the insured.‖ Id. at 688 (citing Lionel Freedman, Inc.
v. Glens Falls Ins. Co., 267 N.E.2d 93, 94 (N.Y. 1971) (―[I]f we can determine that no basis for
recovery within the coverage of the policy is stated in the complaint, we may sustain defendant‘s
refusal to defend.‖)). The exclusion of coverage in M.H. Lipiner distinguishes it from the facts
of this case.
52
injury claims.154 The policies state that the insurers ―agree, subject to the limitations,
terms and conditions‖ of the insurance contract, ―to indemnify the Assured for ultimate
net loss which the Assured may sustain by reason of the liability imposed upon the
Assured by law, or assumed by the Assured under contract for damages on account of . . .
Personal Injury Liability . . . .‖155 The term ―ultimate net loss‖ is not defined in the
Group Two policies. Absent a definition of the term, ―ultimate net loss‖ includes all
sums an insurer is obligated to pay to the insured pursuant to an insurance policy, free
from any deductions. ―Ultimate net loss,‖ in the Group Two policies, is used to establish
a capped limit that the insurer is obligated to pay—and such limit is inclusive of expenses
within this contractual framework. Stated otherwise, the Group Two policies do not
exclude defense costs from the limit of covered ultimate net loss.156 The Group Two
policies thus indicate that the parties intended that the insurer would, within the limits
specified by the policy, indemnify the insured for expenses. Accordingly, the Superior
Court‘s conclusion that the Group Two policies pay defense costs within policy limits is
affirmed.
v. The Group Three Policies Pay Defense Costs In Addition to Policy Limits, with
Consent of the Insurer
154
See, e.g., JA2395.
155
See, e.g., JA2395.
156
Compare Stonewall, 73 F.3d at 1218 (citing Home Ins. Co. v. Am. Home Prods. Corp., 902
F.2d 1111, 1113-14 (2d Cir. 1990) (holding that definition of ―ultimate net loss,‖ which was
amended to delete reference to ―expenses,‖ ―unambiguously include[d] only damages and not
defense costs‖)). In contrast to the undefined term ―ultimate net loss‖ in the Group Two policies,
the defined term ―ultimate net loss‖ in the Group Four policies leads us to a different result. See
infra at II.C.3.vi.
53
The Group Three policies utilize assistance, cooperation, and consent clauses
together as an exception to their follow-form obligations, requiring the insurer‘s consent
before the insured may obligate the insurer to provide a defense.157 The relevant
provisions in each of the Group Three policies are substantially similar to the following:
B. NOW, this certificate is to indemnify the Insured in accordance with the
applicable insuring agreements, exclusions and conditions of the primary
insurance for excess loss . . . .
C. The insurance afforded by this certificate shall follow that of the
primary insurance except:
(1) anything in this certificate or the primary insurance to the contrary
notwithstanding, [the insurer] shall not be obligated to assume charge of the
settlement or defense of any claim or suit brought or proceeding instituted
against the Insured, but [the insurer] shall have the right and be given the
opportunity to associate with the Insured in the defense or control of any
claim, suit or proceeding which appears reasonably likely to involve [the
insurer], in which event the Insured and [the insurer] shall cooperate in all
things in the defense or control of such claim, suit or proceeding, but no
obligation shall be incurred on behalf of [the insurer] without its consent
being first obtained . . . ; (2) the insurance afforded by this certificate shall
not apply to any expenses for which insurance is provided in the primary
insurance . . . . 158
The Superior Court found that the Group Three policies follow form to the
underlying Liberty policies. But it concluded that the Group Three policies do not create
a duty for the Excess Insurers to ―lead the defense,‖ and that they instead enable the
insurers to ―affiliate‖ with the defense. Further, the Superior Court determined that these
157
The Group Three policies include: California Union Policy No. ZCX003889; INA Policy
Nos. XCP156562 and XCP145194; and Lexington Policy No. 5510143. We conclude, however,
that the analysis applicable to the Group Four policies—not the Group Three policies—is
applicable to Lexington Policy No. 5510143.
158
See, e.g., JA4421. For convenience, we refer to the clause requiring the insurer‘s consent and
similar language as the ―Consent Provision.‖ We note that the Group Three policies, in contrast
to the Group Two policies, use the phrase ―assume charge of the settlement or defense . . . .‖
54
policies do not exempt the Excess Insurers from paying ―defense costs upon the
primary‘s exhaustion. The ‗associate‘ and ‗consent‘ clauses are otherwise silent as to
defense costs.‖159 The Superior Court held that while the Group Three policies ―clearly
state[ that] the insurer shall not incur an obligation without its consent, and that its
insurance does not cover costs provided by someone else, the policy does not ‗clearly and
unmistakably‘ exclude defense costs, especially after the primary‘s exhausted.‖160
Nevertheless, as to the Group Three policies, the Superior Court ultimately concluded
that they cover ―reasonable defense costs‖ within the policy‘s applicable limits.161
Warren contends that the Group Three policies contain independent language that
confirms the existence of a defense payment obligation and omit any language negating
their follow-form defense payment obligations. The Excess Insurers respond by arguing
that each of the Group Three policies ―explicitly provides that it does not cover defense
costs at all‖ and that the argument advanced by Warren is ―beside the point.‖162
159
Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *27.
160
Id. (citing Breed v. Ins. Co. of N. Am., 385 N.E.2d 1280, 1282 (N.Y. 1978)) (―Well
recognized is the general rule that ambiguities in an insurance policy are to be construed against
the insurer, particularly when found in an exclusionary clause.‖ (citation omitted))).
161
Id. at *28.
162
Excess Insurers Ans. Br. 49. The Excess Insurers argue that California Union Policy No.
ZCX003889 ―expressly disclaim[s] any duty to provide defense costs.‖ Excess Insurers Op. Br.
44, 44 n.10. That argument is undermined by the policy‘s terms, which provide:
[T]he Company shall not be obligated to assume charge of the settlement or
defense of any claim or suit brought or proceeding instituted against the insured,
but the Company shall have the right and be given the opportunity to associate
with the insured in the defense or control of any claim, suit or proceeding which
appears reasonably likely to involve the Company, in which event the insured and
the Company shall cooperate in all things in the defense or control of such claim,
suit or proceeding, but no obligation shall be incurred on behalf of the Company
without its consent first being obtained . . . .
55
The Consent Provisions in the Group Three policies modify the duty to defend,
making it a right or option to defend. These Excess Policies state that ―no obligation
shall be incurred on behalf of [the insurer] without its consent being first obtained . . . .‖
The Group Three policies, however, do not define the term ―obligation.‖ We believe
that, under New York law, an insurer‘s duty to pay defense costs and its duty to defend
are separate and distinct.163 A duty requiring an insurer to pay costs, including defense
costs, may properly be understood as an ―obligation.‖164 Ultimately, the Group Three
policies fail to exclude coverage for defense costs using clear and unmistakable language,
and follow form to the underlying Liberty policies.
The Group Three policies are silent with respect to whether payment of defense
costs erodes policy limits. This ambiguity is to be resolved against the insurer, and the
JA3622. The policy provides further that ―the insurance afforded by this Certificate shall [not]
apply to any expenses for which insurance is provided in the [primary] insurance . . . .‖ Id.
None of the foregoing policy language expressly disclaims the duty to pay defense costs. We
also reject the Excess Insurers‘ contention that INA Policy Nos. XCP145194 and XCP15652
expressly disclaim any duty to pay defense costs, as those policies employ provisions
functionally identical to those in California Union Policy No. ZCX003889. See JA4165;
JA4421.
163
See In re WorldCom, Inc. Sec. Litig., 354 F. Supp. at 464 n.11 (―In contrast to a duty to pay
defense costs, the duty to defend customarily includes an insurer‘s right to choose the attorney
and control the litigation strategy.‖ (citations omitted)). This Court has not identified—and the
parties do not cite—a decision of the New York Court of Appeals making plain that the duty to
defend and the duty to pay defense costs are two distinct obligations. We believe, however, that
the New York Court of Appeals, like the courts of other jurisdictions, would embrace this notion.
See, e.g., Stonewall, 73 F.3d at 1218 (applying Texas law). Regardless, the Excess Policies
generally follow form to the underlying Liberty umbrella policies, which policies contain distinct
duties to defend and to pay costs in separately numbered paragraphs. See, e.g., JA3721-22.
164
BLACK‘S LAW DICTIONARY (10th ed. 2014) (―obligation‖) (―1. A legal or moral duty to do or
not do something. . . . 2. A formal, binding agreement or acknowledgement of a liability to pay
a certain amount or to do a certain thing for a particular person or set of persons; esp., a duty
arising by contract.‖).
56
Group Three policies therefore incorporate the default follow-form duty to pay defense
costs as reflected in the underlying policies. Consequently, the Group Three policies pay
defense costs in addition to policy limits. But, as a result of the clause setting forth that
―no obligation shall be incurred on behalf of [the insurer] without its consent being first
obtained[,]‖165 the duties to defend and pay are made contingent upon consent.166
The Superior Court‘s conclusion that the Group Three policies have a duty to pay
defense costs is affirmed, but its decision that these payments erode policy limits is
reversed. Instead, we conclude that the Excess Insurers have a duty to pay defense costs,
contingent upon consent, and that such costs must be paid in addition to policy limits.
vi. The Group Four Policies Generally Exclude Defense Costs Except Upon Written
Consent of the Insurer
Each of the Group Four policies provides that the insurer will indemnify the
insured for the ―ultimate net loss‖ resulting from personal injuries.167 The relevant
provisions in the Group Four policies are substantially similar to the following:
165
See, e.g., JA4421.
166
See Stonewall, 73 F.3d at 1219.
167
The Group Four policies include Lexington Policy No. CE5504779 and London Policy Nos.
K25878; 881/UHL0395; 881/UKL0340; 881/UKL0341; and 881/UKL0342. As to the Coverage
Provisions in the Group Four policies, each such insurance contract employs substantially
identical language, with the exception of London Policy No. K25878. While the remaining
Group Four policies ―indemnify the Assured for ultimate net loss,‖ London Policy No. K25878
provides that the insurer will ―indemnify the Assured for all sums which the Assured shall be
obligated to pay by reason of the liability imposed upon the Assured by law, or assumed by the
Assured under contract for damages on account of: (a) Personal Injury Liability . . . .‖ JA2595.
The policy contains the same definitions of ―ultimate net loss‖ and ―costs‖ that appear in the
other Group Four policies. The parties do not argue that the analysis for Policy No. K25878
should differ from that applicable to the other Group Four policies. Accordingly, we treat it
within our analysis of the Group Four policies. Further, as set forth above, Lexington Policy No.
CE5503312 is also included among the Group Four policies. We also separately address
Lexington Policy No. CE5504779 below.
57
I. COVERAGE
Underwriters hereby agree, subject to the limitations, terms and conditions
hereinafter mentioned, to indemnify the Assured for ultimate net loss which
the Assured may sustain by reason of the liability imposed upon the
Assured by law, or assumed by the Assured under contract for damages on
account of: (a) Personal Injury Liability . . . Arising out of the hazards
covered by and as defined in the Underlying Umbrella Policies issued by
the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Underwriters at Lloyd‘s, London,
and certain Insurance Companies . . . .
II. LIMIT OF LIABILITY – UNDERLYING LIMITS
It is expressly agreed that liability shall attach to the Underwriters only
after the Underlying Umbrella Insurers have paid or have been held liable
to pay the full amount of their respective ultimate net loss liability . . . and
the Underwriters shall then be liable to pay only the excess thereof up to a
further [specified monetary sum] ultimate net loss in all in respect of each
occurrence – subject to a limit of [a specified monetary sum] in the
aggregate for each annual period during the currency of this Policy in
respect of each hazard insured with an aggregate limit in the Underlying
Umbrella Policies.
DEFINITIONS
1. ULTIMATE NET LOSS
The words ―ultimate net loss‖ shall be understood to mean the amount
payable in settlement of the liability of the Assured after making deductions
for all recoveries and for other valid and collectible insurances, excepting
however the policies of the Underlying Insurers, and shall exclude all
expenses and Costs.
2. COSTS
The word ―Costs‖ shall be understood to mean interest accruing after entry
of judgment, investigation, adjustment and legal expenses (excluding,
however, all office expenses of the Assured, all expenses for salaried
employees of the Assured and general retainer fees for counsel normally
paid by the Assured).
CONDITIONS
1. INCURRING OF COSTS
58
In the event of claim or claims arising which appear likely to exceed the
Underlying Limit, no Costs shall be incurred by the Assured without the
written consent of the Underwriters.
* * *
3. MAINTENANCE OF UNDERLYING UMBRELLA INSURANCE
This Policy is subject to the same terms, definitions, exclusions and
conditions (except as regards the premium, the amount and limits of
liability and except as otherwise provided herein) as are contained in or
may be added to the said Underlying Umbrella Policies prior to the
happening of an occurrence for which claim is made hereunder.
* * *
4. ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION OF THE ASSURED
The Underwriters shall not be called upon to assume charge of the
settlement of defense of any claim made, suit brought or proceeding
instituted against the Assured but the Underwriters shall have the right and
shall be given the opportunity to associate with the Assured or the
Assured‘s underlying insurers, or both, in the defense and control of any
claim, suit or proceeding relative to an occurrence where the claim or suit
involves or appears reasonably likely to involve the Underwriters, in which
event, the Assured and the Underwriters shall cooperate in all things in the
defense of such claim, suit or proceeding.168
The Superior Court held that the Group Four policies require the Excess Insurers
to pay defense costs in addition to policy limits. The Excess Insurers raise two arguments
with respect to the Group Four policies. First, the Excess Insurers contend that the
Assistance Provisions give the insurer the right, but not the obligation, to assume the
168
See, e.g., JA3071-73. The Assistance Provisions in the Group Four policies only eliminate
the duty to defend, giving the insurer the option to join the defense of the insured. They do not
exclude the duty to pay defense costs. Accordingly, we also reject any argument that the
Assistance Provisions in the following policies disclaim responsibility to pay defense costs:
Lexington Policy No. 5510143; California Union Policy No. ZCX003889; International Policy
Nos. 5220113076, 5220282357, and 5220489339; and INA Policy Nos. XCP145194 and
XCP156562. See Excess Insurers Op. Br. 46.
59
defense. Second, the insurers assert that the Group Four policies define ―ultimate net
loss‖ to exclude all expenses and ―Costs‖ and that the policies define ―Costs‖ as ―interest
accruing after entry of judgment, investigation, adjustment and legal expenses . . . .‖
Warren urges that the Assistance Provisions do not negate the obligation to pay
defense costs, and that the duty to conduct the defense is separate and apart from the duty
to fund that defense. Further, Warren argues that both the jury and the Superior Court
correctly held that the Excess Policies that exclude costs or expenses from the definition
of ―ultimate net loss‖ or ―loss‖ do not negate the Excess Insurers‘ promise to follow form
to the Liberty defense payment obligation.
The Group Four policies state that they are ―subject to the same terms, definitions,
exclusions and conditions (except as regards the premium, the amount and limits of
liability and except as otherwise provided herein) as are contained in or as may be added
to the said Underlying Umbrella Policies . . . .‖169 They further provide that the Excess
Insurers are liable to pay only amounts in excess of the underlying insurers‘ ultimate net
loss liability ―up to a further [specified monetary sum] ultimate net loss in all in respect
of each occurrence – subject to a limit of [a specified monetary sum] in the aggregate for
each annual period during the currency of this Policy in respect of each hazard insured
with an aggregate limit in the Underlying Umbrella Policies.‖170 As previously observed,
the Group Four policies define the term ―ultimate net loss‖ to exclude expenses and
―[c]osts,‖ which, in turn, includes ―interest accruing after entry of judgment,
169
See, e.g., JA3073 (emphasis added).
170
See, e.g., JA3071.
60
investigation, adjustment and legal expenses (excluding, however, all office expenses of
the Assured, all expenses for salaried employees of the Assured and general retainer fees
for counsel normally paid by the Assured).‖171
The New York Court of Appeals has emphasized that when interpreting insurance
policies, a reviewing court ―must construe the policy in a way that affords a fair meaning
to all of the language employed by the parties in the contract and leaves no provision
without force and effect.‖172 Read as a whole and giving effect to the Maintenance and
Limit of Liability Provisions,173 the Group Four policies use the term ―ultimate net loss‖
to mean that the insurer is liable to the insured only for those losses that fall within the
definition of ―ultimate net loss.‖174 And ―ultimate net loss‖ unambiguously excludes
defense costs from the insurer‘s indemnity obligations.175 We conclude that these
171
See, e.g., JA3072 (emphasis added).
172
Viking Pump V, 52 N.E.3d at 1151 (quoting Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Nat’l
Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa., 991 N.E.2d 666, 671-72 (N.Y. 2013)) (internal quotation
marks omitted).
173
See Home Ins., 902 F.2d at 1113 (―As the plain language of the [second-level excess] policy
makes clear, however, the [second-level excess] policy follows the terms of the [first-level]
excess policy only to the extent that the [first-level] policy is consistent with the [second-level]
policy. The [second-level excess] policy states that it is ‗subject to the same warranties, terms
and conditions (except as otherwise provided herein) as are contained in . . . the [u]nderlying
[c]overage . . . .‖ (emphasis in original) (alterations in original and added)).
174
Maryland Cas. Co. v. W.R. Grace & Co., 1996 WL 306372, at *9 (S.D.N.Y. June 7, 1996).
175
Home Ins., 902 F.2d at 1113-14; see also Stonewall, 73 F.3d at 1218 (―The original insuring
agreement required the insurers to indemnify [the insured‘s] ‗ultimate net loss,‘ including
damages and expenses that [the insured] became obligated to pay. The ‗New York Amendatory
Endorsement‘ amended the definition of ‗ultimate net loss‘ in the insuring agreement by deleting
the reference to ‗expenses.‘ Notwithstanding [the insured‘s] efforts in the District Court and on
appeal to rely on the legislative history of the New York Amendatory Endorsement, the District
Court properly found that the term ‗ultimate net loss,‘ as amended, unambiguously includes only
damages and not defense costs.‖ (citing Home Ins., 902 F.2d at 1113-14)).
In Home Insurance, the United States Court of Appeals examined policy language similar
to that of the Group Four policies. There, a second-level excess insurer provided insurance for
61
policies exclude an obligation to pay defense costs, except upon written consent. In so
holding, we give effect to the express differences in the defined term ―ultimate net
loss[,]‖ which excludes expenses and costs. These differences lead to a different
outcome from policies that do not define the term ―ultimate net loss.‖
The Group Four policies generally follow form to the underlying insurance and are
silent as to whether defense costs incurred with consent of the insurer erode policy limits.
This ambiguity is to be resolved against the insurers.176 The policies pay defense costs in
addition to policy limits, but only upon written consent of the insurers. The Superior
Court‘s conclusion that the Group Four policies provide coverage for defense costs is
reversed.
vii. The International Policies Cover Defense Costs in Addition to Policy Limits, with
Consent of the Insurer
The Excess Insurers challenge the Superior Court‘s ruling in its second post-trial
decision regarding three Excess Policies issued by the International Insurance Company
―bodily injury in excess of that provided by the [first-level] excess policy, up to $11.5 million
ultimate net loss. ‗Ultimate net loss‘ [wa]s defined under the policy as ‗the amount payable in
settlement of the liability of [the insured] . . . exclud[ing] all expenses and Costs.‘‖ Home Ins.,
902 F.2d at 1113 (emphasis in original) (alterations in original and added). Further, ―Costs‖ was
defined as ―interest accruing after entry of judgment, investigation, adjustment and legal
expenses (excluding, however, all office expenses of [the insured], all expenses for salaried
employees of [the insured] and general retainer fees for counsel normally paid by [the insured]).‖
Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit agreed with
the insurer‘s ―interpretation that post-judgment interest and legal expenses (in particular outside
counsel fees) [we]re excluded under the plain language of the policy.‖ Id. at 1114.
176
See Stonewall, 73 F.3d at 1216-17 (―Stonewall‘s policies are silent on the consequences of
cancellation, making this another ambiguity to be resolved against the insurer.‖ (citations
omitted)).
62
(the ―International Policies‖).177 The International Policies ―apply in like manner as the
underlying insurance,‖ ―except with respect to . . . any obligation to investigate or defend
any claim or suit[.]‖178 The three policies also contain Assistance Provisions, which
provide:
The company shall not be called upon to assume charge of the settlement or
defense of any claim made or proceeding instituted against the insured; but
the company shall have the right and opportunity to associate with the
insured in the defense and control of any claim or proceeding reasonably
likely to involve the company. In such event the insured and the company
shall cooperate fully.179
Further, two of the policies180 expressly contemplate the treatment of legal expenses:
Loss and legal expenses incurred by the insured with the consent of the
company in the investigation or defense of claims, including court costs and
interest, shall be borne by both the company and the insured in the
proportion that each party‘s share of loss bears to the total amount of such
loss. . . . Expenses thus paid by the company shall be paid in addition to
the limit of liability . . . .181
The Superior Court held that the International Policies ―provide full defense
obligations in addition to policy limits.‖182 Two of the policies,183 the court concluded,
follow form by endorsement.184 The trial court observed that the third policy185 did ―not
177
The three policies include International Policy Nos. 5220113076, 5220282357, and
5220489339. The Superior Court inadvertently omitted addressing the International Policies in
its October 31, 2013 decision. See Viking Pump IV, 2014 WL 1305003, at *2.
178
See, e.g., JA4429.
179
See, e.g., JA4429.
180
International Policy Nos. 5220113076 and 5220282357.
181
See JA4000; JA4117. The third International Policy employs a Loss Expense Endorsement
that conforms its treatment of legal expenses to the provisions in the two follow-form
International Policies. Compare JA4000, and JA4117, with JA4433.
182
Viking Pump IV, 2014 WL 1305003, at *3.
183
International Policy Nos. 5220113076 and 5220282357.
184
Viking Pump IV, 2014 WL 1305003, at *3. The endorsements provide: ―Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, it is understood and agreed that this Insurance covers
63
include a follow-form endorsement,‖186 but maintained a ―Loss Expense Endorsement‖
providing that ―[l]oss expense includes . . . legal expenses incurred by the Insured with
the consent of the company in the investigation or defense of claims, including court
costs and interest. . . . Expenses thus paid by the company shall be paid in addition to the
limit of liability . . . .‖187
The Excess Insurers contend that the International Policies ―expressly except
defense payments by providing: ‗except with respect to (1) any obligation to investigate
or defend any claim or suit . . . the insurance afforded by this policy shall apply in like
manner as the underlying insurance . . . .‘‖188 Further, the Excess Insurers assert that to
the extent that the International Policies are found to be obligated to pay defense, any
such obligation should be subject to aggregate limits because that is how the Superior
Court adjudicated the defense obligations of the other policies containing ―Assistance and
Cooperation with Consent‖ language.189 Warren responds by arguing that each of the
International Policies either adopts the Liberty defense obligation or sets forth an express
promise to pay defense costs.
In the context of the International Policies, the Assistance Provision eliminates any
obligation to ―assume charge‖ of the defense. The clause fails to exclude the duty to pay
the same Named Assured and is subject to the same terms, definitions, exclusions and conditions
(except as regards the premium and the amount and limits of liability) as are contained in or may
be added to the first layer Umbrella of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Policy No. To Be
Advised.‖ See JA4005; JA4120.
185
International Policy No. 5220489339.
186
Viking Pump IV, 2014 WL 1305003, at *3.
187
JA4433.
188
Excess Insurers Op. Br. 45 (emphasis removed) (citations omitted).
189
Id. at 46 n.11 (citation omitted).
64
defense costs. But the clauses contemplating the treatment of expenses in two of the
International Policies and the Loss Expense Endorsement to the third do address payment
of legal expenses. These provisions contemplate the payment of defense costs contingent
upon ―consent of the [insurer] . . . .‖190 Thus, provided the insurer consents to the
incurrence of expenses, it is obligated to pay defense costs in addition to the policy limits.
The Superior Court‘s conclusion that the International Policies pay defense costs
in addition to policy limits is affirmed, but payment is contingent upon consent.
viii. Lexington Policy No. CE5504779 Generally Excludes Defense Costs, Except
Those Jointly Incurred by Mutual Consent
Pursuant to Lexington Policy No. CE5504779, the insurer ―agree[d] to indemnify
the insured, in accordance with the applicable insuring agreements of the Primary
Insurance, against loss subject to the limits stated [in the declarations].‖191 Under
Lexington Policy No. CE5504779, the term ―primary insurance‖ means ―the policy
(policies) described in Item 4.‖192 Item 4, in turn, states that the primary insurance is
―Liberty Mutual, Policy Number To Be Agreed.‖193 Further, under the insurance
contract, ―loss‖ is defined as follows:
The word ―loss‖ shall be understood to mean the sums paid in settlements
of losses for which the insured is liable after making deductions for all
other recoveries, salvages and other insurences (other than recoveries under
the policy/ies of the Primary Insurer), whether recoverable or not, and shall
exclude all expense and costs.194
190
See, e.g., JA4000.
191
JA2906.
192
JA2906.
193
JA2905.
194
JA2906 (emphasis added).
65
―Costs‖ is also defined by the policy:
The word ―costs‖ shall be understood to mean interest on judgments,
investigations, adjustment and legal expenses (excluding, however, all
expense for salaried employees and retained counsel of and all office
expense of the insured).195
Lexington Policy No. CE5504779 also contains a section setting forth the
conditions of the insurance contract. In relevant part, the conditions set forth in the
policy are as follows:
1. It is agreed that this policy, except as herein stated, is subject to all
conditions, agreements and limitations of and shall follow the Primary
Insurance in all respects, including changes by endorsement . . . .
2. Notice of any accident, which appears likely to involve this policy, shall
be given to the [insurer], which at its own option, may, but is not
required to, participate in the investigation, settlement or defense of any
claim or suit. In the event expense and/or costs in connection with any
claim or suit is incurred jointly by mutual consent of the [insurer] and
of the Insured or Primary Insurer, the [insurer], in addition to its limits
of liability as expressed in Item 6, Section 1 of the Declarations, shall
be liable for no greater proportion of such expense and/or costs than
the amount payable by the [insurer] under this Policy bears to the total
loss payment.196
Attached to Lexington Policy No. CE5504779 is a ―Following Form Clause‖
endorsement, which provides that it ―is subject to the exclusions, conditions and other
terms of Policy Number to be advised issued by Lloyds [sic] Underwriters.‖197 The
endorsement continues by stating that ―this insurance differs from the policy which it
follows in the following particulars and any other amendments attaching to and forming
195
JA2906 (emphasis added).
196
JA2913 (emphasis added).
197
JA2911.
66
part of the undermentioned policy number.‖198 The Following Form Clause endorsement
then provides that Lexington Policy No. CE5504779 differs from the policy to which it
follows form with respect to notices of occurrences and cancellation of the policy.199
Lexington Policy No. CE5504779 does not, on its face, identify the specific
Lloyd‘s policy to which it follows form. Warren urges, however, that Lexington Policy
No. CE5504779 contains a ―typewritten endorsement[] that conform[s]‖ its language to
that of another Excess Policy that the Superior Court held provides coverage for defense
costs.200 Warren then asserts in a footnote that ―Lexington Policy [N]o. CE5504779 and
Lloyd‘s/London Policy [N]o. 881/UGL0160 . . . cover the same time period at the same
attachment point and participate in a ‗quota-sharing‘ arrangement pursuant to which
those policies contribute stated percentages to the same covered losses.‖201 The Excess
Insurers do not address Warren‘s follow-form contentions regarding the Lloyd‘s policy.
It does not appear to this Court, based upon the record before us, that Warren raised this
argument below.202 In any event, the argument was not addressed by the Superior Court.
Thus, this Court is left with a follow-form argument that has only been obliquely raised
on appeal by one party, has not been addressed by the Excess Insurers, and was not
considered by the Superior Court. Under these circumstances, and given the complexities
198
JA2911.
199
JA2911.
200
Warren Ans. Br. 49.
201
Warren Ans. Br. 49 n.42 (citations omitted). On appeal, the sum total of the argument
regarding the degree to which Lexington Policy No. CE5504779 follows form to London Policy
No. 881/UGL0160 is a sentence within a footnote of Warren‘s Answering Brief.
202
See Del. Supr. Ct. R. 8 (―Only questions fairly presented to the trial court may be presented
for review; provided, however, that when the interests of justice so require, the Court may
consider and determine any question not so presented.‖).
67
that arise from attempting to discern which provisions of the unspecified Lloyd‘s policy
might apply, it would be hazardous for this Court to rule in the first instance on which
Lloyd‘s policy is being referred to and the impact of any provision that might arguably
conflict with the Lexington policy. Instead, we conclude that this issue has not been
adequately raised on appeal and has been waived.
Thus, we turn to the terms of Lexington Policy No. CE5504779. The Superior
Court incorporated the policy in its holding with respect to the Group Four policies. The
trial court held that the policy follows form to the underlying insurance, carries full
defense obligations, and pays defense costs in addition to policy limits.203 The Excess
Insurers argue that Lexington has no duty to pay defense costs under the insurance
contract. They also contend that, under New York law, there is no obligation to pay
defense costs when a policy excludes expenses and costs from the term ―loss.‖
Because Lexington Policy No. CE5504779 provides indemnification for ―loss
subject to the limits stated [in the declarations],‖ the definition of ―loss‖ ―exclude[s] all
expense and costs,‖ and ―costs‖ includes ―interest on judgments, investigations,
adjustment and legal expenses (excluding, however, all expense for salaried employees
and retained counsel of and all office expense of the insured),‖204 we conclude that the
insurer is liable to the insured only for ―loss,‖ which unambiguously excludes defense
costs. Further, Lexington Policy No. CE5504779 is silent with respect to whether
payment of defense costs erodes policy limits. This ambiguity is to be resolved in favor
203
Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *29.
204
JA2906.
68
of the insured. Thus, where expenses or costs in connection with any claim or suit are
incurred jointly by mutual consent of the insurer205 and of the insured or underlying
insurer, defense costs incurred are paid in addition to policy limits. But where mutual
consent of the insurer and of the insured or underlying insurer has not been obtained,
Lexington Policy No. CE5504779 does not provide coverage for defense costs. The
Superior Court‘s conclusion that Lexington Policy No. CE5504779 covers defense costs
in addition to policy limits is reversed.
ix. Lexington Policy No. 5510143 Generally Excludes Defense Costs Except Upon
Consent
As to Lexington Policy No. 5510143, Warren argues that the Superior Court erred
particularly in holding that it provides for the payment of defense costs within limits,
because that policy, by endorsement, expressly follows form to another excess policy that
the Superior Court held does provide for the payment of defense costs in addition to the
policy limits. Warren contends that the specific policy to which the Lexington policy
follows form is London Policy No. UKL0340. The Excess Insurers argue that to the
extent Lexington Policy No. 5510143 follows form to London Policy No. UKL0340, it
provides no defense cost coverage.
The Superior Court did not address the issue of the policy to which Lexington
Policy No. 5510143 follows form.206 London Policy No. UKL0340 is a Group Four
205
Compare Stonewall, 73 F.3d at 1219 (―The consent provision does not require the insurer to
indemnify [the insured] for defense costs unless the parties mutually agree beforehand to this
arrangement.‖).
206
Unlike Lexington Policy No. CE5504779, there appears to be no dispute as to the policy to
which Lexington Policy No. 5510143 follows form. See Excess Insurers Ans. Br. 49 n.10.
69
policy that generally excludes defense costs except upon the written consent of the
insurer. Because Lexington Policy No. 5510143 follows form to London Policy No.
UKL0340 and otherwise protects against ―loss‖ while defining ―loss‖ to exclude all
expenses and costs, this Lexington policy excludes coverage for defense costs. In the
event that the insurer consents, however, the insurer must pay ―expenses incurred by the
[i]nsured with the approval of the [insurer].‖207 Lexington Policy No. 5510143 is silent
with respect to whether payment of defense costs erodes policy limits. This ambiguity is
to be resolved against the insurer, and the policy thus pays defense costs incurred by the
insured with the ―approval‖ of the insurer in addition to policy limits.
The Superior Court‘s conclusion that Lexington Policy No. 5510143 pays defense
costs within policy limits is reversed.
4. Conclusion
To summarize our holding concerning defense costs, we agree with the Superior
Court that Liberty has defense obligations under its umbrella policies in addition to
policy limits. We also agree with the Superior Court‘s conclusions that the Group One
and Group Two policies pay defense costs within policy limits. However, our reasoning
with respect to the Group One policies differs based on the language of the policy, and
we reclassify Lexington Policy No. CE5503312 within Group Four instead of Group
One. In addition, we agree that the International Policies pay defense costs in addition to
policy limits, although we conclude that such payments are contingent on consent. These
portions of the Superior Court‘s decision are affirmed.
207
JA3372.
70
We reverse in part the Superior Court‘s decision with respect to the Group Three
policies. Although we agree that the Group Three policies have a duty to pay defense
costs contingent on the insurer‘s consent, we conclude that such payments do not erode
policy limits. Additionally, we reclassify Lexington Policy No. 5510143 to Group Four
rather than Group Three.
Finally, the Superior Court‘s decisions with respect to the Group Four policies and
Lexington Policy Nos. CE5504779 and 5510143 are reversed.
D. The Superior Court Erred With Respect to the Trigger of Coverage
1. Contentions of the Parties
Warren contends that the Superior Court erred as a matter of law in paragraph 9 of
the Final Judgment, which states:
As to a person who ultimately develops lung cancer, mesothelioma or non-
malignant asbestos-related disease, bodily injury first occurs, for policy
purposes, upon cellular and molecular damage caused by asbestos
inhalation, and such cellular and molecular damage occurs during each and
every period of asbestos claimant‘s significant exposure to asbestos. The
duty to defend is based on the possibility of coverage, reflected in the
pleadings‘ allegations. The duty to indemnify derives from whether the
basis for Warren or Viking‘s liability to the injured claimant is actually
covered by the policy.208
Warren contends that this language suggests that the Excess Policies are triggered
not by injury during the policy period, but only by injury during the period of significant
exposure. Warren claims that this language fundamentally alters and eviscerates the
jury‘s verdict and effectively eliminates much of the coverage for Warren‘s claims.209
208
Final Judgment at JA1868.
209
Viking has taken no position with respect to Warren‘s filings on the trigger of coverage issue.
71
Warren claims that the Superior Court then compounded its error by denying
Warren‘s motion for clarification and refusing to amend the Judgment to provide that all
Excess Policies from the first significant exposure until diagnoses are triggered. The
Superior Court justified its denials on the grounds that (i) Warren‘s suggested language
would have been inconsistent with an ―injury-in-fact‖ trigger; and (ii) the trial had
focused solely on when injury first takes place—as opposed to how it proceeds. Warren
contends that both conclusions constitute reversible error.
The Excess Insurers contend that the jury was asked to decide only one aspect of
trigger, namely, whether initial cellular or molecular damage was ‗bodily injury‘ within
the meaning of the policies. The jury concluded it was. They contend that the jury did
not decide whether that or any other injury continued over multiple policy periods
because Warren and Viking elected not to submit that issue to the jury. The Excess
Insurers maintain that Warren and Viking instead elected to address the timing and
duration of injury post-trial and sought a ruling from the Superior Court that bodily injury
occurred at the time of significant exposure and continued uninterrupted through disease
diagnoses. The Superior Court agreed that bodily injury occurred at the time of
significant exposure but twice rejected Warren‘s request to find that bodily injury
continued through disease diagnoses. The Excess Insurers argue that the Superior
Court‘s finding is supported by the medical testimony at trial and was not an abuse of
discretion or clear error.
2. Standard of Review
72
The proper interpretation and construction of an insurance contract is subject to de
novo review.210 We will defer to the Superior Court‘s findings of fact ―if substantial
evidence supports them and they are not clearly wrong.‖211
3. Relevant Procedural Background
Throughout the pre-trial proceedings, Warren urged that bodily injury occurs upon
significant exposure to asbestos and continues thereafter. For example, at the September
12, 2012 Pre-Trial Conference, Warren‘s counsel stated that its medical expert would
opine that ―injury begins on the date of first exposure all the way up to [the] date of the
claim.‖212 Warren‘s proposed jury verdict form asked the jury to find that bodily injury
takes place at or soon after significant exposure and ―continues thereafter.‖213 The
Superior Court rejected this approach.
The Excess Insurers‘ position at trial was that bodily injury first occurred when the
first malignant cell was formed. However, the Excess Insurers did not offer their own
expert on the development of asbestos-related cancers, which represented the vast
majority of Warren‘s costs. Instead, they proffered Dr. David Weill, who testified as to
―the timing and mechanism of how nonmalignant disease [specifically, asbestosis] occurs
in the human lungs.‖214 Warren, meanwhile, maintained its position that bodily injury
first occurred upon the first significant exposure to asbestos. In support of this position,
Warren and Viking presented the testimony of Dr. Edward Gabrielson, who testified
210
See Phillips Home Builders, 700 A.2d at 129 (citation omitted).
211
Bay City, Inc. v. Williams, 2 A.3d 1060, 1061-62 (Del. 2010) (citations omitted).
212
JA1094 (Tr. 20:12-14).
213
WA579.
214
WA518 (Tr. 51:18-22).
73
concerning the progression of the disease, beginning with cellular changes at the time of
initial inhalation.215
At oral argument before this Court, the Excess Insurers acknowledged that, during
the trial phase, they had agreed that once bodily injury (consisting, in their view, of
formation of a malignant cell) commenced, it continued. Similarly, the plaintiffs‘
position at trial was that once bodily injury (consisting of significant exposure to
asbestos) occurred, it continued thereafter. Thus, although the opposing parties had
different starting points as to when bodily injury first occurred, both agreed that, as to
their respective starting point, the injury continued thereafter. The parties also accepted
on appeal that if a claimant had significant exposure, then there was bodily injury to
which the policies would have to respond.
The jury instructions were based upon the Excess Insurers‘ suggested language,
since the Superior Court had rejected the plaintiffs‘ version. These instructions told the
jury that, by resolving the question of when the first injury occurred, the jury would
resolve the trigger issue as a whole:
For an underlying claim to be covered, Plaintiffs must show by a
preponderance of the evidence that the claimant suffered “bodily injury”
during the policy period of an Excess Policy.
Specifically, you must decide whether, with respect to non-malignancy[,]
asbestos-related bodily injury first occurs:
1. upon cellular or molecular damage caused by asbestos inhalation; OR
2. when the inhalation of asbestos is sufficient to overwhelm the bodies‘
defense mechanisms and cause fibrosis; OR
215
WA390-391.
74
3. when the claimant‘s lung function is impaired.216
The jury instruction reflects the parties‘ understanding that a person who develops
an asbestos-related disease suffers an injury from the time the injury process begins until
the time the disease becomes manifest. The trial judge had made clear that only disputed
facts were to be put to the jury. The parties‘ Established Facts For Submission to Jury
did not include a stipulation that injury occurred after exposure through diagnosis.217
Warren contends that it did not include any medical experts‘ opinions or testimony on
their list of undisputed facts since it planned to have Dr. Gabrielson testify as to when the
bodily injury first took place.
Over plaintiffs‘ objections, the Superior Court used the Excess Insurers‘ draft jury
interrogatories as the template for the jury verdict form.218 Plaintiffs had proposed that
the jury be asked whether the plaintiffs proved that ―bodily injury takes place at or soon
after‖ significant exposure to asbestos and ―continues thereafter.‖219 In contrast, the
Excess Insurers‘ proposed verdict form required the jury to select from among five
choices an event constituting the ―first injury.‖220 No counsel, prior to the Superior
Court‘s October 31, 2013 ruling, suggested that any disputed fact would remain
unresolved under the verdict forms presented.221 Our review of the record reveals that the
216
JA1462 (emphasis added).
217
See JA1892-1929.
218
WA586-87.
219
WA136.
220
WA143-44.
221
In its October 31, 2013 decision on Plaintiffs‘ Motion for Final Judgment and Defendants‘
Renewed Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law, the Superior Court ruled that the jury‘s
acceptance of Plaintiffs‘ expert‘s view that injury first occurs after ―significant exposure‖ was
consistent with New York law. Viking Pump III, 2013 WL 7098824, at *17 (―As a matter of
75
Excess Insurers‘ proposed instructions then reflected their understanding that the
determination of what event ―first‖ constituted injury would resolve the trigger issue for
all Excess policies.
The jury resolved this question in the final verdict form by circling answer ―a‖ for
each of the two questions presented below:
11. With respect to a person who ultimately develops lung cancer or
mesothelioma as a result of inhalation of asbestos, did the Plaintiffs
prove that bodily injury first occurs (check one):
a. upon cellular and molecular damage caused by asbestos inhalation?
b. when the first cancer cell is created?
c. when the cancer impairs lung function?
12. With respect to a person who ultimately develops a non-malignant
asbestos-related disease as a result of inhalation of asbestos, did the
Plaintiffs prove that bodily injury first occurs (check one):
a. upon cellular and molecular damage caused by asbestos inhalation?
b. when inhalation of asbestos fibers is sufficient to overwhelm the
bodies‘ defense mechanisms and cause fibrosis?
c. when the claimant‘s lung function is impaired?222
New York law, therefore, New York accepts dates of substantial exposure as an ‗injury-in-fact‘
trigger.‖). Accordingly, it held that ―[a]s a matter of law and fact, the verdict stands as to injury-
in-fact.‖ Id. at *18. In its June 9, 2014 letter Order, the Superior Court reiterated that ―New
York accepts dates of substantial exposure as an injury-in-fact trigger.‖ Letter Order at 3, Viking
Pump, Inc. v. Century Indem. Co., No. N10C-06-141 FSS (Del. Super. June 9, 2014), available
at JA1876-79 [hereinafter ―Letter/Order at JA____‖]. The Excess Insurers, for purposes of this
appeal, accept that significant exposure to asbestos constitutes bodily injury under New York
law.
222
JA1482-83.
76
In an April 16, 2014 letter to the Superior Court, Warren addressed paragraph 9 of
the proposed final judgment order. Warren‘s proposed version of paragraph 9 was as
follows:
With respect to a person who ultimately develops lung cancer,
mesothelioma or non-malignant asbestos-related disease, bodily injury first
begins with cellular and molecular damage caused by asbestos inhalation,
and such cellular and molecular damage begins upon an asbestos claimant‘s
first significant exposure to asbestos.223
In a competing letter, the Excess Insurers favored the following language:
An Excess Policy is triggered when the underlying claimant suffered bodily
injury during the period of that policy. For purposes of trigger, bodily
injury first occurs upon cellular and molecular damage caused by
significant exposure to asbestos that is attributable to the insured seeking
coverage.224
Warren argued that the Excess Insurers‘ version did not comport with the jury‘s
conclusion that for ―claimants who develop an asbestos-related disease, bodily injury
begins upon inhalation at the first significant exposure to asbestos.‖225 Anticipating that
the Excess Insurers would contend that the ―ultimate asbestos-related disease did not
develop as part of a continuous process after [the] first significant exposure[,]‖226 Warren
offered two responses. First, the narrow issue identified by the parties with respect to the
trigger of coverage was limited to the definition of ―‗bodily injury‘ and when a given
claimant‘s asbestos-related injuries begin (or ‗first occur‘).‖227 Second, Warren argued
223
JA1803.
224
JA1844.
225
JA1805.
226
JA1805.
227
JA1805.
77
that there was never any dispute that ―every asbestos-related disease results from a long-
term, continuous, and uninterrupted process.‖228
The Excess Insurers objected to Warren‘s proposal for various reasons.229 First,
they argued that it suggested, contrary to the jury verdict and the evidence, that ―bodily
injury occurs after every inhalation of asbestos.‖230 Second, they maintained that ―the
trial addressed (as concerns trigger) when bodily injury occurs.‖231 Further, they claimed
that ―[p]laintiffs bore the burden of proving that bodily injury occurs within a particular
policy period, . . . [but] never sought a jury finding that bodily injury occurs continuously
from inhalation until disease diagnoses, or that this period coincides with any Excess
Policy[,]‖232 and the evidence at trial did not support such a finding. The Excess Insurers
argued that the plaintiffs were now seeking ―to end-run around their own decision not to
seek a ruling from the jury as a matter of scientific evidence and ask the Court to enter a
Final Order that bodily injury occurs continuously from the date of first exposure (a
‗continuous trigger‘).‖233 Finally, they pointed out that the Court of Chancery had
―explicitly distinguished New York‘s operative injury-in-fact trigger from the continuous
trigger theory [p]laintiffs now advance.‖234
228
JA1806.
229
JA1844-45. The Excess Insurers‘ April 16, 2014 letter objected to Warren‘s version for
additional reasons less relevant to this dispute, including that Warren‘s proposal raised ―for the
very first time a distinction between defense and indemnity obligations related to trigger.‖
JA1845.
230
JA1845.
231
JA1846.
232
JA1846.
233
JA1846.
234
JA1846.
78
On June 9, 2014, the Superior Court entered the Final Judgment Order After
Trial.235 In a letter order dated June 9, 2014, the Superior Court deemed both of the
parties‘ proposals ―unacceptable.‖236 Because ―[n]either proposal accurately or
completely encompasse[d] the rule of the case, and the law[,]‖ the Superior Court
―drafted its own provision.‖237 The Court explained:
The order‘s ―trigger‖ language must encompass three things: definition of
injury, timing of injury, and the distinction between the duties to defend
and indemnify. Viking II unequivocally held New York‘s ―injury-in-fact‖
standard applies. The jury then determined injury first occurs ―upon
cellular and molecular damage caused by asbestos inhalation.‖ The court
further clarified ―New York accepts dates of substantial exposure as an
‗injury-in-fact‘ trigger.‖ Therefore, in sum, under the policies, each
substantial exposure is deemed to have caused bodily injury, defined as
cellular and molecular damage.238
The Superior Court gave the parties leave to respond by filing a motion pursuant to
Superior Court Rule 59.
Plaintiffs filed a motion under Superior Court Rule 59. In a letter dated July 11,
2014, the trial court observed that ―[d]efendants‘ recent appeal is interlocutory‖ in view
of the pending motion, which it ―was preparing to deny . . . .‖239 It observed that ―the
trial focused almost exclusively on when bodily injury first occurs, rather than on the
illness‘s course.‖240 It stated further that although it ―would have acknowledged the
235
Final Judgment at JA1862-75.
236
Letter/Order at JA1877.
237
Letter/Order at JA1878.
238
Letter/Order at JA1878 (citations omitted).
239
Letter at 1, Viking Pump, Inc. v. Century Indem. Co., No. N10C-06-141 FSS (Del. Super.
July 11, 2014), available at JA1880-81 [hereinafter ―Letter at JA____‖].
240
Letter at JA1880. In their Answering Brief before this Court, the Excess Insurers describe
this as a ―comment‖ by the Superior Court and argue that although ―Warren elevates the
correctness of this comment to a ‗question presented,‘ the statement is not a ruling and does not
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similarity some courts see (and others do not), between injury-in-fact and continuous
trigger in asbestos cases, [it] was unwilling to equate the terms as a matter of law at this
late hour.‖241
In a Final Order dated August 14, 2014, the Superior Court denied Viking and
Warren‘s motions for costs and closed the case.242 It stated further that, ―[i]f the parties
file reargument again, the Prothonotary SHALL reject any filing.‖243
4. Discussion
The parties agreed during the course of the lengthy proceedings that, under New
York law, a policy is triggered if the claimant suffered some ―injury in fact‖ during the
policy period.244 The record supports Warren‘s contention that this case was presented to
the jury with the understanding that resolution of the issue of when bodily injury first
occurred was all that was necessary because the parties agreed that bodily injury would
continue until diagnoses.
Both sides‘ experts testified that a person who ultimately develops asbestosis has
undergone a continuous process from a person‘s first significant exposure to asbestos that
present an appealable issue.‖ Excess Insurers‘ Ans. Br. 36. Our review of the record suggests
that the Superior Court‘s observation was incorrect—which perhaps explains the Excess
Insurers‘ attempt to diminish its significance.
241
Letter at JA1880-81.
242
Final Order, Viking Pump, Inc. v. Century Indem. Co., No. N10C-06-141 FSS (Del. Super.
Aug. 14, 2014), available at JA1882-88 [hereinafter ―Final Order at JA____‖].
243
Final Order at JA1886 (emphasis in original).
244
See, e.g., Stonewall, 73 F.3d at 1194-96 (applying New York Law); Cont’l Cas. Co. v. Rapid-
Am. Corp., 177 A.D.2d 61, 65-66 (N.Y. 1992) (applying New York law); Am. Home Prods.
Corp. v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 748 F.2d 760, 764-66 (2d Cir. 1984) (applying New York law).
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continued until diagnosis.245 At trial, they differed only as to when bodily injury first
occurs.246 This dispute was resolved by the jury in Warren‘s favor, and the Excess
Insurers did not appeal that factual finding by the jury.247
Moreover, the Excess Insurers‘ position in this appeal is inconsistent with its prior
positions in that, previously, they contended that the claimants did not suffer injury until
each claimant suffered detectable bodily impairment—years after the excess policy
periods. On appeal, however, they contend that only those policies in place while the
claimant was actually exposed to asbestos are triggered. Graphically, Warren aptly
summarizes the Excess Insurers‘ inconsistent positions as follows:248
245
Dr. David Weill, for the Excess Insurers, testified regarding the disease process for non-
malignant lung disease, specifically asbestosis. WA518 (Tr. 51:17-22); WA546 (Tr. 79:15-16).
He agreed that the latency period for asbestosis is generally considered to be twenty years or
more from a person‘s first occupational exposure to asbestos through the time of clinical
diagnosis of the disease. WA527 (Tr. 60:5-10). He agreed that individuals who have been
diagnosed with clinical asbestosis have latent or subclinical phases of their disease before it
causes symptoms and can be clinically diagnosed. WA527 (Tr. 60:16-20). He also agreed that
every non-malignant asbestos-related disease, including asbestosis, begins with an inflammatory
response. WA561-62 (Tr. 94:23-95:7).
246
Dr. Weill agreed that asbestos fibers would likely cause some cellular injury in lung tissue at
the time of a claimant‘s first significant exposure to asbestos ―[a]s long as it overwhelms the
defense mechanisms.‖ WA533-34 (Tr. 66:23-67:5). He testified that ―damage to the lung
architecture itself, that requires the persistence and the overwhelming of the lung defense
mechanisms‖ and that ―the cellular changes that are occurring don‘t actually damage the lung
tissue until the defense mechanisms are overwhelmed.‖ WA534 (Tr. 66:11-17).
247
Indeed, for twenty-three years, Liberty, the umbrella insurer, indemnified the Houdaille
policies‘ insureds for asbestos claims under each of its policies from the claimants‘ first injuries
until 1986.
248
Warren Supp. Br. on Trigger Issues 7. Thus, the Excess Insurers seek to convert the jury‘s
finding that bodily injury first occurs upon a claimant‘s significant exposure to asbestos into a
finding that bodily injury only occurred during a claimant‘s significant exposure to asbestos.
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We agree with Warren that the Superior Court‘s application of an ―exposure‖
trigger is inconsistent with New York law. We also reject the Excess Insurers‘
contention that Warren is essentially seeking a ―continuous trigger‖ as opposed to New
York‘s operative injury-in-fact trigger.249 Plaintiffs did not rely on a presumption that
asbestos-related injuries take place from exposure through manifestation. Rather, they
presented to the jury expert medical testimony that the cellular and molecular damage
that leads to asbestos-related disease is a continuous process that is triggered after there is
an injury-in-fact, i.e., the claimant‘s first significant exposure to asbestos. The parties
acknowledged at oral argument before this Court that every asbestos claim involves a
249
See, e.g., Stonewall, 73 F.3d at 1195 (applying New York law) (explaining that ―triggering by
successive injuries, proven to have occurred,‖ is not the same as a continuous trigger).
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claimant who ultimately developed an asbestos-related disease. Both sides
acknowledged that asbestos-related diseases result from gradual and continuous injurious
processes. Accordingly, we conclude that the Superior Court erred, and paragraph 9
should be revised to read:
As to a person who ultimately develops lung cancer, mesothelioma, or non-
malignant asbestos-related disease, bodily injury first occurs, for policy
purposes, upon cellular and molecular damage caused by asbestos
inhalation, and such cellular and molecular damage occurs during each and
every period of an asbestos claimant‘s significant exposure to asbestos and
continues thereafter. The duty to defend is based on the possibility of
coverage, reflected in the pleadings‘ allegations. The duty to indemnify
derives from whether the basis for Warren or Viking‘s liability to the
injured claimant is actually covered by the policy.
III. CONCLUSION
With respect to the issues identified in the parties‘ Joint Stipulation, we conclude
as follows:
(i) The Court of Chancery correctly held that there were valid assignments of
insurance rights to Warren and Viking under the Excess Policies.
(ii) The Superior Court correctly held that the 1980-1985 Liberty Primary
Policies are exhausted.
(iii) The Superior Court is affirmed in part and reversed in part with respect to
its determination of the Excess Policies‘ coverage for defense costs.
(iv) The Superior Court erred with respect to the trigger of coverage under the
Excess Policies.
83