Reinsurance Focus

New reinsurance-related and arbitration developments from Carlton Fields

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Week's Best Posts

COURT FINDS UNJUST ENRICHMENT CLAIM INAPPROPRIATE IN REINSURANCE CLAIM BREACH OF CONTRACT LAWSUIT

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A federal district court dismissed Lexington Insurance Company’s unjust enrichment claim against reinsurer Tokio Marine, holding that the parties’ dispute was governed by their reinsurance contract. Lexington had issued two layers of excess property coverage to the Port Authority, which owned the World Trade Center. Tokio Marine reinsured 100% of the risk. Tenants of the World Trade Center successfully argued to a jury that the September 11, 2001 attacks constituted two separate occurrences and the judgment was affirmed by the Second Circuit. Lexington paid its policy limits for one occurrence and was fully reimbursed by Tokio Marine. After engaging in coverage litigation over whether the Port Authority could recover for a second occurrence, Lexington and the primary carrier, American Home, settled with the Port Authority for a second payment. Lexington sued Tokio Marine after it rejected Lexington’s claim as to the second payment, arguing that the primary carrier should have paid a larger share. The court held that Lexington’s dispute was governed by the parties’ reinsurance agreement and not properly brought as an unjust enrichment claim. The breach of contract claim is still pending. Lexington Ins. Co. v. Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Ins. Co., Case No. 11-391 (USDC S.D.N.Y. Sept. 7, 2011).

This post written by Ben Seessel.

SPECIAL FOCUS: PROMPT NOTICE IN REINSURANCE CLAIMS

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Did you know that the notice/prejudice rules vary from state to state, and may be different for direct insurance and reinsurance claims? These rules may lead to unexpected burdens of proof and unexpected results. Special Focus Editor John Pitblado sorts out the rules in this area in a Special Focus article that recently appeared in Mealey’s Reinsurance titled: Pride and Prejudice: Prompt Notice in Reinsurance Claims.

This post written by John Pitblado.

ORDER VACATING CONFIRMATION OF ARBITRATION AWARD FOR LACK OF JURISDICTION AFFIRMED WHERE DEFENDANT DID NOT APPEAR IN CASE

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On December 15, 2010, we reported on Aurum Asset Managers, LLC v. Banco de Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, in which a court vacated its prior confirmation of an arbitration award in favor of Aurum upon independently finding that subject matter jurisdiction was lacking over the case. The appellate court has now affirmed that decision, rejecting the argument that the award could be overturned only if it constituted a “clear usurpation of power.” The court explained that the “clear usurpation” legal standard applies only when jurisdiction has been litigated “such that re-litigation of the issue is barred by principles of res judicata.” Here, the defendant had elected to ignore the judicial proceedings. The lower court did not err by conducting its own jurisdictional analysis, finding that jurisdiction did not exist, and vacating the arbitration award. Aurum Asset Managers, LLC v. Bradesco Companhia de Seguros, No. 10-4281 (3d Cir. Aug. 15, 2011).

This post written by Michael Wolgin.

NINTH CIRCUIT: ENGLISH ARBITRATION LAW DOES NOT APPLY, AND DISPUTE NOT ARBITRABLE UNDER FEDERAL LAW

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Titan Maritime appealed a district court’s decision denying its motion to compel arbitration in an action filed by Cape Flattery Limited for gross negligence in the salvage of a vessel owned by Cape Flattery. Titan argued that the district court erred in refusing to apply English arbitrability law and that, even under federal arbitrability law, the dispute should go to arbitration. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal affirmed the district court’s denial of the motion to compel arbitration, noting specifically that under the Supreme Court’s reasoning in First Options of Chicago, Inc. v. Kaplan, 514 U.S. 938 (1995), non-federal arbitrability law should apply only if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the parties intended to apply such non-federal law. Accordingly, the Ninth Circuit held that federal arbitrability law did apply and that under federal law, the dispute was not arbitrable. Cape Flattery Limited v. Titan Maritime, LLC, No. 09-15682 (9th Cir. July 26, 2011).

This post written by John Black.

COURT RULES FOR REINSURER IN ASBESTOS COVERAGE DISPUTE

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OneBeacon sued Commercial Union of Canada, based on its contention that Commercial Union agreed to reinsure successive renewals of a primary policy issued by OneBeacon to Harrisons & Crossfield (America) Inc. and affiliates. Harrisons faced lawsuits for asbestos-based personal injury claims. One of the OneBeacon primary policies at issue was renewed for three successive one-year terms in 1980, 1981, and 1982. Commercial Union issued a Facultative Certificate covering the policy period from March 28, 1980 through April 1, 1981. OneBeacon took the position that the parties intended for the reinsurance cover to be renewed as well. The court disagreed, finding as a matter of law that the Facultative Certificate was unambiguous, covered only the single year described in the contract, and that OneBeacon had not demonstrated with competent evidence any intent on the part of Commercial Union to extend the reinsurance cover beyond its stated term. The Court granted both parties’ motions to strike certain evidence (including a so-called “sham affidavit” proferred by OneBeacon that contradicted sworn testimony), denied OneBeacon’s motion for summary judgment, and granted Commercial Union’s motion for summary judgment. OneBeacon America Insurance Co. v. Commercial Union Assurance Co. of Canada, Case No. 10-10164 (USDC D. Mass. Aug. 18, 2011).

This post written by John Pitblado.