G-I Holdings, Inc. purchased directors & officers liability coverage from Reliance Insurance Company, covering claims made from 1999 – 2002. Due to Reliance’s putatively impending insolvency at that time, it reached an agreement with Hartford Fire Insurance Company, whereby Hartford agree to take over some of Reliance’s claims administration, and agreed to reinsure obligations under Reliance policies for claims made after July 15, 2000. Reliance remained responsible for covering claims made under its policies prior to July 15, 2000. Thereafter, Reliance became insolvent and went into liquidation. G-I Holdings asserted a claim for coverage for three fraudulent conveyance suits against its CEO and Chairman. The first suit was brought during the Reliance coverage period, and the other two were brought during the period covered by Hartford. However, Hartford declined coverage, and the parties litigated, based on the question of whether the two later suits related back to the Reliance coverage period. The district court agreed with Hartford, finding that all three suits were Reliance’s responsibility. The Third Circuit affirmed. G-I Holdings, Inc. v. Reliance Ins. Co., No. 07-2510 (3d Cir. Oct. 26, 2009)
This post written by John Pitblado.