New York Insurance Law
New York Insurance Lawyer Attorney Profiles Practice Areas Articles
News & Events Verdicts and Settlements Decisions Of Interests Contact Us
Appellate Division affirms decision allowing plaintiffs to pursue punitive damage claims against various contractor defendants. Click here to read the Court's decision in 11 Essex v. Tower Insurance Company et al.

Court compels Subcontractor's Carrier to Defend Contractor. Issue of whether subcontractor's activities took place while working at job site is an issue yet to be decided but is not a basis to deny defense coverage to contractor. Click here to read the Court's decision.

Southern District Court holds that a carrier cannot compel an insured to submit to an appraisal when coverage issues still must be resolved. Read the attached decision.


See other Weg and Myers News by clicking on our News & Events Tab.
Click here to be automatically connected to our office
Federal Plaza 52 Duane Street, New York, NY 10007

Copr. © West 2000 No Claim to Orig. U.S. Govt. Works

657 N.Y.S.2d 359 (Mem)
(Cite as: 238 A.D.2d 387, 657 N.Y.S.2d 359)

Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York.

Irene LONGOBARDI, Respondent?Appellant,
v.
NEW YORK MERCHANT BAKERS MUTUAL
FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY,
Appellant-Respondent.

April 14, 1997.

Kroll & Tract, New York City (Maureen Rothschild DiTata, of counsel), for appellant?respondent.

Weg and Myers, P.C., New York City (Dennis T. D'Antonio and William H. Parash, of counsel), for respondent?appellant.

*387 In an action to recover insurance proceeds pursuant to a commercial lines insurance policy, (1) the defendant appeals from so much of an order of the Supreme Court, Kings County (I. Aronin, J.), dated March 22, 1996, as denied that branch of its motion which was for summary judgment dismissing the complaint, and (2) the plaintiff cross?appeals from so much of the same order as granted that branch of the defendant's motion which was to amend its answer to include the affirmative defense of material misrepresentation.

*388 ORDERED that the order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.

The plaintiff's motion papers raised triable issues of fact as to whether the defendant sent its notice of cancellation to the plaintiff's "authorized agent" as required by Insurance Law § 3426(c) (see, Kamyr, Inc. v. St. Paul Surplus Lines Ins., 152 A.D.2d 62, 547 N.Y.S.2d 964; D & L Dept. Stores v. J.A.M. Assocs., 180 A.D.2d 422, 580 N.Y.S.2d 862). **360 Additionally, the plaintiff has raised triable issues of fact as to whether the false reference in her application that her building was equipped with a so?called "ansul system" constituted grounds for cancelling the insurance policy under Insurance Law § 3426. Finally, the Supreme Court properly permitted the defendant to amend its answer to include the affirmative defense of material misrepresentation. At trial it will be determined whether the defendant waived its right to assert such a defense (see, Truscelli v. Fireman's Fund Ins. Cos., 137 A.D.2d 806, 525 N.Y.S.2d 269; Powers Chemco v. Federal Ins. Co., 122 A.D.2d 203, 204, 504 N.Y.S.2d 738).

MILLER, J.P., and SULLIVAN, SANTUCCI and JOY, JJ., concur.


The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

Address: Federal Plaza 2nd Floor 52 Duane Street New York, NY 10007 Phone: (212) 227-4210