The First Circuit recently held that an insured was not entitled to coverage under a Professional Liability claims made and reported policy where the claim is not both made against the insured and reported to the insurer within the policy period. 
Read More First Circuit: No Coverage Under Claims Made and Reported Policy If Insured Fails to Report Claim within Policy Period

This updates our January 28, 2009 posting.  Earlier this year, American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (“American Equity”), together with a coalition of insurance companies and independent marketing organizations, filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (the “Court”) seeking to overturn Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Rule 151A which classified certain indexed annuities, previously regulated as insurance, as securities, thus subjecting them to federal, rather than state, regulation. 


Read More D.C. Circuit Remands Rule 151A Back to the SEC

Earlier this month, the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court decision granting summary judgment to a professional liability insurer where it provided a defense in a state court action but denied coverage in a subsequent related arbitration. 


Read More Sixth Circuit: Insurer That Defended Insured in State Court Action Need Not Defend Insured in Subsequent Related Arbitration; Wording of Arbitration Claim Precludes Coverage

The UK Financial Services Authority published Policy Statement PS09/13 on 24 July 2009 confirming that proprietary life insurance companies will no longer be able to use their with-profit funds to meet future compensation and redress payments. 
Read More UK: Financial Services Authority Announces Changes to With-Profits Rules

In a short letter-to-counsel opinion, Vice Chancellor John Noble of the Delaware Chancery Court held that a prior order granting advancement to two officers and directors can be modified based on changes in factual circumstances. 
Read More Delaware Court: Right to Advancement of Defense Costs for Defamation Suit can be Modified Based on Changes in Factual Circumstances

In Dornoch Ltd & Ors v Westminster International & Ors [2009] EWHC 1782 (Admiralty) Mr Justice Tomlinson held that the sale by Westminster International (Westminster) of the wreck of a vessel, the Fariway for the sum of 1000 Euros to a related company was a transaction at an undervalue under s423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (which, in basic terms, provides that certain disposals made to connected persons for a value less than a fair value may be set aside by the court). 


Read More UK: High Court Rules Insured’s Sale of a Wrecked Vessel was a Transaction at an Undervalue Under s423 Insolvency Act 1986

The UK’s tax authority, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), has introduced new regulations relating to technical provisions made by general insurers, including members underwriting general insurance business at Lloyd’s. 


Read More UK: New Regulations Relating to Calculation of General Insurance Technical Provisions for Tax Purposes

The New York State Insurance Department (the “Department”) recently issued Circular Letter No. 11 to remind licensees of their obligations to comply with three federal laws: (i) the Bank Secrecy Act set forth in 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 (“BSA”); (ii) the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act set forth in 15 U.S.C. § 78dd-1-78dd-3 (“FCPA”); and (iii) requirements issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control set forth in 31 U.S.C. § 313(a)(6)(c) (“OFAC”, collectively with BSA and FCPA, the “Federal Laws”). 


Read More New York State Insurance Department Reminds Licensees of Compliance Obligations under Federal Laws

On 22 July 2009 three HSBC companies: HSBC Life UK Ltd; HSBC Actuaries and Consultants Ltd; and HSBC Insurance Brokers Ltd, were fined £1.6m, £875,000, and £700,000 respectively by the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA). The fines are in response to those companies failing to have in place adequate systems and controls to protect customers’ confidential information from being lost or stolen. 
Read More UK: Financial Services Authority Punishes Failure to Protect Confidential Customer Information with Hefty Fines

In Washington, DC, two new laws were enacted this month that will impact insurance coverage eligibility in same-sex marriages performed out-of-state.  The Jury and Marriage Amendment Act of 2009, effective July 6, 2009, provides that “marriages legally entered into in another jurisdiction between two persons of the same sex shall be recognized as a marriage in the District.” 


Read More New District of Columbia Laws to Impact Insurance Coverage Eligibility for Same-Sex Marriages Performed Out of State