Insurance - The Indiana Lawyer

Jones: The ‘torrent’ that wasn’t: COVID-19 coverage cases

February 17, 2021

It’s been a little over a year since I first heard the term “COVID-19.” Back then, like many others, I thought Indiana would see a large number of suits attempting to force insurers to cover the myriad losses that resulted from the pandemic and its associated shutdowns. While there were some significant matters filed last year, to date, no Indiana state or federal case regarding COVID-19 insurance coverage has reached a decision on the merits.

Wagner: Policy endorsements may unlock COVID-19 coverage

February 17, 2021 | Bill Wagner

When restaurants forced to close due to COVID-19 turned to their insurers to offset their losses because they were unable to use their property as intended, many of us thought the prospects for coverage were good, especially under policies that did not have virus exclusions. But the insurance industry response was fierce.

Appellate court rules for insurer in coverage dispute

February 16, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Summary judgment has been upheld for an insurer who denied coverage on the basis of an invalid lease, even though the insurer had partially granted coverage when the claim was originally filed.

7th Circuit certifies 2 med-mal questions to Indiana Supreme Court

February 3, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

The 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals has certified two questions to Indiana’s Supreme Court justices in a Wednesday opinion, asking for clarification in a Medical Malpractice Act dispute.

Anthem paying $594M to settle antitrust litigation, but deal terms might fuel growth

February 1, 2021 | Greg Andrews, Indianapolis Business Journal and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

Some investment analysts and health care observers say changes to Blue Cross Blue Shield rules that are stipulated in a half-billion-dollar settlement are so favorable to Indianapolis-based Anthem’s growth prospects that they view the deal as a huge win for the company.

COA affirms for general contractor in Lake County traffic construction dispute

January 28, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

A panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed judgment for a construction company against its subcontractor after a negligence suit was brought against it following an accident that took place in a Lake County traffic pattern the companies were working on.

New Biden health care orders begin to unspool Trump policies

January 28, 2021 | Associated Press

President Joe Biden will act Thursday to get more people health insurance in the middle of the raging coronavirus pandemic, a down payment on his pledge to push the U.S. toward coverage for all.

7th Circuit extinguishes fraudster-arsonist’s appeal

January 25, 2021 | Olivia Covington

A convicted insurance fraudster whose M.O. was arson has lost his appeal of his mail fraud convictions, with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rejecting his argument that evidence of arson was improperly admitted at his fraud trial.

Groth: Insurance strategies for transportation companies

January 20, 2021

Steve Groth offers some suggestions that might help transportation companies lower their overall risk management costs.

Five from Indianapolis area sentenced to federal prison in $8.4M fraud scheme

January 18, 2021 | Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

A Zionsville business owner and four others from the Indianapolis area have been sentenced to federal prison for participating in an $8.4 million fraud and money-laundering scheme, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.

Conseco settles life insurance class action for $27M

January 15, 2021 | Dave Stafford

A nationwide class action against an Indiana insurer that alleged more than 3,600 policyholders were overcharged for premiums has been resolved through a $27 million settlement, plaintiffs’ attorneys said Friday. The settlement provides that each class member will receive at least $500, but most will receive $1,000 or more.

Congress seals agreement on $900 billion COVID relief bill

December 21, 2020 | Associated Press

Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on a $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them.

DTCI: Justin K. Curtis: Assignment of Claims for Recoverable Depreciation

December 9, 2020 | From DTCI

Many states have not addressed the situation where a policyholder attempts to assign rights and benefits that the policyholder is not yet entitled to — either because they have yet to satisfy certain conditions under the policy or because the claim has not been reduced to a fixed and certain amount (“contingent benefits”).

COA affirms for property opener who canceled storm repair contract

November 18, 2020 | Katie Stancombe

The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed in an interlocutory appeal a Boone County property owner’s cancelation of an agreement with a contractor, finding that his cancelation was timely under the replacement cure contract.

High court seems likely to leave to health care law in place

November 10, 2020 | Associated Press

The Supreme Court seemed likely Tuesday to leave in place the bulk of the Affordable Care Act, including key protections for pre-existing health conditions and subsidized insurance premiums that affect tens of millions of Americans.

Biden defends health care law as high court mulls its fate

November 10, 2020 | Associated Press and IL Staff

President-elect Joe Biden is championing the Obama administration’s signature health law as it goes before the Supreme Court in a case that could overturn it.

Justices to hear oil company’s appeal of denied insurance ransomware claim

November 2, 2020 | IL Staff

The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to hear an oil company’s appeal of a ruling against its claim for insurance coverage after it paid a ransom to hackers to regain control of its computer systems.

Top political analyst changes outlook for 5th District race to ‘tilt Democrat’

October 30, 2020 | Lindsey Erdody, Indianapolis Business Journal

A major political analyst has changed the outlook for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District from toss-up to “tilt Democrat.” Inside Elections made the rating change this week for the tight race between Republican state Sen. Victoria Spartz and former Democratic state lawmaker Christina Hale.

Indiana receives 10-year extension of Healthy Indiana Plan

October 27, 2020 | Associated Press

The state of Indiana has received federal approval to continue for 10 more years its Healthy Indiana Plan medical savings account that enrolls more than 572,000 low-income adult Hoosiers.

COA reverses, remands for retrial on damages in car crash dispute

October 16, 2020 | Katie Stancombe

The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed and remanded for retrial on the issue of damages in a negligence case brought by a Lake County woman who suffered a concussion stemming from a car crash.

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