In a recent decision in Geist v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., No. 21-3315, 2022 WL 4543231 (Sept. 29, 2022), the Third Circuit Court of Appeals considered the question of whether an insurer that previously secured a written request for lower uninsured/underinsured...
Waiving Goodbye to Benefits
On August 4, 2022, in Koch v. Progressive, 2022 PA Super 131 (Aug. 4, 2022), the Pennsylvania Superior Court upheld the continuing validity of underinsured motorist (“UIM”) rejection waivers pursuant to 75 Pa. C.S. § 1731 despite subsequent policy changes and...
New Jersey’s Bad Faith Sword of Damocles
On January 18, 2022, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law the New Jersey Insurance Fair Conduct Act (the “Act”), providing a new cause of action for uninsured and underinsured motorist benefits claimants. Under the “New Jersey Insurance Fair Conduct Act,”...
Superior Court Upholds Household Exclusion While Limiting Gallagher v. GEICO
Since the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in Gallagher v. GEICO Indem. Co., 201. A.3d 131 (2019), voluminous litigations ensued between the Plaintiffs’ and Defense bar regarding whether a “household exclusion” contained in Pennsylvania auto insurance policies...
Stacking of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Benefits in Pennsylvania: To Be, Or Not To Be?
On April 5, 2021, House Bill No. 1083 was introduced in the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, which seeks to amend significant portions of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (MVFRL) related to uninsured/underinsured (“UM/UIM”) motorist...
Conflicting Rulings On Coverage for COVID-19 Business Losses in Pennsylvania
The COVID-19 pandemic forced numerous businesses in Pennsylvania to limit their hours or shut down entirely, resulting in substantial business income losses. These losses triggered a wave of litigation on behalf of business owners seeking recoupment of lost income...
Court Rejects Attempt to Expand Class of Claimants Eligible for “Stacked” UM/UIM Benefits
Last year, the Superior Court rejected an attempt by a Plaintiff to expand the class of claimants eligible to “stack” UM/UIM benefits under an auto insurance policy pursuant to 75 Pa. C.S.A. §§ 1738. In Grix v. Progressive Specialty Ins. Co., No. 312 MDA 2019, 2020 WL...
Back to the Future?
Recently, in Spencer v. Johnson, 2021 PA Super 48 (Mar. 18, 2021), the Pennsylvania Superior Court altered the legal landscape of tort law in limiting the reach of Pennsylvania's Fair Share Act. A two-judge panel held an employee and employer jointly and severally...
NJ is Going Back to Court Virtually—Is Your Witness Ready?
In the Pre-trial Conference, you will discuss the restrictions on the witnesses. In some districts virtual backgrounds are not allowed. The witness may be required to demonstrate that they are in a private location by turning the camera a full 360°. The witness will...