State Insurance Law News

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that the maritime character of an insurance policy is determined by examining the entire policy, not just the portion involved in a dispute. In the instant case, a ship tank cleaning business (through its corporate parent) purchased insurance from defendant insurer’s predecessor in interest. The insurance contract contained a Shiprepairers Legal Liability (SLL) policy coupled with a modified Comprehensive General Liability (CGL) policy. The CGL policy was basically similar to one that might be issued to a shoreside business, but contained a number of maritime modifications. A subcontractor’s employee was injured while cleaning the oil tank of a barge moored in New York Harbor and brought suit against the insured.