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Apache Corporation: Fifth Circuit holds that Commercial Crime Policy’s Computer Fraud Coverage does not extend to Social Engineering Fraud Loss

On October 18, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit released its opinion in Apache Corporation v. Great American Insurance Company.  This is one of the first appellate decisions to consider coverage for a social engineering fraud loss under “traditional” commercial crime policy wording since the widespread introduction of social engineering fraud endorsements.  … Continued

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Tesoro Refining: Fifth Circuit analyzes scope of “Unlawful Taking” and “Forgery” in Commercial Crime Policy’s Employee Theft Coverage

In our April 14, 2015 post, we analyzed the decision of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in Tesoro Refining & Marketing Company LLC v. National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and its implications for what constitutes “unlawful taking” for the purposes of the Employee Theft coverage.  The Fifth Circuit Court of … Continued

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Pestmaster: Ninth Circuit affirms Fidelity Insurer’s Intent on Scope of Computer Fraud and Funds Transfer Fraud Coverages

In our January 6, 2015 post, we analyzed the decision of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Pestmaster Services, Inc. v. Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America and its implications for the interpretation of the Computer Fraud and Funds Transfer Fraud coverages.  On July 29, 2016, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals … Continued

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Aqua Star: U.S. District Court applies “Authorized Entry” Exclusion to claim under Computer Fraud Coverage

On July 8, 2016, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington released its decision in Aqua Star (USA) Corp. v. Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America.  The decision offers guidance to fidelity insurers with respect to the application of the “authorized entry” exclusion found in the base wording of many commercial crime … Continued

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Telamon: U.S. District Court finds Insured’s Vice-President to be Independent Contractor falling outside Crime Policy’s Employee Theft Coverage

In Telamon Corp. v. Charter Oak Fire Ins. Co., the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana held that a Vice-President of Major Accounts who provided management and marketing services to a telecommunications company was not an “Employee” within the meaning of the employee theft coverage afforded by its Travelers Wrap+ policy, but rather … Continued

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Western Alliance Bank: U.S. District Court dismisses Creditor Bank’s Claim under Debtor’s Commercial Crime Policy

On February 18, 2016, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California released its decision in Western Alliance Bank v. National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa.  The Court dismissed a creditor bank’s direct action against a fidelity insurer for indemnity in respect of alleged thefts by the debtor insured’s employees of assets over … Continued

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EMCOR Group: Fourth Circuit applies Prior Insurance Provision to Restrict Coverage under Commercial Crime Policy

In EMCOR Group, Inc. v. Great American Insurance Company, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals applied a prior insurance provision in a Commercial Crime Policy to restrict coverage to only the immediate prior year that the insured maintained fidelity coverage, rather than the previous five years, as asserted by the insured.  The decision highlights the importance … Continued

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St. Paul Croatian: U.S. District Court applies Termination Provision to Claim on Credit Union’s Fidelity Bond

On January 14, 2016, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio released its decision in National Credit Union Administration Board v. CUMIS Insurance Society, Inc., following a trial that focused on the issue of the application of the termination provision in a fidelity bond issued to a credit union.  The Court held that, … Continued

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