Insurer's Duty to Settle for Policy Limits When Defending Non-Covered Claims Under Reservation of Rights

Counsel face significant risk when deciding whether to settle ostensibly uncovered claims for policy limits and the insurer is defending under a reservation of rights. Settling may moot the coverage defenses. Failing to settle a potentially uncovered claim can lead to liability for an excess verdict.

When a plaintiff offers to settle an uncovered claim for policy limits, counsel should carefully evaluate potentially implicated coverage issues, and whether to seek a declaratory judgment on coverage as well as the consequences of not doing so.

Suppose an insurer opts for conditional settlement, subject to a later coverage determination. In that case, insurance carriers may still face allegations of bad faith failure to settle and structure all aspects to defeat such claims.

Listen as this experienced panel of insurance practitioners outlines best strategies for dealing with settlement demands for ostensibly uncovered claims.

1. How the issue arises
2. Insurer's traditional options
3. Insights from recent cases

The panel will address critical issues, including:

• Whether the duty to defend includes an absolute duty to settle if an offer falls within the policy limits--even where the insurer has filed a declaratory judgment action disputing coverage
• Is there a greater duty to defend in the third-party context?
• What is the effect of a repayment clause in the underlying policy?
• How can the insurer avoid liability and avoid a claim of bad faith?
• Must an insurer accept all offers below the policy limits, regardless of circumstances?