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If the Accident Was Staged by the Insured, the Insurer Would Not Be Required to Cover a Party Injured In the Collision, Even If that Party Was Not Involved in the Staging

Reversing Supreme Court, the Second Department determined that the insurer could disclaim coverage if the accident was staged by the insured (Robinson), even with respect to a party not shown to have been involved in the staging (Pontoon).  Here Robinson's vehicle side-swiped the vehicle in which Pontoon was a passenger:

Robinson's vehicle was covered under an automobile liability insurance policy issued by the proposed additional respondent Government Indemnity Company (hereinafter GEICO). Pontoon sought coverage for the incident from GEICO. GEICO disclaimed coverage on the ground, inter alia, that the collision was staged, and thus resulted from an intentional act. Pontoon then sought arbitration under the uninsured motorist provision of Nelson's policy, which was issued by Nationwide General Insurance Company (hereinafter Nationwide). Nationwide initiated this proceeding under CPLR article 75 seeking to permanently stay the arbitration on the ground that GEICO was required to provide coverage for Pontoon's injuries, and thus Robinson was not “uninsured.” * * *

The referee incorrectly concluded that GEICO was required to submit evidence that Pontoon was involved in staging the collision in order to support a disclaimer of coverage. Contrary to the referee's conclusion, if GEICO can prove that the collision was staged by Robinson, its insured, it would not be obligated to provide coverage under the policy regardless of whether Pontoon was an innocent third party … . Nationwide Gen Ins v Pontoon, 2014 NY Slip OP 09001, 2nd Dept 12-24-14

 

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