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A FORUM SELECTION CLAUSE IN AN INSURANCE POLICY WHICH VIOLATES NEW YORK LAW IS NOT ENFORCEABLE (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Miller, determined that the forum selection clause in an insurance policy which violates New York law is not enforceable. The opinion is comprehensive and discusses several substantive civil procedure, contract law, corporation law, insurance law, workers’ compensation law and public policy issues which cannot fairly be summarized here:

This action is just one of many such actions commenced across the country alleging that the defendant Applied Underwriters, Inc. (hereinafter Applied Underwriters), and affiliated entities, all subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., deceptively circumvented state laws and regulations in the marketing and sale of an unlawful workers’ compensation insurance program. Here, the defendants seek to enforce a forum selection clause, in favor of Nebraska, contained in an insurance policy that New York State regulators have found violates New York law. While parties are generally free to select a forum in which to resolve their contractual disputes, here, where it is alleged by the plaintiff, and found by New York State regulators, that New York law has been violated, a foreign corporation may not profit from such violation to the detriment of New York employers and workers. The forum selection clause contained in an illegal insurance policy is not enforceable. As a matter of public policy, New York companies shall not be compelled to litigate in Nebraska to vindicate their rights. Air-Sea Packing Group, Inc. v Applied Underwriters, Inc., 2024 NY Slip Op 02032, Second Dept 4-17-24

Practice Point: A forum selection clause (designating Nebraska as the forum) in an insurance policy which violates New York law is not enforceable.

 

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