Insured Settles for Less from Insurers, and Excess Coverage Still Must Indemnify: “Ultimate Net Loss Liability” Could Apply to Settlement Amounts with Lower Level Insurers

On Friday, August 29, 2014, the Eleventh Court of Appeals in Texas reversed the trial court’s summary judgment order finding that an excess insurance policy was triggered though the underlying policies had not exhausted their full coverage limit.

Plantation Pipe Line Co. operates pipelines transporting petroleum throughout the southern and eastern United States.   In 1990, a leak was found in North Carolina, and Plantation was required to remediate the site. Plantation spent almost $12 million to clean and restore the area. Plantation sought defense and …

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