Liberty Mutual Sues to End Coverage of KB Home-HardiePlank Siding Suit

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Co. has filed a lawsuit in Virginia, asking a federal judge to end its obligation to defend homebuilder KB Home against claims related to water intrusion damage caused by the installation of HardiePlank siding.

The complaint, filed June 14 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, says that Liberty Mutual has fully discharged its obligation to pay defense costs on KB Home’s behalf and is no longer required to defend the company pursuant to a settlement reached in a related case.

Liberty Mutual issued commercial general liability policies to …