New York Law Governs EMLICO Coverage Dispute, Judge Rules

BOSTON - New York law should govern a dispute between General Electric and a reinsurer involving coverage for environmental cleanup claims, a Massachusetts state judge has ruled. General Electric Co. v. David E.W. Lines, No. 06-3106 (Mass Super., Suffolk Cty.).

Judge Ralph D. Gants of the Suffolk County Superior Court determined that as the domicile state of the policyholder, New York has the most significant relationship to the insured risk.

Between 1959 and 1967, Electric Mutual Liability Insurance Company, Ltd. (EMLICO) issued various comprehensive general liability policies to General Electric Co. EMLICO was a Massachusetts mutual insurer, controlled and primarily …