Premises Defendant Says Insurer is Wrongfully Withholding Indemnification

NEW YORK - An asbestos defendant has filed a breach of contract action against its primary insurer, claiming that while the company has acknowledged coverage, it has refused to reimburse all defense costs. Conopco Inc. v. American Motorists Insurance Co., No. 07-2321 (S.D.N.Y.).

In a March 20 complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Conopco Inc. asserts that American Motorists Insurance Co. (AMICO) currently owes Conopco more than $5 million in counsel fees and costs related to several underlying asbestos premises liability lawsuits in which Conopco is a named defendant.

Plaintiffs in the …