Liberty Mutual Asks Court to Tap Umpire in Equitas Arbitration

BOSTON - Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. is urging a Massachusetts federal judge to appoint an umpire in its dispute with Equitas Insurance Co. over the reimbursement of defense costs incurred in an underlying coverage action. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., et al. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, et al., No. 1:10-cv-10623-NG (D. Mass.).

In the April 14 petition filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Liberty Mutual said it seeking sums it paid to defend itself in a 2006 bad faith action brought by The Scotts Co.

According to the petition, Equitas reinsured Liberty Mutual under certain …