Any insurance agents here?

[daughtersrus]

A little background for those not familiar with the case. Drew is a local police officer who recently was charged with the murder of his third wife, Kathleen. Kathleen died in 2004. Drew's fourth wife, Stacy has been missing since Oct 07 and Drew has been named a suspect.

Kathleen's family has filed a civil case for wrongful death against Drew. Now Drew and his attorney are saying that his Home Owner's Policy should cover his legal defense in the civil case.

Would there be any time limit with regard to the insurance policy? Do HO policies pay for a legal defense like this?

Here's a link to an article.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1684352,4_1_JO25_PETERSON_S1-090725.article

 

[JoiseyMom]

I would think it would depend on the wording of the policy. I am sure the insurance company is going to fight it tooth and nail!!

 

[EthansMom]

I'm not an insurance agent or a lawyer, but a homeowner's policy typically covers defense fees if you're sued due to someone being accidentally injured on your property NOT because you caused someone an intentional injury. Now, if he had an umbrella policy (which is kind of an add-on on top of the homeowner's policy), those can sometimes be used to cover legal defense. I've heard of people's umbrella policy covering their lawyer's fees for sexual harrassment cases, for instance. It's possible Drew has an umbrella policy.

 

[golfgal]

I'm not an insurance agent or a lawyer, but a homeowner's policy typically covers defense fees if you're sued due to someone being accidentally injured on your property NOT because you caused someone an intentional injury. Now, if he had an umbrella policy (which is kind of an add-on on top of the homeowner's policy), those can sometimes be used to cover legal defense. I've heard of people's umbrella policy covering their lawyer's fees for sexual harrassment cases, for instance. It's possible Drew has an umbrella policy.

Your homeowner's policy would be the primary and when the liability limits/defense limits run out your umbrella would then step in and cover up to that limit. It is the same coverage on both policies, just more dollar amount on the umbrella.

Now, if he is found guilty, he won't get a dime from the insurance company because they do not cover any expenses incurred while committing a felony-and murder would qualify for that. Also, they would have to sue what ever policy was in force WHEN the crime happened, if he had one then.