In Calfayan Constr. Assocs. v. Erie Ins. Exch., the insured, a general contractor, filed suit for bad faith and breach of contract, seeking a declaration that the carrier owed a duty to defend the insured in an underlying negligent construction lawsuit.
The carrier filed preliminary objections, arguing that the cause of action in the underlying lawsuit was not a covered “occurrence” under the policy, which covered property damage and harmful conditions. The insured argued that the underlying lawsuit did not just allege poor workmanship, but negligent construction, which should be covered. The court rejected this argument, finding that negligent construction is not covered as property damage. As such, no suit for bad faith could exist and dismissal was proper.
Date of Decision: March 27, 2013
Calfayan Constr. Assocs. v. Erie Ins. Exch., Jan. Term, 2013, No. 00256, 2013 Phila. Ct. Com. Pl. LEXIS 59, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (Pa. C.P. 2013) (Snite, Jr., J.)