Intersections of Bankruptcy Law and Insurance Coverage Litigation

Bankruptcy and insurance law frequently intersect and sometimes conflict. This article addresses the most important of these intersections, including the ability of a debtor to satisfy insured claims by the assignment of coverage proceeds in bankruptcy, the treatment of D&O insurance in bankruptcy, a debtor’s non-payment of a deductible or self insured retention (“SIR”) as a defense to coverage, “buy back” agreements and coverage-in-place settlements in bankruptcy, the ability of insurers and/or debtor-affiliates to obtain third-party releases, insurer insolvency and potential gaps in coverage, and paid-loss retrospective policies and a bankruptcy estate’s bad faith claims. As discussed throughout, this is an area of law that is quickly developing and where several issues remain unsettled.

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