First Chicago Insurance Company v. Molda

Court found, after bench trial, that employer's insurer owed a duty to defendant Defendant employee in personal injury suit filed against him and his employer related to auto accident.Defendant was an insured under terms of policy. Evidence at trial supported court's conclusion that insurance agent was insurer's agent for purposes of accepting notice of accident, as insurer encouraged policyholders to report claims to their insurance agent if they wished, and policy documents gave only agent's contact information, and employer's course of dealings involved contacting agent about claims. Court properly found employer's notice of accident, promptly reported to agent, to be timely. (McBRIDE and REYES, concurring.)