The Sky's The Limit: Inconsistent Policy Drafting Results In Unlimited Coverage

• Published date: 29 March 2021
• Subject Matter: Corporate/Commercial Law, Insurance, Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration, Corporate and Company Law, Contracts and Commercial Law, Insurance Laws and Products, Trials & Appeals & Compensation
• Law Firm: Clark Wilson LLP
• Author: Mr Denny Chung

In Surespan Structures Ltd. v. Lloyds Underwriters, 2021 BCCA 65 ('Surespan'), the Court of Appeal held that there was no limit to a particular area of coverage, despite there being limits in other coverages.

In a multi-party construction project, Graham Design was subcontracted under a design-services agreement. Graham Design retained Surespan as their consultant for design, supply, and installation of certain precast concrete components. Graham Design took out a project specific professional liability policy which covered its consultants, including Surespan. The policy covered: (1) damages; (2) defence costs; (3) mitigation of loss coverage; and (4) supplementary payments (the 'Project Policy').

Surespan was called on to correct defects relating to load-bearing precast concrete structures supplied by Surespan (the 'Defects'). Surespan ended up incurring approximately $10 million for the repairs. Surespan sought mitigation of loss coverage under the Project Policy for the costs to remedy the Defects.

Surespan brought a summary trial on the issue of coverage and the Supreme Court held that Surespan was entitled to indemnity for their costs for the mitigation work, and that there was no limit to how much was available under this coverage. The Court of Appeal affirmed the trial decision. Each of the coverages in the Project Policy expressly referred to the limit of liability, except the mitigation of loss coverage. This 'failure to follow a pattern of express reference' was significant and the result was that the insurer could not rely on any limit on this coverage.

The Court of Appeal discussed the connection between coverages and a third party liability 'claim'. Three coverages in the Project Policy were contingent on there being a claim, but the mitigation of loss coverage did not require a claim. The Court of Appeal rejected the insurer's argument that the mitigation of loss coverage was 'zipped together' and subsidiary to other coverages such that it could rely on the wording in the damages coverage. The mitigation of loss coverage was distinct from the other coverages, and reflected first party liability for costs to repair defects - i.e. involving reimbursement directly to the insured as opposed to third parties.

The Court rejected the insurer's argument that the definition of 'claim' was broader than only third party liability. The term 'claim' was clearly defined in the Project Policy and contemplated third party liability, just like the...