Case Name: New York Telephone Company, Appellant, v. Argonaut Insurance Company, Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1993-02-05
Citations: 190 A.D.2d 1063
Docket Number: 
Parties: New York Telephone Company, Appellant, v Argonaut Insurance Company, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 190
Pages: 1063–1064

Head Matter:
New York Telephone Company, Appellant, v Argonaut Insurance Company, Respondent.

Opinion:
— Order unanimously modified on the law and as modified affirmed without costs and judgment granted in accordance with the following Memorandum: Argonaut Insurance Company (Argonaut) owes New York Telephone (N.Y. Telephone), as an additional insured under a policy of insurance, a duty to defend it in the underlying personal injury action because the allegations in the underlying personal injury complaint rationally fall within the scope of the liability policy coverage. Although it may be premature to determine whether Argonaut has any obligation to indemnify N.Y. Telephone, it is obligated to defend it (Seaboard Sur. Co. v Gillette Co., 64 NY2d 304, 310; Schwamb v Fireman's Ins. Co., 41 NY2d 947, 949). Thus, the order is modified to declare that Argonaut is obligated to defend N.Y. Telephone in the underlying Staggs personal injury action and that the issue of Argonaut's duty to indemnify N.Y. Telephone is to be resolved following trial of the underlying action. (Appeal from Order of Supreme Court, Oneida County, Parker, J. — Summary Judgment.) Present— Callahan, J. P., Pine, Lawton, Boehm and Fallon, JJ.