Case Name: Crouse-Hinds Company, Respondent, v. Charlie L. Jones et al., Defendants, Insurance Company of North America, Appellant, and Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Company/Kemper Insurance Group, Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1978-12-15
Citations: 66 A.D.2d 991
Docket Number: 
Parties: Crouse-Hinds Company, Respondent, v Charlie L. Jones et al., Defendants, Insurance Company of North America, Appellant, and Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Company/Kemper Insurance Group, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 66
Pages: 991–991

Head Matter:
Crouse-Hinds Company, Respondent, v Charlie L. Jones et al., Defendants, Insurance Company of North America, Appellant, and Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Company/Kemper Insurance Group, Respondent.

Opinion:
Judgment unanimously affirmed, with costs. Memorandum: In affirming, we point out that the exclusions contained in the plaintiffs general liability insurance policy with appellant did not relieve appellant from its contractual duty to defend plaintiff in the third-party action against it or respond if plaintiff becomes liable for damages (see Graphic Arts Mut. Ins. Co. v Bakers Mut. Ins. Co. of N. Y., 45 NY2d 551). That being so, whether appellant's disclaimer was untimely or not is irrelevant. The contract obligated appellant to represent plaintiff in the third-party action and answer for damages assessed against plaintiff to the limits of the policy. It could not legally disclaim that contract responsibility. (Appeal from judgment of Onondaga Supreme Court-declaratory judgment.) Present-Moule, J. P., Cardamone, Simons and Dillon, JJ.