Opinion ID: 1280881
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Coverage triggered continuously from time of injury-causing event while damage progresses

Text: Under this theory, coverage may be triggered at any point from the time of the underlying injury-causing event until the damage is complete, allowing coverage under any policy in effect during this entire time. Some courts have adopted this theory to give effect to the language in the standard occurrence policy which provides coverage for a continuous or repeated exposure to conditions. See, e.g., Montrose Chemical Corp. v. Admiral Ins. Co., 42 Cal.Rptr.2d 324, 10 Cal.4th 645, 913 P.2d 878 (1995); Gruol Constr. Co. v. Ins. Co. of North Amer., 11 Wash.App. 632, 524 P.2d 427 (1974). We find this trigger gives effect to the policy provision regarding a continuous or repeated exposure but that it suffers from the same problem as the first theory discussed above because it triggers coverage from the time of the injury-causing event even if no damage has yet occurred. Again, such an interpretation conflicts with the plain language of the policy which provides that damage must occur during the policy period. Accordingly, we adopt a continuous trigger theory but modify it as discussed below.