Opinion ID: 3134619
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Estoppel as to Both Sites

Text: Ehlco maintains that the appellate court erred in holding that the estoppel doctrine does not apply to Wausau’s late-notice defenses. Estoppel and late-notice defenses are at issue in this appeal with regard to both sites. Briefly, under the estoppel doctrine, an insurer which breaches its duty to defend is estopped from raising policy defenses to coverage. Wausau contends, however, that the estoppel doctrine does not bar it from raising late-notice defenses. Additional background information is necessary for an understanding of Wausau’s late-notice defenses, and how the estoppel doctrine relates to those defenses.
Late-Notice Defenses With minor variation, the notice provisions of the insurance policies provided in pertinent part as follows: “In the event of an occurrence, written notice  [thereof]  shall be given by or for the insured to [Wausau] as soon as practicable .