Opinion ID: 1176043
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Comprehensive General Liability Insurance Policies

Text: From the beginning of 1980 to the end of 1981 (i.e., during the period when the second PCB contamination was discovered), Aydin had $5 million of excess coverage issued by defendant First State Insurance Company (First State). In each of the two annual comprehensive general liability insurance policies at issue, First State agreed to indemnify Aydin for all sums which the INSURED shall be obligated to pay by reason of the liability imposed upon the INSURED by law or liability assumed by the INSURED under contract or agreement for damages and expenses, because of: [¶] A. PERSONAL INJURY as hereinafter defined; [¶] B. PROPERTY DAMAGE, as hereinafter defined ... [¶] to which this policy applies, caused by an OCCURENCE, as hereinafter defined, happening anywhere in the world. The term OCURRENCE is defined as an accident or event including continuous repeated exposure to conditions, which results, during the policy period, in PERSONAL INJURY or PROPERTY DAMAGE neither expected nor intended from the standpoint of the INSURED... Under the heading EXCLUSIONS, each policy stated that it shall not apply ... [¶]... [¶] ... to any liability of any INSURED, arising out of the discharge, dispersal, release or escape of smoke, vapors, soot, fumes, acids, alkalis, toxic chemicals, solids, liquids or gases, waste materials or other irritants, contaminants or pollutants into or upon land, the atmosphere or any watercourse or body of water unless such discharge, dispersal, release or escape is sudden and accidental. (Italics added.)