Court Opinion

ID: 4581890
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-10-29 17:02:54.553527+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:48:02.632280
License: Public Domain

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

SS&C TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC.,                  )
                                                   )
                       Plaintiff,                  )
                                                   )   C.A. No. N20C-01-088 EMD CCLD
                  v.                               )
                                                   )
ENDURANCE ASSURANCE                                )
CORPORATION,                                       )
                                                   )
                       Defendant.                  )

                                      Submitted: August 4, 2020
                                      Decided: October 29, 2020

                        Upon Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss or Stay this Action
                                            DENIED

                        Upon Plaintiff’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgement
                            GRANTED in part and DEFERRED in part

 Jennifer C. Wasson, Esquire, Carla M. Jones, Esquire, Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP,
 Wilmington, Delaware, Robin L. Cohen, Esquire, James H. Smith, Esquire, McKool Smith, P.C.,
 New York, New York. Attorneys for Plaintiff SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

 Marc S. Casarino, Esquire, White and Williams LLP, Wilmington, Delaware, Kimberly M.
 Melvin, Esquire, John E. Howell, Esquire, Matthew W. Beato, Wiley Rein LLP, Washington,
 D.C. Attorneys for Defendant Endurance Assurance Corporation.

 DAVIS, J.

                                      I.     INTRODUCTION

            This insurance coverage dispute is assigned to the Complex Commercial Litigation

 Division of the Court. On January 10, 2020, Plaintiff SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

 (“SS&C”) filed suit against Defendant Endurance Assurance Corporation (“Endurance”) for

 breach of an insurance policy, the Premier Professional Liability and Network Risk Insurance

 Policy (the “Policy”) issued by Endurance to SS&C. SS&C’s complaint (the “Complaint”) 1

 1
     D.I. No 1.
asserts two causes of action: (i) breached the terms of the Policy (“Count I”); and (ii) breached

its implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing (“Count II”). Endurance defends on the basis

that the liability at issue arose from unfair trade practices and the return of fees which are

excepted from indemnification under the Policy.

          SS&C filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (the “Summary Judgment

Motion”). 2 Thereafter, Endurance filed a Motion to Dismiss or Stay this Action (the “Motion to

Dismiss”).3 The parties fully briefed the motions. The Court held a hearing on the Motion to

Dismiss and the Summary Judgment Motion on July 7, 2020.4 After the hearing, the Court took

the motions under advisement. On July 30, 2020, Endurance’s counsel provided the Court with

an update on the Connecticut Action (as defined below).5 On August 4, 2020, SS&C’s counsel

advised the Court of the status of the Declaratory Judgment Action. 6

          For the reasons set forth below, the Court will DENY the Motion to Dismiss. On the

Summary Judgment Motion, the Court will GRANT in part and DEFER in part the relief

sought.

                                      II.      RELEVANT FACTS7

    A. THE POLICY

          SS&C is a financial services company that offers software and software-enabled services

to its clients, most of whom operate in the financial sector.8 SS&C maintains an insurance

2
  D.I. No. 6,
3
  D.I. No. 9.
4
  D.I. No. 28.
5
  D.I. No. 30.
6
  D.I. No. 31.
7
  Unless otherwise indicated, the following are the Relevant Facts as stated in SS&C’s Complaint. For purposes of
the Motion to Dismiss, the Court must view all well-pleaded facts alleged in SS&C’s Complaint as true and in a
light most favorable to SS&C. See, e.g., Cent. Mortg. Co. v. Morgan Stanley Mortg. Capital Holdings LLC, 27 A.3d
531, 536 (Del. 2011); Doe v. Cedars Acad., LLC, C.A. No. 09C-09-136, 2010 WL 5825343, at *3 (Del. Super. Oct.
27, 2010). The Court will consider the affidavits filed in connection with the Summary Judgment Motion.
8
  Compl. ¶ 2.

                                                        2
program to protect against potential losses. The Policy at issue was issued by Endurance to

SS&C for the “Policy Period” from April 30, 2017 to April 30, 2018. 9 The Policy’s “Limit of

Liability” for Professional Services, Technology and Media Liability is $10,000,000, subject to a

$1,300,000 retention. 10

        The Policy provides: 11

        If Insuring Agreement A. is purchased as designated in Item 4. of the Declarations,
        the Insurer shall pay Damages and Claim Expenses resulting from any Claim first
        made against the Insured during the Policy Period and reported to the Insurer in
        writing during the Policy Period, or any applicable Extended Reporting Period, for
        any Professional Services Wrongful Act, Technology Wrongful Act or Media
        Wrongful Act committed on or after the Retroactive Date and before the Policy
        terminates.12

The Policy defines “Claim” “to include lawsuits that allege “Wrongful Act[s].”13 “Wrongful

Act” encompasses a “Technology Wrongful Act,” which means:

        any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect, breach of
        duty, or Unintentional Breach of Contract actually or allegedly committed or
        attempted by an Insured in connection with the Insured’s rendering of or failure to
        render Technology Services or Telecommunication Services to others, or the failure
        of the Insured’s Technology Products to perform the function or serve the purpose
        for which they are intended.14

“Technology Services” is defined as “any electronic or computer-based network services.”15

“Technology Products” means “computer or telecommunications hardware, software, firmware,

or related electronic equipment, including the design, development, manufacturing, assembly,

distribution, licensing, leasing, sale, installation, repair or maintenance thereof.” 16

9
  Motion at 3.
10
   Id. at 3-4.
11
   Compl., Ex. A at § I(A). A copy of the Policy, including the Professional Services, Technology and Media
Liability Coverage Section, is attached to the Complaint as Exhibit A. (hereafter, “Policy at § __.”)
12
   Id. Unless necessary, the Court is not including the emphasis contained in the Policy.
13
   Id. at §II(D)(1).
14
   Id. at §II(F).
15
   Id. at §II(LL).
16
   Id. at §II(KK).

                                                        3
        The Policy defines “Damages” as: (i) compensatory sums; (ii) monetary judgments or

settlements; (iii) “punitive or exemplary damages or the multiple portion of any multiplied

damage award, to the extent such damages are insurable under the law most favorable to the

insurability of such damages of any jurisdiction which has a substantial relationship to [SS&C],

[Endurance], this Policy, or the Claim;” and pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.17

Damages do not include “the return, reduction or restitution of fees, commissions, royalties,

expenses or costs for Professional Services or Technology Services performed or to be

performed by the Insured”18 which the parties refer to as the “Fees Carve-Out.” 19

        Section II, Item H, as amended by Endorsement Number 14, also limits indemnification.

First, the Policy does not cover the “return, reduction or restitution of fees, commissions,

royalties, expenses or costs for Professional Services or Technology Services performed or to be

performed by the Insured.”20 The Policy also does not cover “matters uninsurable under the law

pursuant to which this Policy is construed….”21 Section III(K) of the Policy contains an

exclusion for “‘any Damages or Claims Expense based upon, arising out of, attributable to or

involving directly or indirectly . . . any actual or alleged false, descriptive or unfair business

practices or any violation of consumer protection laws.’” 22

     B. THE ARMOUR ACTION

        In May of 2014, SS&C began negotiating with ARMOUR Capital Management LP

(“ACM”) to provide and to install SS&C’s CAMRA software as a comprehensive solution for

managing ACM’s client’s mortgage-related securities portfolios. SS&C and ACM entered into a

17
   Id.
18
   Id.
19
   See, e.g., Response at 8.
20
   Policy at §II, Item H., as amended by Endorsement No. 14.
21
   Id.
22
   Id. at §III(K).

                                                        4
services agreement in December 2014. Under this agreement, SS&C licensed its software to

ACM. In addition, ACM hired SS&C to implement the software for ACM. SS&C encountered

multiple issues throughout the course of installation, which delayed the process.

        In May 2017, ACM terminated the agreement and brought suit (the “Armour Action”)

against SS&C in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut New Haven

Division. 23 In the Armour Action, ACM alleged that SS&C: (i) breached the agreement: (ii)

intentionally and/or negligently misrepresented SS&C’s ability to implement the CAMRA

software in order to induce ACM to enter into the agreement; and (iii) negligently and/or

negligently misrepresented SS&C’s progress and ability to implement CAMRA in order to

induce ACM into releasing payments to SS&C and not terminating the agreement sooner. ACM

also argued that SS&C violated the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (“CUPTA”).

        On January 6, 2020, ACM and SS&C settled (the “Settlement”) the Armour Action after

two years of litigation. The terms of the Settlement are confidential. The parties dispute whether

Endurance had an opportunity to be fully involved in the Settlement.

        SS&C contends that the Policy is designed to protect SS&C against the type of loss

incurred as a result of the CAMRA implementation issues and the Armour Action. Endurance

did advance defense costs related to the Armour Action but refuses to indemnify SS&C in

connection with the Armour Action settlement. According to the Complaint, Endurance refused

to indemnify/contribute to the settlement by relying on various provisions in the Policy. SS&C

contends that all the provisions are inapplicable under the plain meaning of the Policy and the

“court’s orders in the Armour Action.”24 In the Motion to Dismiss, Endurance states that the

23
   The case, as filed in Connecticut, was: Armour Capital Management LP v. SS&C Technologies Inc., No. 3:17-cv-
00790-JAM (D.Conn.)
24
   Compl. at ¶ 7.

                                                       5
Policy does not cover “the return, reduction or restitution of fees, commissions, royalties,

expenses or costs for Professional Services of Technology Services performed or to be

performed by the Insured.”25

     C. PROCEDURAL HISTORY

        On January 9, 2020, Endurance filed an action against SS&C in the Connecticut Superior

Court, seeking a declaration on the extent of the Policy’s coverage (the “Connecticut Action”). 26

On January 10, 2020, SS&C filed the Complaint. As stated above, the Complaints sets out two

claims for relief. Unfortunately, the pattern of dueling litigations has once again been presented

to the Court. As always, there is no indication that either the Connecticut Superior Court or this

Court is not capable of readily adjudicating the litigation.

        SS&C filed its Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on February 7, 2020. On April 8,

2020, Endurance filed its Answering Brief in Opposition to SS&C’s Motion for Partial Summary

Judgment. Endurance filed its Motion to Dismiss on March 4, 2020. On April 8, 2020, SS&C

filed its Answering Brief in Opposition to Endurance’s Motion to Dismiss or Stay the Action

(the “Opposition”).

                                  III.     PARTIES’ CONTENTIONS

     A. MOTION TO DISMISS

        Endurance requests that the Court either dismiss or stay this case on the following

grounds: (1) the Cryo-Maid forum non conveniens principle or (2) the McWane “first to file”

doctrine. Endurance argues that Cryo-Maid applies because: (1) a formerly filed Connecticut

action is pending, (2) the witnesses, documentary evidence, and previous Armour Action were,

25
   Ex. A, Section II, Item H., Part 2, as amended by Endorsement No. 14. (All emphasized terms appear in boldface
in the Policy).
26
   This fact is taken from page 6 of Endurance’s Opening Brief in Support of its Motion to Dismiss or Stay the
Action.

                                                        6
or have been mainly, located in Connecticut, (3) Connecticut law is controlling in interpreting

the Policy because SS&C’s principal place of business is in Connecticut, (4) the dispute falls

under Connecticut contract and consumer protection law, and (5) the case will demand a judicial

determination of Connecticut public policy.

         In the alternative, regarding the McWane analysis, Endurance asserts its applicability by

stating that: (1) the Connecticut Action was filed first, (2) the Connecticut Superior Court is

capable of ensuring prompt and complete justice, and (3) both actions (Connecticut and

Delaware) largely include the same parties and issues. Further, Endurance contends that the case

has “no meaningful connection to Delaware.”27

         SS&C opposes the Motion to Dismiss. SS&C argues that “dismissal is only appropriate

under the doctrine of forum non conveniens where the defendant can show ‘overwhelming

hardship and inconvenience if required to litigate in Delaware.’”28 SS&C contends that

Endurance cannot possibly meet that standard. SS&C also claims that Delaware law and not the

law of Connecticut governs the matter as Delaware law is applied in a Delaware court when

there is no conflict between two state’s laws. In addition, SS&C argues that the matter of

whether punitive damages are insurable under the law has already been determined under

Connecticut law, so there is no required public policy analysis. SS&C notes that because it is the

insured, it is the natural plaintiff, and as such, it is “entitled to its day in Court in the forum of its

choosing.”29 Lastly, SS&C contends that Endurance’s McWane analysis fails under Delaware

law, which views actions filed within the same general time period as contemporaneous.

27
   Def.’s Br. 1.
28
   Pl.’s Br. 2.
29
   Id.

                                                    7
     B. SUMMARY JUDGEMENT MOTION

        SS&C moves for summary judgment as to its breach of contract claim because

Endurance breached the terms of the Policy. 30 Specifically, SS&C asserts that the damages

sought by ACM in the Armour Action do not constitute a “Return of Fees,”31 the fees carve out

does not apply, 32 and “Exclusion III(K) is [i]napplicable” 33 SS&C argues that no portion of the

settlement is attributable to the CUTPA claims. 34 SS&C further contends that ACM sought

attorneys’ fees under both its CUTPA and negligent misrepresentation claims. 35

        Endurance disagrees. Endurance argues that summary judgment may not be granted

when there is a material factual dispute,36 Connecticut law governs this dispute,37 and that SS&C

has failed to establish liability as to breach of contract as a matter of law. 38

                                  IV.     STANDARDS OF REVIEW

     A. MOTION TO DISMISS

        In this instance, the granting of dismissal or a stay rests within the sound discretion of the

trial court.39 When determining whether a suit should be stayed or dismissed for forum non

conveniens, Delaware courts apply different standards depending on the circumstances. 40 Where

two cases are filed contemporaneously, or the Delaware case if filed first, or there is no other

pending action, the Court examines the motion under the traditional forum non conveniens

30
   Mot. for Partial Summ. J. at p. 12.
31
   Id. at p. 12.
32
   Id. at p. 14.
33
   Id. at p. 16.
34
   Id.
35
   Id. at p. 18.
36
   Id. at p. 7
37
   Id. at p. 9
38
   Id. at p. 11
39
   BP Oil Supply Co. v. Conoco Phillips Co., 2010 WL 702382, at *2 (Del. Super. 2010).
40
   See Gramercy Emerging Markets Fund v. Allied Irish Banks, P.L.C., 173 A.3d 1033, 1036 (Del. 2017).

                                                       8
framework, applying the factors set forth in Cryo-Maid under an “overwhelming hardship”

standard.41

         But, “[i]f the foreign action is the first-filed action, principles of fairness, comity, judicial

economy and the possibility of inconsistent results generally favor the granting of a stay.” 42

Where the Delaware action is the second-filed to the foreign action, the Court will conduct an

analysis under McWane.43 Under McWane, Delaware courts generally defer to a case filed first

in time in another forum as long as that action involves substantially the same parties and issues

as the litigation pending in Delaware. 44

     B. SUMMARY JUDGEMENT MOTION

         The standard of review on a motion for summary judgment is well-settled. The Court’s

principal function when considering a motion for summary judgement is to examine the record to

determine whether genuine issues of material fact exist, “but not to decide such issues.”45

Summary judgment will be granted if, after viewing the record in a light most favorable to a

nonmoving party, no genuine issues of fact exist and the moving party is entitled to judgment as

a matter of law. 46 If, however, the record reveals that material facts are in dispute, or if the

factual record has not been developed thoroughly enough to allow the Court to apply the law to

the factual record, then summary judgment will not be granted. 47 The moving party bears the

41
   Gen. Foods Corp. V. Cryo-Maid, Inc., 198 A.2d 681, 684 (Del. 1964); Martinez v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours and
Co., Inc., 86 A.3d 1102, 1104 (Del. 2014) (citing Ison v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc., 729 A.2d 832, 835
(Del. 1999)).
42
   Rapoport v. Litig. Tr. of MDIP Inc., 2005 WL 3277911, at *2 (Del. Ch. Nov. 23, 2005) (internal quotations
omitted).
43
   McWane Cast Iron Pipe Corp.v. MCDowell-Wellman Engr. Co., 263 A.2d 281, 283 (Del. 1970).
44
   BP Oil Supply Co., 2010 WL 702382, at *2.
45
   Merrill v. Crothall-American Inc., 606 A.2d 96, 99-100 (Del. 1992) (internal citations omitted); Oliver B. Cannon
& Sons, Inc. v. Dorr-Oliver, Inc., 312 A.2d 322, 325 (Del. Super. 1973).
46
   Id.
47
   See Ebersole v. Lowengrub, 180 A.2d 467, 470 (Del. 1962); see also Cook v. City of Harrington, 1990 WL 35244
at *3 (Del. Super. Feb. 22, 1990) (citing Ebersole, 180 A.2d at 467) (“Summary judgment will not be granted under
any circumstances when the record indicates . . . that it is desirable to inquire more thoroughly into the facts in order
to clarify the application of law to the circumstances.”).

                                                           9
initial burden of demonstrating that the undisputed facts support his claims or defenses. 48 If the

motion is properly supported, then the burden shifts to the non-moving party to demonstrate that

there are material issues of fact for the resolution by the ultimate fact finder. 49

                                           V.        DISCUSSION

     A. THE COURT WILL DENY THE MOTION TO DISMISS

        i.       McWane Analysis

        In the present matter, the Court’s decision of whether or not to apply McWane and

therefore whether or not to proceed to the Cryo-Maid analysis hinges upon whether a prior action

was filed. Endurance contends that the Connecticut Action is first filed.

        Endurance filed the Connecticut Action on January 9, one day before SS&C filed its

Complaint. While true that Endurance’s action technically appears before SS&C’s

chronologically, SS&C highlights an important procedural point in its Opposition. SS&C writes:

“[T]he instant action was filed less than an hour after Endurance served SS&C with the

complaint in the Connecticut Action-indicating that the Breach of Contract Action complaint was

essentially complete and was set to be filed virtually simultaneously with the Connecticut

Action.”50

        This Court has held that an anticipatory declaratory judgment filing “will not be entitled

to the deference typically afforded to first-filed actions.”51 Endurance rejects the

characterization of its suit as anticipatory, and instead contends that SS&C was well aware of its

48
   See Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1970) (citing Ebersole, 180 A.2d at 470).
49
   See Brzoska v. Olsen, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995).
50
   Pl.’s Opp., 18.
51
   Lincoln Benefit Life Co. v. Wilmington Trust, N.A., 2018 WL 3640898, at *3 (Del. Super. July 31, 2018) (citing
Natl. Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburg, PA 2014 WL 703808, at *3).

                                                        10
intent two months prior to the filing but did not initiate this action until after the Connecticut

Action. The Court finds that the Connecticut Action is clearly an anticipatory action. 52

        Endurance was not facing a decision on whether to defend an action it contended was not

indemnifiable—i.e., a scenario where Endurance needed to file a declaratory judgment action in

order to avoid a bad faith claim. At the time that Endurance acted in Connecticut, Endurance

had already advanced defense costs and denied coverage. Endurance could have waited to see if

SS&C would accept this or initiate a breach of contract action. There was no pressing need to

act.

        Moreover, this action and the Connecticut Action were filed just a day apart. The filings

are contemporaneous. The Connecticut Superior Court came to the same conclusion:

        One factor that does not affect the decision in this case is whether the foreign suit
        was filed first and initiated to forestall the domestic suit. It appears that both sides
        raced to the courthouse and filed their actions at about the same time. Any slight
        difference in filing times is insignificant.53

Accordingly, the Court holds that McWane does not apply.

        ii.      Cryo-Maid Analysis

        The six factors established in Cryo-Maid are: (1) the relative ease of access to proof; (2)

the availability of compulsory process for witnesses; (3) the possibility of the view of the

premises; (4) whether the controversy is dependent upon the application of Delaware law which

the courts of this State more properly should decide than those of another jurisdiction; (5) the

pendency or nonpendency of a similar action or actions in another jurisdiction; and (6) all other

practical problems that would made the trial of the case easy, expeditious and inexpensive. 54

52
   The Connecticut Superior Court made a similar filing.
53
   D.I. No. 31, Ex. A at 1.
54
   Martinez v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc., 86 A.3d 1102, 1104 (Del. 2014) (quoting Gen. Foods Corp. v.
Cryo-Maid, Inc., 198 A.2d 681, 684 (Del. 1964).

                                                      11
        The Court finds that, under the Cyro-Maid analysis, Delaware is not an inconvenient

forum. The Court does not believe Connecticut is either but the Court cannot dismiss this action

under Cyro-Maid merely because Endurance filed a declaratory judgement action one day before

SS&C filed this action. Importantly, Endurance cannot meet the “overwhelming hardship”

standard.55

        Delaware may not be the most convenient forum. Witnesses are located in Connecticut

and SS&C’s principal place of business is in Windsor, Connecticut. SS&G is a Delaware

corporation and chose to litigate in Delaware on the Policy. Endurance, as alleged, is also a

Delaware corporation. Endurance is headquartered in New York and not Connecticut. Modern

litigation tools—video depositions, etc.—will allow the parties to complete discovery and litigate

this matter. The Court, however, cannot close this forum to Delaware corporations merely

because witnesses or other parts of the litigation will be occur elsewhere on the East Coast.

        The parties spent a great deal of time arguing choice of law. The Court is not persuaded

that this is an inconvenient forum merely because Delaware, New York or Connecticut law

applies. The Court and the Connecticut Superior Court are both capable of applying the laws of

these jurisdictions, especially when there is no substantial difference in the application of

insurance contract law among the jurisdictions.

        Endurance is a Delaware corporation operating in New York. All documents and

witnesses are readily available. The law to be applied is not controversial. There is no need to

view any premises. The Cyro-Maid factors do not support an argument that Delaware is an

inconvenient forum. While the Court would rather have the parties chose to proceed in only one

55
  Gen. Foods Corp. V. Cryo-Maid, Inc., 198 A.2d 681, 684 (Del. 1964); Martinez v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours and
Co., Inc., 86 A.3d 1102, 1104 (Del. 2014) (citing Ison v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc., 729 A.2d 832, 835
(Del. 1999)).

                                                       12
location, the Court cannot, under this fact pattern, dismiss this civil proceeding under a

traditional forum non conveniens framework. For these reasons, the Motion to Dismiss is

DENIED.

     B. THE COURT HOLDS THAT ENDURANCE HAS, AT LEAST IN PART, BREACHED THE POLICY
        AND WILL GRANT IN PART AND DEFER IN PART THE SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTION56

        Applying Connecticut and Delaware contract law regarding insurance policies, the Court

does not, at this stage, find that the Policy is ambiguous. Accordingly, the Court will GRANT in

part and DEFER in part the Summary Judgment Motion.

        Insurance policies “are construed as a whole, to give effect to the parties'

intentions.”57 In other words, the Court is to interpret the insurance policy through a

reading of all of the relevant provisions of the contract as a whole, “and not on any single

passage in isolation.”58 Moreover, an interpretation that gives effect to all the terms of an

insurance policy is preferable to any interpretation that would result in a conclusion that

some terms are uselessly repetitive. 59 The Court is also to interpret an insurance policy in

a manner that does not render any provisions “illusory or meaningless.” 60

        Where the language of an insurance policy is “clear and unambiguous, the parties'

intent is ascertained by giving the language its ordinary and usual meaning.” 61

Ambiguous insurance policy language is construed in the insured's favor—i.e., under the

56
   For purposes of the Summary Judgment Motion, the Court will expand the record and utilize the affidavits filed
by the parties.
57
   AT&T Corp. v. Faraday Capital Ltd., 918 A.2d 1104, 1108 (Del. 2007). See also Enfield Pizza Palace, Inc. v. Ins.
Co. of Greater N.Y., 755 A.2d 931, 935 (Conn. App. Ct. 2000) (citing Levine v. Advest, Inc., 714 A.2d 649, 660
(Conn. 1998)).
58
   O'Brien v. Progressive Northern Ins., 785 A.2d 281, 287 (Del. 2001). See also Karas v. Liberty Ins. Corp., 228
A.3d 1012, 1020 (Conn. 2019).
59
   O'Brien, 785 A.2d at 287.
60
   O'Brien, 785 A.2d at 287 (quoting from Sonitrol Holding Co. v. Marceau Investissements, 607 A.2d 1177, 1183
(Del. Super. 1992)).
61
   Faraday Capital Ltd., 918 A.2d at 1108. See also Karas, 228 A.3d at 1020 (citing Lexington Ins. Co. v. Lexington
Healthcare Grp., Inc., 84 A.3d 1167, 1173 (Conn. 2014)).

                                                        13
doctrine of contra proferentem, the language of an insurance policy must be construed

most strongly against the insurance company that drafted the policy. 62 An insurance

policy is ambiguous when the provisions at issue “are reasonably or fairly susceptible of

different interpretations or may have two or more different meanings.” 63 An insurance

policy is not ambiguous merely because the parties do not agree on the proper

construction. 64

         Coverage language is interpreted broadly to protect the insured's objectively

reasonable expectations. 65 Exclusionary clauses, on the other hand, are “accorded a strict

and narrow construction.” 66 Even so, courts will give effect to exclusionary language

where it is found to be “specific,” “clear,” “plain,” “conspicuous” and “not contrary to

public policy.”67 The Court also recognizes that case law exists that permits judicial

application of the reasonable expectation doctrine to fulfill an insured's expectations even

where those expectations contravene the unambiguous, plain meaning of exclusionary

clauses. 68

         The Court has discussed the Armour Action in general terms above. For purposes of the

Summary Judgment Action, the Court will consider additional facts provided through affidavit.

62
   O'Brien, 785 A.2d at 288; see also R.T. Vanderbilt Co., Inc. v. Hartford Accident and Indem. Co., 216 A.3d 629,
641 (Conn. 2019).
63
   Weiner, 793 A.2d at 440; see also Karas, 228 A.3d at 1020(citing Lexington Ins. Co. v. Lexington Healthcare
Grp., Inc., 84 A.3d 1167, 1173 (Conn. 2014))..
64
   O'Brien, 785 A.2d at 288; see also Rumbin v. Utica Mut. Ins. Co., 757 A.2d 526, 540 (Conn. 2000).
65
   AT&T Corp. v. Clarendon Am. Ins. Co., 2006 WL 1382268, at *9 (Del. Super. April 25, 2006), rev'd in part on
other grounds, AT&T Corp. v. Faraday Capital Ltd., 918 A.2d 1104 (Del. 2007). See also R.T. Vanderbilt Co., Inc.,
216 A.3d at 641.
66
   AT&T Corp., 2006 WL 1382268, at *9; see also R.T. Vanderbilt Co., Inc., 216 A.3d at 641..
67
   Id.
68
   Id. at *9, n. 123 (citing and reviewing cases that utilized the “reasonable expectation doctrine”). But see Empire
Fire & Marine Ins. v. Lang, 655 F.Supp.2d 150, 153 n.2 (D.Conn. 2009) (citing and reviewing cases that mention
the reasonable expectations doctrine); see also Nunn v. Mass. Cas. Ins. Co., 758 F.3d 109, 117 (2d Cir. 2014)
(“Connecticut, however, does not follow Pennsylvania’s version of the reasonable expectations doctrine,” which
allows insurance contract reformation.).

                                                         14
ACM asserted claims for breach of the services agreement, violation of the CUTPA, intentional

and negligent misrepresentation, and rescission of the services agreement as an alternative

remedy to damages.69 ACM alleged, in part, that SS&C’s misrepresentations induced ACM to

enter into the services agreement.70 For each of its claims, ACM sought “no less than $2.28

million, together with pre- and post-judgment interest, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees and

costs.”71 ACM requested the recovery of damages that included the amount of fees paid to

SS&C, as well as additional damages for lost employee time. 72

        On March 16, 2018, United States District Judge (the “District Court Judge”) dismissed

ACM’s claim for intentional misrepresentation but denied SS&C’s request to dismiss ACM’s

claims for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation. 73 The District Court Judge also

dismissed ACM’s CUTPA claim in part, but held that the CUTPA claim could proceed to the

extent that the claim relied on negligent misrepresentations.74

        On September 11, 2019, the District Court Judge granted summary judgment in favor of

SS&C on the breach of contract claim but denied summary judgment with regard to ACM’s

claims for negligent misrepresentation, violation of the CUTPA, and rescission. 75 The District

Court Judge found that the breach of contract claim could not go forward because ACM had

received full compensation from ACM’s clients for the fees it had paid SS&C. 76 As such, ACM

69
   Smith Aff., Ex. B.
70
   Id.
71
   Smith Aff. at ¶¶59, 66, 71, and 77.
72
   Id. at ¶¶57, 64, 70, and 76.
73
   See id., Ex. C.
74
   Id.
75
   See id., Ex. D. See also ARMOUR Capital Mgmt. LP v. SS&C Technologies, Inc., 407 F.Supp. 3d 98 (D. Conn.
2019).
76
   Id. (“In short, ACM has already been made whole for the fees it paid SS&C, and therefore it cannot show
damages as to this aspect of its contract claim…All in all, I will grant summary judgment for SS&C on ACM’s
contract claim because there is no genuine fact issue to show that ACM sustained damages that are subject to
recovery by means of a breach of contract claim.”).

                                                     15
had been made whole for the fees ACM had paid SS&C. 77 The District Court Judge allowed the

negligent misrepresentation claim to go forward because of the possibility that ACM suffered

damages due to SS&C’s possible negligent misrepresentations. 78 The District Court Judge also

held that the CUTPA claim and claim for rescission could go forward to the extent the claims are

predicated on the claim for negligent misrepresentation.79

        The Armour Action settled on the eve of trial. ACM and SS&C entered into the

Settlement. The Settlement is confidential. At the time of settlement, ACM continued to press a

CUPTA claim and, possibly, could have appealed its claims relating to reimbursement of fees

paid to SS&C. Despite Endurance’s claims, Endurance has not provided the Court with any

facts that show collusion between ACM and SS&C against Endurance’s interest when

negotiating the Settlement in how the Settlement.

        At first, it appears that two provisions under Section II, Item H, of Endorsement 1480

might conflict: covered damages (“compensatory sums” and “monetary settlements”) and

excluded damages (“the return, reduction or restitution of fees, commissions, royalties, expenses

or costs for Professional Services of Technology Services performed or to be performed by the

Insured.”81). However, compensatory damages are distinct from restitution.

        “The principal distinction between compensatory damages and restitution is that

compensatory damages respond to the plaintiff’s loss, restitution to the defendant’s gain.”82

77
   Id.
78
   Id.
79
   Id.
80
   Compl., Ex. A-D (Use Ctrl F to find it, it’s buried).
81
   Id.
82
   Doug Rendleman, Measurement of Restitution with Compensatory Damages and Punitive Damages, 68 WASH.
& LEE L. REV. 973 (2011) (citing to 1 DAN B. DOBBS, LAW OF REMEDIES: DAMAGES—EQUITY—
RESTITUTION 555 (2d ed. 1993) ("Restitution measures the remedy by the defendant’s gain and seeks to force
disgorgement of that gain. It differs in its goal or principle form damages, which measures the remedy by the
plaintiff’s loss and seeks to provide compensation for that loss.")).

                                                      16
Under the terms of the Policy, it appears that any amounts in the Settlement allocated to a return

of fees and costs for services rendered (or to be rendered) are excluded from coverage.

However, any amounts in the Settlement allocated to damages incurred by ACM as a result of

SS&C’s negligence will be covered under the Policy. The “bare” factual question seems to be if

any of the Settlement can plausibly be allocated to: (i) “return, reduction or restitution of fees”

paid by ACM to SS&C or (ii) Section III(K) of the Policy relating to the exclusion for “any

Damages or Claims Expense based upon, arising out of, attributable to or involving directly or

indirectly . . . any actual or alleged false, descriptive or unfair business practices or any violation

of consumer protection laws”—i.e., the remaining CUPTA claim. 83

        The rulings in the Armour Action removed all but the negligent misrepresentation claims.

The Armour Action court also limited the CUPTA claim. The Court will grant the Summary

Judgment Motion as it applies to any contention by Endurance that the Policy entirely excludes

indemnification in connection with the Armour Action. Endurance breached the Policy by

failing to indemnify any portion of the Settlement that concerns other types of Damages incurred

by SS&C. After reading the Armour Action decision, the Court believes that allocation, if any,

to non-indemnifiable parts of the Settlement would be minor given ACM’s remaining claims

prior to trial.

        The Court harbors some reservations that the record is complete enough to grant

summary judgment as to the cost of the entire Settlement. Allocation may remain an issue. 84 As

such, the Court will allow SS&C and Endurance to engage in limited discovery on allocation.

The discovery should be limited to the issue of allocation as it relates to the Fee Carve out and

83
   The Court is not, at this time, deciding whether “negligent misrepresentation” claims under CUPTA even qualify
as “actual or alleged false, descriptive or unfair business practices” in violation of CUPTA.
84
   The parties have not addressed, or briefed, how allocation is handled under the terms of the Policy.

                                                       17
ACM’s remaining CUPTA claim. The period of discovery is to last no longer than sixty (60)

days. At the end of discovery, the Court will hold a status conference to schedule additional, if

any, briefing on the issue of allocation. The Court asks the parties to engage in focused

discovery. The Court will stay any “fishing expeditions” and use sanctions if necessary. The

only remaining question is whether any of the Settlement can be allocated to the Fee Carve-Out

and the CUPTA claim.

                                     VI.    CONCLUSION

       For all the foregoing reasons, the Motion to Dismiss is DENIED and the Summary

Judgment Motion is GRANTED in part and DEFERRED in part.

Dated: October 29, 2020
Wilmington, Delaware

                                             /s/ Eric M. Davis
                                             Eric M. Davis, Judge

cc: File&ServeXpress

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