Hansen v. Sentry Ins. Co.

Mark Hansen was a former vice president of Wilcox Industries Corp. After Hansen left Wilcox, he founded his own company, Advanced Life Support Technologies. Wilcox filed a complaint against Hansen, alleging that Hansen stole Wilcox’s customers and spread false and damaging information about Wilcox’s products. Hansen tendered his defense to Wilcox’s insurer, Sentry Insurance Company. Sentry denied coverage, stating that it did not have a duty to defend or indemnify Hansen against Wilcox’s claims. Hansen subsequently filed suit seeking a declaration that Sentry owed a duty to defend and indemnify him with respect to Wilson’s complaint. The district court granted summary judgment for Wilcox, concluding that Hansen did not qualify as an “insured” under Wilcox’s policy. The First Circuit affirmed, holding (1) Sentry owed no duty to defend or indemnify Hansen in the underlying litigation; and (2) there was no evidence in the record that would permit a reasonable jury to find that Sentry breached any contract with Hansen. View "Hansen v. Sentry Ins. Co." on Justia Law