Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance v. Bronson Plating Co.

Defendants appeal the Court of Appeals determination that defendants’ duty to defend was triggered by plaintiff Bronson Plating Company’s receipt of a letter from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, informing Bronson of its potential liability at the contaminated North Bronson Industrial Area site. Defendants argue that receipt of the notice did not give rise to a duty to defend because the letter did not signal the initiation of a "suit” within the meaning of the subject insurance policies.

We find that the term "suit,” as used in the insurance policies at issue, is ambiguous…