Spears v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Insurance

Darrell Hickman, Justice.

Robert L. Spears, a discjockey for radio station KSSN in Little Rock, was struck in the face with a baseball bat. He sued Bob Troutt and his wife for damages, alleging intentional, negligent and willful and wanton conduct by the Troutts. The appellee, State Farm Fire and Casualty Insurance, carried a home owners policy for the Troutts and provided a defense for the Troutts; however, State Farm specifically reserved the right to deny coverage through an exclusion in the policy for injuries “expected or intended by the insured.” State Farm expressly told counsel to…