Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's of London v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County

Opinion

MOSK, J.

We granted review to resolve an important issue arising under the standard comprehensive general liability insurance policy.

In one provision, the standard policy imposes on the insurer a duty to defend the insured—in typical language, it generally states that the insurer has a “duty to defend” the insured “in any suit seeking damages” for harm alleged within coverage.

- In another provision, the standard policy imposes on the insurer a duty to indemnify the insured—again in typical language, it generally states that the insurer “will pay all sums that the insured becomes legally…