Steiner v. Middlesex Mutual Assurance Co.

This case arises out of a dispute over a fire loss between residential property owners and their fire insurer. The defendant, Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company, had issued a homeowner’s insurance policy to the plaintiffs, Helmut Steiner and Michelle Steiner, insuring their Westport residence against loss or damage by fire. On August 18, 1992, their residence was extensively damaged by fire. The parties were unable to agree on the value of the damages, and they, therefore, agreed to have the matter of the loss determined through an appraisal1 process provided under *417the policy. The parties…