Insurance Company that Withdraws Cumis – Triggering Reservation of Rights Need Not Continue to Pay Cumis Counsel’s Fees

On September 23, 2013, in the case of Swanson v. State Farm General Ins. Co. (Case No.B240016; LASC Case No. EC055177) the California Court of Appeal (Second District, Division Seven) held that when an insurance company withdraws all reservations of rights and coverage defenses that give rise to the right to retain Cumis counsel (San Diego Federal Credit Union v. Cumis Ins. Society, Inc. (1984) 162 Cal.App.3d 358); Civil Code section 2860), it has no duty to continue to pay the insured’s Cumis counsel’s fees and can appoint counsel of its choice to defend the insured in a third party action. http://www.metnews.com/sos.cgi?0913//B240016

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