WESTCHESTER v. MCI COMMUNICATIONS

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Docket Number

No. 3033.

Attorney(S)

Dickstein Shapiro LLP, New York (Linda Kornfeld, of the California Bar, admitted pro hac vice, of counsel), for appellants. Ford Marrin Esposito Witmeyer Gleser, L.L.P., New York (Joseph D'Ambrosio of counsel), for respondents.

Judges

Angela M. Mazzarelli
Karla Moskowitz
Leland G. DeGrasse
Sallie Manzanet-Daniels

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WESTCHESTER FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, v. MCI COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, Appellant, and CNA INSURANCE COMPANY et al., Respondents, et al., Defendants. CHUBB INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY et al., Third-Party Plaintiffs,

The court, in a well-reasoned decision, properly found endorsement 30 in the 1992-1995 policies at issue unambiguous in providing that MCI is liable for its own defense costs. Contrary to MCI's contention, the provision is not an exclusion ( see Pav-Lak Indus., Inc. v Arch Ins. Co., 56 AD3d 287, 288). Absent ambiguity, extrinsic evidence is inadmissible. Nor is there a need to resort to contra proferentem, which, in any event, would be inapplicable to this sophisticated policyholder ( see Cummins, Inc. v Atlantic Mut. Ins. Co., 56 AD3d 288, 290).

We have considered MCI's other contentions and find them unavailing.

[Prior Case History: 2009 NY Slip Op 32438(U).]

WESTCHESTER FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, v. MCI COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, Appellant, and CNA INSURANCE COMPANY et al., Respondents, et al., Defendants. CHUBB INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY et al., Third-Party Plaintiffs,

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