Ordered that the order is reversed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements, and the cross motion is granted to the extent that it is directed that the third-party action be tried separately.
It has long been recognized that it is inherently prejudicial to third-party defendant insurers to have the issue of insurance coverage tried before the jury that considers the underlying liability claims (see, Kelly v Yannotti, 4 N.Y.2d 603; Dreizen v Morris I. Stoler, Inc., 98 A.D.2d 759; Mancuso v Bellerive, 50 A.D.2d 802; Schwartz v Woodner Co., 40 A.D.2d 1027). Thompson, J.P., Kunzeman, Eiber, Rosenblatt and Ritter, JJ., concur.