NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITTS. v. Willis

**Insurance Company Wins Dispute Over Executive Coverage** This case involved a dispute between National Union Fire Insurance Company and an officer named Willis over insurance coverage. The officer had been sued in an underlying lawsuit and expected his company's directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance to cover his legal costs and any damages. However, the insurance company refused to provide coverage and asked the court to confirm they didn't have to pay. The court sided with the insurance company. The judge ruled that the officer was not entitled to coverage under the D&O policies because he failed to notify the insurer about the lawsuit within the required time period. The court dismissed the officer's counterclaim seeking coverage and granted the insurance company's request for a declaratory judgment. This case matters for workers, especially those in executive or management positions, because it shows how strict insurance notification requirements can be. If you're covered by your employer's D&O insurance or similar policies, you must report potential claims or lawsuits immediately according to the policy terms. Missing these deadlines—even by accident—can result in losing coverage entirely, leaving you personally responsible for legal costs and damages.