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Third Lava Lawsuit Filed Against Lloyd’s of London
News Source: Big Island Now
The third lawsuit against Lloyd’s of London, filed by attorney Jeffrey Foster, involves Susie Osborne, the founder of a charter school on the Big Island of Hawaii. Osborne alleges that Lloyd’s, along with other affiliated entities, illegally denied her coverage after her home was destroyed by lava, despite selling her a Lloyd’s certificate of home insurance. The lawsuit accuses the insurer of deceptive practices and bad faith, claiming they denied claims without proper investigation or visiting the property.
Osborne, a lifelong practitioner of “living pono,” meaning acting righteously toward others and the environment, co-founded the Kua O Ka Lā New Century Public Charter School, which was destroyed by the Kīlauea eruption in July 2018. Despite her own loss, Osborne prioritized the continuation of schooling for the children, ensuring they had safe locations to continue their education.
The lawsuit highlights that Osborne was allegedly not informed of the option to obtain coverage through the Hawaii Property Insurance Association (HPIA), which would have offered better coverage and regulatory oversight. Foster’s office has been contacted by numerous homeowners in Puna who feel mistreated, deceived, or ignored by Lloyd’s.
