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Legal Memorandum: Burden of Proof in Insurance Disputes

Issue: Under New York law, in a disputed insurance matter, must the insurer or insured first prove its case?

Area of Law: Insurance Law
Keywords: Insurance dispute; Shifting of burden; Insurer or insured
Jurisdiction: New York
Cited Cases: 46 N.Y.2d 351; 385 N.E.2d 1280; 230 N.Y.S.2d 13; 413 N.Y.S.2d 352; 183 N.E.2d 899
Cited Statutes: None
Date: 02/01/2001

Once the insured makes out a prima facie case that the loss is covered, the burden shifts to the insurer to establish that the loss is expressly excluded from coverage.  Sincoff v. Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 11 N.Y.2d 386, 390, 183 N.E.2d 899, 230 N.Y.S.2d 13, 15-16 (1962); Breed v. Insurance Co. of N. Am., 46 N.Y.2d 351, 353- 54, 385 N.E.2d 1280, 413 N.Y.S.2d 352, 354-55 (1978).

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