Ohio’s High Court Weighs Definition Of Arson For Insurance Case

The state’s high court is considering arguments in an insurance case involving a vacant, foreclosed Poland home that was damaged by arson several years ago. Allstate Insurance Co. contends the incident was an act of “malicious mischief or vandalism” and, under policy provisions, the resulting damages were excluded from coverage. Wells Fargo Bank, the mortgage holder, counters that arson amounts to a “fire loss” and should be covered under the homeowner’s insurance policy. Justices must decide whether arson is malicious mischief or vandalism.