Duty to defend refers to an insurance company’s (insurer’s) obligation to defend a claim or lawsuit when the claim(s) asserted against the insured (policyholder) may be covered by the insurance policy.

The duty to defend is one of the insurer’s primary duties under most liability insurance policies, and an insured generally only needs to show there is some possibility of coverage for the claim(s) asserted against the insured to trigger the insurer’s duty to defend.

Therefore, the duty to defend against the claim(s) may exist even when coverage for losses or damages is in doubt and a court ultimately determines there is no coverage under the policy. And an insurer may owe a duty to defend its insured against a claim for which there are ultimately no damages awarded.

The duty to defend is determined by (1) the terms of the insured's insurance policy and (2) the facts as pleaded (stated in a lawsuit) by the claimant.

Any doubt as to whether the claims made against the insured create a duty to defend is usually resolved in favor of the insured, requiring the insurer to defend against the claims. Insurance coverage and claims issues are often complex and an insured is usually well-served by promptly discussing these matters with an experienced insurance coverage lawyer.

In Pennsylvania, the duty to defend is a fundamental obligation of an insurance company under most liability insurance policies. This duty is triggered when there is a potential for coverage based on the claims asserted against the policyholder, even if there is uncertainty about whether the policy ultimately covers the losses or damages, or if no damages are awarded. The determination of the duty to defend is based on the language of the insurance policy and the facts alleged in the claim. Pennsylvania courts tend to resolve any ambiguity regarding the duty to defend in favor of the insured, which means that the insurer is often required to provide a defense if there is any doubt. Given the complexity of insurance coverage and claims, policyholders in Pennsylvania are advised to consult with an attorney specializing in insurance coverage to address these matters promptly.