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Dolton Today
By the People, for the People
Insurers Lose Bid to Duck Coverage Claim Over Police Chase Crash
A Chicago suburb's claim against Munich Re and Markel Group insurers over a 2016 car crash during a police chase can proceed, a federal court ruled.
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
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A federal court ruled that a Munich Re unit and a Markel Group Inc. unit providing excess coverage cannot dismiss a claim by the Village of Dolton, Illinois that the insurers made a bad-faith failure to settle an underlying lawsuit over a 2016 car crash that occurred during a police chase.
Why it matters
This case highlights the complex legal battles that can arise between municipalities, insurers, and victims following high-speed police chases that result in crashes and injuries. The court's decision allows the Village of Dolton to pursue its claim that the insurers acted in bad faith by refusing to settle the case within their policy limits.
The details
The underlying lawsuit was brought against the Village of Dolton by the estate and family members of a person who was killed in the 2016 car crash that occurred during a police chase. The Village of Dolton alleged that Munich Re's American Alternative Insurance Corp. and a Markel Group Inc. unit providing excess coverage both refused to settle the case within their policy limits, which was sufficient to support its bad-faith claim against the carriers.
- The car crash occurred in 2016.
- The federal court ruling was issued on February 25, 2026.
The players
Village of Dolton
A Chicago suburb that was sued following a 2016 car crash that occurred during a police chase.
Munich Re
A global reinsurance company whose American Alternative Insurance Corp. unit was sued by the Village of Dolton.
Markel Group Inc.
An insurance company that provided excess coverage and was also sued by the Village of Dolton.
What’s next
The case will now proceed to trial, where the Village of Dolton will have the opportunity to prove its claim that the insurers acted in bad faith by refusing to settle the underlying lawsuit within their policy limits.
The takeaway
This case highlights the complex legal and financial issues that can arise for municipalities following high-speed police chases that result in crashes and injuries. It also underscores the importance of insurers acting in good faith when handling claims related to such incidents.
