Insurance Defense and Coverage
Exclusions and Special Issues
The exclusion removes coverage for injury arising out of assault or battery, and broader forms extend to claims of negligent hiring, supervision, or failure to provide security where the underlying injury resulted from an assault.
It is common in hospitality, bar, and habitational risks.
Alternative Names:
A&B Exclusion, Assault Battery Exclusion
Why it Matters?
The broad form is what matters, because it converts a negligent security claim against a property owner into an uncovered loss even though the owner committed no assault. That leaves premises defendants funding their own defense in exactly the category of claim most likely to produce a severe verdict. Whether the exclusion reaches derivative negligence theories is heavily litigated and jurisdiction-dependent.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Does the exclusion bar negligent security claims?
Where is this exclusion most common?
