Allianz Insurer Sued by Cooler Maker Over Fingertip Injury Cases

Cooler manufacturer Igloo Products Corp. sued its insurer, an Allianz SE unit, for refusing to defend the company against proposed class actions claiming defective cooler handles caused fingertip injuries.

Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Company breached its contractual duty to provide legal defense under commercial general liability policies providing as much as $5 million in coverage, according to Igloo’s complaint Thursday in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Multiple customers suffered fingertip pinches, amputations, bone fractures, and lacerations from handles on Igloo’s “Flip & Tow 90 QT” rolling coolers, according to recall notices cited in the ...