Case Explained: The Hanover Insurance Company v. James Larson; Steven Bateski; Brian Aguiar

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Filed: 2026-08-10 The eighth-circuit affirmed the district court’s grant of judgment on the pleadings under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c), holding that Hanover Insurance Company owed no duty to defend or indemnify three former executives under a directors and officers liability policy issued to their former employer. Applying Missouri law under de novo review, the court determined that the appellants intended to assume personal liability when they signed separate Guaranty Agreements for corporate loans without referencing their executive designations on the signature lines. The court reasoned that interpreting these signatures as acting in an official capacity would render the guaranties meaningless by effectively having the corporation guarantee its own debt. Because the appellants did not act solely within their capacity as executives, they were not “Insured Individuals” covered by the policy. The district court’s judgment denying coverage remains in effect, and the appellants’ answer and counterclaims are deemed amended under 28 U.S.C. §1653. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.