Top Property Insurance Decisions Of 2025

Ryan Buschell was quoted in a Law360 article highlighting the top property insurance decisions of 2025. The piece covers the Eighth Circuit’s ruling in Maxus Metropolitan LLC v. Travelers Property Casualty Co. of America, which upheld a $27 million jury award for an apartment owner, finding that microscopic soot constituted “direct physical loss or damage” under Missouri law.

Ryan noted that the decision, along with California’s recent Aliff ruling, reflects courts grappling with the impact of pandemic-related coverage litigation. “These cases are examples of courts limiting the COVID-19 rulings,” Ryan said, explaining that in Maxus, that meant preserving coverage for soot damage. He added that while the decision is persuasive, its influence outside the Eighth Circuit may be limited, as courts will look to their own state supreme courts and COVID-era precedents when adjudicating similar issues.