Insurance Law Commons^™

Voluntary Intoxication: A Defense To Intentional Injury Exclusion Clauses In Homeowner's Policies?, Tracy E. Silverman

Michigan Law Review

This Note argues that the current voluntary intoxication defense to the intentional injury exclusion clause should be modified to allow insurers subrogation rights against insureds who commit intentional acts while voluntarily intoxicated, subject to an exception for alcoholic insureds who successfully complete alcohol treatment programs. Part I discusses the public policy concerns of victim compensation and deterrence and how they influence courts deciding between the three traditional approaches to "intent." Part II analyzes the impact of these intent standards on courts' decisions to allow a voluntary intoxication defense and concludes that the defense as currently formulated promotes victim compensation at …