Post Judgment Interest Pre-Judgment Interest Punitive Damages United States and Canada 2011
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Introduction This booklet summarizes Post Judgment Interest, Pre-judgment Interest, and Punitive damages as applied by the various states, provinces and territories of the United States and Canada. Claims technicians need to consider these elements to properly evaluate and reserve a claim. When precise and up-to-date information is required, you should check with local counsel as these are constantly changing fields. Since these reviews provide only a brief summary, a complete reading and analysis of the cases coupled with specific legal opinions of the applicable jurisdictional laws must be completed before significant decisions are made. In providing this information, the authors do not intend to provide legal advice. Edited by August LaLuna munich Reinsurance America, Inc. Claims Division Special Thanks to Kevin E. Wolff Nicole Figliolina Michael Hrinewski Coughlin Duffy LLP morristown, NJ MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 1
Post Judgment Interest State Interest Allowed Date Accrues Rate of Interest Alabama Yes Date of Judgment 12%, or rate provided in the contract. Alaska Yes Date of Judgment If cause of action accrued on or after August 7, 2007, three percentage points above the 12th Federal Reserve District discount rate in effect on January 2 of the year in which judgment is entered. For all causes of actions earlier than August 7, 2007, the rate of interest is 10.5%. If contract specifies rate of interest then the rate is enforced as specified in the contract not to exceed the legal rate of 10.5%. Arizona Yes Date of Judgment 10%, or rate provided in the contract. Medical malpractice claims prevailing party receives interest at rate equal to three percentage points above the federal post judgment interest rate (28 U.S.C. 1961) in effect on date judgment entered, continuing to be adjusted on 6/30 and 12/31 each year, but rate cannot exceed 9%. Interest shall accrue at each adjusted rate until next adjustment, and adjusted interest rate shall not apply to any preceding six-month period. Arkansas Yes Date of Judgment On a judgment entered by a circuit court: On a judgment entered on a contract, rate provided by the contract or 10% per annum, whichever is greater, and on any other judgment at 10% per annum, but not more than the maximum rate permitted by the Arkansas Constitution, Article 19, Section 13, as amended (5% per annum above the Federal Discount Rate at the time of the contract). On a judgment entered by a district court: On a judgment entered on a contract, rate provided by the contract or 10% per annum, whichever is greater, and on any other judgment at 10% per annum. California Yes Date of Judgment 10%, unless legislature reduces rate to less than 10%, or rate provided in the contract. Post judgment interest against a public entity is assessed at a rate of 7% per annum. Colorado Yes Date of Judgment Contract 8% or rate provided in the contract, but parties may stipulate to rates not greater than 45%, compounded annually. Tort 9% compounded annually, unless judgment debtor appeals, then rate to be two percentage points above discount rate certified by Secretary of State on 1/1 of the current year, compounded annually. Connecticut Yes Negligence cases arising after 5/27/97: 20 days after judgment or 90 days after verdict, whichever is earlier. All other cases: Date of Judgment 10%. For debt arising out of services provided at hospital, court has discretion to award post judgment interest at rate no higher than 5% per year. 2 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Post Judgment Interest State Interest Allowed Date Accrues Rate of Interest Delaware Yes Date of Judgment 5% over Federal Reserve discount rate, or rate provided in the contract. District of Columbia Yes Date of Judgment Where judgment is not against District of Columbia or where rate of interest is not fixed by contract, interest is 70% of rate of interest set by Secretary of Treasury pursuant to 6621 of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for underpayment of tax to Internal Revenue Service rounded to the nearest full percent or if exactly.25 of 1 %, increased to the next highest full percent, provided that court may lower such rate of interest for good cause shown or upon showing that judgment debtor in good faith is unable to pay judgment. Interest at rate not exceeding 4% is allowed on judgments against District of Columbia. Florida Yes Date of Judgment Amount stated in contract or, for judgments and decrees entered on or after 1/1/95, interest at rate equal to averaged federal discount rate as established by the Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida on 12/1 of each year beginning 12/1/94, plus 500 basis points, unless rate is established in written contract or obligation. For time periods before 1/1/95 for which interest is due, use previous statutory rate. Georgia Yes Date of Judgment Principal amount of judgment bears interest at rate of prime rate as published by the Board of Governors of Federal Reserve System, as published in Statistical Release H.15 or any publication that may supersede it, on day judgment is entered, plus 3%, or rate in written contract or obligation. Hawaii Yes Date of Judgment 10% per year, 4% if tort action against State. If judgment against State, date of judgment up to, but not exceeding, 30 days after the approval of any appropriation act providing for payment of judgment. Idaho Yes Date of Judgment Interest runs at 5% plus base rate of weekly average yield on U.S. Treasury Securities as determined by Idaho State Treasurer on 7/1 for the succeeding year. Illinois Yes Date of Judgment 9%. By tender of payment of judgment, costs and accrued interest to date of tender, judgment debtor can stop further accrual of interest on same, notwithstanding prosecution of appeal or other action to reverse, modify or vacate judgment. 6% if judgment debtor is unit of local government, school district, community college district, or any other governmental entity. Indiana Yes [T]he date of the return of the verdict or finding of the court until satisfaction. 8% or rate in contract (provided the contract rate does not exceed 8%). MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 3
Post Judgment Interest State Interest Allowed Date Accrues Rate of Interest Iowa Yes Date of Judgment Contract and Tort (not under comparative fault) 5% or rate specified in contract on which judgment is based, not to exceed 2% over monthly average ten-year constant maturity interest rate of the U.S. government notes and bonds. Comparative Fault Act -Rate of interest shall be calculated as of the date of judgment at a rate equal to the one-year treasury constant maturity index published by Federal Reserve in H.15 Report settled immediately prior to date of judgment, plus 2%. Kansas Yes Date of Judgment Contract Rate provided in the contract not exceeding maximum rate. All other actions From date of judgment until 7/1/80 (including judgment against a state or political subdivision) 8%; between 7/1/80 and 7/1/82 12% per annum; between 7/1/82 and 1/1/86 15% per annum; on and after 7/1/86, the rate will be at a rate per annum of 4% above federal discount rate as of July 1 preceding date of judgment. Kentucky Yes Date of Judgment 12% compounded annually or rate specified in contract, whether it is higher or lower than 12%. If unliquidated damages, court s discretion to set rate at less than 12%. Louisiana Yes Ex delicto legal rates attach from date of judicial demand. Ex contracto from date due. Prior to 9/12/80 7%; 9/12/80 9/11/81 10%; 9/12/81 1/1/88 12%; 1988 9.75%; 1989 and 1990 11.5%; 1991 11%; 1992 9%; 1993 and 1994 7%; 1995 8.75%; 1996 9.75%; 1/1/97 8/1/97 9.25%; 8/2/97 12/31/97 7.9%; 1998 7.6%; 1999 6.73%; 2000 7.285%; 2001 8.24%; on or after 1/1/02, rates shall be equal to rates published annually by commissioner of financial institution. Effective judicial interest rate equals 3.25% above discount rate published on 10/1 of each year in the Wall Street Journal. Contract rate whatever agreed to in contract (maximum 12%). 4 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Post Judgment Interest State Interest Allowed Date Accrues Rate of Interest Maine Yes For judgment from and after the date of entry of judgment and includes the period of any appeal. For contract cases the rate of interest is fixed as of the date of judgment. If the prevailing party at any time requests and obtains a continuance for a period in excess of 30 days, interest is suspended for the duration of the continuance. On petition of the nonprevailing party and on a showing of good cause, the trial court may order that interest awarded by this section be fully or partially waived. For non-contracts - one-year United States Treasury bill rate plus 6%. For judgments entered in: 2003 (7.41%), 2004 (7.28%), 2005 (8.77%), 2006 (10.36%), 2007 (10.99%), 2008 (9.42%), 2009 (6.40%), 2010 (6.41%) For contracts, rate is the rate set forth in the contract or one-year United States Treasury bill rate plus 6%, whichever is greater. Maryland Yes Date of Judgment Judgments generally 10%. A money judgment entered in an action arising from a contract for the loan of money shall carry interest at the rate charged in the contract on any balance remaining unpaid until the date of maturity of the contract as originally scheduled. Massachusetts Yes Date of Judgment 12% (does not apply to tort cases against Commonwealth). MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 5
Post Judgment Interest State Interest Allowed Date Accrues Rate of Interest Michigan Yes Date of Judgment For complaints involving contracts filed on and after 1/1/87 but before 7/1/02: 12% compounded annually or rate specified in contract if higher (not to exceed 13%). For complaint involving contracts filed on and after 7/1/02: rate specified in contract if legal at the time instrument executed; if variable rate, interest fixed at rate in effect under instrument at time complaint filed, not exceeding 13% per year compounded annually. For complaint involving torts on or after 1/1/87: Rate certified by state treasurer semi-annually equal to 1% plus the average interest rate paid at auction of 5-year United States Treasury notes during the 6 months immediately preceding July 1 and January 1 compounded annually. For the preceding eight years, the average interest rate paid at auction of 5-year United States Treasury notes, plus the statutory 1% was as follows: 7/1/04 4.357% 1/1/05 4.529% 7/1/05 4.845% 1/1/06 5.221% 7/1/06 5.815% 1/1/07 5.701% 7/1/07 5.741% 1/1/08 5.033% 7/1/08 4.063% 1/1/09 3.695% 7/1/09 3.101% 1/1/10 3.480% 7/1/10 3.339% 1/1/11 2.553% For complaints involving tort where there is a bona fide (a written offer of settlement that is not more than 110% of amount actually received by plaintiff through judgment) written offer of settlement and that offer is filed with the court and the offer is rejected by the defendant: Rate is increased by 2% and calculated from the date of the rejection of the offer (a reasonable written offer or settlement not accepted within 21 days is deemed rejected for purposes of this rate). For complaints filed on or after 10/1/86, interest is not allowed on future damages (personal injury damages accruing after the amount of damages is determined) from the date of filing the complaint to the date of entry of the judgment. 6 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Post Judgment Interest State Interest Allowed Date Accrues Rate of Interest Minnesota Yes Date of verdict or judgment Judgments for $50,000 and under, or for judgment against the state or political subdivision of the state - rate will be based on the secondary market yield of one year United States Treasury bills, calculated on a bank discount basis. Judgments over $50,000 (entered on or after 8/1/09) the rate will be 10%. Mississippi Yes Date of Judgment Judgments and decrees founded on contract or sale bear interest at contract rate or, if no rate provided in the contract, a reasonable rate set by court. Missouri Yes Date of Judgment Contracts 9%, or rate provided in the contract, if higher than 9%. Torts Intended Federal Funds Rate, established by the Federal Reserve, plus 5%, until full satisfaction is made. Montana Yes Date of Judgment 10%, or rate specified in contract. Interest payable on judgments recovered in the courts of Montana and on the costs incurred to obtain or enforce a judgment. Nebraska Yes Date of Judgment On actions filed before 7/20/02: 1% above bond equivalent yield, as published by U.S. Secretary of the Treasury of average accepted auction price for last auction of Treasury bills in effect on date of judgment; rate specified in contract, or rate specified by statute for a particular action. On actions filed after 7/20/02: 2 percentage points above the bond investment yield, as published by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury of the average accepted auction price for first auction of each annual quarter of the 26-week U.S. Treasury bills in effect on date of judgment; rate specified in contract or rate specified by statute for a particular action. Nevada Yes Date of Judgment Prime rate at the largest bank in Nevada as ascertained by the Commissioner of Financial Institutions on 1/1 or 7/1 immediately preceding the date of judgment, plus 2%, or rate provided in written contract. Future damages draw interest only from entry of judgment. New Hampshire Yes Date of Judgment Simple interest rate determined on or before 12/1 by State Treasurer based on prevailing discount rate on 26-week U.S. Treasury bills, plus 2 percentage points, effective first day of following year. MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 7
Post Judgment Interest State Interest Allowed Date Accrues Rate of Interest New Jersey Yes Date of Judgment For judgments within the limits of the Special Civil Part (as of 2011, up to $15,000), for the calendar year beginning 1/2/86, the rate of interest shall equal the average rate of return for the corresponding preceding fiscal year terminating on 6/30 of the State of N.J. Cash Management Fund as reported by the Division of Investment in the Department of Treasury. The annual rate of interest, as calculated above, was 8.5% in 1991, 7.5% in 1992, 5.5% in 1993, 3.5% in 1994, 5.5% in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, 5% in 2000, 5.5% in 2001, 6% in 2002, 3% in 2003, 2% in 2004, 1% in 2005, 2% in 2006, 4% in 2007, 5.5% in 2008, 4% for 2009, 1.5% in 2010, and 0.5% in 2011. For judgments exceeding the limits of the Special Civil Part, the rate of post-judgment interest is calculated in the manner above until 9/1/96; thereafter, at the rates provided above plus 2%. New Mexico Yes Date of Judgment Contract 8.75%, or rate provided in the contract. Tortious conduct, bad faith or intentional and willful acts 15%. State and its political subdivisions are exempt unless law provides otherwise. New York Yes The earlier of the date of verdict or date of entry of final judgment. Money judgments bear interest at legal rate of 9%, unless otherwise prescribed by statute. The court may set a lower rate in cases where a judgment is entered against the State or a municipality. North Carolina Yes Date of Judgment 8%, or rate specified in contract, if parties agreed that such rate would apply after judgment. North Dakota Yes Date of Judgment 12%, or rate provided in the contract. Beginning January 1, 2006, the interest is payable at a rate equal to the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal on the first Monday in December of each year, plus three percentage points rounded up to the next onehalf percentage point. Interest on all judgments entered in the courts of North Dakota before January 1, 2006 must remain at the rate per annum which was legally prescribed at the time the judgments were entered. Ohio Yes Date of Judgment Interest rate calculated at federal short-term rate, such that on 10/15, tax commissioner determines federal short-term rates, plus 3% (except for judgment on bonds, bills, notes, or other instruments in writing containing stipulations in writing for interest at some other lawful rate), or rate provided in the contract. The rate for 2011 is 4%. 8 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Post Judgment Interest State Interest Allowed Date Accrues Rate of Interest Oklahoma Yes The earlier of the date of judgment or the date the judgment is filed with the clerk of court. On judgments rendered between 1/1/00 and 1/1/05, judgments bear interest at annual rate equal to average U.S. Treasury bill rate of preceding calendar year as certified by State Treasurer each January plus 4% or rate provided in the contract. Judgments against state and political subdivisions shall bear interest at same rate but not to exceed 10% per year. For all judgments rendered on or after 1/1/05, judgments bear interest at an annual rate equal to the prime rate, as listed in the first edition of the Wall Street Journal published for each calendar year and as certified to the Administrative Director of the Courts by the State Treasurer on the first regular business day following publication in January of each year, plus 2%. Oregon Yes Date of Judgment, unless another date is specified in the judgment. Pennsylvania Yes Date of verdict. If no verdict, date of judgment. 9%, or rate provided in the contract, if higher than 9%. For judgments rendered in an action for injuries resulting from the professional negligence of a person licensed by the Oregon Medical Board or the Oregon State Board of Nursing, the rate of interest on that judgment is the lesser of 5% per annum or 3% in excess of the discount rate in effect at the Federal Reserve Bank in the Federal Reserve District where the injuries occurred. 6%, or rate provided in the contract. Puerto Rico Yes Date of Judgment Rate fixed by Finance Board of Office of Commissioner of Financial Institutions in effect when judgment is pronounced. Rhode Island Yes Date of Judgment 12%, unless different rate expressly stipulated and accrues on both principal of judgment and prejudgment interest. Insurer liable for all interest on judgment, even if in excess of policy limits, if it rejects written offer equal to or less than policy limits at time action accrues. A written offer will be presumed rejected if insurer does not respond within 30 days. South Carolina Yes Date of Judgment 8.75% for cases where sum of money shall be ascertained and will draw interest according to law. South Dakota Yes Date of Verdict 10%. For all judgments entered on or after 7/1/05, the legal rate of interest is equal to the prime rate, plus four percentage points, compounded annually. The South Carolina Supreme Court shall issue an order by 1/15 of each year confirming the annual prime rate. Tennessee Yes Date of Verdict 10%, or rate provided in contract. Texas Yes Date of Judgment Rate specified in contract up to 18%. MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 9
Post Judgment Interest State Interest Allowed Date Accrues Rate of Interest Utah Yes Date of Judgment Rate provided in contract or Federal post judgment interest rate in 28 U.S.C. 1961 at beginning of each year. Vermont Yes Date of Judgment 12%. Virgin Islands Yes Date of Judgment 4%. Virginia Yes Date of Verdict, Judgment or Decree 6%, or rate provided in contract in effect at the time of entry of judgment and shall not be affected by subsequent changes to the rate of interest. Washington Yes Date of Judgment 12%, or rate provided in contract. Tortious conduct 2% points above equivalent coupon issue yield, as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, of average bill rate for 26-week treasury bills determined at first bill market auction conducted during calendar month immediately preceding date of entry. West Virginia Yes Date of Verdict, Judgment or Decree Three percentage points above the Fifth Federal Reserve District s secondary discount rate in effect on the second day of January of the year in which the judgment or decree is entered but not to exceed 11% or less than 7%. The rate for 2011 is 7%. Wisconsin Yes Date of Verdict 12%. Wyoming Yes Date of Judgment 10%, or rate provided in contract. 10 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Pre-Judgment Interest State Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Alabama Contract and Tort- Amounts Liquidated or Ascertainable. Accident & Health, and First Party Claims. Contract Date of Breach. Tort Date cause of action accrues. Accident & Health and First Party Claims 45 days after written claim and 30 days after electronic claim presented. Contract 6% or rate in written contract, not to exceed 8%. Accident & Health and First Party Claims 1.5% per month. Alaska All Contract Date of Accrual of cause of action. Tort Earlier of date process is served on defendant or date defendant receives written notification that injury occurred and claim may be brought unless parties agree otherwise. Arizona All Liquidated Damages Date due. Unliquidated Claims Date of Offer of Judgment (when applicable only). Three percentage points above the 12th Federal Reserve District discount rate in effect on Jan. 2 of the year in which the judgment is entered except when a judgment on a contract bears interest at the rate specified in the contract, if one is specified, not exceeding the legal rate of 10.5%. No pre-judgment interest for future economic, future non-economic, or punitive damages. Liquidated Damages 10%, or rate provided in the contract. Unliquidated Claims If offer of judgment made before trial was not accepted and judgment finally obtained was equal to or more favorable to the offer or than the offer, offeree is liable for pre-judgment interest on unliquidated claim from date of the offer. Arkansas Amounts ascertainable at time of loss. Date ascertainable. 6%, or rate provided in the contract. California All Contract Date due or ascertainable. Contract unliquidated damages court s discretion but no earlier than date action filed. Other actions jury discretion. Contract 10% (for contracts entered into after 1/1/86), or rate provided in the contract. Other actions 7%, except for an offer of judgment in personal injury actions 10%. Offer of Judgment in personal injury actions date of plaintiff s first offer exceeded by judgment. MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 11
Pre-Judgment Interest State Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Colorado Contract, Tort Contract Date due. Tort Date action accrues. Connecticut Civil Action Civil Action Discretionary from date money due or wrongfully withheld. Offer of Compromise If made 18 months after filing of action, interest is payable from date action filed. If later than 18 months, payable from date offer of judgment was filed. Contract 8%, compounded annually, or rate in written contract. Tort 9% compounded annually. Medical malpractice Pre-judgment interest accruing between date action accrues and date of filing of action deemed part of damages and included in statutory limitation of $250,000 on non-economic damages and limitation of $1 million on total damages per patient. Civil actions 10%, except for debt arising out of services provided at hospital; pre-judgment interest shall be no more than 5% per year, the awarding of interest in such cases is discretionary. Offer of Compromise 8% if plaintiff recovers amount equal to or greater than offer. Delaware Contract, Property Damage, Personal Injury, Death. Contract date payment due. Tort date of injury, provided that prior to trial plaintiff submitted written settlement demand valid for at least 30 days in an amount less than the amount entered by judgment. 5% over Federal Reserve discount rate, or rate specified in contract. Other Civil Actions date action accrues. District of Columbia Contract Liquidated Damages where interest payable by contract, law or usage. Date due. 6%, or rate provided in the contract. Actions against the District of Columbia: not to exceed 4%. Unliquidated Damages at the Court s discretion if necessary to fully compensate. Florida Contract or Liquidated Damages. Date due or date of breach. Amount stated in contract or, for judgments and decrees entered on or after 1/1/95, interest at rate equal to averaged federal discount rate as established by the Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida on 12/1 of each year beginning 12/1/94, plus 500 basis points, unless rate is established in written contract or obligation. For time periods before 1/1/95 for which interest is due, use previous statutory rate. 12 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Pre-Judgment Interest State Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Georgia Contract and Tort Liquidated Damages and Unliquidated Damages. Contract Date of breach (discretionary if unliquidated). Liquidated Damages Date of Demand. Tort Unliquidated Damages 30 days after written demand if judgment equals or exceeds demand. For all actions filed on or after 7/1/03: Prime rate, as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, plus 3%, or rate provided in written contract. For actions filed prior to 7/1/03, contract actions incur 7% rate of interest, or rate provided in contract, and tort actions incur 12%. Hawaii All Judicial discretion, but earliest is date of injury (tort) or date of breach (contract). 10%, or rate provided in the contract (not to exceed 10%). State is not liable for pre-judgment interest for torts of its employees. Idaho Contract Liquidated Damages. Contract Date due or date ascertainable. Contract 12%, or rate in written contract. Tort, property damage, personal injury or wrongful death. Tort, property damage, personal injury, or wrongful death if claimant serves written offer of settlement and offer is not accepted and a final judgment is reached that is equal or greater than offer of settlement, interest will accrue from the date the offer of settlement was served. Tort, property damage, personal injury or wrongful death 5%, plus the base rate in effect at the time the offer of settlement was served. Base rate is weekly average yield on U.S. Treasury Securities as determined by Idaho State Treasurer on 7/1 for the succeeding year. Illinois Contract Liquidated damages. Date due. 5%, or rate provided in the contract. Indiana All Contract Date due or date ascertainable. All Actions Interest begins to accrue on latest of: 15 months after cause of action accrued, six months if not contract or tort; 180 days after medical review panel formed to review medical malpractice claims. Iowa Tort, Contract. Contract Liquidated Damages Date due. Contract Unliquidated Damages Date action commenced. Tort Date action commenced. Contract 8%, or rate provided in the contract. Tort Court may award interest at an amount between 6% and 10%. No prejudgment interest as part of punitive damages judgment. No pre-judgment interest against state or political subdivision. Contract and Tort not under Comparative Fault Act 10%, or rate specified in contract not to exceed maximum variable rate of 2% over rate on U.S. Government notes and bonds, calculated monthly. Tort Comparative Fault Act Rate of interest shall be calculated as of the date of judgment at rate equal to the one-year treasury constant maturity index published by Federal Reserve in H.15 Report settled immediately prior to date of judgment, plus 2%. MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 13
Pre-Judgment Interest State Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Kansas Contract Liquidated Damages. Date Due. Rate provided in the contract or 10% per annum if not in contract. Kentucky Contract Liquidated Damages as a matter of right. Unliquidated at the Court s discretion. Date Due. 8% or rate in written contract subject to a statutory cap. Louisiana All For property cases from time property was damaged. Contract Date due. Tort Date of judicial demand. Prior to 9/12/80 7%; 9/12/80 9/11/81 10%; 9/12/81 1/1/88 12%; 1988 9.75%; 1989 and 1990 11.5%; 1991 11%; 1992 9%; 1993 and 1994 7%; 1995 8.75%; 1996 9.75%; 1/1/97 8/1/97 9.25%; 8/2/97 12/31/97 7.9%; 1998 7.6%; 1999 6.73%; 2000 7.285%; 2001 8.24%; on or after 1/1/02, rates shall be equal to rates published annually by commissioner of financial institution. Effective judicial interest rate equals 3.25% above discount rate published on 10/1 of each year in the Wall Street Journal. Maine All For small claims no, unless set forth in contract. Pre-judgment interest accrues from the time of notice of claim setting forth under oath the cause of action, served personally or by registered or certified mail upon the defendant until the date on which an order of judgment is entered. If a notice of claim has not been given to the defendant, prejudgment interest accrues from the date on which the complaint is filed. In actions involving a contract or note that contains a provision relating to interest, the rate of interest is fixed as of the time the notice of claim is given or, if a notice of claim has not been given, as of the date on which the complaint is filed. Contract rate whatever agreed to in contract (maximum 12%). For judgments - one-year United States Treasury bill rate plus 3% unless set forth in contract and then it will be contract rate. 14 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Pre-Judgment Interest State Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Maryland Contract, Auto B.I. if unnecessary delay of trial by defendants, otherwise left to jury for its discretion. Contract Date due. Auto B.I. Date of action. Contract 6%, or rate provided in the contract, if higher than 6%. Auto B.I. rate determined by the court, but in no event at a rate exceeding 10%. Not permitted against the state. Massachusetts All Contract Date of breach or demand if established, otherwise date of action. Tort Date of commencement of action. Michigan All Contract Date of action. Tort Date of action. If offer of judgment by defendant is not less than 90% of the judgment to plaintiff, interest ceases as of date offer filed with the court. Minnesota Contract or Tort Contract date due. Pecuniary from the time of the commencement of the action or a demand for arbitration, or the time of a written notice of claim, whichever occurs first, if action is commenced within two years from date of the demand or notice of claim. Judgment 12% per annum Contract 12% per annum (from date of breach or demand) See rates of interest under Post- Judgment Section. Judgment amount of $50,000 or less, or judgment against state or political subdivision of state interest is based on secondary market yield of one-year U.S. Treasury Bills. For a judgment or award over $50,000, other than a judgment or award for or against the state or a political subdivision of the state, the interest rate shall be ten percent per year until paid. No pre-judgment interest is allowed on the part of the judgment representing future damages unless written settlement offer. If prevailing party s written settlement offer is closer than other party s to judgment, then interest accrues from date of claim, demand, or commencement of action and interest on special damages from date incurred. However, to take advantage of this rule, settlement offers must be allocated between past damages and future damages in the same proportion as that determined by the trier of fact. If non- prevailing party s offer is closer to judgment, then interest is calculated on the lesser of the judgment or offer. MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 15
Pre-Judgment Interest State Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Mississippi All From date that judge says is fair but in no event prior to the filing of the complaint. Missouri All Contract date due or date of breach. Tort the earlier of a date 90 days after written demand or from the date the demand was rejected without counteroffer. Contract Rate in contract or 8%. Other actions Rate set by judge. Contract 9%, or rate provided in the contract if higher than 9%. Tort Intended Federal Funds Rate, as established by Federal Reserve Board, plus 3%. Montana Contract liquidated damages or ascertainable amounts. Tort liquidated damages, ascertainable amounts, or at the court s discretion. Contract date of breach. Tort 30 days after submitting a written statement of the claim and how the sum was calculated. 10%, or rate provided for in contract. Nebraska All Contract/Liquidated Damages date balance due. Unliquidated damages settlement offer date, if offer complies with statutory conditions and is exceeded by the judgment amount. Liquidated damages 12%, or rate provided in the contract. Unpaid balance of unliquidated damages rate as provided in post judgment interest (see above). Pre-judgment interest not permitted against the state or its political subdivisions. Nevada All Date of service of summons and complaint. If defendant makes a written offer that is refused by the plaintiff and plaintiff fails to obtain a more favorable judgment, no prejudgment interest is payable. New Hampshire All Contract/Liquidated Damages Interest runs from filing of suit. Unliquidated Damages Interest runs from date of writ or filing of petition to date of judgment. Prime rate at largest bank in Nevada as ascertained by the Commissioner of Financial Institutions on 1/1 or 7/1 immediately preceding date of judgment, plus 2%; or rate in written contract. Not applicable to future damages or arbitration awards. Simple interest rate determined on or before 12/1 by state treasurer based on prevailing discount rate on 26-week United States Treasury bills, plus 2 percentage points, effective the first day of following year. 16 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Pre-Judgment Interest State Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest New Jersey Tort, Contract (unless claim has been filed under the New Jersey Contractual Liability Act). Pre-judgment interest may be awarded for claims arising out of or relating to construction, installation or improvements to real property. Tort Six months after action accrues or date of complaint, whichever is later. Offer of Judgment from date of offer or date of completion of discovery, whichever is later. Non-tort discretionary. Simple interest shall run at the rate of 12% per annum prior to 1/1/88. Thereafter, pre-judgment interest shall be calculated in the same manner as post-judgment interest, as set forth in the Post-Judgment Interest section. Pre-judgment interest is not allowed on any recovery for future economic losses. Offer of Judgment If claimant s offer is not accepted, and verdict is at least equal to 120% of the rejected offer, claimant is allowed 8% interest on the amount of any recovery but only to the extent it exceeds the amount of the annual rate of interest. New Mexico All Contract date claim accrues. All others date complaint is served. Court has discretion to award interest up to 10% based on statutory factors. State and its political subdivisions are exempt, unless law provides otherwise. New York Contract, Interference with Property Rights, Wrongful Death Actions. Not applicable to personal injury actions. Contract and interference with property rights date cause of action accrues. Wrongful death date of death. 9%, except otherwise provided by statute or rate provided in the contract. In equitable actions, interest, rate and date it accrues are left to the court s discretion. North Carolina All Contract date of breach. All others date action commences. 8%, or rate provided in the contract, subject to statutory limits. North Dakota Contract, Liquidated Damages, Noncontractual Obligations, Fraud, Oppression and Malice. Contract date balance due. All others at discretion of judge or jury. 6%, or rate provided in the contract, not to exceed the legal maximum (defined as 5.5% over the average rate of interest payable on U.S. Treasury Bills but not less than 7%). Ohio Contract, Tort If court determines that the party to be paid did not make a good faith effort to settle, then no interest is due. Contract Date balance due. Other Date the cause of action accrued. Interest rate calculated at federal short term rate, such that on 10/15, tax commissioner determines federal short-term rate, plus 3%, applicable for the following calendar year. The rate for 2011 is 4%. MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 17
Pre-Judgment Interest State Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Oklahoma Contract, Tort Contract Date due. Tort Prior to 11/1/09, date suit filed. After 11/1/09, no pre-judgment interest shall begin to accrue on tort actions until 24 months after suit commenced. This 24-month limitation does not apply to any tort actions against the State of Oklahoma or its political subdivisions. Contract Rate specified. On judgments rendered between 1/1/00 and 1/1/05, judgments bear interest at annual rate equal to average U.S. Treasury bill rate of preceding calendar year as certified by State Treasurer each January, plus 4%. Judgments against state and political subdivisions shall bear interest at same rate, but not to exceed 10% per year. After 1/1/05 but prior to 11/1/09, prejudgment interest shall be computed at an annual rate equal to the prime rate, as listed in the first edition of the Wall Street Journal published for each calendar year and as certified to the Administrative Director of the Courts by the State Treasurer on the first regular business day following publication in January of each year, plus 2%. Effective 11/1/09, pre-judgment interest shall be determined using a rate equal to the average United State Treasury bill rate of the preceding calendar year as certified to the Administrative Director of the Courts by the State Treasurer on the first regular business day in January of each year. Oregon Contracts, Ascertainable Damages. Date balance due. 9%, or rate agreed on by parties. Plaintiff must request prejudgment interest in initial pleading and present facts justifying an award of same. Pennsylvania Contract Contract Date due. 6%, or rate provided in contract. Tort (Delay damages) B.I., Death and P.D. Tort One year after the date original process was first served. Tort Damages for delay shall be calculated at the rate equal to the prime rate plus 1%, not compounded. No interest will be awarded after the defendant has made written offer of settlement that was in effect for 90 days or until commencement of trial, which offer was refused and plaintiff did not recover more than 125% of the offer. 18 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Pre-Judgment Interest State Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Puerto Rico At court s discretion where a party has acted rashly, court may impose interest on claims for debts and actions for damages. Debts Date action accrues. Damages Date of complaint. Rate fixed by Finance Board of Office of Commissioner of Financial Institutions. Rhode Island All Generally - date action accrues. Personal Injury or Wrongful Death based on professional negligence date of written notice of claim. Contract Rate provided in the contract. Tort 12% in civil actions where defendant is covered by liability insurance, if plaintiff makes an offer to defendant s insurer to settle for less than or equal to the maximum amount of coverage under the policy and defendant s insurer refuses offer, insurer is liable for all interest due on judgment entered by the court. Written offer presumed rejected if insurer does not respond within 30 days. South Carolina Contract or ascertainable sums. Date action accrues. 8.75%, or rate provided in the contract. South Dakota Liquidated damages or ascertainable amounts. Date of damage. 10%, or rate provided in the contract. Not recoverable for punitive, future or intangible damages. Tennessee At discretion of court based on equitable principles. Date due or the date action accrues. Rate provided in contract or statute, awarded at the discretion of the trial court not to exceed 10%. Texas All Contract Date due and ascertainable. PI, WD, & PD 180 days after defendant receives written notice of claim or on day suit is filed, whichever occurs first. The pre-judgment interest rate is equal to the post-judgment interest rate applicable at the time of judgment. Rate specified in contract up to 18%. Tort prime rate published by Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 5% if the prime rate as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is less than 5%; 15% if the prime rate as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is more than 15%. Utah Contract or ascertainable sums. Contracts Date damages are ascertainable. 10%, or rate provided in the contract. Tort Special damages actually incurred. Tort Date of occurrence of act giving rise to the cause of action. Vermont All Date action accrues. 12%, or rate provided in the contract. Virgin Islands Identifiable sums of money. Date due. 9%. (Pre-judgment interest not charged against government of Virgin Islands.) Virginia All Date action accrues. 6% or rate provided in contract. MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 19
Pre-Judgment Interest State Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Washington Contract liquidated damages. Date claim arises. 12%, or rate provided in contract. Tortious conduct. Tortious conduct 2% points above equivalent coupon issue yield, as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, of average bill rate for 26-week Treasury bills determined at first bill market auction conducted during calendar month immediately preceding date of entry. West Virginia Liquidated damages, special damages or readily determinable damages. Date action accrues. Three percentage points above the Fifth Federal Reserve District s secondary discount rate in effect on the second day of January of the year in which the judgment or decree is entered but not to exceed 11% or less than 7%. The rate for 2011 is 7%. Wisconsin Contracts, liquidated damages, other tort. Contract Date of breach. Liquidated damages Date due. Rate specified in contract or 12% for liquidated damages or under an offer of judgment. Other Tort Date of offer of judgment if applicable. Wyoming Contract, liquidated damages. Conversion at discretion of the court. Date debtor receives notice of amount due. 7%, or rate provided in contract. 20 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Punitive Damages State Insurable Insurable if Vicarious Duty to Defend Tort Reform Alabama Yes Yes Yes Yes Alaska Yes (For gross negligence, but not for willful misconduct.) Yes Yes Yes Arizona Yes Yes Yes Yes Arkansas Yes (Not arising from intentional torts.) Yes Yes Yes California No Yes Yes Yes Colorado No Undecided Yes Yes Connecticut No, if directly assessed against the insured, or if the insured s acts are intentional. Yes Yes Yes Delaware Yes (Unless explicitly excluded by the policy.) Undecided (But likely because punitive damages are insurable.) Yes Yes District of Columbia Undecided (Possibly for negligent acts, but not for intentional acts.) Undecided Yes Yes Florida No Yes Yes Yes Georgia Yes (Unless explicitly excluded by the policy.) Yes Yes Yes Hawaii Yes (If specifically included in the policy.) Undecided (But likely because punitive damages are insurable if specifically included in the policy.) Yes (If specifically included in the policy.) Yes Idaho Yes (Unless specifically excluded by the policy.) Undecided (But likely because punitive damages are insurable.) Yes Yes Illinois No Yes Yes (If any claim is arguably within scope of coverage.) Yes Indiana No Yes No Yes Iowa Yes (Unless excluded.) Yes Yes Yes Kansas No Yes No Yes Kentucky Yes (Except for intentional acts.) Yes Yes Yes Louisiana Yes Yes Yes Yes MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 21
Punitive Damages State Insurable Insurable if Vicarious Duty to Defend Tort Reform Maine No (But case law suggests that Maine may change this position.) Undecided No Yes Maryland Yes Yes Yes Yes Massachusetts No Undecided No Yes Michigan Yes Yes Yes Yes Minnesota No Yes No Yes Mississippi Yes Yes Yes Yes Missouri Yes (Although may not be insurable for auto policies.) Yes Yes Yes Montana Yes, if expressly provided for in policy, but not for willful misconduct. Yes (Must be expressly provided for in policy.) Yes Yes Nebraska Nevada Not applicable (Punitive damages not recognized in Nebraska.) Yes (Except for wrongful acts committed with intent to injure.) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Undecided Undecided Yes New Hampshire Yes Yes Yes Yes New Jersey Undecided (Uninsurable according to lower courts, but undecided by Supreme Court.) Undecided (Uninsurable according to lower courts, but undecided by Supreme Court.) Probably not - In the context of a direct claim against an insured for punitive damages. Yes New Mexico Yes Yes Yes No New York No No No Yes North Carolina North Dakota Yes (Unless specifically excluded, but not for intentional acts.) Yes (If specifically included in policy, but not for intentional or criminal acts.) No Yes Yes Undecided Undecided Yes Ohio No No Yes Yes Oklahoma No Yes Yes Yes Oregon Yes (Except for intentional acts.) Yes (But only for negligent acts.) Yes Yes 22 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Punitive Damages State Insurable Insurable if Vicarious Duty to Defend Tort Reform Pennsylvania No Yes No. Limited to claims covered by the policy. Yes Puerto Rico Not recognized Not recognized Not recognized Yes Rhode Island No Undecided Undecided Yes South Carolina Yes Yes Yes Yes South Dakota No Undecided Yes (If claim arguably falls within the policy s coverages.) Yes Tennessee Yes (Except for intentional acts.) Yes Yes Bill capping punitive damages currently pending. Texas Undecided but may allow when arising from intentional wrong. Yes Yes (If claim arguably falls within the policy s coverages.) Yes Utah No No Undecided Yes Vermont Yes Yes Yes Yes Virgin Islands No (Unless policy contains specific language contained in 22 V.I.C. 815(b).) No (Unless policy contains specific language contained in 22 V.I.C. 815(b).) No Yes Virginia Yes (Except for intentional acts.) No Yes Yes Washington No Undecided Undecided Yes West Virginia Yes (Except for intentional acts.) Yes Yes Yes Wisconsin Yes Yes Yes Yes Wyoming Yes Yes Yes Yes MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 23
Post Judgment Interest Canada Province Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Alberta All Day on which it is payable by or under the judgment until it is satisfied. Rate fixed by regulation by the Lieutenant Governor in Council before the beginning of each year. 2007: 4% 2008: 4.25% 2009: 2.75% 2010: 0.825% 2011: 1.85% British Columbia All Later of the date of judgment or the date money is payable under the judgment. Interest rate is equal to the prime lending rate of the banker to the government. During the first six months of the year the interest rate is calculated as of 1/1. During the second six months the interest rate is calculated as of 7/1. Manitoba All, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, or the parties agree that a special rate or no rate applies, or an Act of the Legislature determines that a special rate or no rate applies. Date of pronouncement of the order, notwithstanding a stay or an appeal of the order. The Court may vary the rate of interest or set a different date from which interest must be calculated. Quarterly interest rate for the quarter in which the order is pronounced. Quarterly interest rate is determined after the first day of the quarter. The Registrar determines the rate for that quarter, and sends the rate to the Queen s Printer for publication in the Gazette. Where parties agree that a special rate or no rate applies, the order shall be made in accordance with agreement. New Brunswick All, unless otherwise ordered. Date of verdict or judgment. On or after 3/15/94, interest is 7% per year. Parties may agree that a special rate of interest shall be secured by the verdict or judgment. Costs bear interest from the date of judgment. Newfoundland Judgments in all actions, except on interest Date judgment is payable until satisfied. Interest is calculated at the interest rate in effect on the last day of each 3-month period beginning on the day on which the judgment debt is payable under the judgment. As of 1/1/11, interest rate is 2%. The Minister of Justice publishes the rate in the Gazette. 24 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Post Judgment Interest Canada Province Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Northwest Territories All, subject to the discretion of the Court. The later between the day the judgment is pronounced and the day the money is payable under the judgment until satisfied, notwithstanding that entry of judgment is postponed by appeal. Within discretion of Court to award interest for a different period. For the first six months of the year, the rate of interest is the prime business rate as at 1/1 of that year. For last six months of the year, the rate of interest is the prime business rate as at 7/1 of that year. Within discretion of Court to fix a rate of interest higher or lower than prime business rate. Nova Scotia All judgment debts. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, time of rendering of verdict or judgment until satisfied, notwithstanding that entry of judgment is postponed by appeal. Every judgment debt shall bear interest at 5% per annum, or at rate prescribed by the Governor in Council. Nunavut All, subject to the discretion of the Court. The latter of the date the judgment is pronounced and the day money is payable under the judgment, notwithstanding postponement of judgment, an appeal or other proceedings. Court has discretion to fix day from which interest should run. The prime business rate as of 1/1 for the first six months of the year, and the prime business rate as of 7/1 for the last six months of the year. Court has the discretion to disallow, or to increase or decrease the rate of interest, or to fix day from which interest should run. Ontario All money owing under an order including costs fixed or to be assessed; subject to the discretion of the Court. Interest shall not be awarded where interest is payable by a right other than under the post judgment interest statute. Court has discretion to disallow interest. From date of judgment or Court order. Court has discretion to allow interest for a different period. Interest rates are determined in accordance with Sections 127 to 130 of the Courts of Justice Act using the rates published pursuant to Ontario Regulation 339/07. The rate is the bank rate at end of first day of the last month of the quarter preceding the quarter in which the date of the order falls, rounded to the next highest whole number where the rate includes a fraction plus 1%. A chart showing the current rate, and the rate for the past 27 years can be found on the Ontario Attorney General website at: http://www.attorneygeneral. jus.gov.on.ca/english/courts / interestrates.asp The interest rate for the second quarter of 2011 is 1.3%. MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 25
Post Judgment Interest Canada Province Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Prince Edward Island Any judgment debt rendered pursuant to any civil proceeding including costs assessed or fixed by the Court, but excluding where interest payable by right other than under the post judgment interest statute. Court has discretion to disallow interest. From date of Court order. Court has discretion to allow interest for a different period. Rate established by the Bank of Canada as the minimum rate the Bank of Canada makes short-term advances to banks at the end of the first day of the last month of the quarter in which the date of the order falls, rounded to the next highest whole number where the bank includes a fraction plus 1% and published quarterly in the Gazette. Court has discretion to allow interest at a different rate. Quebec Contract and tort. Date of judgment. Legal rate or contract rate. Saskatchewan All judgment debts. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, date verdict or judgment is given, notwithstanding an appeal. 5% per annum. Yukon All, except by consent judgment (unless debtor consents) or if interest payable by right other than under the post judgment interest statute. Day judgment pronounced or date money is payable there under. Court has discretion to fix a different date from which interest is to run. Prime rate (lower rate of interest quoted by chartered banks to borrowers for prime business loans, as published by Bank of Canada in Bank of Canada Review) for first six months of the year calculated at prime rate as of 1/1 and for the last six months of the year calculated at prime rate as of 7/1. Court has discretion to vary rate of interest. 26 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Pre-Judgment Interest Canada Province Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Alberta All, subject to the discretion of the Court to disallow. Court will not award interest: on pecuniary loss identified after day of judgment and identified by Court; on interest awarded; on exemplary or punitive damages; on costs; on borrowed money or interest on borrowed money; on money paid into the court and accepted or contained in an offer of judgment or an offer to settle made and accepted; on a judgment on consent (unless agreed to by parties); if an agreement exists between the parties as to interest; or if payment of interest is otherwise provided by law. Interest may be awarded from the date the cause of action arose to the date of the judgment. Court has discretion to award interest for a different period. Rate provided by contract, or Non-pecuniary damages: 4% Pecuniary damages or other actions: interest shall be calculated, for each year included in the period in respect of which the interest is payable, at the prescribed rate applicable that year as determined by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Court has discretion to increase or decrease rate. British Columbia All, except the Court must not order interest: on that part of an order that represents pecuniary loss arising after the date of the order; if there is an agreement regarding interest between the parties; on interest or on costs; if creditor waives in writing the right to award of interest; or on that part of order that represents nonpecuniary damages arising from personal injury or death. General Damages date on which the cause of action arose until the date of the order. Special Damages calculated from the end of each 6-month period in which the special damages were incurred to the date of the order on the total of the special damages incurred in the 6-month period immediately following date cause of action arose, and in any subsequent 6-month period. Rate provided by contract, or paid at a rate the court considers appropriate in the circumstances. For 1/1/11 to 6/30/11 the interest rate allowed is 1%. Manitoba All, except interest is not to be awarded: on non-pecuniary damages; on a consent order, unless the parties agree otherwise; where there is an agreement between the parties respecting pre-judgment interest; if interest is otherwise provided for by law; or if the judge disallows interest where just to do so. Liquidated Damages date the cause of action arose to the date the order is made. Unliquidated Damages date successful party gives written notice of the claim to the party liable for payment to the date the order is made. Court has discretion to set interest for a different period. Quarterly interest rate is determined after the first day of the quarter. The registrar determines the rate for that quarter, and sends the rate to the Queen s Printer for publication in the Gazette. Quarterly interest rate for the quarter beginning 1/1/86, and all previous quarters is 9%. 3% discount rate applied to future damages. Court has discretion to allow interest at a rate higher or lower than published pre-judgment rate. MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 27
Pre-Judgment Interest Canada Province Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest New Brunswick Court has discretion to award interest in any proceedings for the recovery of any debt or damages. Whole or any part of the period between the date when the cause of action arose and the date of judgment. Court has discretion in fixing an appropriate rate of interest. Newfoundland Judgments for the payment of money or where money is owing, except: monetary loss arising after the day of judgment and that is identified by the Court; interest; exemplary or punitive damages; costs; borrowed money or interest on borrowed money; money paid into court and accepted in satisfaction of claim; consent judgment unless agreed to by the parties; where there is an agreement between the parties regarding interest; or interest is payable by another rule of law. Within discretion of Court to disallow interest. Date cause of action arose to the date of judgment. Court has discretion to award interest for a different period. Rate determined by averaging the interest rates in effect during the period. Rate for damages for expenses incurred or lost income determined by the total of those damages sustained within the 3-month period beginning on the day the cause of action arose and within each subsequent 3-month period, and calculate interest from the last day of each 3-month period to the day of judgment, on the total of the damages sustained within the 3-month period, at the interest rate in effect on the last day of the 3-month period. As of 1/1/11, interest rate is 2%. Court has discretion to award interest at another rate. Northwest Territories Judgments for the payment of money, except: exemplary or punitive damages; interest; costs; pecuniary loss arising after the day of the judgment and that is identified by a finding of the Court; consent judgment (unless the judgment debtor consents to award of interest); or interest is payable by another rule of law. Within discretion of Court to disallow interest. Liquidated Amounts date cause of action arose to date of judgment. Unliquidated Amounts date person entitled gave written notice of claim to person liable to the date of judgment. Special Damages interest calculated on total of such damage incurred at end of period commencing with written notice and ending with whichever of 1/1 or 7/1 first follows; at the end of each subsequent 6-month period; and at the date of judgment. Within discretion of Court to award interest for a different period. Interest awarded at prime business rate, which is rate of interest charged by banks for prime business loans, as determined and published by Bank of Canada. For the first six months of the year, the rate of interest is the prime business rate as at 1/1 of that year. For last six months of the year, the rate of interest is the prime business rate as at 7/1 of that year. Rate of interest for capitalized value of award for the future pecuniary damages, to the extent it reflects difference between estimated investment and price inflation rates, is 2.5% per year. Within discretion of Court to fix a rate of interest higher or lower than prime business rate. 28 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Pre-Judgment Interest Canada Province Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Nova Scotia Any proceeding for debt or damages. Date when the cause of action arose to date of judgment after trial or any subsequent appeal. Rate determined by the Court. Rate of interest on liquidated claim is 5% a year, calculated simply, unless party satisfies judge that rate or calculation should be otherwise. Court has discretion to decline or reduce rate if interest is payable by agreement or otherwise by law, claimant has not been deprived of use of money during the whole prejudgment period, or the claimant was responsible for undue delay in the litigation. Nunavut Judgments in all actions, except: exemplary or punitive damages; interest; costs; pecuniary loss arising after day of judgment and identified by finding of Court; where a consent judgment is entered (unless judgment debtor consents); or where interest is payable by right other than under pre-judgment interest statute. Court has discretion to disallow interest. Liquidated Claim from the day the cause of action arose to the date of judgment. Unliquidated Claim from the day of notice in writing of claim to person liable to the date of judgment. Special Damages total of such damages incurred at end of period commencing with giving notice in writing and ending with whichever of 1/1 or 7/1 first allows; at end of each subsequent 6-month period; and at date of judgment. The prime business rate as of 1/1 for the first six months of the year, and the prime business rate as of 7/1 for the last six months of the year. Rate of interest to determine capitalized value of award of future pecuniary damages, to the extent it reflects difference between estimated investment and price inflation, is 2.5% per year. Court has discretion to increase or decrease the rate of interest. Court has discretion to fix another date from which interest is to run. MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 29
Pre-Judgment Interest Canada Province Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Ontario Judgments for the payment of money in all actions, except: exemplary or punitive damages; interest; costs; pecuniary loss arising after the date of the order and that is identified by a finding of the Court; advance payment made toward settlement of the claim; where a consent judgment is entered (except by consent of debtor); or where interest is payable by right other than under the pre-judgment interest statute. Court has discretion to disallow interest. Date cause of action arose to the date of order. Court has discretion to allow interest for another period. Interest rate is the bank rate at end of first day of last month of the quarter preceding the quarter in which the proceeding was commenced, rounded to the nearest tenth of percentage point except for B.I. non-pecuniary losses for which rate is currently set by Rules of Court at 5% per year. For past pecuniary loss, the rate of interest shall be calculated on the total past pecuniary loss at the end of each 6-month period and at date of order. Rate of interest to determine amount of future pecuniary damages to the extent it reflects the difference between estimated investment and price inflation, is the 15-year period from the start of the trial, the average of the value for the last Wednesday in each month of the real rate of interest on long-term Government of Canada real return bonds, as published for the 12-months ending on August 31 in the year before the year in which trial begins, less 1% and rounded to the nearest.25%; and for any later period 2.5% per year. A chart showing the current rate, and the rate for the past 23 years can be found on the Ontario Attorney General website at: http://www.attorneygeneral. jus.gov.on.ca/english/courts/ interestrates.asp The interest rate for the second quarter of 2011 is 1.3%. Court has discretion to allow interest at a higher or lower rate. 30 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Pre-Judgment Interest Canada Province Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Prince Edward Island Any order for the payment of money. Interest shall not be awarded on the following: punitive and exemplary damages; interest; costs; pecuniary loss arising after date of order and that is identified by a finding of the Court; advance payment toward settlement; when order is made on consent (except by consent of debtor); and interest payable as of right. Court has discretion to disallow interest. Date cause of action arose to date of order. Court has discretion to allow interest for a different period. Bank rate established by the Bank of Canada for short-term advances to banks at the end of the first day of the last month of the quarter preceding the quarter in which the date of the order falls, rounded to the next highest whole number where the bank includes a fraction, plus 1% and published quarterly in the Gazette. Rates for non-pecuniary loss in personal injury action equals discount rate under Rules of Court. Rates for past pecuniary loss calculated on total post pecuniary loss at end of each 6-month period and at date of order. Court has discretion to allow interest at a higher or lower rate. Quebec Contract and tort, but not on interest unless provided by agreement, law or demand in suit. Date of default for damages resulting from delay in performance of an obligation to pay money. Legal rate or rate of contract. For other damages, date of default or any other later date considered appropriate by Court. Saskatchewan Actions for damages or for recovery of a debt: not on pecuniary loss arising after day of judgment and identified by Court; exemplary or punitive damages; interest, costs on borrowed money and interest on borrowed money; money paid into Court and accepted in satisfaction of claims; judgment on consent (unless agreed by parties) if agreement between parties as to interest; or if payment of interest is otherwise provided by law. Court has discretion to disallow interest. Date on which loss or damage is first sustained to the date of judgment. Court has discretion to award interest for a different period. Set by Lieutenant Governor in Council and published in Gazette by Inspector of legal officers. Damages for expenses incurred or income lost: rates determined by the total of those damages sustained within the 3-month period commencing on the day on which loss or damages is first sustained and within each subsequent 3-month period and by calculating the interest from the last day of each 3-month period to the day of judgment, on the total of damages sustained with the 3-month period at the interest rate in effect on the last day of that 3-month period. Rate determined by averaging the interest rates in effect during the accrual period. Court has discretion to award interest at a different rate. MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 31
Pre-Judgment Interest Canada Province Type of Action Payable Date Accrues Rate of Interest Yukon Judgments for the payment of money, except: exemplary or punitive damages; interest; costs; pecuniary loss arising after date of judgment and identified by a finding of the Court; where a consent judgment is entered (unless debtor consents); or where interest is payable by right other than under the pre-judgment interest statute. Court has discretion to disallow interest. Monetary Judgments from the date the cause of action arose to the date of judgment. Special Damages on balance incurred as totaled at end of each 6-month period following, the date cause of action arose and at the date of judgment. Court has discretion to allow interest for a different period. Prime Rate (lowest rate of interest quoted by chartered banks to borrowers for prime business loans, as published by Bank of Canada in Bank of Canada review) as of the month preceding the month in which the action was commenced. Court has discretion to increase or decrease rate. 32 MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011
Punitive Damages Canada Province Insurable Insurable if Vicarious Punitive Damages Recognized Duty to Defend Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland Undetermined, although may be excluded by the policy language. Considered outside the purview of the policy where not expressly included. Undetermined, although may be excluded by the policy language. No, unless expressly included by the policy language. Undetermined, although may be excluded by the policy language. Undetermined, although may be excluded by the policy language. Undetermined Yes Yes, only if the claim, if successful, would fall within the scope of coverage provided by the policy. If punitive damages are excluded by the policy but are part of the underlying claim, the insured may elect to retain independent counsel to represent the insured with respect to the punitive damages element of the claim. Undetermined Yes Yes, only if the claim, if successful, would fall within the scope of coverage provided by the policy. Undetermined Yes Yes, only where there is at least a mere possibility that the claims advanced, if successful, would fall within the scope of coverage provided by the policy. Undetermined Yes Yes, only where there is at least a mere possibility that the claims advanced, if successful, would fall within the scope of coverage provided by the policy. Undetermined Yes Yes, only where there is at least a mere possibility that the claim advanced, if successful, would fall within the scope of coverage provided by the policy. Northwest Territories Undetermined Undetermined Yes Yes, only if the claim, if successful, would fall within the scope of coverage provided by the policy. Nova Scotia Undetermined Undetermined Yes Undetermined Nunavut Undetermined Undetermined Yes Undetermined Ontario Yes, although may be excluded by the policy language. Undetermined Yes Not if excluded by policy language and no other claims fall within the scope of coverage. If other claims are within the scope of coverage, once the claim for punitive damages is made, the insurer must notify the insured of the need to retain separate legal counsel. Prince Edward Island Undetermined Undetermined Yes Yes, if there is a mere possibility that the claim falls within the scope of coverage provided by the policy. Quebec Undetermined, but may be excluded by the policy language. Undetermined Yes, but only where specifically provided for by statute. Yes, if the claim, if successful, would fall within the scope of coverage provided by the policy. Saskatchewan Yes, unless excluded by the policy language. Undetermined Yes Yes, if the claim, if successful, would fall within the scope of coverage provided by the policy. Yukon Undetermined Undetermined Yes Undetermined MUNICH RE Post Judgment Interest, Pre-Judgment Interest, Punitive Damages 2011 33
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