The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that an insurer owed a duty to defend under a business liability policy in Broom v. Continental Casualty Co., No. 2004-869, 2005 WL 3051024 (N.H. Nov. 16, 2005).

The appellants were sued in their capacities as principals in Strategic Timbers Trust, Inc.. The suit was a result of a failed business transaction between Strategic Timbers Trust and certain plaintiffs who alleged that appellants slandered them to lenders and other parties to the transaction. The plaintiffs did not include a specific date in their suit stating when the disparagement occurred.