Legal Definitions - doctrine of superior equities

The doctrine of superior equities is a rule in insurance that prevents an insurer from recovering from anyone whose equities are equal or superior to the insurer's. This means that the insurer cannot seek reimbursement from someone who has an equal or greater right to the funds in question.

For example, if an insured person is injured in a car accident caused by another driver, and the insured person's insurance company pays for their medical expenses, the insurance company may seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver's insurance company. However, if the at-fault driver's insurance company can prove that their insured person also suffered injuries in the accident and has a right to the funds, the doctrine of superior equities would prevent the first insurance company from seeking reimbursement.

The doctrine of superior equities is also known as the "risk-stops-here" rule, as it places the burden of risk on the insurer rather than the insured.