Dive summary:

• The Iowa City landfill is trying to collect insurance money from a landfill fire last year that caused $3.5 million in damage.
• The insurance company is claiming they shouldn’t have to cover the fire because the actual landfill is not mentioned in the city’s property insurance policy.
• The fire broke out in a 7.5-acre section of the landfill and burned for weeks; it is thought to have been sparked when someone dropped off something hot and ignited the cell liner.

From the article:

Two insurance experts told The Gazette in June that the fire did not appear to be covered because the actual landfill is not mentioned in the city’s property insurance policy.

Markus did not immediately return a message seeking comment, but Melissa Miller, Iowa City’s revenue and risk manager, said the city and Travelers are trying to resolve the question over insurance coverage, but the matter could end up in litigation.

Travelers initial decision in January was for $154,708, and the city has received that payment, Miller said. But the city believes all of the damage, currently estimated at $3.5 million, should be covered by insurance, she said. ...