Insurer Claims Kanye West’s Breakdown Was Caused By Drug Use

Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA)

Aug. 30--Kanye West won't get compensated for prematurely halting his Saint Pablo tour last year because the breakdown that led to the cancellation was fueled by his use of prescription and illegal drugs, and was therefore his fault, an insurance company is suggesting, TMZ is reporting.

In a new countersuit against West's touring company Very Good Touring. Lloyd's of London doesn't specifically state that West was using alcohol or drugs, legal or otherwise. But it alleges that West did something that triggered the policy exclusions that refer to using substances.

In an original lawsuit filed earlier this month, West's touring company said Lloyd's was refusing to pay out their $10 million claim because the insurer believed his breakdown was triggered by use of marijuana, TMZ said.

West's company originally filed the claim with Lloyd's last November after the rapper pulled the plug on the remaining 21 dates of his tour. During appearances in San Jose and Sacramento, the rapper didn't do much singing but instead went off on extended stream-of-conscious rants about his support of Donald Trump, his failure to vote, his views on racism and his resentment towards Beyonce and Jay-Z.

After cancelling the tour, West checked into UCLA Medical Center for eight days.

In their lawsuit, West and his touring company said they had a policy with Lloyd's to cover non-appearance fees or tour cancellation.

Lloyd's, meanwhile, wants a judge to rule it shouldn't have to pay West anything for stopping the tour.

West's attorney, Howard King, said there is nothing to Lloyd's drug allegations, telling TMZ that the document "is the same generic response Lloyd's files when they don't want to honor a legitimate claim but can't find a factual basis to deny the claim."

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