What does estoppel in a waiver prevent?

Estoppel in a waiver is a legal principle that prevents a party from asserting a right or claim that contradicts their previous actions or statements, especially after they have led another party to rely on those actions or statements. This means that if a party has relinquished a particular right, estoppel can stop them from later asserting that right in a way that would disadvantage someone who relied on their earlier conduct.

For instance, if an insurance company had previously waived its right to claim a particular exclusion in a policy and then later tried to enforce that exclusion, the principle of estoppel would prevent this action. The aim is to uphold fairness and consistency in dealings by ensuring that a party cannot go back on their word after another party has taken action based on that understanding.

Thus, the aspect of estoppel related to waivers is that it solidifies the expectation that if a party has given up a right, they cannot later reclaim it, reinforcing stability and trust in contractual relationships.