Certain Interested Underwriters at Lloyd's, London v. Bear, LLC

260 F. Supp. 3d 1271
District Court, S.D. California·Decided May 17, 2017·No. Case No.: 15-cv-630-BTM-BLM·Published·Cited by 2 cases

Opinion

ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART THIRD-PARTY DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT [ECF NO. 71] AND DENYING MOTION TO STRIKE [ECF No. 110]

BARRY TED MOSKOWITZ, Chief Judge

Third-Party Defendant Marsh, USA Inc. (“Marsh”) has filed a motion for summary judgment. (Marsh’s Mot, Summ. J. (“Marsh’s MSJ”), ECF No. 71.) For the [1274]*1274reasons set forth below, the motion is granted in part and denied in part.

I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

This action arises out of an insurance coverage dispute under a marine insurance policy that Marsh brokered for a 102-foot motor vessel (“the Polar Bear”) owned by Third-Party Plaintiff, Bear, LLC (“Bear”).

A.Obtaining Coverage for the Polar Bear

In 2006, Mr. Larry Jodsaas (“Jodsaas”), the owner and managing member of Bear, with the help of Roger Trafton (“Trafton”), the Polar Bear’s captain, entered into a contract with Aleutian Yachts, LLC to build the Polar Bear. (Decl. of Roger Traf-ton, in Supp. of Bear’s Opp’n to Marsh’s MSJ (“Bear Opp’n”), ECF No. 101-14, ¶ 5.) After construction for the Polar Bear was completed in 2011, marine surveyors valued the Polar Bear at $17 million. (Marsh’s Ex. 23 in Supp. of Marsh’s MSJ (“Marsh’s Ex.”), ECF No. 71-4.) Having contracted for personal and yacht insurance with Marsh before, Jodsaas sought to obtain insurance for the Polar Bear through Marsh’s Yacht Group. (Trafton Decl. ¶ 9.) The yacht insurance was handled by its broker and Client Advisor, Kathleen Harris Johnson (“Johnson”). (Id.) Marsh submitted requests for insurance quotes for the Polar Bear to several insurers, including Plaintiff Underwriters, Chartis, ACE, Chubb, Travelers, and LEAD. (Marsh’s Ex. 7, ECF No. 71-3.) On November 2, 2010, Marsh provided Bear with a ‘Yacht Insurance Proposal” (“2010 Proposal”), which outlined the key terms and provided a comparison of the coverage and exclusions contained in four different policies. (Marsh’s Ex. 9, ECF No. 71-3.) On November 8, 2010, Johnson held a conference call with Jodsaas and Trafton and discussed the 2010 Proposal. (Marsh’s Ex. 56, Tr. of Kathleen S. Johnson’s Dep. 245:11-246:6; 246:21-247:10, ECF No. 71-7.) The 2010 Proposal specifically warned Bear of policy conditions that applied during yard periods, including the “Maintenance and Repair Clause” (“Repair Clause”) contained within the Underwriters policy. (Marsh’s Ex. 9, 139-140.) In August 2011, Jodsaas authorized Marsh to bind coverage with Underwriters. (Marsh’s Ex. 26, 246, ECF No. 71-4.) On August 23, 2011, Jodsaas signed an.“Acknowledgment Form” with Marsh, acknowledging, among other things, that he understood that the policy contained warranties. (Id. at 248.)

On October 20, 2011, Johnson forwarded Jodsaas a copy of the 2011-2012 policy along with a cover note which reminded Jodsaas “to keep in mind the warranties and exclusions of the policy, especially those related to liabilities assumed under contract which are excluded unless approved by underwriters beforehand.” (March’s Ex. 28, ECF No. 71-4.)

B. Renewing Coverage for the Polar Bear in 2012

In August 2012, Johnson sent Bear a ‘Yacht Insurance Renewal Proposal” (“2012 Proposal”) which outlined the renewed terms of the Underwriters policy. (Marsh’s Ex. 31, ECF No. 71-4.) The 2012 Proposal again warned Bear about the Repair Clause. Bear decided to renew its coverage with Underwriters. (Marsh’s Ex. 32, 348, ECF No. 71-5.) On September 27, 2012, Johnson sent Bear a copy of the 2012-2013 policy. (Marsh’s Ex. 33, ECF No. 71-5.) That letter also advised Bear to keep in mind the policy’s warranties and exclusions. (Id.)

C. Renewing Coverage for the Polar Bear in 2013

In August 2013, Johnson obtained a renewal quote from Underwriters and sent [1275]*1275Bear a “Yacht Insurance Proposal” (“2013 Proposal”) outlining the policy’s key terms and exclusions. (Marsh’s Ex. 37, ECF No. 71-5.) Like the prior two proposals, the 2013 Proposal warned Bear about the Repair Clause in the policy. (Marsh’s Ex. 37, 437.) It stated:

Policy Conditions that Apply During Yard Periods

Maintenance and Repair Clause:

The policy will remain in full force while the yacht is undergoing maintenance, repair of any part or replacement of any part like for like. However, NO COVERAGE is provided in respect of refit, alteration, rebuild, remodeling, major repairs, any and all hot work other than soldering, OR where the yard has requested any waiver of subrogation.
Prior to any coverage being provided, the insured must submit the following for underwriters’ specific agreement in writing:
• Full details and schedule of the work;
• Provide underwriters with a copy of the shipyard’s Ship Repairers Liability Insurance
Non compliance of any of the time-frames stated above will, in normal circumstances, void the insurance, at the discretion of the participating underwriters. Underwriters reserve the right to amend the terms and conditions hereunder, and to charge the appropriate additional premium.

(Id. (emphasis in original).)

On August 22, 2013, Trafton, who acted as Jodsaas’ agent, signed an “Acknowledgment Form,” taking notice of “important policy terms and conditions” in the policy. (Marsh’s Ex. 39, ECF No. 71-5.) On August 23, 2013, Johnson sent Bear a Confirmation of Coverage, which contained the same warning regarding the Repair Clause as the 2013 Proposal did. (Marsh’s Ex. 40, 464, ECF No. 71-6.) Lastly, on October 9, 2013, Johnson emailed Bear a copy of the 2013 policy with a cover letter that again advised Jodsaas to “keep in mind the warranties and exclusions of the policy....” (Marsh’s Ex. 41, ECF No. 71-6.)

The 2013 policy contained the following relevant provisions:

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Maintenance and Repair Clause
It is hereby understood and agreed that this insurance will remain in full force whilst your yacht is undergoing annual maintenance, repair of any part or replacement of any part like for like.
Notwithstanding the foregoing it is a conditions precedent that if the vessel is currently undergoing or may undergo major refit or repairs, alterations, remodeling or where hot work is being undertaken (other than soldering) or that the yard has requested a waiver of subrogation from the Owner or his Legal Representative(s), then pri- or agreement must be obtained from participating insurers hereunder.
Furthermore the Owner or his Legal Representative(s) must provide a copy of the current shipyards Ship Repairers Legal Liability insurance documentation and a full update or schedule of works being carried out during the period of this insurance and obtain Underwriters specific agreement (in writing).
Underwriters participating hereon reserve their rights to amend the terms and conditions of this insurance and to charge an appropriate additional premium.

(Marsh’s Ex. 42, 489.)

D. Destruction of the Polar Bear

On May 6, 2014, the Polar Bear ran aground at the entrance of the San Diego

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Certain Interested Underwriters at Lloyd's, London v. Bear, LLC, 260 F. Supp. 3d 1271 (S.D. Cal. 2017).

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