Green v. Allstate Insurance

25 F. Supp. 3d 1215, 2014 WL 2573287, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 77298
CourtDistrict Court, D. Alaska
DecidedJune 5, 2014
DocketCase No. 3:11-cv-00210-TMB
StatusPublished

This text of 25 F. Supp. 3d 1215 (Green v. Allstate Insurance) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Alaska primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Green v. Allstate Insurance, 25 F. Supp. 3d 1215, 2014 WL 2573287, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 77298 (D. Alaska 2014).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION

TIMOTHY M. BURGESS, District Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff Jeffrey Green (“Plaintiff’ or “Green”) is the owner of a triplex at 411 E 46th Place in Anchorage.1 Green had a homeowner’s insurance policy with defendant Allstate Insurance Company (“Defendant” or “Allstate”).2 Wells Fargo Bank (“Wells Fargo”) is listed as the mortgagee under the policy.3 In October 2010, a fire damaged the top two units of the triplex — the unit where Plaintiff lived and a rental unit.4 On April 8, 2011, Allstate issued a letter denying Green’s claim based on exclusions for loss of property due to “[i]ntentional or criminal acts of or at the direction of the insured person”5 after Allstate concluded that “the fire loss [1217]*1217was not accidental but intentional.”6 In August 2011, Plaintiff filed suit against Defendant alleging breach of contract and seeking compensatory and consequential damages.7

A six day jury trial was held in June 2013 to determine whether Plaintiffs loss was the result of an intentional or criminal act by Plaintiff.8 The Court declared a mistrial on June 24, 2013 after the jury failed to reach a verdict.9 A second trial was held in September 2013.10 The jury reached a verdict in favor of Plaintiff on September 13, 2013, and found that the value of Plaintiffs personal property lost in the fire was $80,000.11

Following trial, four issues remained to be decided by the Court: (1) the cost to repair or replace Plaintiffs residence; (2) the amount that Plaintiff is entitled to receive to repair or replace his residence; (3) the amount of additional living expenses Plaintiff is entitled to receive; and (4) the amount of lost rental income Plaintiff is entitled to receive.12

The Court held a one day evidentiary hearing on January 3, 2014, at which the parties presented exhibits and witness testimony.13 The parties subsequently submitted written responses to questions from the Court, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and final summary arguments.14 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 52(a) provides that “[i]n an action tried on the facts without a jury ... the court must find the facts specially and state its conclusions of law separately.” Having considered the testimony of the witnesses, exhibits admitted into evidence, and the parties’ submissions, the Court makes the findings .of fact and conclusions of law set forth below.15

II. FINDINGS OF FACT

A. The Evidence

1. Witnesses

1. Seven witnesses testified at the hearing on January 3, 2014.16 Plaintiff testified on his own behalf. The Court finds that Plaintiffs testimony was generally credible; however, as discussed below, Plaintiffs testimony regarding certain issues was not corroborated by reliable evidence. ’

2. Plaintiff also called David Hermann, Mike Gallagher, Benjamin Oien, and Douglas Lipinski.17 Hermann is the owner of Action Environmental, a company that provides asbestos abatement services.18 Oien is a structural engineer who provides [1218]*1218structural inspection and design for small commercial residential buildings.19 Lipin-ski is the general manager for Taylored Restoration.20 The Court finds that the testimony of Hermann, Gallagher, Oien, and Lipinski was generally credible.

3. Defendant called Laurie Brummett and Richard Gerwin.21 Brummett is a staff claim service adjuster at Allstate Insurance Company who reviewed Plaintiffs claims file prior to testifying.22 Gerwin is “an estimator or project manager” at Ser-viceMaster of Alaska, a home restoration business.23 Gerwin was asked by Allstate to visit Plaintiffs property prior to the hearing to prepare an estimate for repairs.24 The Court finds that the testimony of Brummett and Gerwin was generally credible.

2. Exhibits

4. The Court admitted ten exhibits.25 Plaintiff submitted a November 22, 2013 estimate for asbestos remediation from Action Environmental for $67,168;26 building plans for Plaintiffs residence;27 a November 2010 estimate for the repair of Plaintiffs residence by Taylored Restoration for $244,609.74;28 a November 5, 2013 estimate to .demolish and rebuild Plaintiffs residence prepared by Michael Gallagher at MG Construction for $595,500;29 a November 8, 2010 estimate from Action Environmental for asbestos remediation for $34,605;30 and a November 1, 2010 estimate for asbestos remediation from Action Environmental for $52,355.31

5. Defendant submitted Plaintiffs 2008 and 2009 tax returns;32 Plaintiffs Department of Corrections Inmate Location Records; 33 Plaintiffs November 29, 2010 sworn statement and proof of loss;34 and a January 2, 2014 estimate for repairs to Plaintiffs residence prepared by Rick Ger-win at ServiceMaster for $286,928.02.35

B. Cost to Rebuild or Repair Plaintiffs Residence, Plaintiffs Lost Rental Income, and Plaintiffs Additional Living Expenses

6. The parties agree that asbestos was used in the construction of Plaintiffs residence and is therefore present in Plaintiffs home.36 Action Environmental provided an estimate on November 1, 2010 for asbestos remediation in the two damaged [1219]*1219units in Plaintiffs residence for $52,355.37 Action Environmental provided a revised' estimate on November 8, 2010 for $34,605.00.38 The second estimate omitted abatement from the “common long entry hallway” and “the long garage.”39 Action Environmental provided an updated estimate dated November'22, 2013 for asbestos remediation throughout the entire residence for $67,168.40 The revised estimate states that, unlike the previous estimate, it includes all interior areas of the triplex, all three residential units, the large common entry way, hall, and long garage.41

7. Craig Nelson of Taylored Restoration prepared an estimate for repair of Plaintiffs residence in October 2010.42 The estimate for repair was $244,609.74, including $45,997.46 for “general demolition.” 43

8. Michael Gallagher, a general contractor44 hired by Plaintiff, prepared an estimate in November 2013 to demolish and rebuild Plaintiffs residence45

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Hilley v. Allstate Ins. Co.
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Rockford Mutual Insurance Co. v. Pirtle
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Miller v. Handle Construction Co.
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Zamarello v. Reges
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Bluebook (online)
25 F. Supp. 3d 1215, 2014 WL 2573287, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 77298, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/green-v-allstate-insurance-akd-2014.