Case 2:21-cv-02185-ODW-JPR Document 46 Filed 09/16/22 Page 1 of 21 Page ID #:2074
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8 United States District Court 9 Central District of California
11 SUNNY MISUN KIM, et al. Case № 2:21-cv-02185-ODW (JPRx) Consol.: 2:21-cv-09642-ODW (JPRx) 12 Plaintiffs, ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND 13 v. DENYING IN PART PLAINTIFFS’ 14 SCOTTSDALE INSURANCE AND DEFENDANTS’ MOTIONS 15 COMPANY, et al., FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Defendants. [29] [33] 16 17 I. INTRODUCTION 18 Plaintiffs Sunny Misun Kim and LA 1 Realty, Inc. bring these consolidated 19 insurance defense actions against Defendants Scottsdale Insurance Company, 20 Scottsdale Indemnity Company, and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. 21 Plaintiffs and Defendants each move for summary judgment or partial summary 22 judgment as to Plaintiffs’ causes of action and requested relief (“Motions”). (Pls. Mot. 23 Summ. J. (“PMSJ”), ECF No. 29; Defs. Mot. Summ. J. (“DMSJ”), ECF No. 33.) The 24 Motions are fully briefed. (Defs. Opp’n, ECF No. 37; Pls. Reply, ECF No. 39; Pls. 25 Opp’n, ECF No. 38; Defs. Reply, ECF No. 40.) For the reasons discussed below, the 26 Court GRANTS IN PART and DENIES IN PART both Motions.1 27
28 1 Having carefully considered the papers filed in connection with the Motions, the Court deemed the matters appropriate for decision without oral argument. Fed. R. Civ. P. 78; C.D. Cal. L.R. 7-15. Case 2:21-cv-02185-ODW-JPR Document 46 Filed 09/16/22 Page 2 of 21 Page ID #:2075
1 II. BACKGROUND 2 Sunny Misun Kim is a real estate broker and President and CEO of LA 1 3 Realty. (Pls. Statement of Uncontroverted Facts ISO PMSJ (“PSUF”) 4, ECF No. 30; 4 Defs. Statement of Genuine Issues (“DSGI”) & Additional Material Facts 5 (“DAMF”) 70, ECF No. 37-2.)2 On May 20, 2014, Scottsdale Insurance issued LA 1 6 a one-year Business and Management Indemnity Policy (“2014 Policy”). (Defs. 7 Statement Uncontroverted Facts ISO DMSJ (“DSUF”) 1, ECF No. 33-2; PSUF 18; 8 Decl. Steven C. Shuman ISO PMSJ (“Shuman Decl. PMSJ”) Ex. 6, ECF No. 29-3.) 9 The following year, on May 20, 2015, Scottsdale Indemnity renewed the 2014 Policy 10 for one year under the same terms (“2015 Policy”). (DSUF 2; PSUF 19; Shuman 11 Decl. PMSJ Ex. 7, ECF No. 29-3.) The 2014 and 2015 Policies (together, the 12 “Policies”) covered LA 1, and Kim as LA 1’s officer, in the business of providing 13 professional real estate services. (See PSUF 21, 28; DSUF 4.) 14 The Policies obligate the insurer to defend any timely reported “Claim” of a 15 “Wrongful Act” made against Kim or LA 1, “even if any of the allegations are 16 groundless, false or fraudulent . . . .” (PSUF 22, 25.) Under the Policies, a “Claim” 17 includes “a civil proceeding against any Insureds,” and a “Wrongful Act” means “any 18 actual or alleged error, omission, misleading statement, misstatement, neglect, . . . 19 breach of duty or act allegedly committed . . . by the Insureds,” in connection with 20 their rendering of professional real estate services. (PSUF 26–27.) The Policies 21 obligate the insurer to pay Kim’s and LA 1’s losses incurred by reason of a Claim for 22 a Wrongful Act. (PSUF 22.) “Loss” includes “Costs, Charges, and Expenses incurred 23 by the Insureds,” including “reasonable and necessary legal” fees and expenses 24 incurred in defending Claims. (PSUF 23–24.) 25 The Policies exclude coverage under specific circumstances. Relevant here, the 26 “Real Estate Endorsement” excludes coverage for claims involving (a) the guarantee 27
28 2 Where Plaintiffs’ and Defendants’ undisputed facts overlap or are duplicative, the Court has considered both even where the Court cites to only one.
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1 of potential profitability (“Guarantee Exclusion”),3 representations about warranties of 2 future value (“Future Value Exclusion”),4 and activity as a dual agent if undisclosed or 3 unconsented (“Dual Agency Exclusion”).5 (DAMF 65–67; see 2015 Policy, 4 Endorsement 4 (“Real Est. Endor.”).) 5 A. The Yoon Action 6 In July 2014, Kim brokered Don and Eunice Yoon’s purchase of a commercial 7 property from Young Ja Choi. (PSUF 1–4.) Kim acted as the agent for the Yoons and 8 Choi. (PSUF 1, 4; DAMF 71.) During escrow, LA 1 supplied information from Choi 9 to the Yoons, including rent rolls regarding the property’s tenancies; Kim transmitted 10 some of those materials to the Yoons on LA 1 stationary with the disclaimer, 11 “information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.” (PSUF 3, 7; DAMF 78.) The 12 Yoons later discovered that Choi had manipulated the rent rolls to improve the 13 property’s financial appearance. (See PSUF 5, 6; DAMF 69, 74.) 14 On June 23, 2015, the Yoons sued Kim, LA 1, and others in state court (“Yoon 15 Action”). (PSUF 8.) The Yoons’ claims against Kim and LA 1 included fraud, 16 breach of fiduciary duty, and professional negligence. (PSUF 9; DAMF 73, 74, 76.) 17 The Yoons alleged that Kim and LA 1 misrepresented, failed to disclose, or omitted 18 material facts regarding the income value of the property; knew or should have known 19 that the rent payments were less than represented in the rent rolls; and acted as dual 20 agents in the transaction. (PSUF 9–11; DAMF 69, 71.) The Yoons attached the 21 transmitted rent rolls to their amended complaints. (See DAMF 77; DSUF 18.) 22 23 3 The Guarantee Exclusion excludes coverage for claims involving “the guaranteeing or warranting 24 of potential sales, earnings, profitability, or economic value.” (DAMF 65.) 25 4 The Future Value Exclusion excludes coverage for claims involving “representations or warranties, expressed, implied or otherwise made by the Insureds, pertaining to the guarantee of future value of 26 real property.” (DAMF 66.) 5 The Dual Agency Exclusion excludes coverage for claims involving “the Insured’s activity as a 27 dual agent in real estate transactions where the Insured failed to fully disclose its dual agency status 28 in writing to all clients and where the clients did not consent to the dual agency in writing.” (DAMF 67.)
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1 On the Yoons’ claims for fraud, the Superior Court sustained Kim and LA 1’s 2 demurrer. (PSUF 12.) After a trial, Kim and LA 1 prevailed on the remaining causes 3 of action. (PSUF 14.) The court held in a Statement of Decision that Kim and LA 1 4 did not owe a duty to the Yoons to verify the accuracy of the papers Choi supplied. 5 (PSUF 15; Pls. Statement Genuine Issues (“PSGI”) & Additional Material Facts 6 (“PAMF”) 1, ECF No. 38-1.)6 The court also found that the Yoons and Choi 7 acknowledged and consented to Kim’s dual agency in writing, although the disclosure 8 form was not in trial evidence. (DSUF 41.) The Yoons appealed, and the appeal 9 remains pending. (Decl. David S. Kim ¶ 3, ECF No. 29-1.) 10 B. Tender of the Yoon Action 11 When they received the initial complaint in June 2015, Kim and LA 1 tendered 12 the Yoon Action to Scottsdale7 for a legal defense. (DSUF 23.) On July 30, 2015, 13 Scottsdale Insurance Senior Claims Specialist, Mark Giacopelli, denied the defense. 14 (PSUF 32–34.) In his denial letter, Giacopelli quoted the Yoons’ allegations, that 15 Kim and LA 1 concealed or failed to disclose material information regarding past 16 rents, and knew or should have known that Choi manipulated the rent rolls. 17 (PSUF 32–33.) Giacopelli then concluded that the Yoons’ claims were “based 18 entirely upon representations made regarding rental payments by tenants of the 19 property,” and therefore “completely excluded under [the Real Estate Endorsement] of 20 the Policy.” (PSUF 34.) Giacopelli quoted the Guarantee Exclusion and reserved all 21 rights. (DSUF 25; Decl. Michael Zartman (“Zartman Decl.”) Ex. E (“First Coverage 22 Denial”), ECF No. 33-10.) 23 Kim and LA 1 tendered the Yoon Action to Scottsdale several more times over 24 the course of the action and requested that Scottsdale reconsider its denial. (PSUF 36; 25 6 Plaintiffs restart numbering of their additional facts at “1,” despite the Court’s directive to continue 26 the sequence of Defendants’ DSUF. (See Scheduling & Case Mgmt. Order (“Scheduling Order”) 7, ECF No. 15.) For clarity, the Court cites Plaintiffs’ additional facts as “PAMF” and Plaintiffs’ 27 statements of genuine issues as “PSGI.” 28 7 The parties do not specify to which Scottsdale entity Plaintiffs tendered the Yoon Action, nor is there any suggestion that the distinction is material here. (See DSUF 23.)
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1 DSUF 26, 34, 36.) Scottsdale denied the defense each time. (PSUF 36; DSUF 29, 35, 2 37.) 3 C. This Action 4 Plaintiffs Kim and LA 1 now bring this suit against Defendants Scottsdale 5 Insurance, Scottsdale Indemnity, and Scottsdale’s parent company, Nationwide.8 6 Plaintiffs assert two causes of action, for breach of contract and breach of the implied 7 covenant of good faith and fair dealing (also referred to as “bad faith”). Plaintiffs and 8 Defendants move for summary judgment. 9 III. LEGAL STANDARD 10 A court “shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no 11 genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a 12 matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). A disputed fact is “material” where it might 13 affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law, and the dispute is “genuine” 14 where “the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the 15 nonmoving party.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). The 16 burden of establishing the absence of a genuine issue of material fact lies with the 17 moving party. See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322–23 (1986). 18 Once the moving party satisfies its initial burden, the nonmoving party cannot 19 simply rest on the pleadings or argue that any disagreement or “metaphysical doubt” 20 about a material issue of fact precludes summary judgment. See id.; Matsushita Elec. 21 Indus. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986). Rather, a “non-moving party 22 must show that there are ‘genuine factual issues that . . . may reasonably be resolved 23 in favor of either party.’” Cal. Architectural Bldg. Prods., Inc. v. Franciscan 24 Ceramics, Inc., 818 F.2d 1466, 1468 (9th Cir. 1987) (quoting Anderson, 477 U.S. 25 8 On January 27, 2021, Plaintiffs sued Scottsdale Insurance and Nationwide based on the 26 2014 Policy. (Notice of Removal (“NOR”) Ex. A (“Compl.”), ECF No. 1.) On November 10, 2021, Plaintiffs sued Scottsdale Indemnity and Nationwide based on the 2015 Policy. See NOR, Kim v. 27 Scottsdale Indem. Co., No. 21-cv-9642-ODW (JPRx), ECF No. 1 (C.D. Cal. filed Dec. 13, 2021). 28 On January 24, 2022, pursuant to the parties’ stipulation, the Court consolidated the actions. (See Order Stip. Consol., ECF No. 27.)
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1 at 250 (emphasis omitted)). Courts should grant summary judgment against a party 2 who fails to make a sufficient showing on an element essential to her case when she 3 will ultimately bear the burden of proof at trial. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322–23. 4 In ruling on summary judgment motions, courts “view the facts and draw 5 reasonable inferences in the light most favorable” to the nonmoving party. Scott v. 6 Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 378 (2007) (internal quotation marks omitted). Thus, when 7 parties file cross-motions for summary judgment, the court “evaluate[s] each motion 8 separately, giving the nonmoving party in each instance the benefit of all reasonable 9 inferences.” ACLU of Nev. v. City of Las Vegas, 466 F.3d 784, 790–91 (9th Cir. 10 2006). The court considers “each party’s evidence, regardless under which motion the 11 evidence is offered.” Las Vegas Sands, LLC v. Nehme, 632 F.3d 526, 532 (9th Cir. 12 2011). The Court may assume that material facts claimed and adequately supported 13 are undisputed except to the extent that such material facts are (a) included in the 14 opposing party’s responsive statement of disputes, and (b) controverted by declaration 15 or competent written evidence. C.D. Cal. L.R. 56-3. 16 IV. EVIDENTIARY MATTERS 17 Plaintiffs request that the Court take judicial notice of certain pleadings and 18 rulings from the Yoon Action. (Pls. Req. Judicial Notice (“PRJN”), ECF No. 31.) 19 The Court GRANTS Plaintiffs’ request, as the Court “may take notice of proceedings 20 [and related filings] in other courts . . . if those proceedings have a direct relation to 21 matters at issue,” as they do here. U.S. ex rel. Robinson Rancheria Citizens Council v. 22 Borneo, Inc., 971 F.2d 244, 248 (9th Cir. 1992); Fed. R. Evid. 201(b). 23 Plaintiffs and Defendants object to specific items of evidence. The Court has 24 reviewed and evaluated the objections and finds it “unnecessary and impractical . . . to 25 methodically scrutinize each objection and give a full analysis of each argument 26 raised.” See Doe v. Starbucks, Inc., No. SACV 08-0582-AG (CWx), 2009 WL 27 5183773, at *1 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 18, 2009). Accordingly, where the objected evidence 28 is unnecessary to the resolution of the summary judgment motions or supports facts
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1 not in dispute, the Court need not resolve those objections here. To the extent the 2 Court relies on objected evidence, those objections are OVERRULED. See Burch v. 3 Regents of Univ. of Cal., 433 F. Supp. 2d 1110, 1122 (E.D. Cal. 2006) (proceeding 4 with only necessary rulings on evidentiary objections). Finally, the Court disregards 5 all improper argument in statements of fact or statements of dispute. (See Scheduling 6 Order 7–9.) 7 V. DISCUSSION 8 Plaintiffs seek partial summary judgment on their first cause of action for 9 breach of contract and on Defendants’ affirmative defenses based on coverage 10 exclusions. (Pls. Notice Mot. 2, ECF No. 29; see Answer 8–10 (Third, Fifth, Sixth, & 11 Seventh Affirmative Defenses), ECF No. 8.) Defendants seek summary judgment or 12 partial summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ causes of action for breach of contract and 13 bad faith, and also Plaintiffs’ claims for fees pursuant to Brandt v. Superior Court, 14 37 Cal. 3d 813 (1985) (“Brandt fees”) and punitive damages. (DMSJ 7–8.) As both 15 sides seek judgment on the breach of contract cause of action, the Court begins there. 16 A. Breach of Contract 17 Plaintiffs argue Defendants breached the insurance contract by denying 18 Plaintiffs a defense in the Yoon Action, and that Plaintiffs are thus entitled to judgment 19 as a matter of law on Plaintiffs’ first cause of action and Defendants’ exclusion-based 20 affirmative defenses. (PMSJ 9–23.) Defendants contend they did not breach the 21 insurance contract by denying coverage because the three exclusions apply, and thus 22 Defendants are entitled to judgment as a matter of law on Plaintiffs’ first cause of 23 action. (DMSJ 13–17.) Defendants also argue Scottsdale Insurance and Nationwide 24 cannot be liable on Plaintiffs’ claims. (DMSJ 17, 19.) 25 “[I]nterpretation of an insurance policy is a question of law.” Golden Eagle Ins. 26 Corp. v. Cen-Fed, Ltd, 148 Cal. App. 4th 976, 984 (2007).9 Courts look to the 27
28 9 As the Court’s jurisdiction is based on diversity of citizenship, California substantive law applies. See Ross Dress for Less, Inc. v. Makarios-Oregon, LLC, 39 F.4th 1113, 1118 (9th Cir. 2022).
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1 language of the contract “to ascertain its plain meaning or the meaning a layperson 2 would ordinarily attach to it.” Id. Where an insurance contract supplies a duty of 3 defense, a liability insurer must defend its insured “against claims that create a 4 potential for indemnity” under the policy. Montrose Chem. Corp. v. Superior Ct., 5 6 Cal. 4th 287, 295 (1993) (emphasis omitted) (quoting Gray v. Zurich Ins. Co., 6 65 Cal. 2d 263, 279 (1966)). The insurer breaches its duty under the policy by 7 refusing to defend where there is a “possibility that the claim may be covered.” Id.; 8 Gray, 65 Cal. 2d at 279. The “insurer’s duty to defend does not extend to claims for 9 which there is no potential for liability coverage”; this includes claims which fall 10 outside the scope of the policy or are expressly excluded. See Alterra Excess & 11 Surplus Ins. Co. v. Snyder, 234 Cal. App. 4th 1390, 1401 (2015) (emphasis omitted). 12 On summary judgment, “the insured must prove the existence of a potential for 13 coverage, while the insurer must establish the absence of any such potential.” United 14 Enters., Inc. v. Superior Ct., 183 Cal. App. 4th 1004, 1011 (2010). In other words, 15 “the insured need only show that the underlying claim may fall within policy 16 coverage; the insurer must prove it cannot.” Montrose, 6 Cal. 4th at 300. Any doubts 17 concerning the potential for coverage and duty to defend are resolved in favor of the 18 insured. Albert v. Mid-Century Ins. Co., 236 Cal. App. 4th 1281, 1290 (2015); see 19 Gray, 65 Cal. 2d at 269 n.3 (“It is elementary in insurance law that any ambiguity or 20 uncertainty in an insurance policy is to be resolved against the insurer.” (quoting 21 Cont’l Cas. Co. v. Phx. Constr. Co., 46 Cal. 2d 423, 437–38 (1956))). 22 1. Potential for Coverage 23 To determine whether a duty to defend exists, i.e., whether the claim is 24 potentially covered, courts compare the allegations of the underlying complaint with 25 the terms of the policy. Montrose, 6 Cal. 4th at 295. Courts may also consider facts 26 extrinsic to the complaint to establish or preclude the duty to defend. Id.; Albert, 27 236 Cal. App. at 1290. The insurer’s duty to defend may not be excused “where, 28 under the facts alleged, reasonably inferable, or otherwise known, the complaint could
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1 fairly be amended to state a covered liability.” Scottsdale Ins. Co. v. MV Transp., 2 36 Cal. 4th 643, 654 (2005) (citing Gray, 65 Cal. 2d at 275–76). 3 Here, the Policies cover claims against Plaintiffs for alleged wrongful acts 4 committed in the course of providing professional real estate services. A “Wrongful 5 Act” means “any actual or alleged error, omission, misleading statement, 6 misstatement, neglect, . . . breach of duty or act allegedly committed . . . by the 7 Insureds.” (See 2015 Policy SIC000336.10) This is precisely what the Yoons alleged, 8 that Plaintiffs omitted information, made misleading statements or misstatements, and 9 breached their professional duties by failing to verify the accuracy of Choi’s rent rolls. 10 (See PRJN Ex. 1 (“Yoon Compl.”) ¶¶ 35–72, ECF No. 32; id. Ex. 2 (“Yoon SAC”) 11 ¶¶ 12–16, 33–88; id. Ex. 4 (“Yoon Decision”) SIC000047–49.) Defendants do not 12 dispute that the Yoon Action alleged Plaintiffs committed a “Wrongful Act” or acts 13 within the meaning of the Policies. (See DSGI 37.) Accordingly, Plaintiffs have 14 established that the Yoon Action raised a potential for coverage under the Policies. 15 2. Exclusions 16 “[O]nce the insured has established potential liability . . . the insurer must 17 assume its duty to defend unless and until it can conclusively refute that potential.” 18 Montrose, 6 Cal. 4th at 299. “[W]hen an insurer seeks summary judgment on the 19 ground the claim is excluded, the burden is on the insurer to prove that the claim falls 20 within an exclusion.” Albert, 236 Cal. App. 4th at 1290. Exclusionary clauses in 21 insurance contracts “must be conspicuous, plain and clear.” Gray, 65 Cal. 2d at 271. 22 They are strictly construed and interpreted narrowly against the insurer. Food Pro 23 Int’l, Inc. v. Farmers Ins. Exch., 169 Cal. App. 4th 976, 985 (2008); Shade Foods, Inc. 24 v. Innovative Prods. Sales & Mktg., 78 Cal. App. 4th 847, 873 (2000). 25 Defendants contend that three exclusions in the Real Estate Endorsement 26 exclude any coverage of the Yoon Action: the Guarantee Exclusion, the Future Value 27 Exclusion, and the Dual Agency Exclusion. (DMSJ 13–17; Defs. Opp’n 10–15.) 28 10 The Court cites the bates-labeled pagination for clarity.
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1 a. Guarantee Exclusion 2 The Guarantee Exclusion excludes claims “alleging, based upon, arising out of, 3 attributable to, directly or indirectly resulting from, in consequence of, or in any way 4 involving the guaranteeing or warranting of potential sales, earnings, profitability, or 5 economic value.” (2015 Policy SIC000344–45.) 6 Nothing in the Yoon Action involves Plaintiffs’ “guaranteeing or warranting” 7 profitability. (See id.) The Yoons alleged that Plaintiffs knew or should have known 8 that tenants’ rent payments were less than the amount Choi represented, and that 9 Plaintiffs were professionally negligent in transmitting the rent rolls without auditing 10 Choi’s information. (PSUF 11, 15; see Yoon Compl. ¶¶ 35–72; Yoon SAC ¶¶ 33–51; 11 see also Yoon Decision SIC000049.) The Yoons did not allege that Plaintiffs 12 guaranteed or warranted potential earnings or economic value, and Plaintiffs’ 13 transmitting Choi’s rent rolls cannot reasonably be construed as doing so. Further, 14 Plaintiffs included a disclaimer with the rent rolls specifically rejecting any such 15 guarantee, and the Yoons attached those documents to their amended complaint. 16 (PSUF 7; Yoon SAC Ex. 2.) 17 Defendants denied coverage based on the Guarantee Exclusion because Senior 18 Claims Specialist Giacopelli summarized the Yoons’ claims as “based entirely upon 19 representations made regarding rental payments by tenants of the property.” (First 20 Coverage Denial SIC000322.) But this broad statement omits the essential terms of 21 the exclusion, specifically the requirement that the Yoons attribute some guarantee of 22 profitability to Plaintiffs. Despite Defendants’ repeated and unsuccessful attempts to 23 equate a mere “representation” with a “guarantee,” (see Defs. Opp’n 11 (“[T]he 24 exclusions apply when the claimant merely alleges a representation concerning the 25 value of the property . . . .”)), Defendants point to nothing in the Yoon Action that 26 attributes any guarantee of economic value to Plaintiffs, (see DMSJ 15; Defs. 27 Opp’n 10–13). 28
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1 The Guarantee Exclusion does not apply.11 2 b. Future Value Exclusion 3 The Future Value Exclusion excludes claims involving “representations or 4 warranties, expressed, implied or otherwise made by the Insureds, pertaining to the 5 guarantee of future value of real property.” (2015 Policy SIC000344.) 6 The same reasoning that defeats Defendants’ argument for the application of the 7 Guarantee Exclusion defeats application of the Future Value Exclusion. The Yoons 8 did not attribute any guarantee of future value to Plaintiffs in the Yoon Action.12 To 9 the extent Defendants mean to suggest that Plaintiffs’ transmittal of rent rolls and 10 other escrow information to the Yoons somehow “implied” a “representation . . . 11 pertaining to the guarantee of the future value of” the property, the Court finds the 12 exclusion language vague, attenuated, and ambiguous regarding the definition of a 13 “representation[] . . . pertaining to [a] guarantee.” To this extent, the Court construes 14 the language strictly and narrowly against Defendants. See Shade Foods, 78 Cal. App. 15 4th at 873. In this light, the Court reaffirms the above conclusion that the Yoons did 16 not attribute any guarantee of future value to Plaintiffs. 17 The Future Value Exclusion does not apply. 18 c. Dual Agency Exclusion 19 The Dual Agency Exclusion excludes claims involving “the Insured’s activity 20 as a dual agent in real estate transactions where the Insured failed to fully disclose its 21 dual agency status in writing to all clients and where the clients did not consent to the 22 dual agency in writing.” (2015 Policy SIC000345.) 23 24 11 The Court finds the Guarantee Exclusion does not apply based on its plain language and thus does 25 not reach the parties’ arguments on ambiguity. Equally, the Court finds Defendants’ proffered Escrow Amendment, Tenant Estoppel Certificates, and Appraisal report immaterial to this issue. 26 12 Defendants argue, “[t]he Yoons allege that Plaintiffs expressly represented the rents generated by the subject property to show the Yoons what the future value of the subject property could be.” 27 (Defs. Opp’n 13 (emphasis added).) The Court’s review of the Yoon pleadings reveals no such 28 representation. Nor is this the first instance the Court has encountered Defendants’ overreaching. The Court sternly reminds counsel of their duty of candor. See Cal. Rules of Prof’l Conduct 3.3.
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1 The Superior Court found that “Kim acted in the capacity of a dual agent with 2 respect to this transaction,” and although “there was none in evidence, she had the 3 parties sign a dual agent disclosure form, where they acknowledge being informed of 4 the dual agency and the rights and obligations inherent thereto.” (DSUF 41; Yoon 5 Decision SIC000047.) Thus, Kim disclosed the dual agency status in writing and 6 Kim’s clients consented to the dual agency status in writing. This defeats application 7 of the Dual Agency Exception. 8 Defendants rely on the court’s statement, “there was none in evidence,” to argue 9 that Plaintiffs failed to disclose their dual agency status or obtain consent in writing. 10 They insist that this statement, coupled with Plaintiffs’ failure to produce written 11 evidence of disclosure and consent here, establishes that the Dual Agency Exclusion 12 applies. (See Defs. Opp’n 15.) This argument borders on frivolous. In the same 13 sentence upon which Defendants so heavily invest, the court clearly found written 14 disclosure and consent. (See Yoon Decision SIC000047.) Defendants’ semantic 15 gymnastics warrant no further address. 16 The Dual Agency Exclusion does not apply.13 17 3. Scottsdale Insurance & Nationwide 18 Defendants also argue that Scottsdale Insurance and Nationwide are not liable 19 on Plaintiffs’ claims and are therefore entitled to summary judgment. (DMSJ 17, 19.) 20 a. Scottsdale Insurance 21 Defendants contend Scottsdale Insurance is entitled to summary judgment on 22 Plaintiffs’ breach of contract cause of action because the Yoon Action claim for 23 coverage was not “first made” during the 2014 Policy coverage period. (DMSJ 17.) 24 Scottsdale Insurance issued the 2014 Policy providing coverage for the Policy 25 Period from May 20, 2014, to May 20, 2015. (2014 Policy SIC000559; DSUF 1.) 26
13 Plaintiffs argue Defendants waived and are estopped from invoking the Future Value and Dual 27 Agency Exclusions in this action because Defendants failed to expressly raise them in the First 28 Denial Letter. (PMSJ 21.) The Court does not reach this argument because it finds the two exclusions do not apply.
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1 Defendants point to the 2014 Policy’s insuring clause, which requires that an insured’s 2 claim be “first made” during the Policy Period. (DMSJ 17; 2014 Policy SIC000571.) 3 It is undisputed that the Yoons filed the Yoon Action on June 23, 2015, outside the 4 2014 Policy Period. (DSUF 8–9; PSUF 8.) Plaintiffs do not address Defendants’ 5 “first made” argument in their opposition or otherwise raise a genuine issue for trial. 6 (See Defs. Reply 7; see generally Pls. Opp’n; PMSJ.) As such, Plaintiffs concede the 7 issue. See, e.g., Jenkins v. County of Riverside, 398 F.3d 1093, 1095 n.4 (9th Cir. 8 2005) (finding the plaintiff abandoned claims by not addressing them in opposition to 9 motion for summary judgment). Accordingly, Scottsdale Insurance is entitled to 10 summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ breach of contract cause of action. See Fed. R. Civ. 11 P. 56(e)(3). 12 b. Nationwide 13 Defendants next argue that Scottsdale’s parent company, Nationwide, cannot be 14 liable on any of Plaintiffs’ causes of action because Nationwide is not a party to the 15 Policies, and a parent company is generally not liable for its subsidiaries’ acts. 16 (DMSJ 19.) 17 Plaintiffs present evidence that Nationwide was a party to the Policies, involved 18 in the handling of Plaintiffs’ claim, and authorized the denial of Plaintiffs’ claim for 19 coverage. (Pls. Opp’n 13–14.) Senior Claims Specialist Giacopelli testified that 20 “Nationwide was a party to the insurance contract . . . and Nationwide issued a 21 coverage-opinion letter based on the evidence . . . [and] information that it received.” 22 (PAMF 23; Shuman Decl. ISO Pls. Opp’n (“Shuman Decl. Opp’n”) ¶ 4, Ex. 2 23 (“Giacopelli Dep.”) 272:2–6, ECF Nos. 38-2, 38-4.) Nationwide handled claims for 24 Scottsdale’s policies, and some of the coverage denial letters on Plaintiffs’ claims were 25 issued on Nationwide letterhead. (See PAMF 26–27; Giacopelli Dep. 271:10–19.) 26 Additionally, Giacopelli’s coverage denial was reviewed and approved by the 27 Technical Resource Center, a division of Nationwide. (See PSUF 24; Giacopelli 28
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1 Dep. 285:18–286:6.) This evidence is sufficient to raise a triable issue of fact 2 regarding Nationwide’s liability on Plaintiffs’ claims. 3 Defendants contend that Giacopelli “corrected” his deposition testimony. (See 4 Decl. Valerie D. Rojas ISO Defs. Reply Ex. CC (“Correction Sheet”), ECF No. 40-6.) 5 Giacopelli purports to change “Nationwide” to “Scottsdale,” so the testimony quoted 6 above would read “Scottsdale was a party to the insurance contract . . . and Scottsdale 7 issued a coverage-opinion letter based on the evidence.” (Id. (emphasis added).) 8 Plaintiffs object to Giacopelli’s corrections as untimely and improper. (Pls. Obj. 2, 9 ECF No. 41-3.) Although Defendants contend that Giacopelli merely “misspoke” 10 during his deposition and that his corrected testimony is consistent with the Policies 11 and should be considered, (see Defs. Resp. Pls. Obj. 2, ECF No. 43), the Court is 12 inclined to agree with Plaintiffs in light of the timing and content of the corrections. 13 Regardless, even were the Court to accept Giacopelli’s Correction Sheet, Plaintiffs put 14 forward other evidence, discussed above, that is sufficient to raise a triable issue 15 regarding Nationwide’s relationship to the Policies and coverage denial. Defendants 16 are not entitled to summary judgment as to Nationwide’s liability. 17 4. Summary—Breach of Contract 18 Plaintiffs establish that the Yoon Action raised a potential for coverage, and 19 Defendants fail to prove it cannot come within the Policies. See Montrose, 6 Cal. 4th 20 at 300. Defendants also fail to “prove that the claim falls within an exclusion,” or 21 raise a genuine dispute of fact suggesting as much. See Albert, 236 Cal. App. 4th 22 at 1290. Scottsdale Indemnity owed Plaintiffs a duty to defend under the Policies and 23 breached that duty by declining to defend Plaintiffs, causing Plaintiffs to incur 24 damages. (See PSUF 64.) Therefore, as against Scottsdale Indemnity, no genuine 25 dispute of material fact exists and Plaintiffs are entitled to judgment as a matter of law 26 on the breach of contract cause of action and the exclusion-based affirmative defenses. 27 However, Scottsdale Insurance is entitled to summary judgment on the breach of 28 contract cause of action, and a triable issue remains regarding Nationwide’s liability.
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1 B. Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith & Fair Dealing 2 “In addition to the duties imposed on contracting parties by the express terms of 3 their agreement, the law implies in every contract a covenant of good faith and fair 4 dealing.” Egan v. Mut. of Omaha Ins. Co., 24 Cal. 3d 809, 818 (1979) (citations 5 omitted). “The implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing is breached when an 6 insurer delays or denies payment of policy benefits unreasonably or without proper 7 cause.” Harbison v. Am. Motorists Ins. Co., 636 F. Supp. 2d 1030, 1039 (E.D. Cal. 8 2009) (citing Jordan v. Allstate Ins. Co., 148 Cal. App. 4th 1062, 1072 (2007)). 9 An insurer may have proper cause for withholding benefits when there is a 10 genuine dispute “as to the existence of coverage liability or the amount of the 11 insured’s coverage claim.” Chateau Chamberay Homeowners Ass’n v. Associated 12 Int’l Ins. Co., 90 Cal. App. 4th 335, 347 (2001), as modified on denial of reh’g 13 (July 30, 2001). “However, ‘the genuine dispute rule does not relieve an insurer from 14 its obligation to thoroughly and fairly investigate, process and evaluate the insured’s 15 claim.’” Harbison, 636 F. Supp. 2d at 1039 (internal alteration omitted) (quoting 16 Wilson v. 21st Century Ins., 42 Cal. 4th 713, 723 (2007)). The adequacy of a claim 17 investigation is a critical factor in determining good faith. Shade Foods, 78 Cal. App. 18 4th at 880. 19 “The key to a bad faith claim is whether or not the insurer’s denial of coverage 20 was reasonable.” Amadeo v. Principal Mut. Life Ins. Co., 290 F.3d 1152, 1161 21 (9th Cir. 2002). The reasonableness of an insurer’s claims investigation is ordinarily a 22 question of fact. Chateau, 90 Cal. App. 4th at 346. “[A]n insurer is not entitled to 23 judgment as a matter of law where, viewing the facts in the light most favorable to the 24 plaintiff, a jury could conclude that the insurer acted unreasonably.” Amadeo, 25 290 F.3d at 1162. 26 Defendants argue they are entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ second 27 cause of action for bad faith because (1) coverage was excluded under the Policies or, 28 in the alternative, (2) a genuine dispute existed regarding whether the Policies covered
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1 the Yoon Action. (DMSJ 18.) Defendants’ first argument fails because, as discussed 2 above, coverage was not excluded under the Policies. Defendants’ alternative 3 argument also fails because Defendants do not establish the existence of a genuine 4 dispute. Defendants do not even clearly articulate what they contend the “genuine 5 dispute” in this case is. (See DMSJ 18.) Defendants’ failure to develop or support this 6 argument with analysis, evidence, or legal authority justifies denying their motion on 7 this claim. See Ventress v. Japan Airlines, 747 F.3d 716, 723 n.8 (9th Cir. 2014) (“We 8 decline to address this undeveloped argument, which is not supported by citations to 9 the record, argument, or any legal authority.”). 10 Nevertheless, Plaintiffs put forward facts and evidence sufficient to raise a 11 triable issue about whether Defendants’ coverage investigation was adequate and 12 reasonable. (See Pls. Opp’n 15–19.) It is undisputed that Defendants’ claims handlers 13 never spoke with Kim, and possibly spoke with her representative only twice—once 14 in introduction and once to deny the claim. (PAMF 31; see Giacopelli Dep. 32–33, 15 35–36.) Claims handler Dianna Todino testified at deposition that, before she denied 16 coverage, she took no investigative steps at all besides reading the complaint, the 17 Policies, and a prior coverage opinion. (PAMF 30, 32–33; Shuman Decl. Opp’n Ex. 5 18 (“Todino Dep.”) 155:7–156:17, ECF No. 38-4.) Todino believed any further 19 investigation was unnecessary. (Todino Dep. 155:12–13, 156:3–17.) After Plaintiffs 20 renewed their request for coverage based on the Yoons’ amended pleadings with the 21 rent rolls as exhibits, Todino still did not look beyond the allegations or consider the 22 new evidence. (Id. at 69:12–71:5.) A trier of fact could view the above as an 23 unreasonable failure to investigate, amounting to unfair dealing. See Shade Foods, 24 78 Cal. App. 4th at 880 (“An unreasonable failure to investigate amount[s] to [such] 25 unfair dealing . . . when an insurer fails to consider, or seek to discover, evidence 26 relevant to the issues of liability and damages.”). 27 Additionally, when asked at deposition, Todino testified that the LA 1 28 disclaimer—“information deemed reliable but not guaranteed”—was “contradictory,”
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1 making it a “guarantee” that would trigger the Guarantee Exclusion. (PAMF 39 2 (undisputed); Todino Dep. 72:2–13.) A trier of fact could view this as an unreasonable 3 interpretation of evidence and, coupled with Todino’s refusal to investigate or 4 reconsider the prior denial, sufficient to fortify a finding of bad faith. See Shade 5 Foods, 78 Cal. App. 4th at 880 (“[T]he insurer’s early closure of an investigation and 6 unwillingness to reconsider a denial when presented with evidence of factual errors 7 will fortify a finding of bad faith.”). 8 Defendants dispute the import of Todino’s testimony, (see Defs. Resp. 9 PAMF 30–33, 39, ECF No. 40-1), but Defendants’ challenge only highlights the 10 existence of the triable issues regarding the reasonableness and adequacy of 11 Defendants’ claim investigation. Viewing the above facts and evidence in a light most 12 favorable to Plaintiffs, a reasonable jury could conclude that Defendants’ claims 13 investigation was unreasonable or inadequate. 14 Defendants fail to establish that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law 15 with respect to Plaintiffs’ cause of action for bad faith, and Plaintiffs raise triable 16 issues of material fact precluding such summary judgment in any event. Summary 17 judgment is therefore not appropriate on Plaintiffs’ cause of action for bad faith. 18 C. Damages 19 Defendants also move for summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ claims for Brandt 20 fees and punitive damages on the grounds that Plaintiffs cannot produce evidence to 21 support them. (DMSJ 20–24.) 22 1. Brandt Fees 23 “When an insurer tortiously withholds benefits . . . attorney’s fees [that are] 24 reasonably incurred to compel payment of the policy benefits [are] recoverable as an 25 element of the damages . . . .” Brandt, 37 Cal. 3d at 815. Since the fees are 26 considered damages, “the determination of the recoverable fees must be made by the 27 trier of fact unless the parties stipulate otherwise.” Id. at 819. The normal preference 28
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1 is for the parties to stipulate to the trial court’s post-judgment allocation of Brandt 2 fees. Id. 3 Defendants assert that Plaintiffs failed during discovery to produce evidence for 4 Brandt fees and to identify the amount they claim, and therefore Plaintiffs’ Brandt fee 5 claim should be barred. (DMSJ 20–22.) Plaintiffs contend they have now produced 6 evidence to support Brandt fees and, had Defendants met and conferred in good faith 7 as required by Local Rule 7-3, Plaintiffs would have disclosed this evidence prior to 8 the close of discovery. (Pls. Opp’n 20–21.) 9 Local Rule 7-3 requires counsel or parties contemplating motion practice to 10 “first contact opposing counsel to discuss thoroughly . . . the substance of the 11 contemplated motion and any potential resolution.” C.D. Cal. L.R. 7-3. Compliance 12 with the district court’s Local Rules is not optional. See Lopez v. Wells Fargo Bank, 13 N.A., No. SACV 16-01409 AG (KESx), 2016 WL 6088257, at *2 (C.D. Cal. Oct. 17, 14 2016) (“Local Rule 7-3 isn’t just a piece of petty pedantry put down to trip up 15 lawyers. . . . Local Rule 7-3 instead helps ensure counsel fulfill their obligation ‘to 16 secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action and 17 proceeding,’ by avoiding unnecessary litigation.”). “The Court may decline to 18 consider a motion unless it meets the requirements of L.R. 7-3 . . . .” C.D. Cal. 19 L.R. 7-4. 20 Defendants met and conferred with Plaintiffs sufficiently in advance of filing 21 Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. (Decl. Valerie D. Rojas ISO DMSJ 22 (“Rojas Decl.”) ¶ 7, ECF No. 33-3.) This meeting occurred twelve days before the 23 close of discovery. (Decl. Steven J. Lipscomb ISO Pls. Opp’n (“Lipscomb Decl.”) 24 ¶ 9, ECF No. 38-3.) Yet, in that conference, Defendants did not “discuss 25 thoroughly . . . the substance of the contemplated motion.” See C.D. Cal. L.R. 7-3. 26 Defendants notified Plaintiffs that they intended to move for summary judgment on 27 28
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1 “all of Plaintiffs’ claims,” (see Defs. Reply 1214), but did not discuss Defendants’ 2 intent to move on Brandt fees, and in particular the basis for such a motion: that 3 Plaintiffs had not disclosed supporting evidence during discovery, (Lipscomb Decl. 4 ¶ 9; Shuman Decl. Opp’n ¶ 2; cf. Rojas Decl. ¶ 7). Defendants’ hide-the-ball meet- 5 and-confer does not satisfy the letter or the spirit of Rule 7-3. As Defendants are 6 undoubtedly aware, had they complied with Local Rule 7-3 in good faith and 7 discussed thoroughly their true intent, Plaintiffs would have immediately disclosed 8 their Brandt fee evidence, within the discovery period. (Lipscomb Decl. ¶ 9.) 9 Defendants’ failure to comply with Local Rule 7-3 warrants denial of 10 Defendants’ motion on this issue. See C.D. Cal. L.R. 7-4. Plaintiffs disclosed from 11 the outset of this action that they would seek Brandt fees; Plaintiffs have maintained 12 detailed time records and segregated unrelated time; and Plaintiffs assert they will 13 continue to update the amount at issue as Brandt fees accrue through trial. (Pls. 14 Opp’n 20–21; Lipscomb Decl. ¶¶ 2–7.) Thus, Plaintiffs demonstrate they possess 15 evidence to support Brandt fees and have disclosed those records to Defendants. In 16 the event that Defendants insist on litigating Brandt fees at trial, the Court will permit 17 limited additional discovery on the issue. 18 2. Punitive Damages 19 A plaintiff may recover punitive damages in a tort action if there is “clear and 20 convincing evidence” that the defendant is “guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice.” 21 Shade Foods, 78 Cal. App.4th at 890–91 (citing Cal. Civ. Code 3294(a)). In insurance 22 cases, punitive damages can be most plausibly justified by a finding of oppression or 23 malice. Id. at 891. “Oppression” is defined to mean “despicable conduct that subjects 24 a person to cruel and unjust hardship in conscious disregard of that person's rights.” 25 Id. “Malice” is defined to mean “despicable conduct which is carried on by the 26 defendant with a willful and conscious disregard of the rights or safety of others.” Id. 27
28 14 Defendants’ Reply exceeds this Court’s page limitation. (See Order re Scheduling Conference 5, ECF No. 9.) The Court therefore disregards Defendants’ Reply beyond page twelve.
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1 “With respect to a corporate employer,” an “officer, director, or managing agent of the 2 corporation” must authorize or ratify the oppression or malice. Cal. Civ. Code. 3 § 3294(b). 4 “[A] finding of bad faith and punitive damages depends on inferences drawn 5 from the same evidence,” but a “marginally sufficient case of bad faith is not likely to 6 prove malice or oppression by clear and convincing evidence.” Harbison, 636 F. 7 Supp. 2d at 1044 (quoting Shade Foods, 78 Cal. App. 4th at 909–10). Even so, 8 evidence which supports that an insurer’s denial of a claim went beyond poor 9 judgment, was based on a plainly unreasonable interpretation of the policy, or 10 deliberately restricted the claims investigation, may raise a triable issue about the 11 propriety of punitive damages. See Amadeo, 290 F.3d at 1165 (finding such evidence 12 sufficient to send the question of punitive damages to the jury). 13 Defendants argue that Plaintiffs have no evidence of oppression, fraud, or 14 malice; corporate ratification; or Defendants’ financial condition. (DMSJ 22–24.) 15 Looking to the same evidence discussed above, and viewing the facts in a light most 16 favorable to Plaintiffs, a reasonable jury could conclude that Defendants’ claims 17 agents refused to look beyond their own unreasonable interpretation of the allegations 18 and policy exclusions, and that this refusal was with the purpose to deny policy 19 benefits. (See, e.g., Todino Dep. 72:2–13, 155:7–156:17 (testifying that no 20 investigation was necessary, and the disclaimer that the rent rolls were “deemed 21 reliable but not guaranteed” meant Plaintiffs guaranteed the rent values, which would 22 trigger the Guarantee Exclusion).) 23 Further, the California Supreme Court has recognized that when insurance 24 claims handlers “dispose of insureds’ claims with little if any supervision, they 25 possess sufficient discretion for the law to impute their actions concerning those 26 claims to the corporation.” Egan, 24 Cal. 3d at 823 (“Manifestly, to plaintiff, the 27 claims representative’s actions were actions of defendant.” (alteration removed)). 28
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1 || Thus, the actions of Giacopelli and Todino may be considered actions of managing 2 || agents for the purposes of punitive damages. 3 Finally, Plaintiffs submit evidence of Defendants’ financial condition in the 4] form of Scottsdale Indemnity’s Annual Statement, filed with the California 5 || Department of Insurance. (Shuman Decl. Opp’n 12, Ex. 10, ECF No. 38-4; Suppl. 6 || Decl. Steven C. Shuman Ex. 11, ECF No. 41-1.) Defendants object to this evidence 7 || on multiple grounds, including that it was not disclosed during discovery. (Defs. Obj., 8 | ECF No. 44.) The Annual Statement is a certified public record, readily available in 9 || the public sphere. Defendants’ objection is OVERRULED. 10 Triable issues of material fact preclude summary judgment on Defendants’ 11 || motion as to the issue of punitive damages. 12 VI. CONCLUSION 13 For the reasons discussed above, the Court GRANTS IN PART AND DENIES IN PART Plaintiffs’ and Defendants’ Motions for Summary Judgment. 15 || (ECF Nos. 29, 33.) Specifically, Plaintiffs’ Motion is GRANTED IN PART on 16 || Plaintiffs’ breach of contract cause of action and Defendants’ affirmative defenses 17 || three, five, six, and seven, only as against Scottsdale Indemnity. Plaintiffs’ Motion is 18 | DENIED IN PART as against Scottsdale Insurance and Nationwide. (ECF No. 29.) 19 || Defendants’ Motion is GRANTED IN PART on Plaintiffs’ breach of contract cause 20 || of action only as to Scottsdale Insurance. Defendants’ Motion is DENIED IN PART 21 | as to all other causes of action and claims. (ECF No. 33.) 22 23 IT IS SO ORDERED. 24 25 September 16, 2022 oe a
7 OTIS D. HT, II 08 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE