Storek v. Fidelity & Guaranty Insurance Underwriters, Inc.
Storek v. Fidelity & Guaranty Insurance Underwriters, Inc.
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
The district court did not err in granting summary judgment in favor of Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters, Inc. (“FGIU”) on Appellants’ duty to defend claim. There is no evidence establishing FGIU’s duty to defend Appellants against the allegations contained in the underlying cross-complaint because the facts asserted therein, considered along with the extrinsic evidence, do not establish a potential for coverage. See Montrose Chem. Corp. v. Superior Court., 6 Cal.4th 287, 300, 24 Cal.Rptr.2d 467, 861 P.2d 1153 (Cal. 1993); Gray v. Zurich Ins. Co., 65 Cal.2d 263, 276-77, 54 Cal.Rptr. 104, 419 P.2d 168 (1966) (“An insurer ... bears a duty to defend its insured whenever it ascertains facts which give rise to the potential of liability under the policy”) (italics supplied). The facts alleged in the underlying cross-complaint simply do not encompass the type of personal injuries— defamation and wrongful eviction — covered
Nor did the district court err in granting FGIU’s motion for summary judgment on Appellants’ claim of bad faith. In the absence of a duty to defend, “there can be no action for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing because the covenant is based on the contractual relationship between the insured and the insurer.” Waller v. Truck Ins. Exchange, 11 Cal.4th 1, 36, 44 Cal.Rptr.2d 370, 900 P.2d 619 (Cal. 1995).
AFFIRMED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.