American States Insurance v. Rancho San Marcos Properties, L.L.C.

Sweeney, A.C.J.

This is an insurance coverage dispute. The policy here covered “arson” losses but excluded property losses caused by “vandalism.” The insurer denied coverage. It asserted that this arson fire was the result of vandalism and therefore excluded from coverage. The insured urges that a fire loss caused by arson is not “vandalism.” We agree that a fire caused by arson is not excluded as vandalism. We therefore affirm the trial judge’s summary judgment in favor of Wells Fargo Bank1 to that effect.

FACTS

American States Insurance Company insured an abandoned building. Wells Fargo Bank…