Pieper v. Commercial Underwriters Insurance

Opinion

ALDRICH, J.

Introduction

Plaintiffs, cross-defendants, and appellants James Pieper and Jeanne Ellen Pieper (the Piepers) appeal from judgment entered in favor of defendant, cross-complainant and respondent Commercial Underwriters Insurance Company (CUI).

The action arose from the Old Topanga Canyon fire, which destroyed the Piepers’ collection of rare ceremonial masks. The Piepers filed a claim with CUI under their “all risks” policy. CUI denied coverage pursuant to a “brush fire” exclusion. The Piepers filed an action for breach of insurance contract and for bad faith contending that…