Viking Insurance v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance

Opinion

DAVIS, Acting P. J.

In this insurance coverage dispute, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm) appeals from a judgment in favor of Viking Insurance Company (Viking). The issue on appeal is whether under California law an underinsurance carrier, faced with claims from several insureds arising from one accident, can offset from the amount it owes to one of these insureds the amount that has been paid to the other insureds under the underinsured motorist’s per accident liability policy. We interpret the relevant statutes and conclude they contemplate such an offset. We…