Hartford v. Tanner

Marquardt, J.;

The Hartford (Hartford) seeks indemnification, as a surety, from Donald F. Tanner on two bond contracts Tanner signed as an indemnitor. After a trial to the district court, the district court ruled that Hartford’s payments on the bonds were not reasonable and, therefore, Hartford was not entitled to indemnification from Tanner. Hartford appeals both the use of the “reasonableness” legal standard and the application of that standard.

Tanner and Ronald Brock were partners who imported “gray market” motor vehicles that required conversion to bring them into compliance with standards…