Safeco Insurance v. Fireman's Fund Insurance

Opinion

MALLANO, Acting P. J.

In a prior action, an insured homeowner was found liable to a downhill neighbor for a landslide that inundated the neighbor’s backyard with dirt and debris. The judgment totaled around $4 million. The homeowner’s primary and excess insurers provided a defense and indemnity. This is a declaratory relief action between the insurers concerning the coverage provided under successive policies issued by the primary insurer.

Immediately after the landslide, the City of Los Angeles determined that the neighbor’s backyard was unusable and ordered the insured to repair the…