Opinion

Court: District Court, E.D. California
Filed: Jan 30, 2026
Cited by: 0 cases
Authority: More cited than 41.4%

The opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CENTERS FOR LIVING, INC. a Case No. 1:22-cv-00372-EPG

10 California corporation; CENTERS

VETERANS GROUP, LLC, a California ORDER GRANTINGS DEFENDANT’S

11 limited liability company: WAYNE K. MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

BURKS and KAY E. BURKS, as Trustees

12 of the WAYNE K. and KAY E. BURKS (ECF NOS. 11)

LIVING TRUST dated February 11,1993;

13 and WAYNE K. BURKS and EULA B.

BURKS, as Trustees of the BARRY K.

14 BURKS IRREVOCABLE TRUST dated

September 30, 1988,

Plaintiffs,

NATIONWIDE MUTUTAL

18 INSURANCE CO1., and DOES 1 through

10, inclusive.

Defendants.

21 In this civil action filed on March 29, 2022, Plaintiffs Centers for Living (“CFL”);

22 Centers Veterans Group, LLC (“CVG”); and Wayne K. Burks and Kay E Burks, and Wayne K.

23 Burks and Eula B. Burks, Trustees of the Wayke K. Burks and Kay E Burks Living Trust and

24 Trustees of the Barry K. Burks Irrevocable Trust, respectively (“Burks’ trusts”) assert a claim

25 for breach of contract against Defendant Nationwide Mutual Insurance, Co., (“Defendant”) for

26 failing to pay damages from a fire to a property. (ECF No. 1-2 at 8).

28 1 Throughout its filings, Defendant refers to itself as Scottsdale Insurance Company. For uniformity, the

Court will reference Defendant as indicated on the docket and “Defendant” throughout.

1 Before the Court is Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment filed on June 19, 2023.

2 (ECF No. 11).2 Defendant argues that the undisputed facts show that Plaintiff CFL

3 misrepresented material facts on its application for insurance for the property that was

4 destroyed by a fire and thus that Defendant was entitled to rescind the insurance policy

5 previously issued to Plaintiff CFL. (ECF No. 11-1 at 6).

6 For the reasons set forth below, the Court shall grant Defendant’s motion.

7 I. DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

8 A. Defendant’s Motion

9 In its motion for summary judgment, (ECF No. 11), Defendant argues that the

10 undisputed facts establish that Defendant was legally entitled to rescind the insurance policy,

11 and refuse to pay damages, because Plaintiff made material misrepresentations of fact in its

12 application for insurance.

Defendant issued a policy for insurance covering Plaintiff’s property based on an

application completed by Plaintiff CFL’s CFO John Coyle (“Coyle”). That application

included a Commercial Insurance Application and a Halfway House General Liability

Application. (Id. at 9). The Commercial Insurance Application included a section stating

“ENTER ALLCLAIMS OR LOSSES (REGARDLESS OF FAULT AND WHETHER OR

NOT INSURED) OR OCCURRENCES THAT MAY GIVE RISE TO CLAIMS.” Coyle did

not disclose any losses in response. Another question on the application asked “HAVE ANY

CRIMES OCCURRED OR BEEN ATTEMPTED ON YOUR PREMISES WITHIN THE

LAST THREE (3) YEARS?” Plaintiff responded “N,” for no.

Defendant argues that the undisputed facts show that these responses were false.

24 Contrary to this disclosure, there had been “repeated break-ins, vandalisms graffiti, thefts of

25 business personal property and destruction of various appliances and interior finishes within the

26 Subject Property,” and police had been contacted several times to remove individuals from the

2 The case was reassigned to the undersigned for all purposes on October 23, 2025. (ECF No. 23).

1 property. (ECF No. 11-1 at 5).

2 Defendant argues that the misrepresentations of facts were material, entitling Defendant

3 was to rescind the policy.3 (Id.at 5).

4 B. Plaintiff’s Opposition4

5 In opposition to Defendant’s motion for summary judgment, Plaintiffs concede that the

6 property had repeated break-ins, stating:

7 John Coyle, who operates CFL, would make weekly inspections to make sure

the premises were secure and to handle any issues with squatters, if needed. At

8 times, Coyle needed to force people to vacate who had entered by either

breaking locks or moving the air conditioner and coming in through the ceiling.

On two occasions, Coyle requested that the Fresno Police go with him because

10 he had reason to suspect gang or other dangerous activity. In other words, police

assistance was sought as a preventative measure to avoid harm, and not because

11 of suspicion that a crime was occurring.

During these instances, the vagrants broke some of the personal property stored

13 there, confiscated a few minor used items that had been donated to CFL, and

sprayed graffiti on the walls. At one point, vagrants chained the doors shut.

14 However, this was easily remedied by cutting the chains.

15 (ECF No. 13, at p. 7). Nevertheless, Plaintiff argues that there is a dispute of fact as to whether

16 Defendant was entitled to rescind the policy based on Plaintiff’s failure to disclose these events.

17 First, Plaintiffs argue that the applications were vague and did not necessarily require

18 disclosure of information about the past incidents. Regarding the question regarding “claims or

19 losses . . . or occurrences that may give rise to claims,” Plaintiffs argue that the questions

20 “could be interpreted to be asking for facts relating to possible future insurance claims.” (Id.).

21 Under this interpretation, Plaintiff “did not see any possibility of a future insurance claim on

22 any past acts, Plaintiffs properly and honestly answered the questions posited” (Id.).

23 Plaintiffs also argue that question regarding whether or not any crimes have occurred or

24 been attempted on the premises was also vague and ambiguous. (Id. at 12-13). Plaintiffs argue

25 that while Coyle sought the assistance of police on two different occasions, this assistance was

27 3 Defendant also argues that the policy only covered CFL and not the other Plaintiffs in the case. (ECF

No. 11-1 at 6-7).

28 4 The Court notes that Plaintiff’s opposition was not timely filed in violation of Local Rule 230 (c).

However, the Court has nevertheless considered Plaintiff’s opposition.

1 for protection purposes and not to stop a crime. Moreover, no individual was charged with a

2 crime, nor was a police report made. As such, Coyle did not believe these activities were

3 crimes that needed to be disclosed. (Id.).

4 Second, Plaintiffs argue that a question of fact exists regarding whether the undisclosed

5 information was material. Plaintiffs claim that Defendant was generally aware that the Subject

6 Property was in an area with an elevated crime rate. Defendant was also aware that Plaintiff

7 planned to renovate and remodel the property. Plaintiffs thus argue that Defendant would have

8 issued the policy even if the information had been disclosed, and thus any misrepresentations

9 were not sufficiently material to entitle Defendant to rescind the policy.

10 C. Defendant’s Reply

11 In Defendant’s reply to Plaintiff’s opposition, Defendant reiterate that Coyle “actively

12 and intentionally concealed [information] from Scottsdale despite its repeated inquiries in

13 various sections of the insurance applications.” (ECF No. 14 at 5). Further, Defendants argue

14 that during his deposition and recorded statement, Coyle repeatedly stated he did not disclose

15 the information of vandalism and break-ins at the Subject Property because he did not believe it

16 was material. (Id.). Defendants argue this testimony contradicts Plaintiffs’ argument in the

17 opposition papers that Coyle did not understand the past incidents to qualify as crimes. (Id.).

18 II. LEGAL STANDARDS

19 A. Motion for Summary Judgment

20 Summary judgment in favor of a party is appropriate when there “is no genuine dispute

21 as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ.

22 P. 56(a); Zetwick v. County. of Yolo, 850 F.3d 436, 440 (9th Cir. 2017) (“Summary judgment is

23 appropriate when, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party,

24 there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact.”). A party asserting that a fact cannot be

25 disputed must support the assertion by “citing to particular parts of materials in the record,

26 including depositions, documents, electronically stored information, affidavits or declarations,

27 stipulations (including those made for purposes of the motion only), admissions, interrogatory

28 answers, or other materials, or showing that the materials cited do not establish the absence or

1 presence of a genuine dispute, or that an adverse party cannot produce admissible evidence to

2 support the fact.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1).

3 A party moving for summary judgment “bears the initial responsibility of informing the

4 district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying those portions of ‘the pleadings,

5 depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if

6 any,’ which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact.” Celotex

7 Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986) (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)). If the moving party

8 moves for summary judgment on the basis that a material fact lacks any proof, the Court must

9 determine whether a fair-minded jury could reasonably find for the non-moving party.

10 Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 252 (1986) (“The mere existence of a scintilla

11 of evidence in support of the plaintiff’s position will be insufficient; there must be evidence on

12 which the jury could reasonably find for the plaintiff.”).

13 In reviewing the evidence at the summary judgment stage, the Court “must draw all

14 reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.” Comite de

15 Jornaleros de Redondo Beach v. City of Redondo Beach, 657 F.3d 936, 942 (9th Cir. 2011).

16 It need only draw inferences, however, where there is “evidence in the record . . . from which

17 a reasonable inference . . . may be drawn;” the court need not entertain inferences that are

18 unsupported by fact. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 330 n. 2 (citation omitted). Additionally, “[t]he

19 evidence of the non-movant is to be believed.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255.

20 B. Legal Standards Regarding Interpretation of Contract

21 California Insurance Code §§ 330, 331, 332, 334 and 359 permit the recission of an

22 insurance policy premised upon the insured’s failure to disclose a material fact in the

23 application for insurance. Specifically, California Insurance Code §331 provides that

24 "concealment, whether intentional or unintentional, entitles the inured party to rescind

insurance.” California Insurance Code §330 defines concealment as “Neglect to communicate

that which a party knows, and ought to communicate, is concealment.” Moreover, California

Insurance Code §359 states that "If a representation is false in a material point, whether

1 affirmative or promissory, the injured party is entitled to rescind the contract from the time the

2 representation becomes false."

3 Regarding materiality, California Insurance Code § 334 provides that: “Materiality is to

4 be determined not by the event, but solely by the probable and reasonable influence of the facts

upon the party to whom the communication is due, in forming his estimate of the disadvantages

of the proposed contract, or in making his inquiries.” Furthermore, the Supreme Court of

California has provided the following guidance regarding materiality in the context of

rescission of an insurance contract:

Materiality is determined solely by the probable and reasonable effect which

truthful answers would have had upon the insurer. (Ins.Code, s 334; Burns,

11 supra, 201 Cal.App., p. 871, 20 Cal.Rptr. 535.) The fact that the insurer has

demanded answers to specific questions in an application for insurance is in

12 itself usually sufficient to establish materiality as a matter of law. (Cohen, supra,

48 Cal.2d, p. 726, 312 P.2d 241; Cal.West States etc. Co., supra, 15 Cal.2d, p.

423, 101 P.2d 696; but see Ransom v. Penn. Mutual Life Ins. Co., supra, 43

14 Cal.2d 420, 427, 274 P.2d 633.)

15 On the other hand, if the applicant for insurance had no present knowledge of the

16 facts sought, or failed to appreciate the significance of information related to him,

his incorrect or incomplete responses would not constitute grounds for recission. .

17 . . Finally, as the misrepresentation must be a material one, ‘An incorrect answer

on an insurance application does not give rise to the defense of fraud where the

true facts, if known, would not have made the contract less desirable to the

19 insurer. (Citations.’ (Ransom, supra, 43 Cal.2d p. 427, 274 P.2d p. 637, see Burns

v. Prudential Ins. Co., supra, 201 Cal.App.2d 868, 872, 20 Cal.Rptr. 535.) And

20 the trier of fact is not required to believe the ‘post mortem’ testimony of an

insurer's agents that insurance would have been refused had the true facts been

disclosed.

Thompson v. Occidental Life Ins. Co., 9 Cal.3d 904, 916 (1973). However, an insurance

company may not claim reliance on a materially misrepresented fact when the representation

was in fact true and was provided in response to an ambiguous question, as ambiguities in a

contract shall be construed against the insurer. Duarte v. Pacific Specialty Ins. Co. 13

Cal.App.5th 45, 54 (2017). “Insurance policies are to be construed most strongly against the

insurer, and doubtful language is to be resolved against it … If the insurer uses language which

1 is uncertain, any reasonable doubt will be resolved against it.” Holz Rubber Co., Inc. v.

2 American Star Ins. Co (1975) 14 Cal.3d 45, 59. “An insurance policy provision is ambiguous

3 when it is capable of two or more constructions both of which are reasonable.”. Bay Cities

4 Paving Grading, Inc. v. Lawyers' Mutual Insurance Co. 5 Cal.4th 854,867 (1993).

5 III. UINDISPUTED FACTS

6 Based on the evidence submitted, the Court finds that following facts are undisputed:

7 In July 2020, Plaintiff CFL purchased a property located at 4313 E. Tulare Street,

8 Fresno, CA 93702, (“Subject Property”). The property was occupied by CFL until late October

9 2020. (ECF No. 11-1 at 7; ECF No. 12 at 7).

10 During the months of November and December 2020, the property was vacated. (Id.).

11 During this time, there were repeated break-ins, resulting in vandalism, graffiti, destruction and

12 damage to the physical structure as well as theft and damage to business personal property

13 stored at the Subject Property. (ECF No.11-1 at 7). John Coyle, the operator of CFL, would

14 make weekly inspections at the Subject Property and at times would need to force people to

15 vacate the property who had entered by either “breaking locks or moving the air conditioner

16 and coming in through the ceiling.” (ECF No. 12 at 7). Coyle requested Fresno Police to

17 accompany him to the property on two separate occasions. (ECF No. 13 at 7).

18 On or about December 18, 2020, CFL submitted an application for insurance on the

19 subject property to Defendant, which was completed and signed by Coyle. (Id. at 8).

20 On page 4 of the Commercial Insurance Application, it stated “ENTER ALL CLAIMS

21 OR LOSSES (REGALRDLESS OF FAULT AND WHETHER OR NOT INSURED) OR

22 OCCURENCES THAT MAY GIVE RISE TO CLAIMS.” (ECF No. 13 at 9). Coyle left the

23 response blank.

24 On Page 4 of the Commercial General Liability section of the application, question 18

25 asks, “HAVE ANY CRIMES OCCURRED OR BEEN ATTEMPTED ON YOUR PREMISES

26 WITHIN THE LAST THREE (3) YEARS.” (Id.) Coyle answered no to this question.

27 Finally, Question 41 of the Halfway House General Liability Application, requested all

28 claims or losses (regardless of fault and whether or not insured) or occurrences that may give

1 rise to claims for the prior five years." This section was left blank, but a “No Loss” letter

2 printed on CFL letterhead and signed by Coyle was submitted indicating

that “[Subject Property] [has] had no losses claims, accidents or knowledge of any

pending or potential reason that could give rise a claim due to our operations, or any

4 affiliates acting under or for our operations, during the period of 12/21/2017 -

12/21/2020"

(ECF No. 11-1 at 15).

Based on the applications, Defendant issued an insurance policy that covered the

Subject Property. (ECF No. 12 at 8).

On December 22, 2020, a fire was started at the Subject Property, and the entire

structure was burned to the ground. (ECF No. 11-1; ECF No. 13 at 10) When CFL submitted a

claim to Defendant for damages, Plaintiff was informed by Defendant that the insurance policy

had been rescinded. (Id. at 10).

IV. ANALYSIS

The Court finds that, based on the evidence submitted, there is no genuine dispute of

fact that the application for insurance covering the property contained at least one

representation that was false in a material point, and thus that Defendant’s rescission of the

policy was proper under California law.

Again, the insurance policy at issue asked Plaintiff “HAVE ANY CRIMES

OCCURRED OR BEEN ATTEMPTED ON YOUR PREMISES WITHIN THE LAST THREE

(3) YEARS?” Plaintiff responded no.5

The Court finds that undisputed evidence establishes that this representation was false.

Even according to Plaintiffs, within the relevant time period, “Coyle needed to force people to

vacate who had entered by either breaking locks or moving the air conditioner and coming in

through the ceiling. On two occasions, Coyle requested that the Fresno Police go with him

because he had reason to suspect gang or other dangerous activity. . . . During these instances,

the vagrants broke some of the personal property stored there, confiscated a few minor used

28 5 Because the Court finds that this misrepresentation entitled Defendant to rescind the policy, it does

not address other potential misrepresentations raised in Defendant’s motion.

1 items that had been donated to CFL, and sprayed graffiti on the walls. At one point, vagrants

2 chained the doors shut.” (ECF No. 13, at p. 7).

3 Furthermore, on February 27, 2023, Coyle stated during an interview by an underwriter

4 employed by Defendant that squatters were an issue during the vacant period from late October

5 2020 to December 2020. (ECF No. 11-4 at 17). Coyle stated police were called twice to

6 accompany him and vagrants were encountered in the building. Coyle stated that individuals

7 gained accessed to the building and “kept changing the locks on us.” (Id. at 18). Coyle stated

8 theft was an issue. (Id.). Coyle was asked if there was vandalism that occurred, and he stated

9 that there was. (Id.). Coyle stated that there was about “thirty thousand” in loss “due to

10 vandalism . . and theft.” (ECF No. 11-4, at p. 21-22

11 Also on February 27, 2023, Dawn McCollum (“McCollum”), CFL’s CFO was

12 interviewed by Defendant’s counsel John Delamora. (ECF No. 11-4, at p. 29 et seq.)

13 McCollum stated there was “a decent amount of vandalism” between November and

14 December, before the fire. (Id. at 30). McCollum also stated that Plaintiffs “called the police . .

15 . two times, maybe three.” (Id.).

16 These events clearly qualify as crimes that occurred or had been attempted on the

17 premises within the last 3 years. See, e.g., CA Pen. Code, § 459 (“Every person who enters any

18 house, . . . with intent to commit grand or petit larceny or any felony is guilty of burglary. As

19 used in this chapter, “inhabited” means currently being used for dwelling purposes, whether

20 occupied or not.”); CA Pen. Code, § 484 (“(a) Every person who shall feloniously steal, take,

21 carry, lead, or drive away the personal property of another, . . . is guilty of theft.”); CA Pen.

22 Code, § 594 (a) (“Every person who maliciously commits any of the following acts with

23 respect to any real or personal property not his or her own, in cases other than those specified

24 by state law, is guilty of vandalism: (1) Defaces with graffiti or other inscribed material.”).

25 In its opposition, Plaintiff argues that the past incidents were not responsive to the

26 question, because “the broad and vague question quoted above presumes that the answering

27 party is aware of all activities that constitute a crime. The California Penal Code is an extensive

28 volume comprised of approximately 34,370 sections related to criminal activity. It is absurd to

1 think that any lay person would be sufficiently familiar with it to understand all activities that

2 comprise a crime.” (ECF No. 13, at p. 13). The Court finds this argument unconvincing. It

3 does not take a detailed understanding of the penal code to know that the activities at issue,

4 including breaking locks to enter private property, stealing personal property, and vandalism

5 constitute crimes. Moreover, Coyle’s activities confirm that he was aware that they were

6 crimes. At least twice he reported these activities to the Fresno Police Department, which is

7 what someone does to report criminal activity.

8 The Court has also evaluated whether the undisputed facts establish that the

9 misrepresentation was false in a material point. Again, California Insurance Code § 334

10 provides that: “Materiality is to be determined not by the event, but solely by the probable and

11 reasonable influence of the facts upon the party to whom the communication is due, in forming

12 his estimate of the disadvantages of the proposed contract, or in making his inquiries.”

13 In support of its motion, Defendant has submitted the declaration of John Vick, an

14 underwriter of Scottsdale, in which he states that the Loss History of an applicant is critical in

15 the determination of whether or not to accept a property. (ECF No. 11-1 at 15). The

16 undisclosed and unrepaired damage as well as the ongoing and continuous break-ins of the

17 Subject Property were an unacceptable risk and had “[Defendant] been provided with an

18 accurate accounting of the nature and extent of the losses it would have rejected the application

19 and never issued the policy.” (Id.). Defendant argues that this establishes materiality under

20 California law because it would have affected Defendant’s determination of the advantages of

21 the proposed contract. See Casey By & Through Casey v. Old Line Life Ins. Co. o/Am., 996

22 F.Supp. 939, 948 (N.D. Cal. 1998) (“materiality is determined by the probable and reasonable

23 effect that truthful disclosure would have had on the insurer in determining the advantages of

24 the proposed contract.”). Defendant also argues that the declaration of its underwriter is

25 sufficient to establish materiality, citing to the California Appellate Imperial Casualty &

26 Indemnity Co. v. Sogomonian 198 Cal.App.3d 169, 182 (1988), which held that summary

27 judgment in favor of the insurer was proper because:

It is supported by the nature of the insurance coverage which defendant sought,

the quality and quantity of the information which was not disclosed and the fact

that Imperial specifically requested the information on its application and

thereafter relied upon it in issuing the policy. The uncontradicted evidence of

2 Imperial's underwriter confirms the importance which Imperial attached to the

information. Under these circumstances, the materiality of defendants'

3 concealment is established as a matter of law.

Id. at 182.

In its opposition, Plaintiffs argue that the misrepresentation was not material because it

is disputed whether Defendant would have entered into the contract if it had known the

information. In support, Plaintiffs state that “an incorrect answer on an insurance application

does not alone provide a defense to the insurer where, if known, the insurer would nevertheless

have made the contract.” (ECF No. 13, at p. 14). However, this is not a correct summary of

the rule regarding materiality. The case that Plaintiffs for this proposition actual states: “It is

acknowledged that an incorrect answer on an insurance application does not alone give rise to

the defense of fraud where the true facts, if known, would not have made the contract less

desirable to the insurer.” Clarendon Nat. Ins. Co. v. Insurance Co. of the West 442 F.Supp.2d

914, 935 (E.D. Cal. 2006), aff'd sub nom. Clarendon Nat. Ins. Co. v. H & G Transport, Inc.,

290 Fed.Appx. 62 (9th Cir. 2008) (emphasis added). See also id. at 935 (“Materiality is to be

determined not by the event, but solely by the probable and reasonable influence of the facts

upon the party to whom the communication is due, in forming his estimate of the disadvantages

of the proposed contract, or in making his inquiries. Cal. Ins.Code § 334. The question is

whether or not the matter misstated or concealed could reasonably be considered in affecting

the insurer's decision as to whether or not to enter into the contract, in estimating the degree or

character of the risk, or in fixing the premium.”) (emphasis added). Thus, Defendant need not

show that it would not have entered into the contract if it had known of the true facts. It need

only show that the information would have made the contract less desirable and would have

changed Defendant’s estimation of the risk involved or fixing of the premium.

Furthermore, the only evidence before the Court of the effect this information would

have had on Defendant is the declaration of Defendant’s underwriter, discussed above, which

states that “[a]ll of the misrepresentations set forth above would have been material to our

1 decision to undertake such a risk and the underwriting guidelines prohibit Scottsdale from

2 insuring such a property with these types of issues.” (ECF No. 11-3 at 5). In its opposition,

3 Plaintiffs argue that the misrepresentation was inconsequential because the policy covered 6

4 different buildings, Defendant was aware that the property would be used as a halfway house,

5 and Defendant was aware that the property was in a more crime-ridden area. (ECF No. 13, at

6 p. 15). Plaintiffs also argue that Plaintiffs representations had a discussion with Michael Todd,

7 an agent affiliated with Pacific Ag Ins. Agency, and that “Mr. Todd was well aware of the

8 crime levels at the location of the Subject Property,” and that “the Subject Property was to be

9 used as a halfway house in a part of the city of Fresno that was more subject to crime than the

10 other residential neighborhoods where the other properties were located.” (ECF No. 13 at 10)

11 (emphasis added). However, Plaintiffs do not offer any evidence in support of their argument,

12 such as a declaration or deposition testimony. Moreover, Mr. Todd is not a Defendant in this

13 action and Defendant claims he is not affiliated with Defendant’s agency. (ECF No. 14 at 11).

14 Even so, general knowledge that Plaintiffs’ property is an area more subject to crime than other

15 areas is far different than knowing that this property has suffered from repeated break-ins, theft,

16 and vandalisms.

17 The Court also finds the case of Nieto v. Blue Shield of California Life & Health Ins.

18 Co. 181 Cal.App.4th 60, 77–78 (2010) persuasive on this issue, where it held that the insurer

19 was entitled to summary judgment, and addressed the issue of materiality as follows:

In support of summary judgment, Blue Shield offered Krebs's declaration that she

would not have approved appellant for coverage had she known about appellant's

21 medical history, as well as the declarations of senior underwriter Paula Wells who

averred: “According to Blue Shield Life's underwriting guidelines, the medical

22 conditions reflected in [appellant's] medical and pharmacy records, if disclosed on her

Application, would have rendered [appellant] ineligible for enrollment in any Blue

Shield Life IFP product.” Although “the trier of fact is not required to believe the ‘post

24 mortem’ testimony of an insurer's agents that insurance would have been refused had

the true facts been disclosed” (Imperial Casualty & Indemnity Co. v. Sogomonian,

25 supra, at p. 181, 243 Cal.Rptr. 639), Blue Shield's declarations satisfied the elements of

section 334. Moreover, those declarations constituted the only evidence on the point;

appellant offered no evidence to raise a triable issue of fact as to materiality.

Id. at 77-78.

Here, the undisputed evidence establishes that the omitted information about criminal

1 || activity on the property would have probably and reasonably influenced Defendant’s estimate

2 || of the degree or character of the risk or the fixing of the premium. The representation was thus

3 || false in a material point, and Defendant was entitled to rescind the contract.

4 CONCLUSION

5 For the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that there is no genuine issue as to any

6 || material fact and Defendant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

7 Accordingly, based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT

8 1. Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment be GRANTED; and

9 2. The Clerk of Court is directed to close the case.

10 IT IS SO ORDERED.

12 || Dated: __January 29, 2026 _ isfy

3 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.