Opinion

Rheinheimer

Court: District Court, N.D. California
Filed: Jul 7, 2026
Cited by: 0 cases
Authority: More cited than 41.6%

The opinion

4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

5 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

7 FIRST NATIONAL INSURANCE Case No. 25-cv-08553-WHO

COMPANY OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff, ORDER ON MOTION FOR SUMMARY

9 JUDGMENT

10 Re: Dkt. Nos. 33, 35, 36, 37, 42

ERIC RHEINHEIMER, et al.,

Defendants.

13 Plaintiff First National Insurance Company (“FNIC”) moves for summary judgment to

14 determine whether it has a duty to defend or indemnify defendant Eric Rheinheimer

15 (“Rheinheimer”) in a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Jane Doe (the “Underlying Action”). In

16 FNIC’s view, numerous provisions in Rheinheimer’s Policy foreclose coverage, including a sexual

17 molestation exclusion, intended acts exclusion, and limitation of coverage to only “occurrences,”

18 which it defines as “accidents”. Rheinheimer contends that there is a question of fact whether the

19 allegations in the Underlying Action amount to sexual assault. But the issue is not whether

20 Rheinheimer is ultimately liable for sexual assault: it is whether Doe’s theory of liability against

21 Rheinheimer falls within the Policy’s insuring agreement. It does not. For the additional reasons

22 set forth below, FNIC’s motion for summary judgment is GRANTED.

23 BACKGROUND

24 The following facts are undisputed and are construed in favor of Rheinheimer, the

25 non-moving party. On October 16, 2021, FNIC issued a “Quality-Plus Homeowners Policy” to

26 Rheinheimer (the “Policy”), number OA3654091. Motion for Summary Judgment (“Mot.”) [Dkt.

27 No. 33]; Declaration of Thomas Kelly Jr. (“Kelly Decl.”) [Dkt. No. 33-1] ¶¶ 3–4; see id. Ex. A

1 was later renewed through October 16, 2023. See id.

2 On August 30, 2024, Jane Doe filed a complaint against Rheinheimer in the Superior Court

3 for the County of San Francisco. See Declaration of Sunewa Sabharwal in Opposition to Motion

4 for Summary Judgment (“Sabharwal Decl.”) [Dkt. No. 40] Ex. A (“Underlying Action”) [Dkt. No.

5 41-1]. Doe’s complaint alleges that Rheinheimer “engaged in emotional and physical abuse . . .

6 that included multiple sexual assaults.” Id. ¶ 10. She notes numerous instances of sexual assault,

7 including an incident in August 2022, where she complained to Rheinheimer about a “sharp pain

8 in her pelvis” during “consensual sex,” and she “asked [Rheinheimer] to stop multiple times.” Id.

9 ¶ 25. According to Doe’s complaint, Rheinheimer told her “he was not going to stop and

10 continued to insert his penis into [her] vagina without her consent.” Id. ¶ 26. The Underlying

11 Action alleges (1) sexual battery, (2) assault, (3) battery, (4) two counts of intentional infliction of

12 emotional distress, and (5) negligence. See id. ¶¶ 47–86.

13 On September 17, 2024, Rheinheimer “tendered his defense and indemnity of the

14 [Underlying Action] to First National.” Kelly Decl. ¶ 5. After conducting a review of his case,

15 FNIC agreed to defend Rheinheimer, subject to a full and complete reservation of rights under the

16 Policy. Id. ¶ 8; see Ex. F (Reservation of Rights Letter to Rheinheimer). FNIC expressly noted

17 that while it would defend Rheinheimer in the Underlying Action, it may not have an obligation to

18 “indemnify [him] for any damages that may be awarded against [him] in the Lawsuit” or

19 “contribute any amounts on [his] behalf towards a settlement.” Id. a 1. It also indicated that it

20 “reserved the right to file a declaratory relief action to obtain the court’s determination with

21 respect to whether there is a duty to defend or indemnify [him] from any claims asserted.” Id. at 2.

22 On October 7, 2025, FNIC filed a complaint in this Court, seeking a declaratory judgment

23 that the Policy does not require a duty to defend Rheinheimer in the Underlying Action. See

24 Complaint [Dkt. No. 1]. FNIC filed for summary judgment on May 20, 2026. See Mot.

25 Rheinheimer filed his opposition on June 3, 2026. See Rheinheimer’s Memorandum of Points &

26 Authorities in Opposition to FNIC’s MSJ (“Oppo.”) [Dkt. No. 37]. FNIC replied on June 10,

27 2026. See FNIC’s Reply Brief in Support of MSJ (“Repl.”) [Dkt. No. 42]. I heard oral argument

1 LEGAL STANDARD

2 Summary judgment on a claim or defense is appropriate “if the movant shows that there is

3 no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of

4 law.” Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 56(a). In order to prevail, a party moving for summary judgment must

5 show the absence of a genuine issue of material fact with respect to an essential element of the

6 non-moving party’s claim, or a defense on which the non-moving party will bear the burden of

7 persuasion at trial. See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986). Once the movant has

8 made this showing, the burden then shifts to the party opposing summary judgment to identify

9 “specific facts showing there is a genuine issue for trial.” Id. The party opposing summary

10 judgment must then present affirmative evidence from which a jury could return a verdict in that

11 party’s favor. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. 242, 257 (1986).

12 On summary judgment, the Court must draw all reasonable factual inferences in favor of

13 the non-movant. Id. at 255. In deciding a motion for summary judgment, “[c]redibility

14 determinations, the weighing of the evidence, and the drawing of legitimate inferences from the

15 facts are jury functions, not those of a judge.” Id. But conclusory and speculative testimony does

16 not raise a genuine issue of fact and is insufficient to defeat summary judgment. See Thornhill

17 Publ’g Co. v. GTE Corp., 594 F.2d 730, 738 (9th Cir. 1979).

18 DISCUSSION

19 A. Policy Construction

20 Jurisdiction in this case is based on diversity, and so construction of the Policy is governed

21 by California law. See Integon Nat’l Ins. Co. v. Reece, 423 F. Supp. 3d 831, 840 (E.D. Cal. 2019).

22 California courts interpret insurance contracts under “ordinary rules of contractual interpretation.”

23 L.A. Lakers, Inc. v. Fed. Ins. Co., 869 F.3d 795, 800 (9th Cir. 2017) (quoting Palmer v. Truck Ins.

24 Exch., 21 Cal. 4th 1109, 1115 (1999)). The “mutual intention of the parties at the time the

25 contract is formed governs interpretation.” Palmer, 21 Cal. 4th at 1115 (citation omitted). Courts

26 infer intent from the “written provisions of the insurance policy.” Id. If the “policy language is

27 clear and explicit, it governs.” Id. (citations omitted). But if a term is ambiguous, courts must

1 v. Safeco Ins. Co. of Am., 49 Cal. 4th 315, 321 (2010), opinion after certified question answered

2 sub. nom. Minkler v. Safeco Ins. Co., 399 F. App’x 230 (9th Cir. 2010). For insurance contracts,

3 “basic coverage provisions are construed broadly in favor of affording protection, but clauses

4 setting forth specific exclusions from coverage are interpreted narrowly against the insurer.” Id. at

5 322.

6 B. Duty to Defend

7 Under California law, “[a]n insurer has a very broad duty to defend its insured.” Anthem

8 Elecs., Inc. v. Pac. Emp’rs Ins. Co., 302 F.3d 1049, 1054 (9th Cir. 2002). If any potential for

9 insurance coverage exists, the duty to defend is “immediate.” Montrose Chem. Corp. v. Superior

10 Ct., 6 Cal. 4th 289, 295 (1993). But the “duty to defend, although broad, is not unlimited; it is

11 measured by the nature and kinds of risks covered by the policy.” Waller v. Truck Ins. Exch., Inc.,

12 11 Cal. 4th 1, 9 (1995).

13 In determining whether a duty to defend exists, the following steps are available for a court

14 to review. First, an insured can establish potential liability by showing that the “underlying claim

15 may fall within policy coverage.” Montrose Chem. Corp., 6 Cal. 4th at 300 (emphasis in original).

16 The burden then shifts to the insurer to demonstrate the claim “cannot” fall within policy

17 coverage, or that “a specific exclusion applies.” Id.; Minkler, 49 Cal. 4th at 322. Only when the

18 underlying action “can by no conceivable theory raise a single issue which could bring it within

19 the policy coverage” is an insurer excused from its duty to defend. Montrose Chem. Corp., 6 Cal.

20 4th at 300 (emphasis in original; citation omitted). This is a low bar and supports finding

21 coverage. Insurers similarly bear the burden of “establishing that a specific [policy] exclusion”

22 applies. Minkler, 49 Cal. 4th at 322. “Any doubt as to whether [the duty to defend exists] is

23 resolved in favor of the insured.” Pension Tr. Fund for Operating Eng’rs v. Fed. Ins. Co., 307

24 F.3d 944, 949 (9th Cir. 2002).

25 FNIC maintains that they do not have a duty to defend Rheinheimer in the Underlying

26 Dispute for three independent reasons: (1) the Policy only provides coverage for damages caused

27 by an “occurrence,” which does not cover sexual misconduct; (2) the Policy excludes a duty to

1 for injuries “expected or intended by any insured” and Section 533 of the California Insurance

2 Code preclude coverage. I address each issue below.

3 C. Occurrence

4 Rheinheimer’s Policy notes:

5 If a claim is made or a suit is brought against any insured for damages

because of bodily injury or property damage caused by an occurrence

6 to which this coverage applies, we will:

7 1. pay up to our limit of liability for the damages for which the insured

is legally liable; and

2. provide a defense at our expense by counsel of our choice even if

9 the allegations are groundless, false or fraudulent. We may

investigate and settle any claim or suit that we decide is appropriate.

10 Our duty to settle or defend ends when the amount we pay for

damages resulting from the occurrence equals our limit of liability.

FNIC Policy at 15 (emphasis in original). The Policy then goes on to define “occurrence”:

7. “Occurrence” means an accident, including exposure to conditions

13 which results in:

14 a. bodily injury; or

15 b. property damage;

16 during the policy period. Repeated or continuous exposure to the

same general conditions is considered to be one occurrence.

Id. at 21 (emphasis in original).

Rheinheimer highlights that the Policy defines an “occurrence” as an “accident” which, in

the context of liability insurance, means “an unexpected, unforeseen, or undesigned happening or

consequence from either a known or an unknown cause.” Mot. at 7 (quoting Delgado v.

Interinsurance Exch. of Auto. Club of S. Cal., 47 Cal. 4th 302, 315 (2009)). In other words, “[a]n

intentional act is not an ‘accident’ within the plain meaning of the word.” Albert v. Mid-Century

Ins. Co., 236 Cal. App. 4th 1281, 1290–91 (2015) (internal quotation marks omitted). Applying

this standard, FNIC maintains that “the damages alleged in the Underlying Action could not have

been caused by an ‘accident,’ because Rheinheimer’s alleged conduct was necessarily

nonaccidental, as a matter of law.” Mot. at 7.

FNIC argues that “courts . . . uniformly h[o]ld that sexual molestation cannot be

1 accidental,” focusing on two cases that support its position. Id. at 8. First, in Quan v. Truck

2 Insurance Exchange, the California Court of Appeal considered an insurance coverage dispute

3 arising out of a lawsuit filed against the insured by an individual who accused him of sexual

4 assault. 67 Cal. App. 4th 583, 595 (1998). The insured’s policy limited coverage to only

5 “occurrences,” which it defined as an “accident.” Id. “To avoid the consequences of the

6 conclusion that no ‘accident’ ha[d] been alleged, the insured argue[d] he might be found merely

7 ‘negligent,’ or may be found to have mistakenly believed the claimant had ‘consented.’” Id. at

8 596. The court disagreed. It recognized that California law construes “accident” to refer to “the

9 nature of the insured’s conduct, not his state of mind.” Id. (emphasis added) (quoting Collin v.

10 Am. Empire Ins. Co., 21 Cal. App. 4th 787, 804 (1994)). Because the “insured’s conduct alleged

11 to have given rise to claimant’s injuries [was] necessarily non-accident,” given that “the conduct

12 could not be engaged in by ‘accident,’” the court held that mistaken consent or negligence did not

13 convert instances of potential sexual assault into “accidents.” Id.1

14 FNIC also cites Lyons v. Fire Insurance Exchange, 161 Cal. App. 4th 880 (2008). On the

15 question of whether mistaken consent could qualify as an accident, the court noted:

[Plaintiff] asserts merely his mistaken subjective belief about another

16 person's consent. The best that can be said by [plaintiff] is that he

labored under the misimpression that [the claimant] would not rebuff

17 his advances and would consent to his overtures. However, his mental

miscalculation of her state of mind simply cannot transform his

18 intentional conduct, done with full knowledge of all the objective

facts, into an accident. Regardless of his misperception of consent,

19 [plaintiff] intended his sexual advance and the accompanying

unwanted detention that was the subject of [the claimant’s] claim.

20 Hence, there was no “accident” within the scope of the policy's

coverage for personal injury.

Id. at 889. Taken together, FNIC believes that Quan and Lyons foreclose any theory of indemnity

or a duty to defend under the “occurrences” section of the Policy. Mot. at 10.

While Rheinheimer acknowledges that an “occurrence” is defined in the Policy as an

1 FNIC cites other cases it believes reinforce the holding of Quan. Mot. at 8–10; see Lyons v. Fire

Ins. Exch., 161 Cal. App. 4th 880, 888 (2008) (“sexual advances . . . simply could not be an

accident.”); Northland Ins. Co. v. Briones, 81 Cal. App. 4th 796, 811 (2000) (same); Coit Drapery

Cleaners, Inc. v. Sequoia Ins. Co., 14 Cal. App. 4th 1595, 1610 (1993) (same); Morton ex rel.

Morton v. Safeco Ins. Co., 905 F.2d 1208, 1211 (9th Cir. 1990) (sexual misconduct “by its nature,

1 “accident,” he nevertheless argues that “whatever injures Ms. Doe alleges she suffered, reasonably

2 viewed, does constitute an ‘accident’ within the Policy as governed by California law.” Oppo. at 9

3 (emphasis added). To support his position, Rheinheimer notes many allegations in the Underlying

4 Action’s verified complaint that suggest his sexual encounters with Doe—including the August

5 2022 incident—were consensual:

6 25. While Plaintiff and Defendant were having consensual sex, in

mid-August 2022, Plaintiff felt a sharp pain in her pelvis. She asked

7 Defendant to stop multiple times and told Defendant that it was

hurting her.

26. Defendant told Plaintiff he was not going to stop and continued to

9 insert his penis into Plaintiff’s vagina without her consent.

10 27. Plaintiff pushed Defendant with her hands multiple times in an

unsuccessful attempt to get him off of her. Defendant continued to

11 penetrate Plaintiff’s vagina with his penis until he ejaculated.

12 . . .

13 52. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s conduct, Plaintiff

was harmed. Plaintiff has incurred and will continue to incur damages

14 in an amount to be proven at trial. These damages include physical

injury, severe mental and emotional distress, loss of earnings,

15 economic harm, loss of enjoyment of life, anxiety, shame,

humiliation, and other damages.

Underlying Compl. ¶¶ 25–27, 52. Because Doe noted that she and Rheinheimer “were having

consensual sex” in the complaint, Rheinheimer concludes that “any injury she suffered was truly

an ‘accident’” as “it was not at all clear at that moment that Mr. Rheinheimer was to stop that split

second – even though he did stop within seconds.” Oppo. at 2.

Rheinheimer similarly points to his own deposition testimony as evidence raising a

genuine dispute of fact whether the alleged sexual assault was an “accident.” There, Rheinheimer

said that “[w]henever [Doe] asked me to stop, I stopped.” Rheinheimer Dep. at 252:21. And with

respect to the August 2022 incident, Rheinheimer testified that he took Doe’s comment to mean

“there’s some chafing, please finish up quickly as opposed to trying to make the session last

longer.” Id. at 255:10–14. Accordingly, Rheinheimer “proceeded to finish up in the next few

seconds, and [he] thought [they] were done with it until she complained to [him] about it later.”

Id. at 255:14–17. Taken together, Rheinheimer believes this evidence can at least plausibly fall

1 under the definition of “occurrence” and trigger the duty to defend.

2 Rheinheimer appears to conflate the merits of his defense to the Underlying Action with

3 the issue in this case: one of liability and an insurer’s duty to defend. The latter requires a court to

4 consider “the nature of the insured’s conduct, not his state of mind.” Quan, 67 Cal. App. 4th at

5 596 (emphasis added). Like in Quan and Lyons, the conduct alleged by Doe in the Underlying

6 Action clearly involves intentional and voluntary sexual conduct that—even under Rheinheimer’s

7 account—cannot reasonably be considered an “accident” within the meaning of the Policy.

8 Rheinheimer has not provided any case that supports his position. Instead, he reiterates that

9 insurance policies must be read liberally in favor of coverage. Oppo. at 7. That may be true. But

10 even when construing all facts in favor of Rheinheimer and reading the Policy liberally, no

11 reasonable avenue exists for Rheinheimer to suggest the alleged conduct in the Underlying Action

12 was an accident. Accordingly, FNIC’s motion for summary judgment is GRANTED.2

13 D. Exclusions

14 “[W]hen an occurrence is clearly not included within the coverage afforded by the insuring

15 clause, it need not also be specifically excluded.” Waller, 11 Cal. 4th at 16. Because I find that no

16 duty to defend arises from the Policy’s operative language—limited to only “occurrence[s]”—I

17 need not address whether the Policy’s exclusions apply. But for completeness, I alternatively find

18 that summary judgment against Rheinheimer is appropriate under the “Sexual Molestation

19 Exclusion” and “Intended Acts Exclusion” as well.

20 1. Sexual Molestation Exclusion

21 FNIC invokes the Policy’s “Sexual Molestation Exclusion” as a “separate and independent

22 basis for a finding of no potential coverage for the claims asserted in the Underlying Action.”

2 While Rheinheimer does not make this argument, I also note that the Underlying Action pleading

a theory of negligence does not independently create potential for coverage. As Gonzalez makes

clear, while “[i]t is common to hear the argument that if the underlying complaint alleges

negligence, there must be a duty to defend,” that is “not necessarily true.” 234 Cal. App. 4th at

1233. Indeed, “California law and applicable precedents do not allow the recharacterization of

such clearly intentional and willful sexual misconduct as merely negligent or nonwillful, so as to

trigger insurance coverage.” Coit Drapery, 14 Cal. App. 4th at 1603; see also Safeco Ins. Co. of

Ill. v. Woodley, 2023 WL 9316293, at *22 (C.D. Cal. Dec. 20, 2023) (finding that because all of

1 Mot. at 10. That exclusion precludes coverage for any injury “arising out of physical or mental

2 abuse, sexual molestation or sexual harassment.” FNIC Policy at 15.

3 FNIC argues that this exclusion must be “interpreted broadly,” as California courts have

4 understood “arising out of” to “connote[] only a minimal causal connection or incidental

5 relationship.” Mot. at 11 (emphasis added) (quoting Acceptance Ins. Co. v. Syufy Enterps., 69 Cal.

6 App. 4th 321, 328 (1999)); see Continental Cas. Co. v. City of Richmond, 763 F.2d 1076, 1080

7 (9th Cir. 1985); Fibreboard Corp. v. Hartford Accident & Indem. Co., 16 Cal. App. 4th 492, 503-

8 04 (1993)). Moreover, FNIC cites numerous cases that “repeatedly upheld the Sexual Molestation

9 Exclusion as unambiguous and enforceable.” Id.3

10 Rheinheimer responds that “[c]onstruing the coverage provisions broadly and the

11 exclusions narrowly – and resolving all conflicts in the evidence and inferences in the evidence in

12 favor of Mr. Rheinheimer, the ‘Sexual Molestation’ Exclusion does not apply as a matter of law”

13 to Doe’s complaint. Oppo. at 9. In his view, “an issue of fact exists as to what actually happened

14 during that several second interaction – and if, as a matter of law, what happened can be

15 conclusively defined as ‘sexual molestation’ or ‘physical or mental abuse’ or ‘sexual

16 harassment.’” Id. These issues include:

17 1. In her Complaint (paragraph 25), she states that Mr. Rheinheimer

and her were engaged in consensual intercourse;

2. As Mr. Rheinheimer testified in his deposition, during consensual

19 sex, Ms. Doe said, “It’s starting to hurt.”

20 3. As Mr. Rheinheimer testified, “and to me I took that to mean there's

some chafing, please finish up quickly as opposed to trying to make

21 the session last longer.· So I proceeded to finish up in the next few

seconds”;

4. As Mr. Rheinheimer testified in his deposition, Ms. Doe never said

23 to stop during sex.

333 See Farmer ex rel. Hansen v. Allstate Ins. Co., 311 F. Supp. 2d 884, 894 (C.D. Cal. 2004);

Safeco Ins. Co. of Am. v. Thomas, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 194482 (S.D. Cal. Nov. 26, 2013);

Flores v. Amco Ins. Co., 2007 WL 3408255 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 14, 2007); Atain Specialty Ins. Co. v.

Armory Studios, LLC, 2017 WL 6405616 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 15, 2017) (Donato, J.); Liberty Mut.

Fire Ins. Co. v. Shaibaz S., 2017 WL 2118312 (N.D. Cal. May 16, 2017) (Donato, J.); Am. Family

1 Id. at 10. Accordingly, Rheinheimer frames the issue as follows:

2 When a person who is participating in consensual sexual intercourse

hears a cryptic and ambiguous statement from his equally willing

3 partner that “it’s starting to hurt” – by which, objectively and

reasonably, she may mean any number of things including “slow

4 down” OR “let’s stop for a moment” OR “please finish as soon as you

can,” OR “maybe we should stop” OR “stop”; and on hearing her

5 statement “it’s starting to hurt,” thinking she is talking about

“chafing,” he “finishes” and stops altogether within several seconds

6 – does his action of finishing and ending sex within several seconds,

as a matter of law, constitute “sexual harassment” or “sexual

7 molestation” or “physical or mental abuse” within the terms of the

“Sexual Molestation” Exclusion of the homeowners policy such that,

8 strictly construed, the “Sexual Molestation” Exclusion conclusively

applies?

Id. “As best [he] can tell,” Rheinheimer argues that FNIC has “cited no cases in its moving papers

on the issue of whether, in light of the plaintiff’s own pleading that the parties were engaged in a

consensual sexual relationship and in light of the extrinsic evidence demonstrating the absence of

any sexual molestation, sexual harassment or physical or mental abuse (as set forth in Mr.

Rheinheimer’s deposition testimony) the ‘Sexual Molestation’ Exclusion would or would not

apply.” Id. at 11. He therefore believes that the exclusion does not preclude FNIC from defending

him in the Underlying Action. See id.

While Rheinheimer disputes that his conduct arises to sexual assault, sexual harassment, or

misconduct, the question is not whether he has a valid defense to liability in the Underlying

Action. The question instead is whether the Underlying Action seeks damages that would fall

within the scope of the Policy to trigger FNIC’s duty to defend. It does not. As FNIC aptly notes,

“either version of the factual dispute would result in a finding of no coverage – if Doe establishes

a molestation took place, the Sexual Molestation exclusion applies to negate coverage for any

damages; if Rheinheimer establishes a molestation did not occur, then there is no liability and no

potential for an award of damages that could be covered by the Policy.” Repl. at 11–12. I

GRANT summary judgment independently based on the Sexual Molestation Exclusion.

2. Intended Acts Exclusion

FNIC finally moves for summary judgment on the “Intended Acts Exclusion” in the

Policy, which bars coverage for bodily injury “expected or intended by any insured or which is the

] foreseeable result of an act or omission intended by any insured.” FNIC Policy at 13. FNIC

2 |} asserts this language “mirrors California public policy, as codified by Insurance Code section

3 533.” Mot. at 13. That section of the Insurance Code finds insurers “not liable for a loss caused

4 || by the willful act of the insured; but he is not exonerated by the negligence of the insured, or of the

5 insured’s agent or others.” Cal. Ins. Code § 533. Courts have routinely held that an “intentional

6 act exclusion [in an insurance policy] and Section 533 [should] be considered together because

7 Section 533 is ‘an implied exclusionary clause which by statute is to be read into all insurance

8 || policies.’” Allstate Ins. Co. v. Tankovich, 776 F. Supp. 1394, 1397 (N.D. Cal. 1991).

9 Here, FNIC claims that both the Intended Acts Exclusion and Section 533 bar coverage in

10 || this case because “sexual abuse and assault necessarily involve willful conduct.” Mot. at 13. Nor

11 would it cover Doe’s negligence claims, FNIC argues, as both the statute and exclusion “bar

12 || coverage for any negligence claims intertwined with the victim’s claims for sexual molestation.”

13 Id.; see Briones, 81 Cal. App. 4th at 811; 7.C. Penney Cas. Ins. Co. v. M.K., 52 Cal. 3d 1009, 1021

14 || (1991) (‘There is no such thing as negligent or even reckless sexual molestation.”).

15 Rheinheimer did not respond to FNIC’s argument. I conclude that the Intended Acts

a 16 || Exclusion applies. California courts treat sexual assault and molestation as inherently willful

17 || conduct for purposes of Section 533. See Briones, 81 Cal. App. 4th at 811; Coit Drapery, 14 Cal.

Zz 18 || App. 4th at 1603. That alone is sufficient to warrant judgment in FNIC’s favor on this claim.

19 CONCLUSION

20 There are no genuine disputes of material fact in this case. The Underlying Action is not

21 covered under Rheinheimer’s Policy. FNIC’s motion for summary judgment is GRANTED. The

22 || Clerk is instructed to close this case.

23 IT IS SO ORDERED.

24 || Dated: July 7, 2026

26 .

illiam H. Orrick

27 United States District 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.