Source: https://www.proadjuster.com/resources/case-studies/smally-vs-nationwide-2/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 09:04:11+00:00

Document:
ROY SMALLY, JR., et al., Plaintiffs, Cross-defendants and Appellants, NATIONWIDE INSURANCE Defendant, Cross-defendant and Appellant; MARIN MORTGAGE BANKERS CORPORATION, Defendant, Cross-complainant and Respondent.
In this insurance bad faith action, Roy Smally, Jr., and Vivi Mitchell (the Smallys) appeal from the court’s judgment determining that the jury verdict, awarding them damages for benefits owed under the policy, was duplicative of the damages awarded to the mortgagee of the Smallys’ property, Marin Mortgage Bankers Corporation (MMB). They also challenge the court’s order denying their motion for a new trial on their claim that Nationwide Insurance Company of America (Nationwide) was obligated to pay the cost of repairing their property. Nationwide cross-appeals from the judgment of damages in favor of the Smallys and MMB and from the court’s order awarding attorney fees. Nationwide argues that there is no substantial evidence to support the jury’s verdict for breach of the policy or its verdict finding that Nationwide was liable for bad faith in its handling of MMB’s claim. Nationwide also argues that there is no substantial evidence to support the jury’s punitive damages award to MMB nor the court’s award of attorney fees to the Smallys and MMB. We reverse the amount of bad faith damages awarded to MMB, and modify the amount of the Smallys’ attorney fees award. We remand the matter to the trial court for a recalculation of MMB’s bad faith damages, and otherwise affirm the judgment.
On June 26, 2008, Mitchell met with her insurance agent and purchased a property insurance policy through Nationwide for the Smallys’ rental property located at 1039 Georgia Street in Vallejo (the property) with a value of $345,000. Mitchell was concerned about the amount of the policy because the loan on the property was approximately $420,000, but the agent assured her that extended coverage would be provided once the adjuster evaluated the property. Mitchell made a payment on the policy using her checking account and received a 30-day binder. As required by the Smally’s mortgage on the property, MMB was named as a mortgagee/lienholder under the policy. Accordingly, Nationwide issued a standard lenders loss payable endorsement. At the time Mitchell purchased the insurance, the Smallys operated Mary’s Help, a residential treatment facility for juvenile offenders, at the property.
18, 2008 due to nonpayment of the premium. Nationwide provided evidence that it sent the Smallys a letter on July 3, 2008, informing them that the policy would be cancelled because it had not yet received their premium payment. The letter noted that the Smallys’ bank had not honored their check for the premium payment and Nationwide demanded a premium payment by July 18, 2008 in order to maintain the insurance policy. There was also evidence that an employee of the Smallys’ insurance agency left phone messages that the Smallys’ check had bounced. The Smallys, however, claimed that they never received Nationwide’s cancellation notice.
On July 10, 2008, prior to the policy being cancelled, Nationwide’s adjuster appraised the property and valued it at $461,000. Though Nationwide ordinarily would have increased the policy limits on the policy, it opted not to do so, reasoning that the policy was due to be cancelled.
On July 23, 2008, Nationwide notified MMB that the policy had been cancelled effective July 18, 2008.
Nationwide investigated the Smallys’ claim under a reservation of rights. A Nationwide adjuster prepared a preliminary estimate of the cost to repair the property and estimated replacement cost at $362,368 and the actual cash value of the loss at $338,595.
On September 29, 2008, MMB made a claim under the policy for payment of its insured interest. MMB maintained that Nationwide failed to inform it that the policy had been cancelled as required by the policy’s loss payable endorsement as well as by the Smallys as of September 30, 2008 was $480,088.08. Nationwide did not immediately respond to MMB’s claim, and it delayed several months in providing MMB with a copy of the policy.
On December 9, 2008, Nationwide informed the Smallys that its claim for benefits under the policy was denied based on their failure to pay the premium and that Nationwide had given the Smallys the requisite notice under the policy.
In January 2009, Nationwide offered to pay MMB the policy limits under the policy. Specifically, Nationwide offered to pay $345,000, subject to the subrogation provision of the policy. In response, MMB stated that it was inclined to accept the offer but asserted that the offer would not fully compensate MMB for its rights under the policy and did not include payment for the garage or factor in inflation adjustments. On March 24, 2009, Nationwide insisted that under paragraph 15 of the policy it was entitled to pay off the entire mortgage and be subrogated to MMB’s rights under the mortgage on the property. It also set forth its earlier agreement to pay the policy limits of $345,000.
MMB rejected the offer. On June 12, 2009, Nationwide, having obtained a new appraisal of the property, withdrew the offer, and offered to pay MMB $153,000, the actual cash value/fair market value of the improvements to the property. It contended that it was not liable to pay replacement cost unless the building on the property was actually replaced.
On June 24, 2009, Nationwide sent a proposed subrogation assignment agreement to MMB and indicated that a check in the amount of $153,000 as provided in the agreement would be forthcoming. MMB received the check but did not cash it.
On November 25, 2009, the Smallys filed a complaint against Nationwide, MMB, U.S. Bank, Fairfield Insurance Associates, Inc. (Fairfield), their insurance agent, and Rick Knoss, a Fairfield employee. They alleged claims for reformation, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and negligent misrepresentation. MMB, in turn, filed a cross-complaint against Nationwide and the Smallys for declaratory relief, and against Nationwide for breach of contract and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
Trial commenced on March 4, 2011. The Smallys contended that the policy was in force at the time of the fire and that Nationwide did not send a notice of cancellation to them or to MMB. They argued that there was only a partial loss of the property and they were thus entitled to the cost of repairing the property, rather than the total loss and corresponding fair market value coverage proffered by Nationwide. MMB argued that Nationwide breached the policy because it did not send the ten-day advance notice of cancellation as required by paragraph 15 of the policy. In addition, it asserted that Nationwide acted in bad faith in its investigation by unreasonably delaying in responding to MMB’s claim and refusing to pay undisputed coverage amounts. MMB further urged that Nationwide concealed the policy from it, failed to notify it of the repair cost estimate, and misstated the policy limits. Nationwide argued that the Smallys were not entitled to anything because the policy was cancelled, and that MMB was entitled to only the actual cash value — the fair market value of the property at the time of the loss or $153,000, since MMB did not repair or replace the damage to the property.
[contractual] provisions governing cancellation.” The court’s responses to the jury were made over Nationwide’s objections.
$110,000 for loss of rental value as a result of Nationwide’s breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The jury also found that Nationwide wrongfully failed to pay MMB $338,596 in policy benefits and that MMB’s additional damages for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing were $347,582. The jury found that Nationwide acted with malice, oppression or fraud against MMB. The jury then heard expert testimony on the issue of Nationwide’s financial condition. The jury determined that MMB was entitled to $1.2 million in punitive damages.
Nationwide thereafter moved for a directed verdict as to MMB’s claim for punitive damages. It argued that MMB had not presented clear and convincing evidence of oppressive, fraudulent, or malicious conduct. It further contended that MMB had not presented any competent evidence of Nationwide’s net worth or financial condition. The court denied the motion.
Nationwide also moved for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) and for a new trial, contending that there were irregularities in the proceedings, the evidence was insufficient to support the verdict, and that the damages award was excessive. The court denied the motions.
Finally, prior to entering judgment, the court considered whether the jury’s verdict awarding $338,596 in policy benefits to both the Smallys and MMB was duplicative. The court determined that the award was duplicative and entered judgment ordering Nationwide to pay the sum of $338,596 in policy benefits to MMB, $110,000 in damages for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing to the Smallys, an additional sum of $347,582 in damages for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing to MMB, and $1,200,000 in punitive damages to MMB. Further, the court awarded “Brandt”5 fees in the amounts of $179,438 to the Smallys and $300,000 to MMB. The court also awarded costs and interest to the Smallys and MMB from the date of the verdict. The Smallys appealed from the judgment. Nationwide cross-appealed from the judgment and the court’s order denying its motion for JNOV and for a new trial.
The Smallys contend that the trial court erred in ruling that the jury’s verdict awarding them $338,596 in policy benefits was duplicative of the award to MMB. We conclude that the trial court’s ruling was correct.
While both the Smallys and MMB were insured under the policy, Nationwide was required to pay the policy benefits to only one for the value of the property. (Burns, supra, 152 Cal.App.4th at p. 653.) As the Burns court explained, “[w]hile it cannot be denied that Burns and the Trust had separately insurable interests, it does not follow that both could recover the maximum allowed” and that any such recovery would be in excess of the loss suffered and could not be reconciled with the Supreme Court’s language in Davis noting that an insured is not entitled to profit from insurance. (Ibid.) The jury awarded $338,596 each to the Smallys and MMB, the actual cost value of the property at the time of the fire. This represented a double recovery of policy benefits under the policy, and an amount in excess of the loss suffered. (See Burns, supra, 152 Cal.App.4th at p. 653.) The trial court therefore properly determined that the $338,596 awarded by the jury in damages to the Smallys was duplicative of the same amount awarded to MMB.
The Smallys requested an additur or a new trial on the issue of contract damages, arguing that they were entitled to $691,500, the repair costs of the property, rather than simply the actual cash value. The Smallys contend that Nationwide was not entitled to rely on the repair and replace provisions of the policy since it denied coverage under the policy.
Here, the Smallys’ theory at trial was that they were entitled to the cost of repairs under the policy regardless of whether they repaired and rebuilt the property. The law does not so provide. (§ 2051.5, subd. (a); Minich, supra, 193 Cal.App.4th at p. 486.) The court’s order was correct.
The Smallys argue that the trial court also erred in denying their motion for prejudgment interest. This issue is moot given our determination that the jury’s contract damages award to the Smallys was duplicative of that awarded to MMB.
Finally, the Smallys contend that if we uphold the verdict for MMB, we should remand the matter to the trial court to declare their loan from MMB paid in full and order MMB to reconvey the note and the deed of trust on the property to them. As the trial court ruled, there is no authority for such an order.
First, the Smallys did not plead a declaratory relief action seeking this relief. Hence, MMB had no opportunity to present evidence on the issue. Second, there is nothing in the record to support the Smallys’ factual allegation in its brief that the loan was paid. To the contrary, the only evidence in the record on the question of the Smallys’ liability on the loan is that at the commencement of trial, the Smallys owed MMB $686,178 on the loan and that interest continued to accrue. Thus, even if Nationwide pays the $686,178 in damages to MMB, the Smallys’ loan will not have been paid in full as interest on the loan continues to accrue. Further, there was no vehicle before the court to make a determination that the jury’s award of damages to MMB extinguished the Smallys’ loan debt to MMB. As the trial court ruled, there was simply no authority for the declaration and order sought by the Smallys.
Nationwide contends that the trial court erred in denying its motion for a JNOV and that the jury’s verdicts in favor of the Smallys and MMB are not supported by substantial evidence.
The standard of review of an order denying a JNOV motion and from an appeal challenging the evidence to support a jury verdict is the substantial evidence standard.
While the trial court did not award the Smallys the contract damages of $338,596 because the award was duplicative, we consider whether substantial evidence supports that award because it is the basis of Nationwide’s liability to the Smallys for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. (See Everett v. State Farm General Ins. Co. (2008) 162 Cal.App.4th 649, 663 [without a breach of contract, there can be no liability for bad faith on the part of the insurer].) We thus must determine whether Nationwide established that it effectively cancelled the Smallys’ policy on the property. We conclude that there was substantial evidence supporting the jury’s finding that it did not.
Here, Nationwide acknowledges that it did not mail a notice of cancellation of the Smallys’ policy to MMB in the manner required by paragraph 15 of the policy. Nationwide contends, however, that this failure had no effect on the proper cancellation of the Smallys’ policy and that the trial court incorrectly advised the jury on this issue. We cannot reconcile this contention with the plain terms of the policy.
522.) The policy here, however, by its plain terms, required that Nationwide notify MMB ten days before the cancellation of the policy became effective.
Mackey is distinguishable because the insurance contract in that case included only one cancellation provision pertaining to the lienholder: the lenders loss payable endorsement. (Mackey, supra, 105 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1266–1268.) We agree with Mackey’s holding that such a provision is a contract between the insurance company and the lienholder separate and apart from the contract between the insurance company and the policyholder. Like Mackey, the insurance policy issued to the Smallys included a lenders loss payable endorsement. But unlike Mackey, it also included a provision, paragraph 15, that included a different cancellation requirement, i.e., that “the mortgagee shall be notified at least 10 days before the cancellation takes place.” Because MMB was not notified ten days before the policy was cancelled, it was not unreasonable for the jury to conclude that Nationwide’s failure to adhere to the cancellation requirements of paragraph 15 regarding MMB constituted an ineffective cancellation of the Smallys’ policy.
Nationwide argues that paragraph 15 had no effect on whether it properly cancelled the Smallys’ policy because the loss payable endorsement provides different cancellation provisions, and the provisions of an endorsement control when it conflicts with the policy. We cannot agree.
960; 9 Witkin, Cal. Procedure (5th ed. 2008) Appeal, § 407, pp. 466–468.) Both the Smallys and Nationwide argued to the jury that the plain meaning of paragraph 15 required Nationwide to provide MMB ten days’ notice before the cancellation of the policy became effective. They further argued that, had MMB received the notice, it would have secured payment of the premiums thus ensuring continued coverage for the Smallys. Although Nationwide’s claims adjuster testified, under cross-examination, that paragraph 15 applied only to MMB’s coverage, Nationwide did not argue to the jury that paragraph 15 was only an independent obligation to MMB; instead, it argued that it had sent MMB a notice of cancellation on July 23, 2008, and if MMB “really wanted to do anything, they could have tried to do something, but they didn’t.” This, of course, does not address the question because the July 23 cancellation notice was sent after cancellation, presumably pursuant to the loss payable endorsement which pertained only to MMB’s coverage, not the Smallys’.
§§ 1638, 1639, 1644.) “If the meaning a layperson would ascribe to the language of a contract of insurance is clear and unambiguous, a court will apply that meaning.” (Id. at pp. 666–667.) Indeed, here, the jury read the language of Paragraph 15 in the same manner suggested by the Smallys and MMB. Based on this reading of the policy, it was reasonable for the Smallys to expect that MMB would be notified at least 10 days before the cancellation of their policy became effective.
In order to validly effect notice of cancellation under the policy, Nationwide was required to “adhere closely to all policy provisions” on the requirements for notice.
(Mackey, supra, 105 Cal.App.4th at p. 1258.) It is undisputed that Nationwide failed to give MMB the ten-day notice required by Paragraph 15. Hence, under the terms of the policy, Nationwide failed to effect cancellation of any portion of the policy.
The court’s responses to the jury questions during deliberations were therefore correct given the language of the policy. The responses were consistent with Mackey which recognizes that if a cancellation is defective, the policy remains in effect even if the premiums have not been paid. (Mackey, supra, 105 Cal.App.4th at p. 1258.) Thus, Nationwide’s argument that the court’s responses to the jury’s inquiries were erroneous is without merit.
Nationwide next contends that the evidence fails to support the jury’s finding that the damage caused by the fire was only a partial loss. It argues that the evidence showed that the property had “lost its identity or specific character as a building” and was a total loss, thus entitling MMB to only the fair market value of the property or $153,000.
Nationwide relies on the jury instruction given in Williams v. Hartford Ins. Co.
(Curcio v. Svanevik, supra, 155 Cal.App.3d at p. 960.) Moreover, Nationwide does not contend that the jury was erroneously instructed nor has it provided the jury instructions in the record on its appeal. An appellant has a duty to show error by an adequate record.
(Osgood v. Landon (2005) 127 Cal.App.4th 425, 435.) Finally, the parties’ closing arguments reflect that the jury was instructed in accordance with the Insurance Code respecting the definitions of partial and total loss.
The record contains substantial evidence supporting MMB’s position that the Smallys suffered a partial loss of the property. Kevin Dawson, the Smallys’ insurance expert, testified that the damage to the property constituted a partial loss under the policy because the wood-framed walls and the floor system were salvageable and while the property suffered significant damage, it was repairable. Similarly, MMB’s expert, Peter Evans, an insurance loss adjuster, testified that the damage to the property constituted a partial loss based on his experience of handling thousand of claims. And, even Nationwide’s estimator, who evaluated the loss shortly after the fire, estimated the extent of the damage as $338,596 based on the cost of repairing the property on an actual cost value basis. Given this evidence, the jury had before it substantial evidence supporting its finding of policy benefits owed in the amount of $338,596.
A cause of action for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing is established when an insurer “ ‘fails to deal fairly and in good faith with its insured by refusing, without proper cause, to compensate its insured for a loss covered by the policy . . . .’ ” (Neal v. Farmers Ins. Exchange (1978) 21 Cal.3d 910, 920, quoting Gruenberg v. Aetna Ins. Co. (1973) 9 Cal.3d 566, 574.) “Among the most critical factors bearing on the insurer’s good faith is the adequacy of its investigation of the claim.
Here, the evidence showed that Nationwide’s investigation of the Smallys’ claim was clouded by its preliminary determination that the policy was cancelled for nonpayment of the premium.11 Though it investigated the claim under a reservation of rights and sent its adjuster to make an estimate of the loss on the property, it continued to rely on its notice of cancellation as precluding coverage under the policy. Nationwide’s underwriting manager opined that the notice of cancellation to the Smallys was valid based on reviewing a copy of the notice and the proof of mailing document.12 He had a general understanding of Nationwide’s process for mailing notices of cancellation, but did not know the entire process until he called the mailroom in Des Moines two years later in preparation for his deposition. He did not know if an individual in the mailroom checked to be sure that letters were sent to the persons on the proof of mail register.
Nationwide applied no specific weight to the fact that the Smallys claimed they had not received the notice of cancellation and their claim did not change its investigation or findings. Nor did Nationwide consider whether the notice of cancellation was sent to MMB. This fact was particularly unreasonable in view of Paragraph 15 in the policy which required Nationwide to give MMB ten days’ notice before cancellation of the policy became effective.
“An unreasonable failure to investigate amounting to such unfair dealing may be found when an insurer fails to consider, or seek to discover, evidence relevant to the issues of liability and damages.” (Shade Foods, Inc. v. Innovative Products Sales & Marketing, Inc., supra, 78 Cal.App.4th at p. 880.) Nationwide knew it had a problem with MMB respecting its failure to give the ten-day notice but opined that “we would owe the mortgagee even if we weren’t going to pay the insured.” Based on Paragraph 15 of the policy requiring notice to MMB in the event of cancellation, the jury could reasonably infer that Nationwide acted in bad faith by not investigating whether it could validly cancel the policy in view of the express condition in the policy requiring notice to the mortgagee prior to the effectiveness of any cancellation.
Nationwide’s argument that the genuine dispute rule precludes a finding of bad faith lacks merit. The genuine dispute rule precludes liability for bad faith when the insurer’s denial or delay of policy benefits is due to a genuine dispute with its insured as to the existence of coverage or the amount of the claim. (Wilson v. 21st Century Ins. Co.
“genuine dispute” when it failed to investigate whether it had fully complied with the notice provisions under the policy.
The jury’s damages award of $110,000 for the Smallys’ economic loss as a result of Nationwide’s bad faith is supported by the record. Dawson, the Smallys’ insurance expert, testified that the fair rental value of the property was $2,500 per month and that the Smallys lost rental income from the date of the loss until trial plus an additional ten months, the time needed to obtain a permit and rebuild the property. Based on this evidence, counsel for the Smallys asked for $110,000 for lost rent for a period of 44 months. The evidence supports the verdict.
Nationwide also contends that there is no substantial evidence to support the verdict in favor of MMB on its bad faith claim. It argues that there was no evidence that the Smallys’ increased mortgage balance was attributable to its failure to pay policy benefits.
This contention has merit. At the time the Smallys secured the policy, they owed MMB approximately $420,000 on their mortgage.13 While the amount owing on the mortgage had increased to $686,178 at the time of trial, all of the increase cannot be attributed to Nationwide’s delay in paying policy benefits. In order to support an award of bad faith damages, the damages must be proximately caused by the insurer’s wrong.
Here, the jury awarded MMB the amount of $347,582 in tort damages, which coupled with the contract damages of $338,596, equaled $686,178, the amount of the Smallys’ mortgage loan balance at the time of trial. While MMB argued that it was entitled to the entire amount of the loan as a result of Nationwide’s bad faith, that is not the law. MMB was entitled to only the consequential damages it suffered as a result of Nationwide’s bad faith. (State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Allstate Ins. Co., supra, 9 Cal.App.3d at p. 528.) At the very least, the evidence showed that the Smallys’ mortgage arrears incurred prior to the fire cannot be attributable to Nationwide’s bad faith in denying MMB’s claim. There remains the question whether all or any portion of the arrears accruing after the fire were the proximate result of Nationwide’s failure to pay MMB its policy benefits. Since the jury’s award of consequential damages reflects that it awarded MMB the full amount necessary to pay off the Smallys’ mortgage, we must remand the matter to the trial court for a redetermination of the bad faith damages suffered by MMB.
The jury awarded MMB $1.2 million in punitive damages. Nationwide contends that the verdict cannot be upheld because there was no evidence presented of its net worth. It argues that the evidence that MMB presented concerning the financial condition of Nationwide’s parent company was irrelevant and speculative.
Nationwide waived the issue. The record demonstrates that prior to trial, MMB served Nationwide with a Notice of Request for Attendance at Trial of the person most knowledgeable in California of Nationwide’s financial condition.14 Nationwide did not object to the notice. While it had filed an earlier objection to a similar notice to attend filed by the Smallys, objecting that the person most knowledgeable was not located in California and could not be compelled to attend, those objections were filed prior to MMB’s notice to attend and the record does not contain any objections to MMB’s notice.15 Nationwide refused to produce a witness.
(NFS) annual report, a February 18, 2011 press release announcing NFS’s record earnings, a database system of the Securities Exchange Commission including the 10-K for NFS that was a consolidated financial report of Nationwide’s multiple entities, and documents found on Nationwide’s website. Dawson testified that NFS, the parent company, had earnings of $1.1 billion, and that the net operating income for its underwriting property and casualty insurance companies including Nationwide was $655 million.
MMB argued that the jury should award $2.4 million based on Nationwide’s bad faith practice of treating a partial loss as total and paying only fair market value instead of paying the actual cash value, a difference of roughly $200,000 in this case. It further argued that Nationwide’s own witness admitted that it did this routinely approximately 10 to 12 times in the last four years.
While it is impossible to determine what evidence the jury relied upon in determining its verdict, it had before it evidence of the net operating income of Nationwide and other underwriting property and casualty companies within NFS as well as evidence relating to the profits Nationwide gained by its misconduct in utilizing a fair market value analysis rather than actual cash value. (See Cummings Medical Corp. v. Occupational Medical Corp. (1992) 10 Cal.App.4th 1291, 1298–1301 [evidence of profits wrongfully gained by defendant is adequate evidence upon which to base punitive damages award].) No error appears.
Nationwide further contends that there was no substantial evidence of oppression, fraud, or malice to support an award of punitive damages. The evidence, however, demonstrated that Nationwide not only unreasonably delayed and denied coverage, insisting that the fire caused a total loss of the property despite its own investigation showing a partial loss, it had a policy and practice of undervaluing coverage on policies such as the Smallys that provided for replacement cost at actual cash value. It maintained that in the absence of a definition for actual cash value on the policies it could utilize fair market value instead of replacement cost at actual cash value less depreciation, undervaluing the claim by almost $200,000. And, it had done so in 10 to 12 cases in the last four years. Further, Nationwide continually delayed in providing information to MMB about the Smallys’ claim. It not only delayed in giving MMB a copy of the policy, it also failed to reveal the adjuster’s report showing only a partial loss and setting forth the actual cash value owed to the Smallys. Instead, it sent MMB excerpts of the policy omitting the key provisions at issue including the lender loss payable endorsement and the provision respecting the time limit for repairing the property after a loss. In sum, there was substantial evidence presented to demonstrate the reprehensibility of Nationwide’s conduct.
4. Attorney fees Nationwide contends the record fails to support an award of attorney fees. We conclude that the court’s award of fees to the Smallys must be modified.
Nationwide contends that the court’s calculation of fees in the amount of $179,438 to the Smallys is incorrect because it included the damages the Smallys recovered on their bad faith claim. While the court did not err in basing the award on the total compensatory damages awarded to the Smallys, the court did not apportion the time attributable to the contract recovery in its calculation.
Cassim dictates that here, where the Smallys agreed to a 40 percent contingent fee agreement,18 the correct calculation of fees is 40 percent of the compensatory award of damages — in this case 40 percent of $448,596 or $179,438. That amount must then be apportioned between the time attributable to the contract and tort causes of action.
The Smallys’ attorney acknowledged in his declaration in support of his request for fees that he spent a total of 1,205.1 hours on the case — 852.1 hours were attributable to the contract claim and 48.7 hours were attributable to intertwined tort and contract issues. He allocated half of the latter hours or 24.35 hours to those allocated to the contract claim for a total of 876.45 hours. Thus, 876.45 divided by 1,205.1 or 72.7 percent of the hours were attributable to the contract recovery. Calculating 72.7 percent of the total legal fees of $179,438 results in the sum of $130,451 in Brandt fees. We must therefore modify the award of attorney fees to the Smallys to $130,451.
Nationwide also argues that the evidence does not support the award of fees to MMB. The court awarded fees of $300,000 to MMB.
$636,165 fees that were incurred. Of the $518,405 fees, MMB calculated that 66 percent of $33,600 in fees were incurred in pursuit of intertwined contract and bad faith issues, and $496,229 of fees were incurred in pursuit of coverage under the policy. Inasmuch as the attorney fees incurred by MMB were based on hourly billings from its attorneys, declarations from MMB’s attorneys that allocated and apportioned the designated legal work and corresponding billing were submitted in support of MMB’s request for fees.
At the hearing on the attorney fees motion, the court remarked that it was concerned about the number of attorneys MMB had used in the case. MMB had used different attorneys in its pre-litigation efforts to resolve the matter, and changed attorneys in December 2010 once a trial date had been set. The court opined that the fees were reasonable for MMB’s trial counsel which amounted to $384,420. The court ultimately awarded MMB fees in the amount of $300,000, apparently discounting the fees requested by $218,405 that were attributable to a large extent to the attorneys that represented MMB prior to trial.
The court’s reward was reasonable. An award of attorney fees rests within the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed on appeal absent a manifest abuse of discretion, for example, where the amount of the award is “so large or small that it shocks the conscience and suggests passion and prejudice influenced the determination.” (Niederer v. Ferreira (1987) 189 Cal.App.3d 1485, 1507.) In making its determination, the trial court considers a number of factors including “the necessity for and the nature of the litigation, the amount involved, and the success or failure of the attorney’s efforts, including the amount of recovery.” (Kanner v. Globe Bottling Co.
(1969) 273 Cal.App.2d 559, 569.) Based on a consideration of various factors, the trial court may rely on its own expertise and knowledge to calculate reasonable attorney fees.
625.) Here, the attorneys for MMB apportioned the amount of fees attributable to both the contract and mixed contract/tort issues and determined that the amount of fees incurred attributable to those issues was $518,405. On these facts, we cannot conclude that an award of $300,000 in fees was unreasonable.
Finally, Nationwide asserts that the trial court erred in denying its motion for a new trial. It argues that the court should have granted its motion in limine No. 11 to preclude evidence that Fairfield promised the Smallys that the policy limits would be increased after an adjuster evaluated the property.
The court ruled that the evidence was admissible because Fairfield was an agent of Nationwide and thus Fairfield’s representations were relevant on the issue of the policy sold to the Smallys. The court’s ruling was correct as Fairfield’s representations as an agent of Nationwide were binding on Nationwide. (See Loehr v. Great Republic Ins. Co.
Nationwide also raised issues on its new trial motion pertaining to the punitive damages award, attorney fees, insufficiency of the evidence to support the verdict, and error in the court’s responses to the jury’s questions during deliberations. We have discussed those issues above and conclude that only the award of attorney fees to the Smallys must be modified.
The judgment in favor of the Smallys is modified to reflect an award of attorney fees in the amount of $130,451. The judgment awarding MMB bad faith damages in the amount of $347,582 is reversed and the matter is remanded to the trial court for a recalculation of the amount of MMB’s bad faith damages. In all other respects, the judgment is affirmed. The Smallys and MMB are to recover their costs on appeal.

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