Court Opinion

ID: 2659373
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-04-02 20:39:01.951342+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:58:08.329446
License: Public Domain

Filed 4/2/14 San Jacinto Z v. Stewart Title Guaranty CA4/3

                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

              IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                     FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                DIVISION THREE

SAN JACINTO Z, LLC,

     Plaintiff and Appellant,                                          G049208

         v.                                                            (Super. Ct. No. RIC535367)

STEWART TITLE GUARANTY                                                 OPINION
COMPANY,

     Defendant and Respondent.

                   Appeal from a judgment of the Superior Court of Riverside County, Daniel
A. Ottolia, Judge. Reversed and remanded.
                   Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley, Michael J. Bidart, Ricardo Echeverria,
Steven Schuetze; The Ehrlich Law Firm and Jeffrey Isaac Ehrlich for Plaintiff and
Appellant.
                   Sidley Austin, Howard J. Rubinroit, Joshua E. Anderson and Anand Singh
for Defendant and Respondent.
                                          *                  *                  *
              In this appeal, we address one action awkwardly plucked from a thicket of
lawsuits. These lawsuits arise out of the purported misdeeds of a multitude of persons
whose allegedly fraudulent activities have affected a single piece of real property. To
compound an already snarled web, the various lawsuits have run sometimes concurrently
and sometimes in different court systems altogether, giving rise to perhaps unexpected
results. At the heart of the now isolated problem before us is the question of title
insurance for one of the parties, with respect to the property in question.
              Plaintiff San Jacinto Z, LLC (San Jacinto Z) sued defendant Stewart Title
Guaranty Company (Stewart Title) over its failure to provide either a defense, or
indemnification, as applicable, with respect to three lawsuits: Pacific Horizon Financial,
Inc. v. R.H. Construction, Inc. (Case No. RIC414925) (Pacific Horizon Action); Richard
A. Marshack v. San Jacinto Z, LLC (Adv. Case No. 06-01376 ES, Bankr. C.D. Cal.)
(Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding); and Eastern Municipal Water District v. San
Jacinto Z, LLC (Case No. RIC470147) (Eminent Domain Action). On appeal, San
Jacinto Z claims the court erred in dismissing its lawsuit after granting summary
judgment in favor of Stewart Title. We agree.
              With respect to the Pacific Horizon Action, San Jacinto Z successfully
raised triable issues of material fact as to whether there was a potential for coverage
based on matters of record when the title policy was issued and as to whether the statute
of limitations barred the lawsuit against Stewart Title. Similarly, with respect to the
Eminent Domain Action, there were triable issues of material fact as to whether the claim
was a covered claim and whether San Jacinto Z’s failure to submit a proof of loss
prejudiced Stewart Title. However, the court did not err with respect to its ruling in the
Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding, inasmuch as the matter was essentially concluded
by the time San Jacinto Z provided even constructive notice to Stewart Title. We reverse
and remand.

                                              2
                                               I
                                           FACTS
              This litigation concerns a 31.5-acre piece of real property located in the
City of San Jacinto, County of Riverside
              Gregory Grantham and John Saba,1 who already held a $4,500,000
judgment they desired to enforce, filed an action against various parties on October 24,
2002, to set aside certain allegedly fraudulent transfers of the property at issue in this case
(Grantham v. S.R.I. SFR, Inc. (Case No. RIC383812)) (Grantham/Saba Action). On
April 16 and April 30, 2003, Grantham and Saba recorded amended lis pendens with
respect to the Grantham/Saba Action.
              During the pendency of that action, Royce Partners, L.P. (Royce Partners),
which was allegedly involved in the fraudulent transfers, borrowed money from Pacific
Horizon Financial, Inc. (Pacific Horizon). As security for the loan(s), Royce Partners
executed three deeds of trust against the property in favor of Pacific Horizon, which were
recorded on August 1, 2003.
              San Jacinto Z acquired the property in December 2003, from Grantham,
Saba, R.H. Construction, Inc. and the Pacific Coast Trust. San Jacinto Z desired to build
a residential development on the property.
              In June 2004, San Jacinto Z filed a lawsuit against Pacific Horizon and
others to quiet title to the property (San Jacinto Z, LLC v. Pacific Horizon Financial, Inc.
(Case No. RIC414463)) (San Jacinto Z Action).

1             According to the September 18, 2003 operating agreement of San Jacinto
Z, San Jacinto Z had three members: GS San Jacinto, LLC, whose managing members
were Grantham and Saba; Continental San Jacinto, LLC, whose managing member was
Robert E. Zuckerman; and Valley Circle Estates Realty, Co., whose president was also
Zuckerman.

                                              3
               On June 25, 2004, Royce Partners filed for bankruptcy (In re Royce
Partners, L.P. (Case No. SA 04-14084 ES, Bankr. C.D. Cal.)) (Royce Partners
Bankruptcy).
               Shortly thereafter, on July 8, 2004, Pacific Horizon filed the Pacific
Horizon Action, seeking to quiet title against San Jacinto Z, Grantham, Saba, and others.
Pacific Horizon did not record a lis pendens with respect to its lawsuit until several years
later.
               The San Jacinto Z Action and the Pacific Horizon Action were
consolidated.2
               Although Pacific Horizon had not been named as a defendant in the
Grantham/Saba Action, it appeared in that lawsuit and argued that its interest in the
property could be affected by the outcome thereof. On November 16, 2004, judgment
was entered in the Grantham/Saba Action. The judgment identified Royce Partners as a
defendant, held in favor of Grantham and Saba, and quieted title to the property in San
Jacinto Z.3 The judgment made reference to the amended lis pendens recorded by
Grantham and Saba on April 16 and April 30, 2003, and held that any deeds of trust
subsequently executed by Royce Partners or any other defendant were void.4

2            According to Stewart Title’s August 22, 2007 denial of tender letter, the
two actions were consolidated on September 23, 2004.

3            Judge E. Michael Kaiser ruled in that case. The parties refer to the
Grantham/Saba Action as the “Kaiser Action” and refer to the judgment as the “Kaiser
Judgment.” We find these labels to be inappropriate, so we refer to the action and the
judgment in question as the “Grantham/Saba Action” and the “Grantham/Saba Judgment”
instead.

4             The judgment stated, inter alia: “Each grant deed and deed of trust which
conveyed, transferred, or encumbered all or part of the San Jacinto Property,
commencing after . . . September 6, 2002, and concluding with the transfer of title by
Royce Industries, Inc. to Royce Partners, L.P. on April 30, 2003 were fraudulent transfers
and encumbrances under the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act. . . . The fraudulent deeds
and deeds of trust are hereby set aside, annulled and vacated, . . . as follows: [¶] a. The

                                              4
                 Pacific Horizon moved to set aside the judgment in the Grantham/Saba
Action, on the ground that it was an indispensable party that had not been joined, but the
court denied the motion.
                 On March 10, 2005, San Jacinto Z obtained a title insurance policy from
Stewart Title.
                 On May 24, 2006, the trustee in the Royce Partners Bankruptcy filed a
complaint against San Jacinto Z, Grantham, Saba, Stephen Reeder, R.H. Construction,
Inc., Selinda Lopez both individually and as trustee of the Pacific Coast Trust, and John
Cruickshank, thereby commencing the Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding. The
complaint stated 17 claims for relief, including, inter alia, claims for fraud, conspiracy,
avoidance of fraudulent and/or preferential transfers, quiet title, and damages for willful
violation of the automatic stay in bankruptcy.
                 Pacific Horizon filed first and second amended complaints in the Pacific
Horizon Action on January 8 and April 16, 2007, respectively. The two amended
complaints were substantially the same. In the second amended complaint, Pacific
Horizon omitted the quiet title cause of action and asserted causes of action for equitable
subordination, unjust enrichment, and declaratory relief instead.
                 On June 1, 2007, San Jacinto Z tendered to Stewart Title the San Jacinto Z
Action and the defense of the second amended complaint in the Pacific Horizon Action.
In its letter, it made mention of the Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding. On July 6,
2007, the Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding was dismissed with prejudice. On
August 22, 2007, Stewart Title denied the tender of the Pacific Horizon Action.

Grant Deed executed by Royce Industries, Inc. . . . , as Grantor, in favor of Royce
Partners, L.P., as Grantee, dated April 30, 2003, . . . is set aside, annulled and declared
void; [¶] . . . [¶] g. Any other deeds or deeds of trust, . . . executed by any of the
defendants purportedly encumbering or transferring the San Jacinto Property, recorded in
any jurisdiction, after the date of Plaintiffs’ recording of their amended lis pendens are set
aside, annulled and declared void.”

                                               5
              Judgment was entered in the consolidated San Jacinto Z and Pacific
Horizon Actions on May 20, 2009. The judgment provided that San Jacinto Z take
nothing on its complaint against Pacific Horizon in the San Jacinto Z Action.
              In the Pacific Horizon Action, the judgment granted to Pacific Horizon
equitable subrogation with respect to the numerous liens retired by the proceeds of its
loan funded August 1, 2003. The retired liens were liens recorded from July 19, 2001
through August 1, 2003, which, together with attorney fees, totaled $13,168,854.63. The
judgment held that, based on equitable subrogation, the lien rights of Pacific Horizon, in
that amount, were senior to any interest of San Jacinto Z in the property. However, the
court held that Pacific Horizon was not entitled to a money judgment against San Jacinto
Z on the theory of unjust enrichment.
              On September 1, 2009, San Jacinto Z filed its lawsuit against Stewart Title
for bad faith, breach of contract, and declaratory relief. In its first amended complaint,
San Jacinto Z alleged that Stewart Title wrongfully failed to defend and indemnify it with
respect to the Pacific Horizon Action, the Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding, and the
Eminent Domain Action, which we shall describe at a later point.
              Stewart Title filed a motion for summary judgment with respect to San
Jacinto Z’s first amended complaint. The court granted summary judgment in favor of
Stewart Title and entered a judgment of dismissal. San Jacinto Z appeals.5

5              In the underlying lawsuit, San Jacinto Z also sued Stewart Title of
California, Inc. and Stewart Information Services Corporation. The summary judgment
motions of those two entities were also granted. In its notice of appeal, San Jacinto Z
challenged the judgment in favor of each defendant. However, in its briefing on appeal,
San Jacinto Z makes no argument concerning the judgment in favor of Stewart Title of
California, Inc. and Stewart Information Services Corporation. Consequently, any
challenge with respect to the judgment in their favor is deemed waived. (G.R. v.
Intelligator (2010) 185 Cal. App. 4th 606, 610, fn. 1.)

                                              6
                                               II
                                        DISCUSSION
A. SUMMARY JUDGMENT REVIEW:
              “Under summary judgment law, any party to an action, whether plaintiff or
defendant, ‘may move’ the court ‘for summary judgment’ in his [or her] favor on a cause
of action . . . or defense (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (a))—a plaintiff ‘contend[ing]. . .
that there is no defense to the action,’ a defendant ‘contend[ing] that the action has no
merit’ (ibid.). The court must ‘grant[]’ the ‘motion’ ‘if all the papers submitted show’
that ‘there is no triable issue as to any material fact’ (id., § 437c, subd. (c))—that is, there
is no issue requiring a trial as to any fact that is necessary under the pleadings and,
ultimately, the law [citations]—and that the ‘moving party is entitled to a judgment as a
matter of law’ (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (c)).” (Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co.
(2001) 25 Cal. 4th 826, 843.)
              “[I]n moving for summary judgment, a ‘defendant . . . has met’ his [or her]
‘burden of showing that a cause of action has no merit if’ he [or she] ‘has shown that one
or more elements of the cause of action . . . cannot be established, or that there is a
complete defense to that cause of action. Once the defendant . . . has met that burden, the
burden shifts to the plaintiff . . . to show that a triable issue of one or more material facts
exists as to that cause of action or a defense thereto. . . .’ (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd.
(o)(2).)”6 (Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co., supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 849.)
              On review of a summary judgment, we “examine the record de novo and
independently determine whether [the] decision is correct. [Citation.]” (Colarossi v.
Coty US Inc. (2002) 97 Cal. App. 4th 1142, 1149.)

6             See now Code of Civil Procedure section 437c, subdivision (p)(2).

                                               7
B. PACIFIC HORIZON ACTION:
              (1) Pleadings and Ruling in Action against Stewart Title—
              In its first amended complaint, San Jacinto Z alleged that after the
Grantham/Saba Judgment was entered on November 16, 2004, it sought financing to
develop the property. In order to obtain financing, it needed a title insurance policy.
Alliance Title wanted $10,000 in fees just to review title on the property.
              San Jacinto Z further alleged that its attorney contacted Stewart Title, and
disclosed that the property had been involved in substantial litigation and that Alliance
Title ultimately had declined to issue a title policy to San Jacinto Z. With this
information in hand, Stewart Title nevertheless chose to insure title in San Jacinto Z,
effective March 10, 2005.
              San Jacinto Z recited that it tendered the defense of the Pacific Horizon
Action to Stewart Title on June 1, 2007 and Stewart Title refused the tender on August
22, 2007. San Jacinto Z thereafter agreed to submit the Pacific Horizon Action to
arbitration. The arbitrator imposed a lien in the amount of $13,168,854.63 on the
property, in favor of Pacific Horizon.
              In its first amended complaint, San Jacinto Z further asserted that Stewart
Title acted in bad faith in denying a defense of the Pacific Horizon Action and breached
the terms of the title policy by both refusing to defend the lawsuit and refusing to
indemnify it with respect to the arbitration award. In addition, San Jacinto Z sought
declaratory relief with respect to its rights against Stewart Title.
              In its motion for summary judgment, Stewart Title argued it had no duty to
defend the Pacific Horizon Action because it was not covered by the title policy and San
Jacinto Z’s action against it was time-barred.
              In its opposition to the motion, San Jacinto Z emphasized that Stewart Title
knowingly chose to issue a title policy that did not exclude coverage with respect to
claims based on the Pacific Horizon deeds of trust. San Jacinto Z contended that the title

                                               8
policy covered its claim based on the Pacific Horizon Action because it arose out of
deeds of trust of record at the time the title policy was issued. It also asserted that,
Pacific Horizon’s allegations of tortious conduct notwithstanding, Stewart Title still had a
duty to defend because there was a potential for coverage based on claims arising out of
the recorded deeds of trust. In addition, San Jacinto Z argued that its action against
Stewart Title was timely because the statute of limitations began to run only on January
8, 2007, when Pacific Horizon filed its first amended complaint in the Pacific Horizon
Action, or in the alternative, that Stewart Title received constructive tender of the claim
on the date the title policy was issued and the statute of limitations was equitably tolled
while San Jacinto Z litigated the matter.
              The trial court ruled in favor of Stewart Title for a number of reasons,
including: (1) the claim based on the Pacific Horizon second amended complaint was not
covered by the title policy insuring clause; (2) the claim fell within various policy
exclusions and exceptions; and (3) the lawsuit was barred by the statute of limitations.
We hold that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment, for reasons we shall
show.
              (2) Allegations of Pacific Horizon’s Second Amended Complaint—
              In its second amended complaint, Pacific Horizon alleged that the
November 16, 2004 judgment in the Grantham/Saba Action, as well as a judgment in
another lawsuit filed by Grantham and Saba, “quieted title to the Property in Defendants
Grantham, Saba and/or San Jacinto.” This being the case, the second amended complaint
of Pacific Horizon no longer contained the quiet title cause of action that had been
asserted in the original complaint. Instead, the second amended complaint asserted
causes of action for equitable subordination, unjust enrichment, and declaratory relief.
              Pacific Horizon alleged that Grantham and Saba had colluded with San
Jacinto Z to unlawfully take the property from Royce Partners. More specifically, it
alleged that on June 27, 2003, Grantham, who was aware that Pacific Horizon was

                                               9
potentially refinancing certain loans on the property, wrote to counsel for Royce Partners
and represented that he intended to file a petition for a writ of mandate before July 16,
2003 to challenge a June 26, 2003 order expunging certain lis pendens on the property;
however, Grantham did not in fact do so by the date represented. Then, on June 30,
2003, Stephen Reeder, a stranger to Royce Partners who had no authority to act on its
behalf, executed a deed purporting to convey title from Royce Partners to defendants
Grantham, Saba, R.H. Construction, Inc. and Lopez and thereby fraudulently divested
Royce Partners of title to the property.
              However, believing Royce Partners to be the record owner of the property,
Pacific Horizon, on August 1, 2003, funded a $4.425 million loan to Royce Partners for
the purpose of retiring certain preexisting debt on the property. Three days later, Pacific
Horizon received a letter from Grantham stating that he had filed his challenge to the
expungement order on July 18, 2003. The Court of Appeal later overturned the
expungement order, thereby restoring the lis pendens.
              On December 31, 2003, defendants Grantham, Saba, R.H. Construction,
Inc. and Lopez deeded their interests in the property to San Jacinto Z.
              Thereafter, according to Pacific Horizon, San Jacinto Z and Cruickshank
further fraudulently divested Royce Partners of title to the property through a series of
deeds executed between May 18, 2004 and July 8, 2004.
              Pacific Horizon also alleged that Royce Partners filed for bankruptcy on
June 25, 2004, thereby staying Pacific Horizon’s foreclosure proceeding against it.
While Pacific Horizon seemed to acknowledge that the November 16, 2004 judgment in
the Grantham/Saba Action quieted title to the property, it also alleged that the judgment
was entered in violation of the bankruptcy stay.
              Notably, Pacific Horizon alleged: “Because this Court cannot directly
remedy the [Bankruptcy Code] violations, Plaintiff must pursue its causes of action in
this Court to redress the fraudulent, inequitable and unjust conduct of defendants

                                             10
Grantham, Saba and San Jacinto, who have worked in concert unfairly and unlawfully to
take the Property from Royce Partners while ignoring any obligations to Plaintiffs as a
bona fide lender on, and secured creditor in, the Property.”
              Pacific Horizon sought equitable subrogation because, when it loaned the
money to Royce Partners to pay off existing debts on the property, it believed the Pacific
Horizon deeds of trust would have first priority. It claimed that “[u]nder the doctrine of
equitable subrogation, [it was] entitled to the rights and payments owed to the lenders
whose loans were paid off by the proceeds of” its loan to Royce Partners. It also sought a
constructive trust on the property in connection with the equitable subrogation. In
addition, Pacific Horizon claimed that its satisfaction of the preexisting debts on the
property had the effect of unjustly enriching San Jacinto Z by an amount exceeding
$4,425,000, for which it sought compensatory damages.
              In its cause of action for declaratory relief, Pacific Horizon incorporated by
reference its preceding allegations and stated simply that “[a] judicial determination
[was] necessary and appropriate . . . to determine the parties’ respective rights, duties and
liabilities with respect to the Property.” In its prayer for relief with respect to that cause
of action, Pacific Horizon requested a judgment declaring it to have priority interests in
the property pursuant to its three deeds of trust recorded August 1, 2003.
              (3) Coverage Analysis—
              In its motion for summary judgment, Stewart Title argued, inter alia, that
when Pacific Horizon filed its second amended complaint, it abandoned its quiet title
action based on the priority of its deeds of trust and instead based its causes of action on
tortious conduct not covered by the title policy.
              The insuring clause of the title policy, as relevant here, is the same as the
one at issue in Liberty National Enterprises, L.P. v. Chicago Title Ins. Co. (2013) 217
Cal. App. 4th 62, 69. “In pertinent part, the policy provides that [the title company]
insures [the insured] against loss or damage, as of the date of the policy, ‘by reason of:

                                              11
[¶] 1. Title to the estate or interest described in Schedule A being vested other than as
stated therein; [or] [¶] 2. Any defect in or lien or encumbrance on the title.’” (Ibid.) The
court in Liberty National held that the insuring clause did not cover the lawsuit at issue
there, because the lawsuit “did not allege defective title, but tortious conduct in the
manner in which [the insured] acquired title. There was no potential for coverage and
therefore no duty to defend . . . .” (Id. at p. 81.) It emphasized that “title insurance does
not protect against alleged tortious conduct by the insured . . . .” (Id. at p. 77.)
               In the matter before us, Pacific Horizon alleged title defects in its original
complaint for quiet title. However, in its second amended complaint, Pacific Horizon
omitted a quiet title cause of action and appeared to concede that the Grantham/Saba
Judgment had quieted title in San Jacinto Z. It said that it brought its second amended
complaint to redress certain fraudulent and otherwise inequitable conduct.
               On appeal, San Jacinto Z “fully admits that claims arising purely from its
conduct or Pacific Horizon’s attempts to obtain an equitable lien are not covered.”
However, it reminds us that the second amended complaint contained a declaratory relief
action based on the facts alleged, including the facts regarding Pacific Horizon’s recorded
deeds of trust. Indeed, we observe the prayer for relief with respect to the declaratory
relief cause of action specifically requested a judgment declaring Pacific Horizon’s
interest in the property pursuant to its three deeds of trust recorded August 1, 2003 “as
valid and first against all adverse claims, rights, titles, estates, liens or interests in or to
said property asserted or held by Defendants or any of them.” In other words, while one
portion of the second amended complaint appeared to concede that Pacific Horizon was
pursuing only claims based on tortious conduct, another portion thereof seemed to
indicate that Pacific Horizon was continuing to pursue the vitality of its recorded deeds of
trust.

                                                12
                San Jacinto Z emphasizes that if there is even a potential that the claim is
covered, the insurer has a duty to defend. “‘However, “‘where there is no possibility of
coverage, there is no duty to defend. . . .’” [Citation.]’” (Liberty National Enterprises,
L.P. v. Chicago Title Ins. Co., supra, 217 Cal.App.4th at p. 76.) San Jacinto Z says there
was a potential for coverage based on the possibility that Pacific Horizon could prevail on
the enforceability of its deeds of trust, even though Pacific Horizon also alleged that San
Jacinto engaged in fraudulent and inequitable conduct. To the extent the potential for
coverage is based on the Pacific Horizon deeds of trust, however, a statute of limitations
issue arises.
                (4) Statute of Limitations Analysis—
                              (a) Code of Civil Procedure section 339
                The statute of limitations at issue in this case is found in Code of Civil
Procedure section 339. Section 339 provides that a lawsuit based upon a title insurance
policy must be brought within two years and that a cause of action based upon such a
policy “shall not be deemed to have accrued until the discovery of the loss or damage
suffered by the aggrieved party thereunder.”
                              (b) Accrual of cause of action
                In its opening brief, San Jacinto Z concedes that the Pacific Horizon second
amended complaint “repeated the factual allegations that gave rise to its 2004 complaint
for ‘quiet title.’” So, San Jacinto Z basically admits that Pacific Horizon’s quiet title
claim has been litigated since 2004. Yet it did not tender the defense of the Pacific
Horizon Action to Stewart Title until June 2007.
                Stewart Title argued in its motion for summary judgment that San Jacinto
Z’s action against it was time-barred, under Code of Civil Procedure section 339.
Stewart Title asserted that San Jacinto Z had discovered the potential loss or damage
from the Pacific Horizon Action no later than August 20, 2004, when San Jacinto Z
answered the quiet title complaint. However, Stewart Title conceded that San Jacinto Z’s

                                               13
claim against it arising out of the quiet title action could not accrue before March 10,
2005—the issuance date of the title policy. Stewart Title argued that, under the two-year
statute of limitations set forth in section 339, San Jacinto Z had only until March 10, 2007
to file its bad faith action. Since San Jacinto Z did not file the action until September 1,
2009, it was time-barred.
              In opposition, San Jacinto Z stated: “By the time the Policy was issued,
San Jacinto had already obtained the [Grantham/Saba] Judgment, so it believed
(incorrectly) that Pacific Horizon’s deeds of trust were a nonissue. San Jacinto only
realized that a claim still potentially existed on January 8, 2007 when Pacific Horizon
filed its [first amended complaint].”
              In other words, Pacific Horizon’s quiet title action had been pending since
2004, but San Jacinto Z only realized it could suffer a loss from that claim when, in 2007,
Pacific Horizon stated in its amended complaint that the Grantham/Saba Judgment had
quieted title so it would proceed instead on fraud and tort claims. San Jacinto Z’s
argument is a non sequitur.7
              Clearly, Stewart Title is correct that San Jacinto Z knew of the potential
loss from Pacific Horizon’s quiet title claim no later than August 20, 2004, when San
Jacinto Z filed its answer. It’s just that, as San Jacinto Z concedes, it “incorrectly”
believed that Pacific Horizon’s claim was no threat after the Grantham/Saba Judgment
was entered. When Pacific Horizon filed its amended complaint, San Jacinto Z did not
learn for the first time that Pacific Horizon had a claim based on its deeds of trust. If
there was anything San Jacinto Z then learned for the first time, it was that Pacific
Horizon doubted its ability to prevail on its quiet title claim, so it levied claims based on

7            San Jacinto Z’s assertion is also hard to reconcile with the dockets in the
consolidated San Jacinto Z and Pacific Horizon Actions, which span nearly 100 pages
and show continuous activity in the litigation from inception in 2004 through judgment in
2009.

                                              14
fraud and other tortious activity instead. The filing of the first amended complaint simply
cannot be fairly construed as the date San Jacinto Z discovered its potential loss based on
Pacific Horizon’s quiet title claims.
              However, it would be nonsensical, and contrary to case law, to construe the
two-year limitations period to run from August 20, 2004, inasmuch as San Jacinto Z was
not then insured. (Smeaton v. Fidelity Nat. Title (1999) 72 Cal. App. 4th 1000.) Even so,
San Jacinto Z could have tendered the litigation to Stewart Title as early as March 10,
2005, when the title policy was issued.
                             (c) Constructive tender and tolling
              As to that, San Jacinto Z argued in its opposition that the claim was
constructively tendered to Stewart Title on the date the policy was issued, inasmuch as
Stewart Title was aware of the litigation before the title policy was issued, and that
“because [it] knew about the [Pacific Horizon] Action, the statute of limitations was
equitably tolled while San Jacinto attempted to leverage the [Grantham/Saba] Judgment
against Pacific Horizon.” (OneBeacon America Ins. Co. v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co.
(2009) 175 Cal. App. 4th 183, 200 [tender to insurer can be constructive]; Stalberg v.
Western Title Ins. Co. (1994) 27 Cal. App. 4th 925, 932-934 [limitations period can be
equitably tolled during pursuit of litigation].)
              San Jacinto Z essentially argued, as it clarifies in its reply brief on appeal,
that Stewart Title agreed to insure over both Pacific Horizon’s deeds of trust and the
pending litigation. (See Southland Title Corp. v. Superior Court (1991) 231 Cal. App. 3d
530, 538 [title insurer may choose to insure over title defect based on underwriting
decision].) The logical extension of this argument is that for the payment of a premium
Stewart Title: (1) took the risk that the Grantham/Saba Judgment would not put an end to
Pacific Horizon’s claims; (2) agreed to defend San Jacinto Z in the litigation if and when
requested to do so, and had the opportunity to protect itself by undertaking the defense of
the Pacific Horizon Action from the day the title policy was issued if it so chose; and (3)

                                              15
agreed to indemnify San Jacinto Z for any judgment that might be entered against it
based on the Pacific Horizon deeds of trust or the Pacific Horizon Action. Were that the
agreement of the parties, the lawsuit against Stewart Title would not necessarily be time-
barred if the statute of limitations were tolled either (1) during the period of time that San
Jacinto Z defended the Pacific Horizon Action on its own (Stalberg v. Western Title Ins.
Co., supra, 27 Cal.App.4th at pp. 932-934 [equitable tolling during pursuit of litigation]),
or (2) until judgment was entered in the Pacific Horizon Action and the amount of San
Jacinto Z’s loss was determined (Lambert v. Commonwealth Land Title Ins. Co. (1991)
53 Cal. 3d 1072, 1080 [tolling until final judgment in underlying action]).8
                             (d) Triable issue of material fact
               Whether a statute of limitations has run is ordinarily a question of fact.
(Lee v. Fidelity National Title Ins. Co. (2010) 188 Cal. App. 4th 583, 600.) Furthermore, a
title insurance policy “‘“‘“must be construed so as to give the insured the protection
which he reasonably had a right to expect, . . . .”’ (Original italics.) [Citation.]”’”
(Id. at p. 595.)
               The question before us on appeal is whether San Jacinto Z provided enough
evidence to raise a triable issue of material fact as to whether Stewart Title actually
agreed to insure over the title defects in the manner San Jacinto Z alleges and, if so,
whether San Jacinto Z’s lawsuit against Stewart Title was timely filed. The evidence
provided included copies of: (1) a declaration of Robert Zuckerman; (2) a letter from
Attorney Sue Balistocky to Stewart Title; (3) an Alliance Title preliminary report; (4) a
Stewart Title Company internal report; and (5) the title insurance policy Stewart Title
issued to San Jacinto Z.

8             Under this theory, 65 Butterfield v. Chicago Title Ins. Co. (1999) 70
Cal. App. 4th 1047 and Tabachnick v. Ticor Title Ins. Co. (1994) 24 Cal. App. 4th 70 are
distinguishable because in those cases there was no allegation that the title insurer was
fully aware of the pending litigation at the time the title insurance policy was issued and
indeed agreed to assume the risk of an adverse outcome.

                                              16
              Zuckerman described himself as the managing member of San Jacinto Z.
He declared that once the Grantham/Saba Judgment had been entered, San Jacinto Z
believed that title had been quieted in its favor and the title issues affecting the property
had been resolved. So, in order to develop the property, San Jacinto Z sought title
insurance from Alliance Title. Although Alliance Title issued a preliminary report, it
demanded $10,000 just to perform a further review of the public records and litigation
affecting the property.
              Zuckerman further declared that counsel for San Jacinto Z, Attorney Sue
Balistocky, thereafter contacted Stewart Title about title insurance and that San Jacinto Z
provided Stewart Title with a copy of the Alliance Title report. Zuckerman continued on
to state that Stewart Title agreed to issue a title policy insuring title in San Jacinto Z
without exception for the Pacific Horizon deeds of trust. San Jacinto Z paid the required
premium and the title policy was issued effective March 10, 2005.
              In her January 27, 2005 letter to Collyer Church of Stewart Title, Attorney
Balistocky asked if he “could work [his] magic and have Stewart Title issue an owner’s
policy . . . forthwith . . . .” She explained: “The subject property was involved in
SUBSTANTIAL litigation and fraudulent conveyances as reflected in the Alliance Title
Company’s preliminary title report which I will try to send you once we speak . . . .”
Attorney Balistocky opined that “after much litigation, and two summary judgment
motions, these matters have been resolved” and that “a superior court judge ruled in a
summary judgment motion that title to this property resided with our clients.”
Nonetheless, she said, Alliance Title had changed its mind about issuing title insurance to
her client. Attorney Balistocky further said that there was an “immediate crisis [in] that
the construction loan [was] supposed to fund in less than 2 weeks and it is imperative that
owner’s and construction policies be issued forthwith.”

                                              17
              The preliminary report that Zuckerman said was provided to Stewart Title
was dated September 9, 2004, prior to the date of the Grantham/Saba Judgment, and
showed that title to the property was vested in Royce Partners. It identified the lis
pendens filed in the San Jacinto Z Action as an exception to title, and made reference to
the San Jacinto Z Action itself. That lis pendens was also listed on an internal report of
Stewart Title Company dated January 31, 2005.9
              The title policy Stewart Title issued on March 10, 2005 showed the
property vested in San Jacinto Z, subject to exceptions to title listed on over 30 pages.
Neither the Pacific Horizon deeds of trust nor the San Jacinto Z lis pendens recorded in
the San Jacinto Z Action were listed among the exceptions to title.
              The foregoing evidence was sufficient to raise a triable issue of material
fact as to whether San Jacinto Z disclosed to Stewart Title the existence of the San
Jacinto Z Action, including the Pacific Horizon Action with which it had been
consolidated, and requested that Stewart Title insure around the Pacific Horizon deeds of
trust and the Pacific Horizon Action, and whether the issuance of the title policy without
reference to either the San Jacinto Z lis pendens or the Pacific Horizon deeds of trust
indicated an agreement on the part of Stewart Title to defend the Pacific Horizon Action
upon request and to indemnify San Jacinto Z with respect to an adverse judgment, arising

9               At oral argument, counsel for Stewart Title acknowledged that there was a
lis pendens of record in the San Jacinto Z Action, with which the Pacific Horizon Action
was consolidated, when the title insurance policy was issued. However, he said Stewart
Title had no obligation to go beyond the lis pendens, look at the docket of the case, and
find out it was consolidated with another case. However, “[a] title insurer issues its
policies on the basis of, and in reliance on, its own investigation into recorded
instruments, which should impart constructive notice. [Citation.] . . . To a large extent,
therefore, the title insurer is able to control the degree of risk it undertakes in issuing a
policy by performing its own investigation beforehand. [Citation.]” (Liberty National
Enterprises, L.P. v. Chicago Title Ins. Co., supra, 217 Cal.App.4th at p. 75.) To the
extent that Stewart Title chose to issue title insurance without investigating the nature of
the pending litigation, it was perhaps a little cavalier in doing so, and thereby exposed
itself to risk.

                                             18
out of the Pacific Horizon deeds of trust or the Pacific Horizon Action, entered at any
time in the future. In the context of this summary judgment matter, it is not for us to
guess the likelihood that Stewart Title made that agreement or to comment on the wisdom
of such an agreement if made. We only state that the evidence San Jacinto Z provided is
sufficient to defeat Stewart Title’s motion for summary judgment.

C. ROYCE PARTNERS ADVERSARY PROCEEDING:
              (1) Pleadings and Ruling in Action against Stewart Title—
              In its first amended complaint against Stewart Title, San Jacinto Z alleged
that it incurred approximately $400,000 in legal fees and costs in defending the Royce
Partners Adversary Proceeding. It further alleged that it tendered the defense of the
proceeding to Stewart Title on June 1, 2007 and that Stewart Title denied the tender in
the same August 22, 2007 letter in which it denied the tender of the Pacific Horizon
Action.
              In granting summary judgment, the trial court held that Stewart Title had no
duty to defend the Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding for many reasons, including:
(1) San Jacinto Z never tendered the action to Stewart Title; (2) San Jacinto Z never
provided a proof of loss to Stewart Title; (3) the insuring clause of the title policy did not
cover the Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding; (4) coverage was excluded and/or
excepted by various different provisions of the title policy; and (5) any cause of action
against Stewart Title was barred by the statute of limitations.
              We need not address each one of these holdings. Suffice it to say, even if
we construe the June 1, 2007 letter as constructive notice to Stewart Title of the Royce
Partners Adversary Proceeding, Stewart Title had no duty to defend because investigation
would have shown that the litigation had concluded already. (OneBeacon America Ins.
Co. v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co., supra, 175 Cal.App.4th at p. 200.)

                                              19
              (2) Background—
              As we have stated, the bankruptcy trustee filed the Royce Partners
Adversary Proceeding on May 24, 2006. The trustee’s complaint, seeking to quiet title,
alleged, inter alia, that Royce Partners had superior title to that of San Jacinto Z. The
trustee asserted that Royce Partners held title to the property when it obtained a
$4,000,000 loan from Pacific Horizon, as evidenced by promissory notes dated June 20,
2003, secured by deeds of trust recorded August 1, 2003. San Jacinto answered the
complaint on December 8, 2006.
              In the June 1, 2007 tender letter, counsel for San Jacinto Z described the
San Jacinto Z Action and the Pacific Horizon Action. He then stated: “On behalf of San
Jacinto Z, we hereby tender the San Jacinto Z Complaint and the [Pacific Horizon]
Second Amended Complaint filed in the above actions to Stewart Title for defense and
indemnity.”
              After two full paragraphs of discussion of the San Jacinto Z Action and the
Pacific Horizon Action, counsel said: “San Jacinto Z also has been named as a defendant
in a related adversary proceeding in the bankruptcy proceeding captioned In re Royce
Partners Bankruptcy Proceeding, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Case No. SA-04-14084 . . . .
Recently, Judge Smith granted San Jacinto Z’s motion for summary judgment. The
proposed order has been submitted to Judge Smith. . . . San Jacinto Z filed . . . a motion
to dismiss the bankruptcy case. Since that motion was filed, the Bankruptcy Trustee and
The United States Trustee [sic] has agreed to dismiss the entire bankruptcy action. At the
hearing on San Jacinto Z’s motion today, May 31, 2007, Judge Smith granted San Jacinto
Z’s, the Bankruptcy Trustee’s and the United States Trustee’s stipulation for an order
dismissing the bankruptcy with prejudice. The proposed stipulated order has been
submitted to the Court.”

                                             20
              In a separate paragraph concluding the letter, counsel stated: “Accordingly,
we ask for your prompt evaluation and response.” About a month later, on July 6, 2007,
the Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding was dismissed with prejudice.
              On August 22, 2007, Stewart Title, in response to the June 1, 2007 letter,
sent San Jacinto Z an 18-page coverage analysis of the Pacific Horizon Action. San
Jacinto Z filed its lawsuit against Stewart Title, at issue in this appeal, on September 1,
2009.
              (3) Analysis re Duty to Defend—
              In its motion for summary judgment, Stewart Title asserted it had no duty
to defend the Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding for several reasons. The first reason
was that San Jacinto Z had never tendered the defense of that action. Stewart Title
maintained that the June 1, 2007 letter, in which San Jacinto Z made mention of the
Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding, was only a tender of the Pacific Horizon Action.
It cited North Star Reinsurance Corp. v. Superior Court (1992) 10 Cal. App. 4th 1815, for
the proposition that “the duty . . . to defend had never arisen because [the insured] had
never tendered the defense . . . . [Citation.]” (Id. at p. 1823.) We observe North Star
Reinsurance Corp. continues on to state: “‘The duty [to defend] commences upon tender
of the defense, and continues until the underlying lawsuit is concluded. [Citation.]’.[]”
(Ibid.) We further observe that the lawsuit, here the Royce Partners Adversary
Proceeding, was dismissed with prejudice on July 6, 2007.
              In its opposition to the motion for summary judgment, San Jacinto Z said
Stewart Title had a duty to defend all of the lawsuits at issue because they arose out of
deeds of trust recorded prior to the issuance date of the title policy and because title
policy exclusion 3(a) was inapplicable. It did not, however, respond to the argument that
Stewart Title had no duty to defend the Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding because
San Jacinto Z had never tendered the defense of that matter.

                                              21
               San Jacinto Z only tangentially touched upon the issue in its discussion of
the statute of limitations. It said Stewart Title’s argument that the statute of limitations
had run was predicated on the notion that the June 1, 2007 letter did not constitute a
tender of defense. San Jacinto Z then cited OneBeacon America Ins. Co. v. Fireman’s
Fund Ins. Co., supra, 175 Cal. App. 4th 183 for the proposition that a duty to defend can
arise upon constructive notice and that an insurer’s obligation for defense costs arises
where the insurer’s diligent investigation would have revealed potential exposure and
provided the insurer an opportunity to participate in the defense of the litigation.
               San Jacinto Z continued its discussion of the statute of limitations by stating
that, under OneBeacon America Ins. Co. v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co., supra, 175
Cal. App. 4th 183, the June 1, 2007 letter constituted constructive notice of the litigation
and the statute of limitations was thereafter tolled (impliedly indefinitely) because
Stewart Title did not respond to the portion of the June 1, 2007 letter addressing the
Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding.10 In concluding its argument on the statute of
limitations, San Jacinto Z stated: “By denying liability on other grounds, Stewart Title
has waived any claim that San Jacinto forfeited its right to defense or indemnity by
failing to provide earlier notice of the litigation.”
               There are a couple of reasons why this statement did not serve to raise a
triable issue of material fact as to whether or not Stewart Title had a duty to defend the
Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding. First, the statement about Stewart Title’s denial
of liability is contradictory to the parties’ undisputed material facts. In their undisputed
material facts, San Jacinto Z and Stewart Title agreed that Stewart Title had denied the

10            In its first amended complaint, to which the motion for summary judgment
pertains, San Jacinto Z alleged that Stewart Title, in its August 22, 2007 coverage letter,
denied the tender not only of the Pacific Horizon Action but also of the Royce Partners
Adversary Proceeding. However, after Stewart Title filed is motion for summary
judgment, San Jacinto Z changed its tune and alleged in its opposition and in its second
amended complaint that Stewart Title never denied the tender.

                                               22
tender with respect to the Pacific Horizon Action but had not opined as to coverage with
respect to the Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding. Indeed, in its additional facts and
evidence in opposition to summary judgment, San Jacinto Z, as its material fact No. 47,
stated: “On August [22], 2007 Stewart Title responded with a letter denying the tender of
the PHF Action, but it did not address the Royce Action.”
              Second, the two cases San Jacinto Z cited in support of its waiver argument
were inapposite. It cited CNA Casualty of California v. Seaboard Surety Co. (1986) 176
Cal. App. 3d 598 and Clemmer v. Hartford Insurance Co. (1978) 22 Cal. 3d 865. In CNA
Casualty of California v. Seaboard Surety Co., supra, 176 Cal. App. 3d 598, the insured
tendered the defense of an amended complaint to the insurer about four months after it
was filed and the insurer denied the tender. Judgment was entered against the insured
nearly three years later. (Id. at p. 604.) In a subsequent lawsuit, the insurer was held
liable to share in the posttender costs of defense, inasmuch as the insurer had adequate
notice of the litigation and an opportunity to prevent substantial prejudice to its interests.
(Id. at pp. 604-605, 617.) In the matter before us, in contrast, the insurer did not have
notice of the litigation or an opportunity to prevent substantial prejudice to its interests
and it was being asked to cover “pre-tender” costs, not posttender costs.
              In Clemmer v. Hartford Insurance Co., supra, 22 Cal. 3d 865, a third party
obtained a judgment against the insured in a wrongful death action and then filed suit
against the insurer for satisfaction of the judgment. (Id. at p. 871.) The insurer had
learned about the case the day before the hearing on a motion for entry of default against
the insured and it disclaimed coverage about two weeks thereafter. (Id. at p. 881.) The
court held the insurer was liable to satisfy the judgment. It observed that the right of a
third party to sue an insurer for satisfaction of a judgment was established by statute and
that the insurer could not defend itself on the basis of the insured’s failure to comply with
a notice provision unless it could demonstrate prejudice. (Id. at p. 882.) In the matter
before us, however, we are not dealing with the rights of a third party to collect on a

                                              23
judgment against the insured. Moreover, San Jacinto Z did not state why the rule
regarding the insurer’s obligation to satisfy a judgment against an insured should apply to
an insurer’s obligation to reimburse an insured for attorney fees it incurred without notice
to the insurer and without giving the insurer an opportunity to participate in the litigation.
              So, even if we construe San Jacinto Z’s June 1, 2007 letter to Stewart Title
as constructive notice of the Royce Partners Adversary Proceeding, we conclude that San
Jacinto Z failed to raise a triable issue of material fact as to whether Stewart Title had a
duty to defend. “[A]lthough the duty to defend ordinarily arises after receipt of an actual
tender of defense, it may arise upon receipt of ‘constructive notice’ of the contractual
duty to defend. [Citation.]” (OneBeacon America Ins. Co. v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co.,
supra, 175 Cal.App.4th at p. 200.) After receiving notice of the litigation, whether
formal or constructive, “an insurer’s obligation . . . for defense costs arises where . . . a
diligent inquiry by the insurer would reveal the potential exposure to a claim . . . , thus
providing the insurer the opportunity for investigation and participation in the defense in
the underlying litigation.” (Id. at p. 203.) In the matter before us, had Stewart Title
investigated the matter, it would have learned that the Royce Partners Adversary
Proceeding had been dismissed with prejudice on July 6, 2007.
              In short, Stewart Title would have learned that there was no remaining
opportunity to participate in the defense of the underlying action and, indeed, that there
was no duty to defend. This is so because the duty to defend terminates when the
underlying lawsuit is concluded. (OneBeacon America Ins. Co. v. Fireman’s Fund Ins.
Co., supra, 175 Cal.App.4th at p. 200.) And, “when there is no duty to defend under the
terms of an insurance policy, there can be no action for breach of the implied covenant of
good faith and fair dealing. [Citation.]” (Liberty National Enterprises, L.P. v. Chicago
Title Ins. Co., supra, 217 Cal.App.4th at p. 81.)

                                              24
              (4) Analysis re “Pre-tender” Attorney Fees—
              On appeal, San Jacinto Z argues that even though the Royce Partners
Adversary Proceeding had concluded by the time San Jacinto Z mentioned it to Stewart
Title, such that Stewart Title arguably was not required to defend the litigation, it was
nonetheless obligated to reimburse San Jacinto Z for its “pre-tender” defense costs based
on section 4(a) of the title policy. However, San Jacinto Z did not make this argument in
opposition to the motion for summary judgment.
              We generally do not consider arguments that were not raised in the trial
court and this rule applies in the summary judgment context as well as any other.
(DiCola v. White Brothers Performance Products, Inc. (2008) 158 Cal. App. 4th 666,
676.) “‘Thus, possible theories that were not fully developed or factually presented to the
trial court cannot create a “triable issue” on appeal.’ [Citation.]” (Ibid.) However, even
were we to consider San Jacinto Z’s new argument, as involving the construction of the
title policy as a matter of law based on undisputed facts, we would arrive at the same
result.11
              In arguing its point about pre-tender defense costs, San Jacinto Z cites the
last sentence of title policy section 4(a) in isolation. We agree that section 4 (a) of the
title policy resolves the question, but we decline to read the last sentence in isolation.
              Section 4(a) provides in pertinent part: “Upon written request by an
insured . . . , the Company, at its own cost and without unreasonable delay, shall provide
for the defense of such insured in litigation in which any third party asserts a claim

11              We will not address San Jacinto Z’s newest argument that it is seeking
posttender attorney fees, for two reasons. First, the argument most certainly is not based
on undisputed facts, and indeed, the suggestion that San Jacinto Z incurred fees making a
June 22, 2007 motion for summary judgment appears to be completely inconsistent with
both the bankruptcy court docket upon which San Jacinto Z apparently relies and the
recitals contained in its own June 1, 2007 letter. Second, it is raised for the first time in
its reply brief and we will not consider a matter raised for the first time in a reply brief.
(Schubert v. Reynolds (2002) 95 Cal. App. 4th 100, 108.)

                                              25
adverse to the title or interest as insured, but only as to those stated causes of action
alleging a defect, lien or encumbrance or other matter insured against by this policy. The
Company shall have the right to select counsel of its choice . . . to represent the insured as
to those stated causes of action and shall not be liable for and will not pay the fees of any
other counsel. The Company will not pay any fees, costs or expenses incurred by an
insured in the defense of those causes of action which allege matters not insured against
by this policy.” (Italics added.)
              San Jacinto Z cites the last sentence alone and says it excludes only liability
for costs incurred in defending uncovered causes of action and therefore includes liability
for all costs incurred in defending covered causes of action, whether arising from the
services of counsel the insurer chose or not. This construction would render meaningless
the two preceding sentences of the title policy. They provide that after the insured has
given the insurer a written request to provide a defense with respect to a covered claim,
the insurer shall provide the defense and shall have the right to choose the counsel to
defend the litigation. They further make perfectly clear that the insurer shall not be liable
for the fees of any other counsel, i.e., counsel it has not chosen to defend a covered claim.
The final sentence, upon which San Jacinto Z relies, does not contradict the preceding
sentences by making the insurer liable for fees incurred by counsel it has not chosen and
has had no opportunity to choose, but only clarifies that if the insured incurs fees
defending causes of action that are not covered by the title policy, the insurer shall not be
liable for such fees.
              Indeed, as Stewart Title points out, section 7(d) of the title policy
emphasizes that “[t]he Company will pay only those costs, attorneys’ fees and expenses
incurred in accordance with Section 4 of these Conditions and Stipulations.” In other
words, pre-tender defense costs incurred by counsel the insurer has not chosen are not
covered.

                                              26
                Furthermore, San Jacinto Z’s request for pre-tender attorney fees is
contradictory to the express language of sections 4(a) and 7(d) of the title insurance
policy.

D. EMINENT DOMAIN ACTION:
                (1) Background—
                On February 22, 2007, the Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) filed
the Eminent Domain Action, naming San Jacinto Z, Pacific Horizon and others as
defendants. It identified San Jacinto Z as the owner of the property in question. In
addition, it identified Pacific Horizon as the owner of beneficial interests in the property
under deeds of trust recorded on August 1, 2003, September 30, 2003, November 7, 2003
and March 11, 2004. EMWD requested that the identified property be condemned to its
own use, and “[t]hat just compensation be ascertained and assessed and the amount of the
award for said property be first determined between plaintiff and all defendants claiming
any interest therein . . . .” On March 21, 2007, EMWD filed its first amended complaint,
in which San Jacinto Z and Pacific Horizon were again named as defendants.
                In its May 31, 2007 answer to the first amended complaint, Pacific Horizon
admitted that it claimed an interest in the property pursuant to the identified deeds of trust
securing a loan made on or about August 1, 2003. In addition, it claimed to hold a
beneficial interest in the property arising out of the assignment of an interest in yet
another deed of trust, also recorded in 2004. Pacific Horizon alleged that the amount of
$7,000,000 remained due and owing and that it was “entitled to recovery of this amount
that would otherwise be payable to any other defendant . . . claiming an interest in the
real property, as just compensation for the plaintiff’s taking of the real property . . . .”
Pacific Horizon further denied “that any other party defendants [had] any superior right,
title, or interest in the real property . . . .”

                                                   27
              San Jacinto Z tendered the defense of the Eminent Domain Action to
Stewart Title in September 2007. Stewart Title denied the tender on January 11, 2008.12
San Jacinto Z filed its action against Stewart Title on September 1, 2009.
              The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Stewart Title. It
held: (1) the Eminent Domain Action was not covered by the title policy and was subject
to title policy exclusion No. 2; (2) the title policy only obligated Stewart Title to defend
against “causes of action” and Pacific Horizon’s claims were not “causes of action;” (3)
the Eminent Domain Action was subject to title policy exclusions 3(a) and (d) and was
excepted from coverage under title policy exception B.I.3; and (4) San Jacinto Z’s claims
failed because it did not provide a proof of loss.
              (2) Analysis—
              On appeal, San Jacinto Z says the trial court erred in its ruling for two
reasons: (1) the claim was a covered claim; and (2) the failure to file a proof of loss did
not bar the claim. We agree the court erred in granting summary judgment with respect
to the Eminent Domain Action, for reasons we shall show.
                             (a) Covered claim
              In its motion for summary judgment, Stewart Title argued that the claim
was not covered by the insuring clause of the title policy. The insuring clause provides
coverage for damage sustained by the insured by reason of “[t]itle to the estate . . . being
vested other than as stated” in the title policy or by reason of “[a]ny defect in or lien or
encumbrance on the title.” Stewart Title said there was no coverage because the Eminent
Domain Action was not a challenge to San Jacinto Z’s title.

12            We note that Stewart Title characterized the property interests EMWD
sought to condemn as consisting of three easements of record, a chlorination facility
located within an easement of record, and a prescriptive easement.

                                              28
              However, in its complaint, EMWD sought a determination of the amount of
just compensation to be paid to persons claiming an interest in the property, including
both San Jacinto Z and Pacific Horizon. The complaint specifically identified four deeds
of trust that EMWD thought might be the basis of beneficial interests vested in Pacific
Horizon. In this way, the complaint put in issue Pacific Horizon’s ownership interest in
the property based upon its liens that were of record before the title policy was issued.
              Furthermore, when Pacific Horizon filed its answer, it made clear that it
was indeed claiming beneficial interests in the property, based on those four deeds of
trust as well as an assignment of another beneficial interest in the property. Moreover,
Pacific Horizon claimed that it was entitled to recover the first $7,000,000, because its
interests in the property were superior to those of any other defendant.
              Without question, Pacific Horizon’s liens against the property were being
litigated in the Eminent Domain Action. Consequently, San Jacinto Z’s claim based on
the Eminent Domain Action fell within the insuring clause.
              In its motion, Stewart Title also argued it had no duty to defend because
title policy exclusion No. 2 specifically excluded eminent domain actions from coverage
and because exclusion No. 3(d) excluded claims attaching after the title policy was
issued. True, exclusion No. 2 provides there is no coverage for eminent domain actions,
and certainly, we see no reason why a title company should have to defend against a
public entity’s statutory right to take property. It is a different matter altogether,
however, to suggest that, once an eminent domain action has been initiated, there is no
coverage with respect to title claims asserted by another defendant to that action. And
where exclusion No. 3(d) is concerned, although the Eminent Domain Action was filed
after the title policy issuance date, the title claims being litigated were based on deeds of
trust recorded before that date, not afterward.

                                              29
              In addition to the foregoing, Stewart Title asserted in its motion that it had
no duty to defend based on the answer filed by Pacific Horizon, because “an answer
cannot seek affirmative relief and therefore, by definition, cannot give rise to a duty to
defend.” However, as we have said, EMWD’s complaint essentially placed in issue all
defendants’ interests in the property and Pacific Horizon, through its answer, stated its
claim to an interest in the property based on its liens of record.
              Stewart Title cited Foster-Gardner, Inc. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co.
(1998) 18 Cal. 4th 857, having to do with an insurer’s duty to defend in an administrative
matter before an environmental protection agency, but that case is inapposite. (Id. at pp.
860-863.) San Jacinto Z cited Schuman v. Ignatin (2010) 191 Cal. App. 4th 255 and
Vanderkous v. Conley (2010) 188 Cal. App. 4th 111, cases providing persuasive authority.
As Schuman v. Ignatin, supra, 191 Cal. App. 4th 255 shows, a defense raised in a
defendant’s trial brief can constitute an affirmative cause of action in certain
circumstances. (Id. at pp. 257, 260, 266-267 [defense regarding validity of recorded
CC&R’s amendment, raised in supplemental trial brief, was affirmative cause of action
barred by statute of limitations]; see also Vanderkous v. Conley, supra, 188 Cal.App.4th
at p. 120 [defendant in quiet title action who answered but failed to file a cross-complaint
nonetheless “put [her] cause at issue”].)
              The trial court nonetheless was persuaded that the title policy only
obligated Stewart Title to defend against “causes of action” and Pacific Horizon’s claims
were not “causes of action.” Stewart Title says this is correct, based on title policy
section 4(a). That section, as we have previously observed, states in pertinent part:
“Upon written request by an insured . . . , the Company . . . shall provide for the defense
of such insured in litigation in which any third party asserts a claim adverse to the title
or interest as insured, but only as to those stated causes of action alleging a defect, lien or
encumbrance or other matter insured against by this policy. The Company shall have the
right to select counsel of its choice . . . to represent the insured as to those stated causes of

                                               30
action . . . . The Company will not pay any fees, costs or expenses incurred by an insured
in the defense of those causes of action which allege matters not insured against by this
policy.” (Italics added.)
              We do not interpret title policy section 4(a) as does Stewart Title. As the
italicized language shows, consistent with the insuring clause, after the insured has made
a written request, Stewart Title shall provide a defense in litigation in which a third party
makes a claim adverse to an interest of the insured. Here, Pacific Horizon was claiming
in its answer that its interests in the property, based of deeds of trust of record before the
title policy was issued, were superior to the interests of San Jacinto Z. In other words, it
was asserting a claim alleging liens or encumbrances insured against by the policy.
Consequently, Stewart Title had a duty to defend. Nothing in section 4(a) limits coverage
for claims arising from alleged defects, liens or encumbrances to those claims set forth in
complaints or cross-complaints.
              Finally, in its motion, Stewart Title asserted that it had no duty to defend
because of title policy exclusion No. 3(a) and title policy exception No. B.I.3. Exclusion
No. 3(a) excludes claims “created, suffered, assumed or agreed to by the insured
claimant” and exception No. B.I.3 excepts “[e]asements, liens or encumbrances, or
claims thereof, which are not shown by the public records.” Stewart Title asserted that
Pacific Horizon, from and after May 2007,13 made its claims based upon the allegedly
tortious conduct of San Jacinto Z, not upon title defects. However, it cited no filing in the
Eminent Domain Action showing that Pacific Horizon based its claim therein on the
allegedly tortious conduct of San Jacinto Z. Rather, in the Eminent Domain Action,
Pacific Horizon based its claim on deeds of trust of record. Those deeds of trust were not
“created, suffered, assumed or agreed to by” San Jacinto Z and they were of record

13             Although it is not perfectly clear, it would appear that Stewart Title meant
to refer to Pacific Horizon’s May 2007 filing of its lis pendens in the Pacific Horizon
Action.

                                              31
before the title policy was issued. Consequently, they were neither excluded nor
excepted from coverage based on either title policy exclusion No. 3(a) or title policy
exception No. B.I.3.
                             (b) Proof of loss
              In is motion, Stewart Title also claimed that it was not required to defend
any of the lawsuits, including the Eminent Domain Action, because San Jacinto Z had
failed to provide a proof of loss as required by the title policy and it was prejudiced by
that failure. In support of its claim of prejudice, Stewart Title cited its material fact No.
126, wherein it baldly asserted that it had been prejudiced. In support of its material fact
No. 126, Stewart Title in turn cited the declaration of Karen Storlie, its vice president,
counsel, and custodian of records. In her declaration, Storlie said the failure to provide a
proof of loss with respect to any of the lawsuits prejudiced Stewart Title simply “because
loss and/or damage is relevant to, among other coverage issues, the applicability of
Policy Exclusion 3(c), which excludes ‘[d]efects, liens, encumbrances, adverse claims,
[and] other matters: [¶] resulting in no loss or damage to the insured claimant.’” Storlie
thus implied that, without a proof of loss, Stewart Title had no information to indicate
whether the adverse claim was one that would result in no damage at all to San Jacinto Z.
              However, we have located on our own a couple of items of interest which
show that Stewart Title did have information on the point. In support of its motion for
summary judgment, Stewart Title provided the declaration of one of its attorneys, Anand
Singh. Attached to that declaration was a copy of a letter dated September 25, 2007 from
Attorney Robert Garrett, representing Stewart Title,14 to Attorney Robert Muller,
representing San Jacinto Z. In that letter, Attorney Garrett described a September 21,
2007 meeting between himself, Attorney Muller and Zuckerman. Attorney Garrett

14             Attorney Garrett refers to his client simply as “Stewart Title,” without
differentiating between Stewart Title Guaranty Company and Stewart Title of California,
Inc.

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stated: “[D]uring the course of that discussion Mr. Zuckerman noted that in an eminent
domain proceeding [Pacific Horizon] asserted that it has a $7 million claim with priority
over San Jacinto Z’s claim to the proceeds deposited by the governmental agency into the
eminent domain proceeding, which Mr. Zuckerman advised are in the range of $300,000.
I understand this to constitute a tender by San Jacinto Z of its defense in connection with
the eminent domain proceedings.”
                 So, on the date of tender, Stewart Title was informed that Pacific Horizon
was asserting that it had a $7 million claim with priority over the claim of San Jacinto Z,
vis-à-vis a mere $300,000 deposit for just compensation. Given that, it is hard to say that
Stewart Title had no information to indicate whether San Jacinto Z could potentially
suffer a monetary loss as a result of the adverse claim of Pacific Horizon. The
information indicated that there was at least $300,000 in just compensation in issue and
that Pacific Horizon was claiming all of it, and then some.
                 Section 5 of the title policy provides in pertinent part: “[A] proof of loss or
damage signed and sworn to by each insured claimant shall be furnished to the Company
within 90 days after the insured claimant shall ascertain the facts giving rise to the loss or
damage. . . . If the Company is prejudiced by the failure of a claimant to provide the
required proof of loss or damage, the Company’s obligations to such insured under the
policy shall terminate, including any liability or obligation to defend . . . .” (Italics
added.)
                 By the terms of the title policy, then, Stewart Title has no obligation to
defend if the insured fails to provide a proof of loss and Stewart Title is prejudiced by
that failure. However, the September 25, 2007 letter in and of itself shows there was a
factual question as to whether Stewart Title was prejudiced. Consequently, the court
erred in granting summary judgment on the basis of San Jacinto Z’s failure to submit a
proof of loss.

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                                             III
                                       DISPOSITION
              The judgment of dismissal is reversed as to Stewart Title Guaranty
Company and the matter is remanded to the trial court for further proceedings consistent
with this opinion. In the interests of justice, each party shall bear its own costs on appeal.

                                                   MOORE, J.

WE CONCUR:

RYLAARSDAM, ACTING P. J.

BEDSWORTH, J.

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