Judge Upholds $21-Million Award Won by Wescal Credit Insurance
- Share via
An Orange County Superior Court judge refused to reduce a $21.7-million judgment that a Costa Mesa credit insurance company won against an Agoura-based insurer for breaking contractual duties.
Judge Claude M. Owens let stand the July 30 award to Wescal Credit Insurance in a case it filed three years ago against Heritage Life Insurance Co.
Wescal was in the business of selling insurance policies guaranteeing homeowners that their mortgages would be paid off in case they died. The policies were underwritten by Heritage.
Wescal alleged that Heritage violated its agreement and did not pay money owed under the contract. Wescal went out of business in 1990.
G. Emmett Raitt Jr., a Costa Mesa lawyer for Heritage, said he thought the award should have been reduced because “the damages were grossly excessive.” He said Heritage plans to appeal.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the still unknown.
NPR climate editor Sadie Babits talks about why the media has long overlooked the climate crisis, and how that’s starting to change.
