Prahl

I. BACKGROUND

On September 11, 2023, Prahl filed his petition to compel arbitration of an uninsured motorist claim. The petition alleged he was involved in a multiple vehicle accident in March 2016 while insured by Allstate with a policy that contained uninsured motorist coverage. The available insurance proceeds from two drivers at fault were insufficient to fully compensate Prahl for the injuries and damages he suffered. Prahl settled with these drivers and then sought to initiate arbitration of his underinsured motorist claim. Allstate agreed to arbitration on May 29, 2018. Arbitration was scheduled for November 2022 but was continued based on Prahl’s counsel’s unavailability. In August 2023, Prahl’s counsel contacted counsel for Allstate to reset the arbitration. Allstate asserted that the five-year limitation set forth in Insurance Code section 11580.2, subdivision (i), had expired in May 2023. This petition followed, and Prahl submitted a memorandum of points and authorities therewith explaining his position that Emergency Rule 10 extended the deadline to conclude arbitration by six months. On October 3, 2023, Prahl filed a “notice of non opposition” arguing that any…