Bartel

Filed 5/12/25 Bartel v. Chicago Title Insurance Company CA6

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.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

SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

RICHARD BARTEL, H052083

(Santa Cruz County Plaintiff and Appellant, Super. Ct. No. 16CV02814)

v.

CHICAGO TITLE INSURANCE

COMPANY,

Defendant and Appellant.

This title insurance action centers on the scope of an insurer’s duty to defend a policy holder in litigation when it is not clear whether the policy covers the underlying dispute. Plaintiff Richard Bartel bought a property in rural Santa Cruz County to enjoy a quiet retirement. The property was so rural that no public roads connected to it. Bartel accessed the nearest public road by using a private road that traversed the property of his neighbors to the west. Bartel…