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County of Boise v. Idaho Counties Risk Management Program
151 Idaho 901
Idaho
2011
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Background

  • County Boise sued in federal court alleging FHA violations; ICRMP declined to defend under policy terms.
  • Policy provides defense for covered claims and errors and omissions coverage with defined 'Wrongful Act' and several exclusions.
  • Alamar's complaint alleged planning/zoning actions violated the FHA and sought damages; district court found coverage excluded by land use regulation exclusion.
  • District court held no duty to defend due to policy exclusion for land use regulation/planning and zoning activities; found no resurrection via Exclusion Sixteen.
  • On appeal, court affirms district court, ruling land use exclusion bars coverage and Exclusion Sixteen does not resurrect coverage.

Issues

Issue Plaintiff's Argument Defendant's Argument Held
Does land use regulation/planning and zoning exclusion bar coverage? Alamar's FHA claims could be covered; exclusion not expressly tied to civil rights. Exclusion plainly covers land use regulation; claims arise from land use decisions. Yes, the land use exclusion bars coverage.
Does Exclusion Sixteen resurrect coverage for civil rights claims? Exclusion allows coverage to be revived for tort/civil rights claims. Exclusion Sixteen does not revive coverage; would nullify other exclusions. No, Exclusion Sixteen does not resurrect coverage.

Key Cases Cited

  • Hoyle v. Utica Mut. Ins. Co., 137 Idaho 367, 48 P.3d 1256 (2002) (Idaho 2002) (duty to defend depends on potential coverage from complaint)
  • Martel v. Bulotti, 138 Idaho 451, 65 P.3d 192 (2003) (Idaho 2003) (summary judgment standard; standard of review for legal rulings)
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Case Details

Case Name: County of Boise v. Idaho Counties Risk Management Program
Court Name: Idaho Supreme Court
Date Published: Nov 30, 2011
Citation: 151 Idaho 901
Docket Number: 37861
Court Abbreviation: Idaho