Great American Insurance Company v. Rodger May

23-35024

April 26, 2024
No Coverage For Treasure Hunter's IP Row, 9th Circ. Rules

Great American Insurance Co. had no coverage obligations over a $7.5 million settlement stemming from a treasure hunter's claims that his former partners refused to hand over maps and other intellectual property after they parted ways, the Ninth Circuit ruled Friday, finding the treasure hunter didn't allege insurable, accidental conduct.
March 29, 2024
9th Circ. Critical Of Treasure Hunter's Insurance Appeal

A Ninth Circuit panel expressed doubt Friday that a treasure hunter could get an insurer to pay him a $7.5 million settlement over a soured shipwreck salvaging expedition, suggesting his ex-partners' refusal to hand over vital maps was an intentional act to keep him from striking gold — not an accident covered by insurance.
July 25, 2023
Don't Salvage Treasure Hunter's Coverage Bid, 9th Circ. Told

Great American Insurance Co. told the Ninth Circuit not to salvage a treasure hunter's bid to have it pay a $7.5 million settlement, arguing that an underlying dispute over his attempts to surface gold lost in a 1901 shipwreck did not involve any covered damages.
April 27, 2023
Treasure Hunter Continues Search For Coverage In 9th Circ.

A treasure hunter is asking the Ninth Circuit to give him another shot at suing Great American Insurance Co. to make the insurer cover his underlying lawsuit in a dispute over gold lost in a shipwreck 122 years ago.