Amber Heard believes she’s entitled to an insurance payout to help cover the $10.4 million a jury ordered her to pay Johnny Depp – but New York Marine and General Insurance Company says they’re not responsible, according to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles.
Heard was the owner of a personal $1,000,000 comprehensive liability policy with New York insurance in 2019. Depp sued Heard initially. “Aquaman”Actress in Virginia court for defamation. She submitted the case to New York Marine and General, which agreed to back her defense – but reminded her at the time that it would not indemnify a judgment, the suit alleges.
“An insurer is not liable for the loss caused by the willful act of the insured,”In its Friday filing at U.S. District Court, the company stated. Heard was found guilty by a jury. “willfully”Depp was defamed in a Washington Post opinion piece. Depp was then ordered to pay her $8.4 million after taking into account her $2 million counter-judgment.
Heard has said she will appeal the verdict — and that she can’t afford to pay the penalty. The result of the defamation case could be modified or thrown out if an appeals court agrees. And if Heard truly doesn’t have the assets to cover the bill, the former couple could tangle for several years, or even decades, to reach a settlement.
Depp can collect in a variety of ways, but must wait for the verdict. He can start that process in August. New York Marine and General didn’t specifically say Heard had formally filed a claim with the company – but it did say it’s aware that Team Heard believes they are entitled to an insurance payout.
“Plaintiff … alleges that Heard disputes Heard’s contention and asserts that the policy provides indemnity coverage,”The lawsuit states.
Heard’s attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, did not immediately return messages left Monday.
To pre-empt any claims that may be connected to the judgment, the company seeks a declaratory relief judgement.