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HomeEvidence CodeDiv. 9Ch. 3§ 1152 Compromise Evidence Inadmissibility

§ 1152 Compromise Evidence Inadmissibility

Evidence Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1152 Compromise Evidence Inadmissibility

This law says that offers to settle or compromise a claim cannot be used as proof that someone is liable for the loss, except in limited situations like bad faith insurance cases.

Key Takeaways

  • •Settlement offers are generally not admissible as evidence of liability.
  • •Only in certain insurance bad‑faith cases can such offers be used, and only if requested.
  • •The rule does not block evidence that proves a claim is valid or shows a new duty to pay.

Example

A neighbor offers to pay part of the cost to fix a broken fence after an accident, hoping to settle the dispute.

The neighbor's offer cannot be used in court to show they are responsible for the damage; only in special insurance bad‑faith cases can the offer be used, and then only if the other side asks for it.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1152 Compromise Evidence Inadmissibility

(a) Evidence that a person has, in compromise or from humanitarian motives, furnished or offered or promised to furnish money or any other thing, act, or service to another who has sustained or will sustain or claims that he or she has sustained or will sustain loss or damage, as well as any conduct or statements made in negotiation thereof, is inadmissible to prove his or her liability for the loss or damage or any part of it. (b) In the event that evidence of an offer to compromise is admitted in an action for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing or violation of subdivision (h) of Section 790.03 of the Insurance Code, then at the request of the party against whom the evidence is admitted, or at the request of the party who made the offer to compromise that was admitted, evidence relating to any other offer or counteroffer to compromise the same or substantially the same claimed loss or damage shall also be admissible for the same purpose as the initial evidence regarding settlement. Other than as may be admitted in an action for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing or violation of subdivision (h) of Section 790.03 of the Insurance Code, evidence of settlement offers shall not be admitted in a motion for a new trial, in any proceeding involving an additur or remittitur, or on appeal. (c) This section does not affect the admissibility of evidence of any of the following: (1) Partial satisfaction of an asserted claim or demand without questioning its validity when such evidence is offered to prove the validity of the claim. (2) A debtor’s payment or promise to pay all or a part of his or her preexisting debt when such evidence is offered to prove the creation of a new duty on his or her part or a revival of his or her preexisting duty. (Amended by Stats. 1987, Ch. 496, Sec. 1.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Related Statutes

  • § 1150 Jury Verdict Impeachment Evidence
  • § 1151 Post-Accident Safety Measures
  • § 1153 Withdrawn Guilty Plea Evidence
  • § 1153.5 Civil Resolution Offer Evidence
  • § 1154 Settlement Negotiation Evidence Rule

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 1152.
View Official Source