Erie Indemnity Company, as the Attorney-In-Fact for the Subscribers at Erie Insurance Exchange v. The Estate of Brian L. Harris, By Its Special Representative, Laura Harris , 80 N.E.3d 923 ( 2017 )

FILED
Jul 31 2017, 5:34 am
CLERK
Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
and Tax Court
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEES
Mark R. Smith Michael J. Anderson
Donna H. Fisher Scott M. Keller
Smith Fisher Maas Howard & Tracey S. Schafer
Lloyd P.C. Anderson, Agostino & Keller, P.C.
Indianapolis, Indiana South Bend, Indiana
ATTORNEY FOR AMICUS CURIAE
INSURANCE INSTITUTE OF INDIANA, INC.
Bryan H. Babb
Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Erie Indemnity Company, as the
Attorney-In-Fact for the July 31, 2017
Subscribers at Erie Insurance Court of Appeals Case No.
Exchange, 46A03-1606-CT-1261
Appellant-Defendant/Counterclaimant, Appeal from the
LaPorte Superior Court
v.
The Honorable
Richard R. Stalbrink, Jr., Judge
The Estate of Brian L. Harris, By
Its Special Representative, Laura Trial Court Cause No.
Harris, and Anna Marie Harris, 46D02-1511-CT-2015
Spouse of Brian L. Harris,
Deceased,
Appellees-Plaintiffs/Counterdefendants.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 46A03-1606-CT-1261 | July 31, 2017 Page 1 of 16
Kirsch, Judge.
[1] Erie Indemnity Company, as the Attorney-In-Fact for the Subscribers at Erie
Insurance Exchange (together, “Erie”),1 appeals the trial court’s summary
judgment decision in favor of the widow and estate of Brian L. Harris. On
appeal, Erie raises the following restated issue: Whether the trial court erred as
a matter of law by finding that the uninsured motorist insurance issued to Brian
L. Harris’s (“Brian”) employer, as part of its commercial auto fleet policy that
covered Brian’s take-home car, provided coverage when Brian, while off duty
and cutting his own lawn on a riding mower, was struck and killed by a car
driven by an uninsured motorist.
[2] We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History2
[3] On August 6, 2010, Brian was on a riding lawnmower, cutting grass at his
Goshen, Indiana home, when, while close to the road, he was struck and killed
by Noel M. Sparks (“Sparks”), who was driving a 1974 Chevy truck (“Chevy”).
Sparks had borrowed the Chevy with the permission of its owners, Brent and
Jamie Stouder (together, “the Stouders”). At the time of the accident, Sparks
1
Because Erie Indemnity Company and Erie Insurance Exchange appear to be one entity for purposes of this
appeal, a reference to Erie is a reference to either or both entities unless otherwise stated.
2
We held oral argument on June 21, 2017 at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Executive
Management. We thank counsel for their preparation and argument, and we commend them on their
outstanding advocacy. We also thank the students for their insightful questions and comments posed after,
but not specifically related to, the oral argument.
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was driving on a suspended license and was under the influence of illegal drugs.
Because Sparks was operating the vehicle as an unlicensed driver, the Stouders’
insurance on the Chevy did not apply to the accident; accordingly, Sparks was
deemed to be an uninsured motorist.
[4] Brian, who was the husband of Anna Marie Harris (“Anna Marie”),3 had
worked since January 1993 for Formco Inc. (“Formco”), a plastic design and
manufacturing company in Elkhart County. During his employment, Brian
drove a company-owned vehicle as his primary transportation for both business
and personal uses. In August 2010, Brian’s vehicle was a 2004 Toyota pickup
truck (“Toyota”).4
[5] In December 1993, Formco submitted an application to Erie requesting
Commercial Non-Fleet/Fleet Auto coverage. In Section 10 of that application,
Formco was required to list: (1) the vehicles for which coverage was requested;
and (2) each driver’s name and license number exactly “as it appears on the
driver’s license.” Appellant’s App. Vol. 2 at 139. Brian’s name was submitted as
one of only three named drivers in a policy that covered eleven vehicles. The
other drivers listed were David Slagel, President of Formco, and Jean
Woodworth, whose position was not provided. On December 11, 1993, Erie
3
Both parties incorrectly refer to Brian’s wife as “Anne Marie.” It is clear from her own affidavit that Brian’s
wife is “Anna Marie.” Appellant’s App. Vol. 3 at 162-63.
4
In a sworn affidavit submitted to the trial court, Anna Marie stated that, during the time Brian used the
Toyota for both business and personal transportation needs, he “did not own a vehicle which he regularly
used for personal transportation.” Appellant’s App. Vol. 3 at 163
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issued a Commercial Auto Policy to Formco as the sole “Named Insured,”
designating the autos that were covered, but mentioning nothing about
individual drivers.5 That policy was renewed each year, and vehicles were
added and deleted as needed. The policy that was in effect at the time of the
accident was the sixteenth renewal (“the Policy”) and covered the term from
December 11, 2009 to December 11, 2010. The Policy included an
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Endorsement – Indiana (“UM
Endorsement”),6 which supplied coverage limits of $1,000,000 per accident, and
listed the Toyota as one of Formco’s scheduled vehicles. Brian paid no
premiums and was not a named insured under the Policy. Norman C. Flick,
the Section Supervisor, Commercial Property and Casualty Underwriting, for
the Commercial Lines and Reinsurance Division of Erie Insurance Exchange,
submitted an affidavit, as designated evidence, stating, “Brian was not listed as
a ‘named insured’ or an ‘additional insured’ in any of the renewals’
Declarations Pages; nor was Brian’s name listed anywhere in the renewals’
Declarations Pages. Rather, Brian was identified in [Erie]’s underwriting
5
Erie contends, “If Formco or Brian had ever asked Erie to add Brian to the Policy or renewals as a “named
insured” or “additional insured,” Erie would have declined such a request – Erie’s underwriting guidelines do
not permit it to add an employee such as Brian as a “named insured” or “additional insured” to a
commercial auto policy issued to a named insured which is a corporation such as Formco.” Appellant’s Br. at
13 (citing Appellant’s App. Vol. 4 at 44).
6
Because we are only concerned with the uninsured motorist coverage, we use the term “UM
Endorsement.”
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records as a ‘scheduled driver’ under the Policy.” Appellant’s App. Vol. 3 at 80;
Appellant’s App. Vol. 4. at 44.
[6] Following Brian’s death, his estate submitted a claim to Erie seeking damages
for bodily injury under the Policy’s UM coverage. Erie denied that claim by
letter dated September 6, 2010. In that denial letter, Erie asserted that UM
coverage was unavailable because: (1) Brian did not meet the definition of a
named insured “you,” as defined in the Policy; and (2) Brian was not using or
occupying an auto insured by the Policy at the time of the accident.
[7] Brian’s estate and Anna Marie (together “the Estate”) filed a Complaint for
Damages and Declaratory Judgment in Elkhart Superior Court (Case No.
20D03-1107-CT-11) (“Complaint”) on July 8, 2011.7 The Complaint set forth
the following counts: Count I alleged negligent operation of a motor vehicle by
Sparks; Count II alleged negligent entrustment by the Stouders of their Chevy
to Sparks; and Count III sought declaratory judgment to determine whether the
Policy’s UM insurance covered the damages that the Estate had suffered from
the August 6, 2010 motor vehicle accident. In addition to its answer, Erie filed
a counterclaim against the Estate.8
7
The Complaint was initially filed by Brian’s estate and Brian’s daughter Laura Harris, in her capacity as
both Special Representative of the Estate and Individually. The Complaint was filed against Sparks, the
Stouders, and Erie Exchange. Thereafter, however, Anna Marie was substituted as the real party in interest
in the place of Laura, acting individually, and Erie Indemnity Company, as the Attorney-in-Fact for the
Subscribers at Erie Exchange was substituted as the real party in interest in the place of Erie Exchange.
8
Following recusal by a judge of the Elkhart Superior Court, the case was assigned to a special judge in La
Porte Superior Court (Case No. 46D02-1511-CT-2015).
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[8] Erie also filed a motion for summary judgment as to Count III, seeking
declaratory judgment that the Policy did not provide UM coverage9 and its
designation of evidence. Following full briefing, the trial court held a hearing
on the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment and, on April 11, 2016,
issued its interlocutory order denying Erie’s motion for summary judgment and
granting the Estate’s cross-motion for summary judgment (“SJ Order”). In the
SJ Order, the trial court addressed the liability issues and determined that the
Estate was entitled to recover for Brian’s accident under the Policy’s UM
Endorsement; however, the trial court did not address the damages issue. In an
Agreed Entry, dated May 12, 2016, the parties stipulated “as to the damage
issues,”10 but only “pursuant to a full and complete reservation of their
respective appellate rights in connection with the appeal of the liability issues
determined by the Court’s [SJ Order.]” Appellant’s App. Vol. 4 at 184. Erie now
appeals.11
9
Erie’s Counterclaim also requested declaratory judgment that the Auto Medical Payments Endorsement in
the Policy did not apply to the accident. Apparently, the Estate had submitted a claim for auto medical
payment, which Erie had denied. It appears that the Estate did not address this coverage in its complaint,
focusing, instead, on the UM coverage.
10
The parties agreed that, upon a finding of liability, the Estate was entitled to $1,000,000 under the Policy’s
UM coverage and $160,000 of prejudgment interest. Appellant’s App. Vol. 4 at 184.
11
“On November 24, 2011, there was a judgment that was entered finding liability against Mr. Sparks and
damages of $4,643,295.” Tr. at 31. The Stouders and Sparks, who is currently incarcerated, do not
participate in this appeal.
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Discussion and Decision
Standard of Review
[9] On appeal from a grant of summary judgment, our standard of review is the
same as that of the trial court. FLM, LLC v. Cincinnati Ins. Co., 973 N.E.2d
1167, 1173 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans. denied. We stand in the shoes of the trial
court and apply a de novo standard of review. Id. Our review of a summary
judgment motion is limited to those materials designated to the trial court, and
summary judgment is appropriate only where the designated evidence shows
there are no genuine issues of material fact and the moving party is entitled to
judgment as a matter of law. Ind. Trial Rule 56(C), (H); FLM, 973 N.E.2d at
1173. We view the pleadings and designated materials in the light most
favorable to the non-moving party. FLM, 973 N.E.2d at 1173. Additionally, all
facts and reasonable inferences from those facts are construed in favor of the
nonmoving party. Id.
[10] A trial court’s grant of summary judgment is clothed with a presumption of
validity, and the party who lost in the trial court has the burden of
demonstrating that the grant of summary judgment was erroneous. Id. Where
a trial court enters specific findings and conclusions, they offer insight into the
rationale for the trial court's judgment and facilitate appellate review, but are
not binding upon this court. Id. We will affirm upon any theory or basis
supported by the designated materials. Id. Here, the parties filed cross-motions
for summary judgment, however, that does not alter our standard of review. Id.
at 1173-74. “Instead, we must consider each motion separately to determine
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whether the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Id. at
1174.
[11] At issue in this case is whether a term of the Policy, regarding whether Brian is
protected by the Policy’s UM coverage, is ambiguous. Insurance policies are
governed by the same rules of construction as other contracts, and their
interpretation is a question of law. Bradshaw v. Chandler, 916 N.E.2d 163, 166
(Ind. 2009). “When interpreting an insurance policy, our goal is to ascertain
and enforce the parties’ intent as manifested in the insurance contract. We
construe the insurance policy as a whole and consider all of the provisions of
the contract and not just the individual words, phrases or paragraphs.” Buckeye
State Mut. Ins. Co. v. Carfield, 914 N.E.2d 315, 318 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009), trans.
denied. Further, we “seek to harmonize the provisions, rather than leave them
in conflict.” Erie Ins. Exch. v. Sams, 20 N.E.3d 182, 188 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014),
trans. denied. “[W]here, as here, we interpret an endorsement to an insurance
policy, the endorsement ‘must be read together, construed, and reconciled with
the policy to give effect to the whole.’” Masten v. AMCO Ins. Co., 953 N.E.2d
566, 569 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011) (quoting Stevenson v. Hamilton Mut. Ins. Co., 672
N.E.2d 467, 473 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996), trans. denied), trans. denied. “We construe
the policy and relevant endorsements from the perspective of ‘an ordinary
policyholder of average intelligence,’ and if ‘reasonably intelligent people may
interpret the policy’s language differently,’ the policy is ambiguous.” Id.(quoting Bradshaw, 916 N.E.2d at 166). “If there is an ambiguity, we construe
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 46A03-1606-CT-1261 | July 31, 2017 Page 8 of 16
the policy strictly against the insurer.” Milbank Ins. Co. v. Indiana Ins. Co., 56
N.E.3d 1222, 1229 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016).
[12] Pursuant to Indiana Code section 27-7-5-2, insurance companies must provide
UM coverage in all existing or newly issued automobile policies up to the
policy limits, unless such coverage is rejected in writing. Liberty Mut. Fire Ins.
Co. v. Beatty, 870 N.E.2d 546, 549 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). The UM Endorsement
in Erie’s Policy reads, in pertinent part: 12
OUR PROMISE
We will pay damages for bodily injury and property damage that
the law entitles you or your legal representative to recover from
the owner or operator of an uninsured motor vehicle or
underinsured motor vehicle.
Damages must result from a motor vehicle accident arising out of
the ownership or use of the uninsured motor vehicle or
underinsured motor vehicle as a motor vehicle and involve:
1. bodily injury to you or others we protect. Bodily injury means
physical harm, sickness, disease or resultant death to a person; or
2. when purchased – property damage, meaning destruction of or
injury to . . . .
OTHERS WE PROTECT
1. Any relative, if you are an individual.
12
The UM Endorsement begins with a Definitions section that defines uninsured motor vehicle and
underinsured motor vehicle and explains what each of those terms “does not include.” That language is
omitted here because the parties agree that Sparks drove an uninsured motor vehicle.
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2. Anyone else, while occupying any owned auto we insure
other than one being used without the permission of the owner.
3. Anyone else who is entitled to recover damages because of
bodily injury to any person protected by this coverage.
....
LIMITATIONS ON OUR DUTY TO PAY
What we Do Not Cover - Exclusions
This insurance does not apply to:
....
7. injury sustained by anyone we protect while occupying or
struck as a pedestrian by an uninsured or underinsured motor
vehicle which is owned by you or a relative.
Appellant’s App. Vol. 2 at 118-19 (emphasis in original).
[13] The first part of the Policy set forth Definitions, which were prefaced with the
phrase: “Throughout your policy and its endorsement forms, the following words have
a special meaning when they appear in bold type[.]” Appellant’s App. Vol. 2 at 93.
The pertinent terms for the UM coverage defined in the Policy are “we, us, our,
and The ERIE,” “you, your, or Named Insured,” “individual,” “anyone we
protect,” “autos we insure,” and “owned auto.” Id. at 93-95, 108. The key
term at issue here is “others we protect” as used in the following paragraph
under OUR PROMISE:
Damages must result from a motor vehicle accident arising out of
the ownership or use of the uninsured motor vehicle or
underinsured motor vehicle as a motor vehicle and involve:
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1. bodily injury to you or others we protect. Bodily injury means
physical harm, sickness, disease or resultant death to a person[.]
Id. at 118 (underlining added). “Others we protect” is not defined in the Policy.
[14] Here, the question is whether the UM coverage allows the Estate to recover
damages in connection with Brian’s death. The parties disagree regarding their
interpretation of “others we protect.” Appellant’s App. Vol. 3 at 118. Erie
emphasizes that the phrase “others we protect” is used only in the UM
Endorsement and that the description following the heading OTHERS WE
PROTECT is set forth in the very next paragraph. Erie argues that a
reasonable person reading that section would conclude that the term “others we
protect” is defined by the language under the heading OTHERS WE
PROTECT, a heading under which neither Brian nor the Estate falls.
[15] The Estate’s position focuses on: (1) Policy language found in the Definitions
section of the Indiana Endorsement -- “Words and phrases in bold type are used as
defined in [the Indiana Endorsement]. If a word or phrase in bold type is not defined in
this endorsement, then the word or phrase is defined in the DEFINITIONS Section of the
policy,” Appellant’s App. Vol. 3 at 107; and (2) Policy language found in the UM
Endorsement -- “Words in bold type are used as defined in the policy or in this
form.” Id. at 118. Erie admits that words in the Policy that appear in bold type
have special defined meanings. Appellant’s App. Vol. 3 at 140. The Estate notes
that this phrase does not appear in bold anywhere in the Policy and argues that
the absence of this phrase in the Definitions section and the UM Endorsement
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contravenes Erie’s contention that “others we protect” is a defined term under
the OUR PROMISE section of the UM Endorsement. Appellee’s Br. at 35.
Accordingly, the Estate argues that the phrase “others we protect” is
ambiguous because the phrase is not bold and, therefore, not defined. Appellee’s
Br. at 31. The Estate asserts that Brian falls within the category “others we
protect” because Erie admits that, under certain circumstances, Brian “could
have rights to uninsured motorist bodily injury . . . coverage” under the UM
Endorsement. Appellant’s App. Vol. 3 at 143.
[16] Erie contends that the only person who meets the definition of “you” is
Formco. Appellant’s App. Vol. 3 at 152. Formco is a corporate entity, not a
living person capable of sustaining personal injuries in an accident with an
uninsured motorist. Id. Erie admits that there are no circumstances under
which Formco could ever claim entitlement to coverage under the UM
Endorsement for personal injury resulting from an accident involving an
uninsured or underinsured motor vehicle. Id. at 153. Thus, as written, the
coverage the UM Endorsement purports to provide to “you,” is illusory because
there are no circumstances under which Formco could ever make a claim for
bodily injury under the UM Endorsement. Here, finding that the Estate can
recover under the UM Endorsement for Brian’s bodily injury, advances the
public policy of providing coverage to those protected by an insurance policy.
[17] When reviewing insurance policy language, “If the language [in an
insurance policy] is clear and unambiguous, [courts] give the language its
plain and ordinary meaning.” Masten, 953 N.E.2d at 569 (citation omitted);
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see also, Tate v. Secura Ins., 587 N.E.2d 665, 668 (Ind. 1992). “An ambiguity
exists where a provision is susceptible to more than one interpretation and
reasonable persons would differ as to its meaning.” Id. at 569-570 (citation
omitted); see also, Eli Lilly & Co. v. Home Ins. Co., 482 N.E.2d 467, 470 (Ind.
1985).
[18] We agree with the trial court that the phrase “others we protect” is
“susceptible to more than one interpretation” where reasonable people, or in
this case reasonable lawyers, “would differ as to its meaning.” Here,
reasonable people differ as to the meaning of the policy language, as shown
through the parties’ many brief filings, oral arguments, and the SJ Order.
Both Erie’s argument -- that the Estate and Brian are not covered because
they do not qualify as “you” or “others we protect” as defined by the policy
-- and the Estate’s argument -- that the Estate and Brian do qualify as
“others we protect” because the phrase “others we protect” is not all bolded
and is not expressly defined – are reasonable. Therefore, the language
providing coverage for “others we protect” is ambiguous.
[19] Generally, where the terms of a policy are ambiguous, we construe the
ambiguity strictly against the insurer.” Milbank Ins., 56 N.E.3d at 1229.
Erie argues that Brian was not a named insured when he made his claim
against the Policy for UM coverage, and therefore, we must give a neutral
construction to ambiguities in the policy language because he was claiming
coverage as a third party to the agreement. See Empire Fire v. Frierson, 49
N.E.3d 1075, 1079 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016) (dispute between third-party
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claimant and insurer requires determination of general intent of contract
from neutral stance).
[20] In Argonaut Ins. Co. v. Jones, 953 N.E.2d 608, 615 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011), trans.
denied, our court observed that the factor distinguishing cases in “which we
apply a neutral stance. . . appears to be that the party that was seeking to
benefit . . . was not a party to the contract.” Id. (citing Burkett v. Am. Family
Ins. Grp., 737 N.E.2d 447, 452 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000) (citing Indiana
Lumbermens Mut. Ins. Co. v. Statesman Ins. Co., 260 Ind. 32, 291 N.E.2d 897(1973), and Am. Family Mutual Ins. Co. v. Nat’l Ins. Ass’n, 577 N.E.2d 969(Ind. Ct. App. 1991))). Whether the claimant was a party to the policy is
not dispositive. We agree with the Argonaut Court, that a more helpful
distinction lies in whether the “claimants to the insurance policy were
strangers to the policyholders entirely.” Id. at 615-16.
[21] Here, Brian was not a stranger to either the insurer or the insured. Brian
had been Formco’s employee for more than seventeen years and was one of
only three drivers listed on the application for a commercial policy
purchased to cover more than eleven vehicles. Erie knew of Brian because
it calculated Formco’s premium by using the information that Brian was a
scheduled driver, along with Jean Woodworth and David Slagel, President
of Formco.
[22] Because Brian was not a stranger to the policy and fit squarely within the
class of individuals that the policy was intended to benefit, we reject a
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neutral reading and construe the ambiguity against Erie. We recognize that
the term “others we protect” is neither bolded nor listed in any of the
definitions in the Policy. If that phrase was intended to be a specifically
defined phrase, it needed to appear completely in bold, instead of just
“other we protect.” Moreover, the complete phrase must have been set
forth as a definition. As such, we find that Brian, who Erie agrees has
protection under the Policy, falls within the group of “others we protect.”
See Milbank Ins., 56 N.E.3d at 1229. Here, the Estate can recover UM
damages in this wrongful death suit, because, under the terms of the UM
Endorsement, the Estate falls within the category that allows recovery to
“Anyone else who is entitled to recover damages because of bodily injury to
any person protected by this coverage.” Appellant’s App. Vol. 2 at 118.
[23] Concluding that Brian falls within the category of “others we protect,” the
question remains whether the UM Endorsement provides coverage to Brian
when he is outside a scheduled vehicle, e.g., when he is a pedestrian. We
find that it does. The UM Endorsement expressly excludes coverage for
injuries “sustained by anyone we protect while . . . struck as a pedestrian by
an uninsured or underinsured motor vehicle which is owned by you or a
relative.” Appellant’s App. Vol. 3 at 143. Erie would not have included this
exclusion unless it was necessary to set forth an exception to its general rule
that the UM Endorsement covers “others we protect” when they are
pedestrians. Brian was covered unless he was struck as a pedestrian by an
uninsured or underinsured vehicle owned by Formco.
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[24] Erie admitted that “the phrase ‘struck as a pedestrian’ includes ‘anyone we
protect’ who is struck by an ‘uninsured or underinsured motor vehicle’
when ‘anyone we protect’ is not inside an ‘uninsured’ or ‘underinsured
motor vehicle.’” Id. at 145. Here, Brian was struck while outside the
uninsured Chevy, which Formco did not own. We agree with the Estate
that the inclusion of this limitation leads to the conclusion that Brian had a
commensurate right to coverage when, as a pedestrian, he was struck by an
uninsured or underinsured vehicle like the Chevy, which Formco did not
own.
[25] Construing the ambiguous language against the insurer, we find that Brian
fell within the Policy’s UM coverage. There are no genuine issues of
material fact, and we affirm the trial court’s entry of summary judgment.
[26] Affirmed.
Robb, J., and Altice, J., concur.
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