Bond Safeguard Insurance Co. v. Wisteria Corp. ( 2013 )

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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
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BOND SAFEGUARD INSURANCE ) NO. 67663-6-1 r"l
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WISTERIA CORPORATION, a
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UNPUBLISHED OPINION
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Washington corporation, and CHRIS )
HATCH and STACIE HATCH, )
husband and wife and the marital )
community composed thereof, )
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Appellants. ) FILED: February 25, 2013
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LEACH, C.J. - Wisteria Corporation, Chris Hatch, and Stacie Hatch
(collectively Wisteria) appeal the trial court's grant of summary judgment in favor
of Bond Safeguard Insurance Company for breach of an indemnity contract and
its denial of Wisteria's motion for reconsideration. Bond Safeguard furnished
bonds for Wisteria Corporation's timber sale contracts with the Washington State
Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Wisteria claims that Bond Safeguard
failed to investigate properly DNR's claims before settling with the agency and
seeking indemnification. Because Wisteria fails to show that a genuine issue of
material fact exists regarding Bond Safeguard's right to indemnification, we
affirm.
NO. 67663-6-1/2
FACTS
In 2005, Wisteria Corporation, a logging company, signed two timber sale
contracts-Wombat SWT1 and Turtle Pole 2-with DNR. Both contracts permitted
Wisteria to purchase, cut, and remove certain timber by a particular date and
under specific circumstances. The contracts contained similar dispute resolution
provisions.
DNR required Wisteria to secure payment and performance bonds for
each contract. Bond Safeguard agreed to furnish bonds on Wisteria's behalf.
Wisteria signed an indemnity agreement with Bond Safeguard. With the
agreement, Wisteria promised to
indemnify and save the Company harmless from and against every
claim, demand, liability, cost, charge, suit, judgment and expense
which the Company may pay or incur in consequence of having
executed, or procured the execution of, such bonds, ... including
fees of attorneys ... and the expense of procuring, or attempting to
procure, release from liability, or in bringing suit to enforce the
obligation of any of the lndemnitors under this Agreement. In the
event of payment by the Company, the lndemnitors agree to accept
the voucher or other evidence of such payment as prima facie
evidence of the propriety thereof, and of the Indemnitor's liability
therefore to the Company.
The indemnity agreement also contained a "right to settle" provision: "The
Company shall have the exclusive right to determine for itself and the
1
The contract authorized Wisteria to log approximately 177 acres in
Skagit County.
2
The contract authorized Wisteria to log approximately 141 acres in
Kittitas County.
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NO. 67663-6-1/ 3
lndemnitors whether any claim or suit brought against the Company or the
Principal upon any such bond shall be settled or defended and its decision shall
be binding and conclusive upon the lndemnitors." Additionally, in the agreement,
Wisteria waived its right to receive notice of Bond Safeguard's intent to settle any
claims made against the bonds.
Wisteria Corporation's contracts with DNR required DNR to approve any
operations outside the designated timber sale boundaries. Before harvesting,
Wisteria would mark the trees, and DNR would approve them before their
removal. Under the Turtle Pole contract, after inspecting Unit #1, DNR gave
Wisteria 130 pole tags, indicating approval to harvest that number of trees. On
September 21, 2006, DNR issued a stop work order to Wisteria after the
company failed to pay for the pole tags. On September 27, DNR notified
Wisteria that although DNR approved and issued pole tags to remove 130 poles
from Unit #1, Wisteria "cut and removed a total of 241 poles in Unit #1, which is
an excess of 111 poles that you were not authorized to remove." At that time,
DNR also suspended Wisteria's operations. On October 4, DNR sent another
letter to Wisteria, effectively terminating the Turtle Pole contract for failure to
comply with its terms. On March 15, 2007, DNR notified Wisteria that the
company had defaulted on the Wombat SWT contract.
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NO. 67663-6-1 I 4
In December 2006, DNR demanded payment from Bond Safeguard on the
Turtle Pole contract. In April 2007, DNR demanded payment on the Wombat
contract from Wisteria and then demanded payment from Bond Safeguard in
May after Wisteria failed to pay.
In September 2007, after Wisteria and Bond Safeguard failed to pay on
the contracts, DNR filed complaints with the Washington State Insurance
Commissioner and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional
Regulation, requesting action against Bond Safeguard. 3 Shortly thereafter, Bond
Safeguard settled the disputes with DNR. The sum of the bonds under the
Wombat contract was $22,000.00, but Bond Safeguard settled with DNR for
$17,007.64. The sum of the bonds under the Turtle Pole contract was
$27,000.00, and Bond Safeguard settled with DNR for that amount.
In December 2010, Bond Safeguard sued Wisteria for breach of the
indemnity contract. The trial court granted Bond Safeguard's motion for
summary judgment and denied Wisteria's subsequent motion for reconsideration.
Wisteria appeals.
3
Bond Safeguard's executive offices are located in Illinois.
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NO. 67663-6-1/ 5
STANDARD OF REVIEW
We review summary judgment orders de novo, engaging in the same
inquiry as the trial court. 4 Summary judgment is proper if, viewing the facts and
reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, no
genuine issues of material fact exist and the moving party is entitled to judgment
as a matter of laws A genuine issue of material fact exists if reasonable minds
could differ regarding the facts controlling the outcome of the litigation. 6 In
reviewing summary judgment orders, we consider supporting affidavits and other
admissible evidence based upon the affiant's personal knowledge_? "A party may
not rely on mere allegations, denials, opinions, or conclusory statements but,
rather must set forth specifics indicating material facts for trial." 8 We review the
denial of a motion for reconsideration for abuse of discretion. 9
ANALYSIS
Wisteria claims that Bond Safeguard is not entitled to indemnification
because it failed to reasonably investigate DNR's allegations before settling with
4
Michak v. Transnation Title Ins. Co., 148 Wn.2d 788, 794, 64 P.3d 22(2003).
5
CR 56( c); Michak, 148 Wn.2d at 794-95.
6
Hulbert v. Port of Everett, 159 Wn. App. 389, 398, 245 P.3d 779, review
denied, 171 Wn.2d 1024,257 P.3d 662 (2011).
7
lnt'l Ultimate, Inc. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 122 Wn. App. 736,
744, 87 p 3d 774 (2004).
8
lnt'l Ultimate, Inc., 122 Wn. App. at 744.
9
Brinnon Grp. v. Jefferson County, 159 Wn. App. 446, 485, 245 P.3d 789(2011) (citing Lilly v. Lynch, 88 Wn. App. 306, 321, 945 P.2d 727 (1997)).
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NO. 67663-6-1/6
the agency. The parties agree that under the terms of the indemnity contract,
Bond Safeguard had exclusive authority to settle with DNR. They also agree that
case law limits a surety's right to settle. The parties disagree, however, on the
applicable limits.
Washington law, in accord with a majority of jurisdictions, imposes upon a
surety a general duty of good faith. 10 Wisteria asks us to adopt a more stringent
limit on a surety's authority to settle, which it acknowledges a minority of
jurisdictions follow. Under the minority rule, a surety's actions must be made in
good faith and must also be reasonable. 11
Wisteria argues that Bond Safeguard did not meet either standard
because it failed to conduct a reasonable investigation into DNR's allegations
that Wisteria breached the timber sale contracts before settling with the agency
and seeking indemnification. Wisteria claims that "it had compelling defenses to
DNR's allegations, defenses which it explained ... to Bond Safeguard and was
pursuing resolution by terms of the contract with DNR." It also alleges, "Had an
10
Wellman & Zuck. Inc. v. Hartford Fire Ins. Co., 170 Wn. App. 666, 677,
285 P.3d 892 (2012), petition for review filed, No. 88066-2 (Wash. Nov. 6, 2012);
see PSE Consulting, Inc. v. Frank Mercede & Sons, Inc., 267 Conn. 279, 303,
838 A.2d 135 (2004) ('"(T]he weight of authority seems to be on the side of
recognizing a duty of good faith."' (quoting Troy L. Harris, Good Faith.
Suretyship, and the IUS Commune, 53 MERCER L. REV. 581, 587 (2002))).
11
Hartford v. Tanner, 22 Kan. App. 2d 64, 76, 910 P.2d 872 (1996); see
PSE Consulting, 267 Conn. at 303 n.12 ("We note that a minority of jurisdictions
have appraised surety conduct under a less forgiving standard, namely, one that
defines bad faith as conduct that was unreasonable or negligent.").
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NO. 67663-6-1/7
investigation occurred, ... Bond Safeguard would know whether DNR's claims
should or should not have been paid and/or Wisteria defenses prevail."
Additionally, Wisteria asserts, "Bond Safeguard settled the claims to protect itself
from regulatory sanctions calculating that it could demand reimbursement from
Wisteria later."
Bond Safeguard contends, "[H]ad Bond Safeguard not brought this matter
to a speedy resolution, all parties would be mired down in a morass of costly
litigation with DNR that would no doubt exceed the cost of DNR's original claim."
It states that it performed an "exhaustive evaluation of the contract documents,
extension agreements, correspondence and telephone conversations with DNR
officials and its attorneys, correspondence and telephone conversations with
Wisteria and its attorneys, and internal discussions between Bond Safeguard's
claims analysts and its attorneys who closely monitored the negotiations between
DNR and Wisteria." Based on its investigation, it concluded that Wisteria's
defenses "paled in comparison to the overwhelming evidence produced by DNR."
We do not need to address Wisteria's request for a change in the law.
Regardless of whether we apply a good faith or a reasonableness standard,
Wisteria's claim fails. Wisteria offers no evidence that Bond Safeguard acted
either in bad faith or unreasonably when it settled with DNR.
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NO. 67663-6-1 I 8
To support its argument that Bond Safeguard did not conduct a
reasonable investigation, Wisteria points to its objection to the settlement and
two alleged defenses to DNR's claim that Wisteria breached the timber sale
contracts. As a first defense, Wisteria contends that it did "not cut more poles
than the contract provided for." It claims, "The 130 pole estimate by DNR was
grossly inaccurate, Wisteria had, in fact, marked more than 240 trees." At oral
argument, however, counsel for Wisteria conceded that no evidence in the record
suggests that Wisteria did not breach the contracts with DNR. Counsel also
conceded that the record contains no substantive evidence that DNR made a
mistake when it alleged that Wisteria breached the timber sale contracts. Thus,
this defense is baseless.
As a second defense, Wisteria claims that DNR did not follow the
contractual dispute resolution procedure. The dispute resolution provision states,
Unless otherwise agreed, a conference will be held by the
Department Lands Steward within 30 calendar days of the receipt
of Purchaser's request for review of the Region Manager's written
decision. Purchaser and the Region Manager will have an
opportunity to present their positions. The Department Lands
Steward will issue a decision within a reasonable time of being
presented with both Parties' positions.
The DNR lands steward, R. Bruce Mackey, wrote a letter to Wisteria
refusing Wisteria's request for a hearing: "I ... feel that the region has been
more than reasonable in trying to find a solution to your contract default. I see no
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NO. 67663-6-1 I 9
reason to discuss this issue by phone tomorrow. I suggest you deal directly with
Mr. Boyum, Southeast Region Manager." In response to Wisteria's follow-up
letter to Boyum, Mackey wrote a letter to Wisteria acknowledging Wisteria's
request for dispute resolution under the contract:
It's DNR's position that the dispute resolution process was
invoked by Wisteria via a letter to Bill Boyum, our Southeast Region
Man[a]ger, dated October 5, 2006. An on-site meeting to discuss
the matters in dispute was scheduled and occurred on October 18,
2006. On October 31, 2006, written notification outlining terms for
resolution by Mr. Boyum was sent to Wisteria. According to the
process outlined in the dispute resolution clauses, Wisteria could
have appealed Mr. Boyum's decision to me, Lands Steward, in
writing within ten business days. It wasn't until November 20, 2006,
that I received a request, in writing, to meet with Wisteria.
I have considered your request and believe that the dispute
resolution process as required by the contract has run its course
and that there are no new issues raised by your letter of November
30, 2006, that will change our position in this matter. Should you
believe otherwise, DNR hereby waives any further requirements for
settlement via the dispute resolution clause. Any further disputes
will have to be held in a court of law.
This correspondence reveals that Wisteria, not DNR, did not comply with
the contract's defined dispute resolution process. Therefore, this alleged
defense is also meritless.
Wisteria cites the same letter to support its claim that Bond Safeguard did
not conduct a reasonable investigation into DNR's bond claims. It also relies
upon DNR's complaint to the Washington State Office of the Insurance
Commissioner, which stated,
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NO. 67663-6-1/10
Bond Safeguard has either: (1) not adopted standards for prompt
investigation of claims; (2) has adopted inadequate standards; or
(3) has adopted adequate standards but failed to follow them.
Bond Safeguard did not complete its investigation of this claim in 30
days. Bond Safeguard did not provide any reasonable explanation
for its failure to promptly investigate.
Bond Safeguard examined the total risk and expense involved in DNR's
claim and made a business decision to settle. Wisteria offers no evidence
demonstrating that the expenses it would have incurred in litigating its contract
defenses against DNR would have been less than the amount of the settlement,
and therefore the indemnification. Most importantly, Wisteria fails to provide any
evidence that further investigation would have disclosed facts supporting a
defense to DNR's claims.
Wisteria also asserts that Bond Safeguard prioritized its own interest over
Wisteria's to avoid regulatory sanctions. The record shows that sometime after
Bond Safeguard attempted to facilitate communication between Wisteria and
DNR, DNR filed complaints with the Washington State Insurance Commissioner
and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. In
Washington, DNR requested that the insurance commissioner investigate, issue
a cease and desist order against, and fine Bond Safeguard, as well as suspend
or revoke Bond Safeguard's registration.
Because the indemnity contract did not require Bond Safeguard to defend
Wisteria, Wisteria had a responsibility to discover evidence to refute DNR's
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NO. 67663-6-1/11
allegations. Although approximately one year elapsed between the time that
DNR first demanded payment from Wisteria and the time that Bond Safeguard
settled with DNR, nothing in the record indicates that Wisteria at any point
discovered or even sought to discover any facts to support its alleged defenses
to DNR's claims. Wisteria's complaints about the quality of Bond Safeguard's
investigation do not address Wisteria's complete failure to show that any
additional investigation by Safeguard would have discovered any evidence
supporting the alleged defenses.
Wisteria also claims that the trial court erred by denying its motion for
reconsideration. In its motion, Wisteria argued that "the submitted documents
show Bond Safeguard relying on others to determine what the claims and
counterclaims were worth" and that "[b]y failing to investigate, Bond Safeguard
had to settle with DNR to avoid sanctions under the insurance regulations."
Because we hold that the court did not err in summarily dismissing Wisteria's
claim that Bond Safeguard failed to conduct a proper investigation before settling
with DNR, we also conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
denying Wisteria's motion for reconsideration.
Bond Safeguard requests attorney fees and costs on appeal. The
indemnity contract allows it to recover attorney fees and costs incurred "to
enforce the obligation of any of the lndemnitors under this Agreement." As the
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NO. 67663-6-1/12
substantially prevailing party, Bond Safeguard is entitled to costs and attorney
fees under RAP 14.2 and RAP 18.1. 12
CONCLUSION
Because Wisteria fails to show a genuine issue of material fact regarding
its indemnification obligation to Bond Safeguard, we affirm the trial court's
summary judgment order and award costs and reasonable attorney fees to Bond
Safeguard incurred on this appeal upon its compliance with RAP 18.1.
WE CONCUR:
12
See Axess lnt'l Ltd. v. lntercargo Ins. Co., 107 Wn. App. 713, 720, 30
P.3d 1 (2001) (holding that the rule in Olympic Steamship Co., Inc. v. Centennial
Insurance Co., 117 Wn.2d 37, 811 P.2d 673 (1991), allowing an insured to
recover attorney fees to obtain the benefit of an insurance contract extends to an
action to recover on a surety bond).
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