Root v. Republic Insurance

82 Mich. App. 446 (1978) 266 N.W.2d 842

ROOT
v.
REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY

Docket No. 77-2067.

Michigan Court of Appeals.

Decided April 4, 1978.

Allen C. Ingle, for plaintiffs.

Plunkett, Cooney, Rutt, Watters, Stanczyk & Pedersen, for defendant.

Before: DANHOF, C.J., and BRONSON and N.J. LAMBROS,^[*] JJ.

PER CURIAM.

This appeal involves the liability of the insurer of residential property to land contract vendors under a fire insurance policy purchased by a vendee which contains a "contract of sale" clause insuring the vendors' interest.

Plaintiffs sold a house to Michael Lea under a land contract. Lea obtained fire insurance with defendant, Republic Insurance Company. This policy contained a "contract of sale" clause which provided in part:

"A contract for sale of the property described in this policy having been made between the insured and Maritina Root, 26205 Powers Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48024: T.H., the interest of said last named party is also insured hereunder, but without any increase in the amount of insurance, and subject to all other terms, provisions and conditions of this policy, including any Mortgage Clause forming a part of this policy."

The "standard mortgage clause" in the policy provides in part:

"K. STANDARD MORTGAGE CLAUSE: Applies to Building Items only; (but this entire clause is void unless name of mortgagee or trustee is inserted on the first page of this policy in space provided therefor):

"Loss or damage, if any, under this policy, shall be payable to the mortgagee [or trustee], named on the first page of this policy, as interest may appear, and this insurance as to the interest of the mortgagee [or trustee] only therein, shall not be invalidated by any act or neglect of the mortgagor or owner of the within described property, nor by any foreclosure or other proceedings or notice of sale relating to the property, nor by any change in the title or ownership of the property, nor by the occupation of the premises for purposes more hazardous than are permitted by this policy; provided, that in case the mortgagor or owner shall neglect to pay any premium due under this policy, the mortgagee [or trustee] shall, on demand, pay the same."

No mortgagee or trustee appears in the space provided on the first page of the policy. The policy also defines the "mortgagee interests and obligations":

"If loss hereunder is made payable, in whole or in part, to a designated mortgagee not named herein as the insured, such interest in this policy may be cancelled by giving to such mortgagee a ten days' written notice of cancellation. If the insured fails to render proof of loss such mortgagee, upon notice, shall render proof of loss in the form herein specified within sixty (60) days thereafter and shall be subject to the provisions hereof relating to appraisal and time of payment and of bringing suit. If this Company shall claim that no liability existed as to the mortgagor or owner, it shall, to the extent of payment of loss to the mortgagee, be subrogated to all the mortgagee's rights of recovery, but without impairing mortgagee's right to sue; or it may pay off the mortgage debt and require an assignment thereof and of the mortgage. Other provisions relating to the interests and obligations of such mortgagee may be added hereto by agreement in writing."^[1]

The property was destroyed by fire on May 2, 1975. Michael Lea filed a claim against Republic which eventually resulted in an award by an umpire-appraiser of $22,500, judgment for which was entered on March 12, 1976. On April 1, 1976, Republic's counsel wrote to the Roots, advising them that Lea's judgment would be satisfied within five days, unless the Roots objected. The Roots had not filed a claim prior to receipt of this letter. On April 15, 1976, a check for $22,500 was delivered to Lea's counsel. Lea had continued to make payments on the land contract until April 2, 1976, reducing the balance due to $16,498.15. Lea is purportedly out of the jurisdiction and is not a party to this suit.

The Roots began the instant lawsuit on April 30, 1976, seeking recovery under the Republic policy in accordance with the contract of sale clause. The amount sought, $17,292.19 plus interest, represented the balance due on the land contract at the date of the fire.

Plaintiff's summary judgment motion^[2] was granted by the lower court. Defendant appeals of right, raising four issues.

I.

Defendant first argues that plaintiffs' suit was barred, relying on a provision of the policy which requires "the insured" to file a proof of loss within 60 days of the loss and another provision barring suit "unless all the requirements of this policy shall have been complied with". Plaintiffs respond that the contract of sale clause is expressly subject to "any mortgage clause forming a part" of the policy, and that under the "mortgagee interests and obligations" provision quoted above, the mortgagee is required to give proof of loss only upon notice by the insurer. No such notice was given in the instant case.

We hold that plaintiffs' interpretation of the contract of sale provision is the correct one. The plain language of the contract of sale clause indicates that plaintiffs-vendors are treated as mortgagees by making them subject to any mortgage clause in the policy.^[3]Cf. Mundhenk v Liverpool & London & Globe Insurance Co, Ltd, 311 Mich. 571; 19 NW2d 103 (1945). See, also, West v Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co of Michigan, 63 Mich. App. 279; 234 NW2d 485 (1975). As such, proof of loss is required only upon notice. As no notice was given by the insurer, plaintiffs' suit is not barred by a failure to furnish proof of loss.

II.

Defendant also asserts that plaintiffs' action was barred by laches.

Laches is "an affirmative defense which depends not on mere lapse of time but principally on the requisite of intervening circumstances which would render inequitable any grant of relief to the dilatory plaintiff". Lewis v Poel, 376 Mich. 167, 169; 136 NW2d 7 (1965). In the case at bar, defendant knew of plaintiffs' interest by the terms of the contract of sale which was part of the policy. Plaintiffs were given no indication that defendant required affirmative action on their part until they received the April 1, 1976, letter. In light of facts asserted by plaintiffs that immediately upon receipt of the letter they sought a stay of judgment and also because suit was filed on April 30, 1976, we cannot say that the trial court erred in finding plaintiffs' action not barred by laches on defendant's summary judgment motion.

III.

Defendant's next argument is that the trial court erred in awarding damages to plaintiffs based on the balance due on the land contract at the date of the fire and not taking into account subsequent payments by Lea on the land contract.

Generally, the rights of the parties to a fire insurance policy are fixed as of the date of the fire. Booker T Theatre Co v Great American Insurance Co, 369 Mich. 583; 120 NW2d 776 (1963), Sietsema v Freemont Mutual Insurance Co, 38 Mich. App. 582; 196 NW2d 841 (1972). Plaintiffs' possible liability to Lea for excess payment under the land contract does not affect defendant's liability to plaintiffs under the insurance contract.

IV.

Finally, defendant argues that under the "mortgagee interests and obligations" provision quoted above, it may require an assignment of the land contract on which it has been ordered to pay the balance due. However, the provision relied upon applies only if the insurer claims "no liability existed" as to the mortgagor or owner. Here, the insurer admitted liability and proceeded through appraisal to fix the amount of liability. On the facts of this case, the insurer is not entitled to subrogation or an assignment.

Affirmed. Costs to appellees.

NOTES

[*] Circuit judge, sitting on the Court of Appeals by assignment.

[1] See MCLA 500.2832; MSA 24.12832.

[2] The motion was based on GCR 117.2(2) and (3).

[3] This is true even though the "standard mortgage clause" does not, by its terms, apply, since no mortgagee is named on page one of the policy.