Burgess v. North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance

261 S.E.2d 234 (1980) 44 N.C. App. 441

William H. BURGESS and Alma A. Burgess,
v.
NORTH CAROLINA FARM BUREAU MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.

No. 799SC243.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

January 8, 1980.

Perry, Kittrell, Blackburn & Blackburn by George T. Blackburn, II, Henderson, for plaintiffs-appellants.

Zollicoffer & Zollicoffer by John H. Zollicoffer, Jr., Henderson, for defendant-appellee.

WELLS, Judge.

Our consideration of this case was hampered by the fact that the insurance policy in issue was not included in the record or received as an exhibit. Nevertheless, the parties do not, in their briefs, disagree as to the material portions of the policy which they have set out.

Defendant denies coverage under the "other insurance" provision in the policy issued to plaintiffs, which states:

4. OTHER INSURANCE: Other insurance covering the described farm dwelling building is not permitted. Unless otherwise provided in writing added hereto, other insurance covering on any property which is the subject of insurance under Coverages E and F of Section 1 of this policy is prohibited. If during the term of this policy the insured shall have any such other insurance, whether collectible or not, and unless permitted by written endorsement added hereto, the insurance under this policy shall be suspended and of no effect.

Plaintiffs first argue that the "other insurance" forfeiture provisions in the policy are void for ambiguity. In support of this argument, they point to the "pro-rata liability" section of the policy which provides:

PRO-RATA LIABILITY. This Company shall not be liable for a greater proportion of any loss than the amount hereby insured shall bear to the whole insurance covering the property against the peril involved, whether collectible or not.

We note that the courts of our State have long given validity to such "other insurance" clauses for insurance covering property. Roper v. Insurance Cos., 161 N.C. 151, 76 S.E. 869 (1912).

Questions concerning ambiguity in insurance policies have been considered frequently by our courts. The guiding principle was put succinctly by Chief Justice Sharp in Woods v. Insurance Co., 295 N.C. 500, 505-506, 246 S.E.2d 773, 777 (1978), as follows:

As with all contracts, the goal of construction is to arrive at the intent of the parties when the policy was issued. Where a policy defines a term, that definition is to be used. If no definition is given, nontechnical words are to be given their meaning in ordinary speech, unless the context clearly indicates another meaning was intended. The various terms of the policy are to be harmoniously construed, and if possible, every word and every provision is to be given effect. If, however, the meaning of words or the effect of provisions is uncertain or capable of several reasonable interpretations, the doubts will be resolved against the insurance company and in favor of the policyholder. Whereas, if the meaning of the policy is clear and only one reasonable interpretation exists, the courts must enforce the contract as written; they may not, under the guise of construing an ambiguous term, rewrite the contract or impose liabilities on the parties not bargained for and found therein.

We find no ambiguity here. The language with respect to coverage on the dwelling is plain and clear. It prohibits the policyholder from obtaining other insurance on the dwelling only. The remaining language of paragraph four would allow a policyholder to take out insurance on other property covered by the policy if a written endorsement to that effect was added. Such other insurance, approved by endorsement, would clearly be subject to the pro-rata liability provision.

Plaintiffs next argue that acceptance of the premiums by defendant with knowledge of the existence of other insurance constituted a waiver of the "other insurance" forfeiture clause. There is no question that an insurer may waive a policy provision inserted for its benefit. Bray v. Benefit Association, 258 N.C. 419, 128 S.E.2d 766 (1963). However, in the absence of knowledge of the breach, or facts to put it on inquiry, there can be no waiver or duty to investigate. Swartzberg v. Insurance Co., 252 N.C. 150, 113 S.E.2d 270 (1960). Whether an insurer has waived an "other insurance" clause is ordinarily an issue for the trier of fact. Laughinghouse v. Insurance Co., 200 N.C. 434, 157 S.E. 131 (1931).

The trial judge made the following finding of fact:

8. That on April 9, 1975 at the time Plaintiffs made application for the insurance policy with North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, the Defendant's agent advised Plaintiffs that the proposed North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company policy prohibited other insurance on the farm dwelling and that the Plaintiffs must cancel said insurance with Iowa Mutual Insurance Company for said policy of North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company to be effective as insuring the farm dwelling.

The testimony of the agent of defendant who sold plaintiffs the policy that he informed them of the "other insurance" provision and its consequences is sufficient to support the above finding. We are therefore bound by this finding, even though there is evidence to the contrary. Henderson County v. Osteen, 297 N.C. 113, 254 S.E.2d 160 (1979). There was no evidence introduced at trial supporting plaintiffs' contention that they had been deliberately misinformed or misled by defendant.

Plaintiffs argue that defendant's collection and retention of plaintiffs' premium payments caused it to waive forfeiture of the policy. Plaintiffs cite Hicks v. Insurance Co., 226 N.C. 614, 39 S.E.2d 914 (1946) in support of this argument. The decision in Hicks hinged on the fact that the two life insurance policies purchased by the plaintiff were issued by the same company. The Court held that under such circumstances, knowledge of the existence of the prior policy issued by the defendant would have to be imputed to the defendant, resulting in the waiver of its prohibition against other coverage in policies subsequently issued by that company covering the same property. In the case before us, the insured purchased two insurance policies covering the same dwelling, each issued by a different company. There were no facts or circumstances from which knowledge of plaintiffs' continued maintenance of the Iowa Mutual policy could be imputed to defendant.

Plaintiffs insist that defendant's agent had a duty to investigate to determine whether they had in fact cancelled the Iowa Mutual policy, as he informed them they should. We do not agree. To place such a burden on insurance agents would manifestly inhibit the opportunity for the public to change insurance companies or agents. What plaintiffs urge would be detrimental, not beneficial to the public's interest which would be best served by promoting competition among insurers.

Plaintiffs argue that payment by defendant to William Burgess pursuant to the contents and living expense provisions of the policy did not discharge defendant's obligation to Alma Burgess under the policy. William Burgess signed the proof of loss and release forms and accepted defendant's check. Judge Allen found that in these transactions, William Burgess was acting as agent for his wife, Alma Burgess, and that she ratified his acts in accepting the use of the funds.

Agency of the husband for his wife may be shown by evidence of facts and circumstances which authorize a reasonable inference that he was authorized to act for her.

Passmore v. Woodard, 37 N.C.App. 535, 540, 246 S.E.2d 795, 800 (1978). Alma Burgess testified that the insurance proceeds were used to restore the house, title to which was held by both husband and wife. She stated that she left collection of the insurance proceeds to her husband. It seems clear that Judge Allen's finding, that William Burgess was acting as agent for his wife and for her benefit in accepting payment from defendant, was supported by sufficient evidence.

Judge Allen concluded that plaintiffs are not entitled to any recovery under Chapter 75 of the General Statutes. We agree. The evidence in this case simply does not suggest that defendant's agent engaged in any deceitful or fraudulent activities or trade practices. As noted earlier in this opinion, we see no evidence of any attempt on the part of defendant's agent to misinform or mislead plaintiffs about their insurance coverage.

We find plaintiffs other assignments of error to be without merit.

Affirmed.

ARNOLD and WEBB, JJ., concur.