BRIAN BARBERA NO. 22-CA-147
VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT
ALEXANDER ANDRADE, STATE FARM COURT OF APPEAL MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY AND GEICO INDEMNITY STATE OF LOUISIANA COMPANY
ON APPEAL FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 790-543, DIVISION "L" HONORABLE DONALD A. ROWAN, JR., JUDGE PRESIDING
November 30, 2022
MARC E. JOHNSON JUDGE
Panel composed of Judges Marc E. Johnson, Robert A. Chaisson, and John J. Molaison, Jr.
AFFIRMED MEJ RAC JJM COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLANT, BRIAN BARBERA John D. Sileo Casey W. Moll
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLEE, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES INSURANCE COMPANY Stephen D. Cronin JOHNSON, J.
Appellant, Brian Barbera, appeals the 24th Judicial District Court’s February
4, 2022 judgment granting GEICO Indemnity Company’s (“GEICO”) motion for
summary judgment, denying his cross-motion for summary judgment, and
dismissing his claims against GEICO with prejudice. In this matter, arising from a
2017 motor vehicle accident, the district court determined that the GEICO
insurance policy in effect at the time of the accident did not provide UM coverage.
For the following reasons, we affirm the district court’s judgment.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Mr. Barbera sustained “significant injuries and damages” as a result of a
motor vehicle accident that occurred on December 23, 2017 in Port Allen, LA. He
resolved his claims against the other driver and his insurer. Brian Barbera was
listed as an additional insured/additional driver under a GEICO insurance policy
issued to his father, Thomas Barbera, in 1991. He disputes the district court’s
finding that the GEICO insurance policy in effect at the time of the accident did
not provide him with uninsured motorist bodily injury (“UMBI”) coverage of
$100,000/$300,000.
In 2001, Thomas Barbera signed an uninsured motorist (UM) rejection form
declining UMBI coverage under the GEICO policy. GEICO’s business records
indicate that the insurer mailed Mr. Barbera’s father a letter on November 24, 2014
that contained a new UM rejection form and requested that the form be returned
within fifteen days. According to Mr. Barbera, GEICO has provided no proof that
the UM rejection form sent in November 2014 was completed and returned to
GEICO.
Mr. Barbera claims that, starting 15 days after November 24, 2014 to the
present, “per Louisiana Statute, UM coverage was required to be automatically
adjusted and read into the Barbera policy to provide UM coverage equal to the
22-CA-147 1 liability limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence.” Therefore, at the
time of the accident, the UM coverage would be equal to $100,000/$300,000
liability limits. Further, Mr. Barbera alleges that, upon providing GEIGO with
sufficient proof of loss due to his severe injuries, GEICO has failed to make him an
unconditional tender.
Mr. Barbera and GEICO filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The
district court heard the motions for summary judgment on January 24, 2022. At
the end of the hearing, the district court found that Mr. Barbera did not have UM
bodily injury coverage at the time of the accident. The court found that the
declarations page for the period of coverage during the time period the accident
occurred noted that UMBI coverage had been rejected by the insured and
concluded that the family had notice that there was no coverage. The judge agreed
with GEICO that the letter sent on November 24, 2014 was in reference to property
damage, and thus observed that the family’s failure to return the form enclosed
with the letter resulted in them obtaining property damage coverage at the limits
mandated by the state. The court found that the waiver of UMBI coverage in 2001
was for the duration of the policy. The court also found that GEICO acted in good
faith. The district court granted GEICO’s motion for summary judgment “based
upon the totality of all the evidence presented in the circumstances, that there is no
genuine issue of fact as it applies to the UM bodily injury [coverage.]”
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
Mr. Barbera alleges that the district court erred when it found that the
GEICO insurance policy in effect at the time of the accident did not provide him
with UM bodily injury coverage on the date of the subject motor vehicle accident.
Further, he maintains that GEICO was arbitrary and capricious in failing to make
an unconditional tender unto him, and therefore acted in bad faith. Thus, Mr.
Barbera argues that the district court erred in granting GEICO’s motion for
22-CA-147 2 summary judgment, denying his cross-motion for summary judgment, and
dismissing his claims against GEICO with prejudice.
Mr. Barbera avers that genuine issues of material fact remain and the burden
of proof is on GEICO regarding Mr. Thomas Barbera’s alleged rejection of UM
coverage in 2014. He also states that because the UM rejection form sent in 2014
was not completed and returned to GEICO in the time frame specified by the
company, the policy’s UM limits automatically adjusted to match the minimum
$100,000/$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage Louisiana requires.
Mr. Barbera finally alleges that the district court “assigned its own
assumptions” not supported by evidence in the record as part of its judgment. He
claims there was no evidence submitted by any party regarding the amount of
premiums paid under the Barbera policy, or to support the district court’s finding
that the policy premium did not increase after December 9, 2017, the deadline
given to opt out of the UM coverage according to the November 24, 2017 letter
sent to Mr. Thomas Barbera. Mr. Barbera also takes exception to the court’s
statement that the fact his premium did not increase served to constructively notice
Mr. Barbera that he did not have UM coverage, so he should have called GEICO to
request coverage.
GEICO counters that the actual material facts of the case are that Thomas
Barbera executed an Option Form rejecting UMBI coverage on December 5, 2001;
the November 24, 2014 letter was directed to uninsured motorist/property damage
(UMPD) coverage and not UMBI coverage; and the UMBI coverage selection
under the Barbera policy has not lapsed or been adjusted since December 5, 2001.
GEICO notes that no evidence was offered to prove that the Barberas received the
November 24, 2017 letter, or an option form.1 GEICO maintains that, because the
1 GEICO states, “It is telling that Thomas and Carol Barbera did not sign an affidavit that attested to receipt of the purported Option Form in opposition to GEICO's Motion, or in support of the Plaintiffs (sic) Motion.”
22-CA-147 3 December 2001 Option Form “was/is presumed valid,” the burden of proof shifts
to Mr. Barbera to show the form was not valid or applicable. GEICO argues that
Mr. Barbera “provided no evidence that a change in the GEICO policy had
occurred between December 5, 2001 and the date of the accident that would have
required the execution of a new option form under La. R.S. 22:1295.” Finally,
GEICO prays that if this Court finds that the district court committed error when it
found UMBI coverage did not exist under the policy, the district court’s judgment
regarding “bad faith” on GEICO’s part be affirmed, as “reasonable and legitimate
issues of coverage” exist in this case.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
BRIAN BARBERA NO. 22-CA-147
VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT
ALEXANDER ANDRADE, STATE FARM COURT OF APPEAL MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY AND GEICO INDEMNITY STATE OF LOUISIANA COMPANY
ON APPEAL FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 790-543, DIVISION "L" HONORABLE DONALD A. ROWAN, JR., JUDGE PRESIDING
November 30, 2022
MARC E. JOHNSON JUDGE
Panel composed of Judges Marc E. Johnson, Robert A. Chaisson, and John J. Molaison, Jr.
AFFIRMED MEJ RAC JJM COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLANT, BRIAN BARBERA John D. Sileo Casey W. Moll
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLEE, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES INSURANCE COMPANY Stephen D. Cronin JOHNSON, J.
Appellant, Brian Barbera, appeals the 24th Judicial District Court’s February
4, 2022 judgment granting GEICO Indemnity Company’s (“GEICO”) motion for
summary judgment, denying his cross-motion for summary judgment, and
dismissing his claims against GEICO with prejudice. In this matter, arising from a
2017 motor vehicle accident, the district court determined that the GEICO
insurance policy in effect at the time of the accident did not provide UM coverage.
For the following reasons, we affirm the district court’s judgment.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Mr. Barbera sustained “significant injuries and damages” as a result of a
motor vehicle accident that occurred on December 23, 2017 in Port Allen, LA. He
resolved his claims against the other driver and his insurer. Brian Barbera was
listed as an additional insured/additional driver under a GEICO insurance policy
issued to his father, Thomas Barbera, in 1991. He disputes the district court’s
finding that the GEICO insurance policy in effect at the time of the accident did
not provide him with uninsured motorist bodily injury (“UMBI”) coverage of
$100,000/$300,000.
In 2001, Thomas Barbera signed an uninsured motorist (UM) rejection form
declining UMBI coverage under the GEICO policy. GEICO’s business records
indicate that the insurer mailed Mr. Barbera’s father a letter on November 24, 2014
that contained a new UM rejection form and requested that the form be returned
within fifteen days. According to Mr. Barbera, GEICO has provided no proof that
the UM rejection form sent in November 2014 was completed and returned to
GEICO.
Mr. Barbera claims that, starting 15 days after November 24, 2014 to the
present, “per Louisiana Statute, UM coverage was required to be automatically
adjusted and read into the Barbera policy to provide UM coverage equal to the
22-CA-147 1 liability limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence.” Therefore, at the
time of the accident, the UM coverage would be equal to $100,000/$300,000
liability limits. Further, Mr. Barbera alleges that, upon providing GEIGO with
sufficient proof of loss due to his severe injuries, GEICO has failed to make him an
unconditional tender.
Mr. Barbera and GEICO filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The
district court heard the motions for summary judgment on January 24, 2022. At
the end of the hearing, the district court found that Mr. Barbera did not have UM
bodily injury coverage at the time of the accident. The court found that the
declarations page for the period of coverage during the time period the accident
occurred noted that UMBI coverage had been rejected by the insured and
concluded that the family had notice that there was no coverage. The judge agreed
with GEICO that the letter sent on November 24, 2014 was in reference to property
damage, and thus observed that the family’s failure to return the form enclosed
with the letter resulted in them obtaining property damage coverage at the limits
mandated by the state. The court found that the waiver of UMBI coverage in 2001
was for the duration of the policy. The court also found that GEICO acted in good
faith. The district court granted GEICO’s motion for summary judgment “based
upon the totality of all the evidence presented in the circumstances, that there is no
genuine issue of fact as it applies to the UM bodily injury [coverage.]”
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
Mr. Barbera alleges that the district court erred when it found that the
GEICO insurance policy in effect at the time of the accident did not provide him
with UM bodily injury coverage on the date of the subject motor vehicle accident.
Further, he maintains that GEICO was arbitrary and capricious in failing to make
an unconditional tender unto him, and therefore acted in bad faith. Thus, Mr.
Barbera argues that the district court erred in granting GEICO’s motion for
22-CA-147 2 summary judgment, denying his cross-motion for summary judgment, and
dismissing his claims against GEICO with prejudice.
Mr. Barbera avers that genuine issues of material fact remain and the burden
of proof is on GEICO regarding Mr. Thomas Barbera’s alleged rejection of UM
coverage in 2014. He also states that because the UM rejection form sent in 2014
was not completed and returned to GEICO in the time frame specified by the
company, the policy’s UM limits automatically adjusted to match the minimum
$100,000/$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage Louisiana requires.
Mr. Barbera finally alleges that the district court “assigned its own
assumptions” not supported by evidence in the record as part of its judgment. He
claims there was no evidence submitted by any party regarding the amount of
premiums paid under the Barbera policy, or to support the district court’s finding
that the policy premium did not increase after December 9, 2017, the deadline
given to opt out of the UM coverage according to the November 24, 2017 letter
sent to Mr. Thomas Barbera. Mr. Barbera also takes exception to the court’s
statement that the fact his premium did not increase served to constructively notice
Mr. Barbera that he did not have UM coverage, so he should have called GEICO to
request coverage.
GEICO counters that the actual material facts of the case are that Thomas
Barbera executed an Option Form rejecting UMBI coverage on December 5, 2001;
the November 24, 2014 letter was directed to uninsured motorist/property damage
(UMPD) coverage and not UMBI coverage; and the UMBI coverage selection
under the Barbera policy has not lapsed or been adjusted since December 5, 2001.
GEICO notes that no evidence was offered to prove that the Barberas received the
November 24, 2017 letter, or an option form.1 GEICO maintains that, because the
1 GEICO states, “It is telling that Thomas and Carol Barbera did not sign an affidavit that attested to receipt of the purported Option Form in opposition to GEICO's Motion, or in support of the Plaintiffs (sic) Motion.”
22-CA-147 3 December 2001 Option Form “was/is presumed valid,” the burden of proof shifts
to Mr. Barbera to show the form was not valid or applicable. GEICO argues that
Mr. Barbera “provided no evidence that a change in the GEICO policy had
occurred between December 5, 2001 and the date of the accident that would have
required the execution of a new option form under La. R.S. 22:1295.” Finally,
GEICO prays that if this Court finds that the district court committed error when it
found UMBI coverage did not exist under the policy, the district court’s judgment
regarding “bad faith” on GEICO’s part be affirmed, as “reasonable and legitimate
issues of coverage” exist in this case. GEICO prays that the district court’s
judgment be affirmed and Mr. Barbera be cast with all costs related to the instant
appeal.
LAW AND DISCUSSION
“A motion for summary judgment is a procedural device used when there is
no genuine issue of material fact.” Duncan v. U.S.A.A. Ins. Co., 06-363 (La.
11/29/06), 950 So.2d 544, 546. Appellate courts review summary judgment de
novo on appeal, using the same criteria that govern the district court's
determination of whether summary judgment is appropriate; i.e., whether there is
any genuine issue of material fact, and whether the movant is entitled to judgment
as a matter of law. Samaha v. Rau, 07-1726 (La. 2/26/08), 977 So.2d 880, 882–83.
Interpretation of an insurance policy ordinarily involves a legal question that can
be properly resolved by a motion for summary judgment. Cutsinger v. Redfern, 08-
2607 (La. 5/22/09), 12 So.3d 945, 949. The burden of proving a valid rejection
of UM coverage lies with the party seeking to enforce rejection of UM liability.
Walden v. Permanent Gen. Assur. Corp., 00-1033 (La. App. 5 Cir. 10/31/00), 774
So.2d 1018, 1019, writ denied sub nom. Walden v. Permanent Gen. Assurance
Corp., 00-3238 (La. 2/16/01), 786 So.2d 97.
22-CA-147 4 Thomas Barbera executed a valid waiver of UMBI coverage in 2001. A
review of the record supports the finding that the Barberas received a letter on
November 24, 2014 that requested another coverage selection form (see below),
which was enclosed along with a return envelope, to be returned to GEICO.
The Barberas did not execute the UM selection waiver form they received in
2014. This case turns on whether GEICO’s 2014 unfulfilled request that a new UM
22-CA-147 5 selection waiver form be executed and returned to the company led to the default
selection, UMBI coverage at limits dictated by the State, being read into the
Barbera policy, thereby negating Thomas Barbera’s 2001 waiver of UMBI
coverage, which was otherwise valid over the life of the Barbera policy.
“La. Acts 1999, No. 732, § 1 added the following sentence to La. R.S.
22:1406(D)(l)(a)(ii): ‘Any changes to an existing policy, regardless of whether
these changes create new coverage, except changes in the limits of liability, do not
create a new policy and do not require the completion of new uninsured motorist
selection forms.’ This language remained unchanged in La. R.S. 22:1295(1)(a)(ii),
which was redesignated from La. R.S. 22:1406(D) by La. Acts 2003, No. 456 § 3.”
Johnson v. Bass, 21-139 (La. App. 1 Cir. 12/22/21), 340 So.3d 28, writ denied, 22-
156 (La. 4/5/22), 335 So.3d 836 n.5.
If an insurer requires that the insured submits a new UM selection waiver
form upon each policy renewal, then it is the insurer’s responsibility to verify the
submitted waiver form is properly executed, else UM coverage will be read into
the policy. See Baack v. McIntosh, 20-1054 (La. 6/30/21), 333 So.3d 1206, 1213–
14; Francis v. Travelers Prop. Cas. Co. of Am., 22-124 (La. App. 3 Cir. 9/28/22).
In the instant case, there was an existing policy with a valid UM selection form
executed in 2001. The language of La. R.S. 22:1295(1)(a)(ii) explicitly provides
the method to change an initial rejection of UM coverage “‘by submitting a new
uninsured motorist selection form to the insurer on the form prescribed by the
commissioner of insurance.’” Baack, 333 So.3d at 1213. Mr. Barbera admits that
the family did not complete and return the waiver form GEICO sent in 2014. The
November 24, 2014 letter that accompanied the form is ambiguous. The letter
could be interpreted to mean that no response from the Barberas would lead to UM
coverage being read into the policy by default. However, there was already a valid
UM waiver selection form signed by Thomas Barbera that was part of the policy.
22-CA-147 6 The 2001 waiver form and La. R.S. 22:1295(1)(a)(ii) patently state that an initial
rejection of UM coverage can only be changed via the named insured’s (or his
legal representative’s) written request.
Last, we note that the Louisiana supreme court “has long held that the intent
of the parties does not control in this area of the law.” Gray v. Am. Nat. Prop. &
Cas. Co., 2007-1670 (La. 2/26/08), 977 So.2d 839, 849. The competent evidence
provided by Mr. Barbera proving that a few GEICO personnel also believed that
his family’s failure to respond to the request for a UM selection waiver form in
2014 would result in UM coverage becoming part of the policy is not dispositive of
the issue of UM coverage. “The law imposes UM coverage in this state
notwithstanding the language of the policy, the intentions of the parties, or the
presence or absence of a premium charge or payment.” Gray v. Am. Nat. Prop. &
Cas. Co., 07-1670 (La. 2/26/08), 977 So.2d 839, 849 citing Roger v. Estate of
Moulton, 513 So.2d 1126, 1132 (La. 1987) (emphasis added). Because there was a
valid UM waiver executed in 2001 that was part of the existing policy, and no
event occurred that required the execution of a new UM selection waiver form,
summary judgment was appropriate.
We find that GEICO met its burden in proving that there was a valid UMBI
waiver for the Barbera Policy in effect at the time of Brian Barbera’s December 23,
2017 accident. Accordingly, we find that GEICO had a reasonable basis to defend
against the claim and acted on good faith reliance on its defense. See, La. R.S.
22:1973; Baack, 333 So.3d at 1217.
DECREE
Considering the foregoing, the district court’s judgment rendered January
24, 2022 and signed February 4, 2022 granting GEICO’s motion for summary
judgment, dismissing Mr. Barbera’s claims with prejudice, and denying Mr.
22-CA-147 7 Barbera’s motion for summary judgment is affirmed. We order each party to bear
its own costs of this appeal.
AFFIRMED
22-CA-147 8 SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL
CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT
SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ FREDERICKA H. WICKER INTERIM CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK JUDE G. GRAVOIS MARC E. JOHNSON ROBERT A. CHAISSON LINDA M. WISEMAN STEPHEN J. WINDHORST FIRST DEPUTY CLERK HANS J. LILJEBERG JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. FIFTH CIRCUIT MELISSA C. LEDET JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053) DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF POST OFFICE BOX 489 GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400
(504) 376-1498 FAX www.fifthcircuit.org
NOTICE OF JUDGMENT AND CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE OPINION IN THE BELOW-NUMBERED MATTER HAS BEEN DELIVERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 2-16.4 AND 2-16.5 THIS DAY NOVEMBER 30, 2022 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, CLERK OF COURT, COUNSEL OF RECORD AND ALL PARTIES NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:
22-CA-147 E-NOTIFIED 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT (CLERK) HONORABLE DONALD A. ROWAN, JR. (DISTRICT JUDGE) CASEY W. MOLL (APPELLANT) STEPHEN D. CRONIN (APPELLEE)
MAILED JOHN D. SILEO (APPELLANT) ATTORNEY AT LAW 320 NORTH CARROLLTON AVENUE SUITE 101 NEW ORLEANS, LA 70119