Cary v. Automobile Insurance

838 F. Supp. 2d 1117, 2011 WL 6181388, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 143085
CourtDistrict Court, D. Colorado
DecidedDecember 12, 2011
DocketCivil Action No. 10-CV-01998-RBJ
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 838 F. Supp. 2d 1117 (Cary v. Automobile Insurance) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Colorado primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Cary v. Automobile Insurance, 838 F. Supp. 2d 1117, 2011 WL 6181388, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 143085 (D. Colo. 2011).

Opinion

ORDER on PENDING MOTIONS

R. BROOKE JACKSON, District Judge.

This case, removed from the El Paso County District Court based upon diversity of citizenship per 28 U.S.C. § 1332, is set for a jury trial beginning January 9, 2012. This order resolves all pre-trial motions pending on this date.

Facts

The defendant issued a homeowners’ insurance policy for a residence owned by Mr. and Mrs. Cary. Mr. Cary’s daughter, her husband, and their children, collectively the Chamberlains, resided in the home. In their Second Amended Complaint plaintiffs allege that before the Chamberlains moved into the home in 2004 defendant’s representative told them that a new roof was needed. They hired a roofing company to replace the roof and decking. Upon discovering that the residence did not have insulation above the ceiling, the roofing company installed insulation to comply with the local building code.

On or about December 1, 2006 the Chamberlains reported water damage to the defendant (Claim UNK 1714). An adjuster, Christopher Cole, allegedly after an inadequate investigation, declared that the damage was weather related and advised the Chamberlains to paint over a large water stain. On or about January 24, 2008 the Chamberlains reported a small electrical fire in the kitchen to the defendant (Claim UND1788). Adjuster Cole, again allegedly without adequately investigating the claim, declared that the fire was [1120]*1120caused by water running down the wall and entering an electrical outlet, again weather-related. Defendant issued payment to the plaintiffs consistent with this assessment.

On or about February 16, 2010 the Chamberlains again reported water damage and this time mold problems (Claim HBW933). Plaintiffs allege that defendant’s adjuster, Jeffrey J. Donley, conducted a proper investigation. He engaged a forensic consulting firm to inspect the residence, resulting in the firm’s determination that the water damage was not weather-related but was instead the result of condensation caused by the installation of insulation in the space above the ceiling. Based on the report that the damage was not caused by a leaking roof, defendant denied further benefits.

Plaintiffs allege that the condensation problem began in December 2006, and that mold has developed since that time. They allege that the Chamberlains have experienced respiratory problems due to the mold and have been advised by care providers that they must not live in the residence.

Plaintiffs assert two claims for relief. First, they claim that defendant broke its contractual duty to properly investigate claims UNK1714 and UKD1788. Second, they claim that defendant breached the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, thereby committing the tort of bad faith breach of insurance contract. They seek economic and non-economic damages arising from claimed personal injuries and increased repair costs. Defendant denies liability and asserts 17 affirmative defenses.

[Defendant’s] Motion for Partial Summary Judgment [# 49]

The named insureds under the policy were Mr. and Mrs. Cary. They did not, however, reside there. Instead, they rented the property to the Chamberlains. Defendant contends that it was not aware that the Chamberlains lived there; that it did not name them as additional insureds; that they did not purchase a renters’ policy; that the Chamberlains had no legally protected interest; and, therefore, that they have no standing to sue.

Plaintiffs respond that the policy defines the “insured” as “you and the following residents of your household: a. your relatives; b. any other person under the age of 21 who is in the care of any person named above.” Rebecca Chamberlain is the daughter of Larry Cary and is, therefore, a “relative.” Her husband is Mr. Cary’s son-in-law, and the children are Mr. Cary’s grandchildren. Plaintiffs further contend that they cared for the Chamberlain children during the period of time in question.

The plaintiffs also cite deposition testimony of adjustor Cole that he was aware that the Chamberlains were living in the residence at the time of the first claim and thereafter. He also testified that if the coverage was paid for, the insurer would not penalize the insured for an underwriting error. On those bases, plaintiffs claim that there was coverage for them as residents under the plain language of the policy; that defendant waived any claim that the Chamberlains were not residing in the residence and entitled to coverage; and that the Chamberlains were, at a minimum, intended third party beneficiaries of the insurance contract.

The definition of “insured,” Ex. 49-2 at page 3 of 12 (page 1 of 21 in the original document), includes “relatives” and minor children for whom the named insureds provided care. By itself this language would seem to extend coverage to the Chamberlains. However, the coverage is for the “residence premises.” Id. at 4 of 12. The “residence premises” is where “you” (meaning the named insured) reside. Putting the language together according to [1121]*1121its plain meaning, I interpret it to mean that coverage extends to the named insureds if they reside in the residence and to any relatives, or minors for whom they provided care, or who were residing there with them. The case on which plaintiffs rely, Iowa Nat Mut Ins. Co. v. Boatright, 33 Colo.App. 124, 516 P.2d 439 (1973) is not to the contrary. The named insured in that case did reside in the insured residence.

However, the Court finds that there are genuine issues of material fact regarding the parties’ knowledge and intent that affect the waiver and third-party beneficiary argument and, therefore, that preclude summary judgment against the Chamberlains on the standing issue.

[Defendant’s] Motion to Exclude Testimony of Plaintiffs Expert Michael Macguire [# 61].

Plaintiffs’ expert witness disclosures indicated that Mr. Macguire is a real estate expert who will “review depositions as they become available and other discovery as it is produced.” The disclosure states that his report and CV are attached. The report apparently is the document submitted as Exhibit 61-1. It appears to consist of research information of the type that a real estate appraiser might consult in forming an opinion. However, no opinion of any kind is included.

The motion indicates that plaintiffs oppose it, but plaintiffs did not file a response. The “report,” if that is what it is, and the disclosure fall far short of complying with Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(2)(B). Therefore, the motion is granted.

[Defendant’s] Motion to Exclude Testimony of Plaintiffs Expert Terry New-berry [# 62]

Defendant moves to exclude the testimony of Mr. Newberry on the grounds that it does not meet the requirements of Fed.R.Evid. 702. The motion has been fully briefed. Neither party has requested an evidentiary hearing or oral argument. Without a request, the Court may consider the motion on the briefs. See U.S. v. Nacchio, 555 F.3d 1234

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Bluebook (online)
838 F. Supp. 2d 1117, 2011 WL 6181388, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 143085, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/cary-v-automobile-insurance-cod-2011.