Farmers Group, Inc., Farmers Underwriters Association, Fire Underwriters Association, Farmers Insurance Exchange and Fire Insurance Exchange v. Sandra Geter

• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
• Decided: July 26, 2007
• Docket: 09-05-00386-CV
• Status: Published

Opinion

In The

Court of Appeals

Ninth District of Texas at Beaumont

____________________

NO. 09-05-386 CV

FARMERS GROUP, INC., FARMERS UNDERWRITERS ASSOCIATION,

FIRE UNDERWRITERS ASSOCIATION, FARMERS INSURANCE EXCHANGE,

and FIRE INSURANCE EXCHANGE, Appellants

V.

SANDRA GETER, Appellee

On Appeal from the 172nd District Court

Jefferson County, Texas

Trial Cause No. E-167,872

MEMORANDUM OPINION

This is the second interlocutory appeal arising from the certification of a class of homeowners' insurance policyholders under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 42(b)(2). In a previous opinion, Farmers Group Incorporated v. Geter, No. 09-03-404-CV, 2004 WL 2365394, at *1 (Tex. App.--Beaumont Oct. 21, 2004, no pet.) (Farmers I), we reversed and remanded in part. In issue one of that appeal, Farmers ⁽¹⁾ asserted the trial court improperly certified the class under Rule 42(b)(2). In reviewing the issue, we applied the principles enunciated in Compaq Computer Corporation v. Lapray, 135 S.W.3d 657 (Tex. 2004). In resolving issue one we stated:

We find the trial court here did not examine the notice and opt-out issues as now required by La[p]ray, an examination that could affect the class's composition. And, of course, the trial court has had no opportunity to analyze the cohesiveness that will exist if the court orders notice and opt-out for the (b)(2) class members. Thus, we reverse those parts of the trial court's judgment that determine Geter has carried her burden under Rule 42(b)(2).

Geter, 2004 WL 2365394, at *4. As to this appeal, we affirm.

Background

A more detailed factual background can be found in the Farmers I opinion, but an abbreviated description is still necessary. In November 2001, Farmers requested the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) to approve a new homeowners policy. After TDI approved a new policy form, HO-A, which excluded coverage for most mold and water damage claims, Farmers stopped offering its HO-B policies as they came up for renewal. TDI and the Texas Attorney General began an investigation of Farmers. Subsequently, on August 5, 2002, the Texas Attorney General sued Farmers in Travis County on behalf of Texas policy holders. Included in the State's claims was Farmers' "switching" of policyholders from the HO-B policy, allegedly resulting in less coverage but higher costs for policyholders. The State requested injunctive relief against Farmers, but did not assert a claim for class relief. Further, the State did not challenge Farmers' nonrenewal of the HO-B policies and did not seek a declaration that the HO-B policies were wrongfully nonrenewed.

On August 13, 2002, TDI issued an Emergency Cease and Desist Order against Farmers, requiring Farmers to cease and desist from increasing rates and seeking to regulate the new rates. On August 27, 2002, Ms. Geter filed her class action petition seeking declaratory relief regarding the HO-B policyholders' contractual rights to renewal of their policies. ⁽²⁾ In December, 2002, the State amended its petition to assert a claim for settlement class relief and request creation of three settlement classes. One of the settlement classes, the Rate Class, includes all policyholders "who received a notice at any time after November 14, 2001, that their HO-B policy would not be renewed." The damages sought are limited to the "restoration" of excessive premiums charged to policyholders who bought the HO-A policies they were offered when their HO-B policies were not renewed. The same day, the State and Farmers entered into a settlement agreement. The claims released include those that arise out of or relate to Farmers' decisions to "no longer offer HO-B policies" and to offer "HO-A policies in place of HO-B policies."

In January 2003, Farmers filed a counterclaim in the Travis County litigation requesting a declaratory judgment that: (a) its nonrenewal of HO-B policies and offering HO-A policies in place of HO-Bs was consistent with Texas law; (b) the restrictions on non-renewal of policies contained in TDI's non-renewal endorsement did not prohibit non-renewal based on Farmers' business decision not to offer HO-B policies anymore; (c) Farmers' offering HO-A policies was consistent with any and all obligations that may have been imposed upon Farmers by the Insurance Code or TDI. On June 27, 2003, the Travis County trial court certified the settlement class and preliminarily approved the settlement agreement in the State's case against Farmers. On August 29, 2003, the trial court here certified the Geter Class ⁽³⁾ after Farmers' request for emergency stay of the certification hearing was denied by this Court and the Texas Supreme Court. In December, 2003, The Third District Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on an appeal of the certification order in the Travis County case. In January, 2005, the Third Court of Appeals reversed the certification order concluding the Attorney General could not bring the class action without an individual class representative. Lubin v. Farmers Group, Inc., 157 S.W.3d 113 (Tex. App.--Austin 2005, pet. granted), rev'd, Farmer Group, Inc. v. Lubin, 222 S.W.3d 417 (Tex. 2007).

Standard of Review

As the Texas Supreme Court explained, appellate courts review a trial court's decision on class certification for abuse of discretion, but a reviewing court must not indulge every presumption in favor of the trial court's ruling. Henry Schein, Inc. v. Stromboe, 102 S.W.3d 675, 691(Tex. 2002). While some of the trial court's determinations, such as "those based on its assessment of the credibility of witnesses, for example -- must be given the benefit of the doubt . . . [c]ompliance with Rule 42 must be demonstrated; it cannot merely be presumed." Id. A trial court abuses its discretion when it: (1) acts arbitrarily or unreasonably; (2) does not properly apply the law to the undisputed facts; or (3) rules on factual assertions not supported by the record. Vincent v. Bank of Am., N.A., 109 S.W.3d 856, 864 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2003, pet. denied).

All classes seeking certification must satisfy all four requirements of Rule 42(a) and at least one of the requirements of Rule 42(b). Tex. R. Civ. P. 42; Sw. Refining Co., Inc. v. Bernal, 22 S.W.3d 425, 433 (Tex. 2000). Under Rule 42(a), the plaintiff must show: (1) the class is so numerous that joinder is impracticable (numerosity); (2) there are common questions of law or fact (commonality); (3) the representative's claims are typical of the class (typicality), and (4) the representative parties will protect the interests of the class (adequacy of representation). See Tex. R. Civ. P. 42(a); Bernal, 22 S.W.3d at 433. Where the 42(a) requirements have been satisfied, a Rule 42(b)(2) class may be certified if "the party opposing the class has acted or refused to act on grounds generally applicable to the class, thereby making appropriate final injunctive relief or corresponding declaratory relief with respect to the class as a whole." See Tex. R. Civ. P. 42(b)(2). ⁽⁴⁾

Farmers presents seven issues for review. ⁽⁵⁾ Unfortunately, the arguments in its brief do not correlate to the verbiage in their issues; therefore we shall address the content of its arguments rather than the exact issues.

Farmers first argues the requirements for Rule 42(b)(2) are not met in that the class lacks cohesiveness and Rule 42(b)(2) cannot provide the contemplated declaratory relief. Under Compaq, the cohesiveness analysis will usually be identical to the predominance and superiority analysis required in (b)(3) classes. Compaq, 135 S.W.3d at 671. A more rigorous definition of cohesiveness is required only if the class is a mandatory one with no opportunity for members to opt out. Id. This is not the case here; there is a notice and opt out provision in the trial plan. All members of this class must have held a HO-B policy and sought a declaration of their right to renew under the policy language. There is neither any individualized harm nor individualized remedy as argued by Farmers. We find the trial court properly conducted the cohesiveness analysis. Issue one is overruled.

The second argument is Ms. Geter has failed to demonstrate the requisite predominance to support a class. "The test for predominance is not whether common issues outnumber uncommon issues, but, . . . 'whether common or individual issues will be the object of most of the efforts of the litigants and the court.'" Bernal, 22 S.W.3d at 434 (quoting Cent. Power and Light Co. v. City of San Juan, 962 S.W.2d 602, 610 (Tex. App.--Corpus Christi 1998, writ dism'd w.o.j.)). Farmers asserts the "supplemental" relief destroys predominance by continuing to argue this is a damages case. The plaintiff has repeatedly abandoned any plea for damages. The trial court has repeatedly stated this is not a damage case and this court has previously acknowledged damages are not a part of this case. The supplemental relief is mentioned in the court's trial plan but only as part of that ancillary relief which may be necessary to enforce the declaratory judgment. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 37.011 (Vernon 1997).

Farmers also asserts issues of contract ambiguity destroy predominance. Yet Farmers does not point out how the contract is ambiguous. In fact it admits it will argue (at the proper time) that the contract is unambiguous. Ms. Geter acknowledges the policy language is unambiguous. All of Farmers' arguments on the predominance issue are unfounded. Issue two is overruled.

In issue three, Farmers asserts the class procedure is not a superior method of resolving the issues because it usurps the role of the TDI. ⁽⁶⁾ At the time the nonrenewal scheme was implemented, Farmers' premiums were not regulated by the TDI. Only the types of policies and their forms were subject to regulation. ⁽⁷⁾ Ms. Geter's and the class's complaint is not about any of those issues; it is whether Farmers was obligated to renew the HO-B policy. Even if the TDI may be involved in setting the rate for the HO-B policy if the class is successful in requiring Farmers to renew the policy, this is a post-litigation administrative matter not affecting the initial class certification.

In that same vein, Farmers also argues the "filed rate" or "filed tariff" doctrine dictates that administrative agencies, in this case, the TDI, should exercise their legislatively-delegated authority to regulate certain industries to the exclusion of the courts. As previously discussed, this issue raised by this litigation is not one within the province of the TDI. Issue three is overruled.

In issue four, Farmers complains about the court's trial plan. It first argues the plan does not address any provision for trial if the policy is found to be ambiguous. As noted in issue two, neither party makes such a claim; therefore there is no necessity to plan for a non-event. Farmers also argues the failure to set out the specific notice makes the trial plan defective. Farmers provided no authority which requires the actual form and wording of the notice to be specified at this stage of the litigation nor have we found any. Until the class is certified there is no necessity for the trial court to determine the details of the notice to be given. All that is required, at this stage, is the determination that notice and opt-out will be provided, not the specifics of that notice. Issue four is overruled.

Issues five, six and seven attack standing and adequacy of representation. These issues were addressed in issues three and four in Farmers I. Having previously decided these issues, the "law of the case" ⁽⁸⁾

doctrine applies. Issues five, six and seven are overruled.

Farmers has filed a supplemental brief ⁽⁹⁾ alleging the recent opinion of the Texas Supreme Court in Citizens Insurance Company of America v. Daccach, 217 S.W.3d 430 (Tex. 2007), is controlling, if not dispositive. We disagree. The class before the court in Citizens was a damage class certified under Rule 42(b)(3). Id. at 438 n.5; see Tex. R. Civ. P. 42 (b)(3). In that case, the class began with multiple causes of actions with damages. The class representative decided to abandon all but one of the damage claims, and the trial court certified that single damage claim. Id. at 448. The Court of Appeals held the abandoned claims would not be subject to res judicata based on the class action. Id. The Supreme Court disagreed and held the abandoned claims would be subject to res judicata. Id. at 450.

Farmers argues that Ms. Geter's failure to assert a damage claim would present the same claims preclusion problems present in Citizens. Ms. Geter is seeking, for the class, the right to renew the HO-B policy under the policy provisions; she is not making any claim for any losses a policyholder may have suffered under the policy. In fact, no claim for damages could have accrued since there was no policy in effect nor has any policyholder complied with all the conditions precedent called for by the policy. ⁽¹⁰⁾

The trial court was aware the issue of claims preclusion in the context of class actions was before the Supreme Court and tailored its certification order, including the notice provisions, appropriately.

In summary, we previously reversed the trial court because of the Supreme Court's instructions in Lapray. The trial court, in our view, has meticulously complied with our previous opinion and the requirements of Lapray. Therefore, we affirm.

AFFIRMED.

__________________________________

DON BURGESS ⁽¹¹⁾

Justice

Submitted on May 11, 2006

Opinion Delivered July 26, 2007

Before Kreger, Burgess, and Murphy ⁽¹²⁾, JJ.

1. We refer to appellants collectively as "Farmers."

2.

Contained in paragraph 6, subparagraphs a, b, and c of the policy, the pertinent language is :

a. We may not refuse to renew this policy because of claims for losses resulting from natural causes.

b. We may not refuse to renew this policy solely because you are an elected official.

c. We may refuse to renew this policy if you have filed three or more claims under the policy in any three year period that do not result from natural causes.

If you have filed two claims in a period of less than three years, we may notify you in writing, that if you file a third claim during the three year period, we may refuse to renew this policy by providing you proper notice of our refusal to renew as provided in d. below. If we do not notify you after the second claim, we may not refuse to renew this policy because of losses.

A claim does not include a claim that is filed but is not paid or payable under the policy.

3. The trial court defined the class as plaintiff Sandra Geter and all persons who, on or after November 14, 2001, received a notice from one or more Defendants advising them that their current HO-B homeowner policies covering property in the State of Texas would not be renewed upon expiration.

4.

(b) Class Actions Maintainable. An action may be maintained as a class action if the prerequisites of subdivision (a) are satisfied, and in addition:

(1) the prosecution of separate actions by or against individual members of the class would create a risk of

(A) inconsistent or varying adjudications with respect to individual members of the class which would establish incompatible standards of conduct for the party opposing the class, or

(B) adjudications with respect to individual members of the class which would as a practical matter be dispositive of the interests of the other members not parties to the adjudications or substantially impair or impede their ability to protect their interests; or

(2) the party opposing the class has acted or refused to act on grounds generally applicable to the class, thereby making appropriate final injunctive relief or corresponding declaratory relief with respect to the class as a whole; or

(3) the questions of law or fact common to the members of the class predominate over any questions affecting only individual members, and a class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of the controversy. . . .

Tex. R. Civ. P. 42(b)

5. 1. Can a court certify an opt-out, equitable-relief class under Rule 42(b)(2) when the only declaration sought by the class is that the defendant breached contracts with the class members, which, if successful, could give rise to diverse and highly individualized claims for relief or damages? Should a court certify a class ostensibly seeking only limited declaratory relief when it is abundantly clear that the relief, if granted, will not remedy any alleged wrong or terminate the controversy?

2. Can a court certify a class which lacks predominance because of a request for supplemental relief?

3. Can a court certify a class which lacks superiority by usurping the TDI's role in regulating insurers and setting rates for policies?

4. Is the conclusory "trial plan" that simply adopts the plaintiff's characterization of a single issue desired to be tried -- without consideration of the remedies that are raised by the allegations made -- sufficient under Southwestern Ref. Co. v. Bernal, 22 S.W.3d 425 (Tex. 2000), and Henry Schein, Inc. v. Stromboe, 102 S.W.3d 675 (Tex. 2002)?

5. Does Geter lack standing to serve as class representative since she lacks a legally cognizable injury, having procured homeowners insurance and having suffered no uncompensated loss?

6. If Geter actually intends to forego damages, as the Order provides, can she be an adequate representative of the class?

7. Can Geter be a proper class representative of a class regarding homeowners coverage when she now holds a different policy from other class members?

6.

We are unsure this issue was presented to the trial court in that neither party points to any motion to dismiss or abate predicated on this issue that was ruled upon by the trial judge. In any event, we will address it.

7.

Regulatory provisions in effect until April 1, 2007. See Tex. Ins. Code Ann. art. 5.13-2 (Vernon Supp. 2006).

8.

"'[T]he law of the case doctrine is defined as that principle under which questions of law decided on appeal . . . will govern the case throughout its subsequent stages.'" Gantt v. Gantt, 208 S.W.3d 27, 30 n.4 (Tex. App.--Houston [14 Dist.] 2006, pet. filed)(quoting Loram Maint. of Way, Inc. v. Ianni, 210 S.W.3d 593, 596 (Tex. 2006)).

9.

Farmers has also filed a supplemental "letter" brief arguing that the recent case of Farmers Group, Inc. v. Lubin, 222 S.W.3d 417 (Tex. 2007) impacts this case, perhaps requiring a dismissal. This matter must be presented to the trial court.

10. Generally policyholders must make a timely claim, allow for access for inspection, and a claim before any cause of action for damages accrues.

11.

The Honorable Don Burgess, sitting by assignment pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code Ann. § 74.003(b) (Vernon 2005).

12.

The Honorable Paul Murphy, sitting by assignment pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code Ann. § 74.003(b) (Vernon 2005).