Fitch v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co.

536 N.W.2d 273, 211 Mich. App. 468

• Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
• Decided: June 13, 1995
• Docket: Docket 168527
• Status: Published

Opinion

Marilyn Kelly, J.

Plaintiff, Joyce Fitch, appeals as of right from a grant of summary disposition in favor of defendant, State Farm Fire and Casualty Company. MCR 2.116(C)(10). This is a declaratory judgment action to determine defendant’s duty to defend plaintiff. We affirm.

i

In December, 1992, plaintiff was served with a lawsuit which alleged that she had defamed and intentionally inflicted emotional harm upon William Froling. It also alleged that, as the result of public comments plaintiff made about him, Froling suffered economic loss, business loss, loss of potential business and business opportunity.

Plaintiff sought insurance coverage and defense of the lawsuit from defendant under her homeowners’ insurance policy. Defendant denied her claim. Plaintiff commenced a declaratory judgment action to determine whether defendant had a duty to defend her. Defendant filed a motion for summary disposition. The judge granted the motion. He concluded that the language of the policy did not require coverage for economic loss or injury to reputation, humiliation or the other injuries Froling had alleged.

On appeal, plaintiff asserts that the trial court erred in concluding that the injuries claimed in the underlying suit were not covered by her homeowners’ policy. We disagree.

ii

A

We review de novo a grant of summary disposition made under MCR 2.116(0(10). Borman v State Farm Fire & Casualty Co, 198 Mich App 675, 678; 499 NW2d 419 (1993). We consider the entire record, including pleadings, affidavits, depositions and other available evidence. We view all in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and draw all reasonable inferences in the nonmovant’s favor Farm Bureau Mutual Ins Co of Michigan v Stark, 437 Mich 175, 184-185; 468 NW2d 498 (1991). To uphold a summary disposition, we must be satisfied that the claim or defense cannot be proven at trial. SSC Ass’n Ltd Partnership v Detroit General Retirement System, 192 Mich App 360, 365; 480 NW2d 275 (1991).

B

Whether an insurance carrier has a duty to defend its insured in an underlying tort action depends upon the allegations in the complaint. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co v Basham, 206 Mich App 240, 242; 520 NW2d 713 (1994). The duty to defend and indemnify is not based solely on the terminology used in the pleadings in the underlying action. The court must focus also on the cause of the injury to determine whether coverage exists. Id., p 242. Thus, it appears that our inquiry is twofold. Does the claimed injury fall within the meaning of the terms used in the policy? If so, is the cause of the injury covered under the policy? Id., p 242.

An insurance contract is clear if it fairly admits of but one interpretation. Stark, p 182. A clear contract which does not contravene public policy will be enforced as written, even if inartfully or clumsily worded. Bianchi v Automobile Club of Michigan, 437 Mich 65, 70; 467 NW2d 17 (1991).

Contractual language is to be given its ordinary and plain meaning. Technical and strained constructions should be avoided. Bianchi, p 71, n 1. Terms are to be given their commonly used meanings unless clearly defined in the policy. Omitting the definition of a word which has a common usage does not create ambiguity. Group Ins Co of Michigan v Czopek, 440 Mich 590, 596; 489 NW2d 444 (1992). A court may establish the meaning of a term through a dictionary definition. Michigan Millers Mutual Ins Co v Bronson Plating Co, 445 Mich 558, 568; 519 NW2d 864 (1994). If the language is clear, its construction is a question of law for the court. Taylor v Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan, 205 Mich App 644, 649; 517 NW2d 864 (1994).

c

Plaintiffs policy provided for coverage of "bodily injury.” It states:

"[B]odily injury” means physical injury, sickness, or disease to a person. This includes required care, loss of services and death resulting therefrom.

Bodily injury does not include:

c. emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation, mental distress, mental injury, or any similar injury unless it arises out of actual physical injury to some person.

Under Michigan law, when mental injury is alleged, at least some physical manifestation of the injury is required in order to bring it within the definition of "bodily injury.” Greenman v Michigan Mutual Ins Co, 173 Mich App 88, 92; 433 NW2d 346 (1988). Here, Froling does not claim that he suffered physical injuries or physical manifestations from his emotional injuries and injuries to his reputation.

Furthermore, in addition to the definition of "physical injury” set out above, plaintiffs policy specifically states under a heading entitled "Reductions or Eliminations of Coverage”:

The definition of bodily injury has been revised to exclude emotional and mental disorder or disturbance unless it arises out of actual physical injury.

Consequently, both because of the plain language of plaintiffs policy and Froling’s claimed injuries, plaintiff cannot claim coverage for the emotional injuries and injuries to reputation in Froling’s complaint. They are apparently without physical manifestation or injury and, most importantly, did not stem from an actual physical injury.

D

Plaintiffs policy also provides coverage for "property damage.” The policy states:

"[Property damage” means physical damage to or destruction of tangible property, including loss of use of this property. Theft or conversion of property by an insured is not property damage.

Plaintiff argues that Froling’s claimed economic damages are a form of "property damage” which falls within this definition and gives rise to a duty to defend and indemnify her. Defendant counters that the policy’s definition of "property damage” refers only to physical damage to or destruction of tangible property. The policy also provides for loss of use of the property. Defendant asserts that, under this definition, the economic and business losses Froling alleges are not "physical damage to or destruction of tangible property” and do not give rise to a duty to defend or indemnify plaintiff.

Michigan appellate courts have not yet considered the parameters of "property damage” and the meaning of "tangible property” as defined here.

Other jurisdictions, notably California, have con sidered the meaning of the term "tangible property” as used in general liability policies. Usually, they have concluded that economic losses such as those alleged here do not constitute "property damage.” See Chatton v Nat'l Union Fire Ins Co, 10 Cal App 4th 846, 857-858; 13 Cal Rptr 2d 318 (1992); Giddings v Industrial Indemnity Co, 112 Cal App 3d 213, 219; 169 Cal Rptr 278 (1980); Snug Harbor Ltd v Zurich Ins, 968 F2d 538, 542 (CA 5, 1992).

While the opinions are instructive, it is unnecessary to look to other jurisdictions or to adopt their definitions of "property damage.” Froling did not allege, and the record does not support, a claim that his tangible property was damaged or destroyed as a result of plaintiffs statements. Moreover, the damages Froling claims do not stem from physical damage to or destruction of tangible property. The insurance policy language under scrutiny here is concrete and specific. It is too narrow to encompass Froling’s claimed economic and business losses under the aegis of "property damage.” Defendant did not have a duty to defend and indemnify plaintiff in the underlying suit.

Because the claimed injuries were not covered by the policy, we need not decide if the cause of the injuries requires coverage under the policy. State Farm v Basham, supra, p 242.

Affirmed.