Haag v. Castro

934 N.E.2d 189, 2010 Ind. App. LEXIS 1795, 2010 WL 3760274

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: September 28, 2010
• Docket: 29A04-1001-CT-10
• Status: Published

Opinions

OPINION

MATHIAS, Judge.

Appellants Sarah Haag, et al. (collectively "the Team Members"), appeal the trial court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Appellee Virginia Surety Co., Inc. ("Virginia Surety").¹ The Team Members raise four issues, which we consolidate and restate as the following issue: Whether the trial court erred by determining that the injuries sustained in a rollover accident by the players of the Carmel Commotion Soccer Team were not covered by the Virginia Surety insurance policy issued to the Indiana Youth Soccer Association ("the TYSA").

Concluding that the trial court properly entered summary judgment in favor of Appellee Virginia Surety, we affirm.

Facts and Procedural History

During 2004, the Team Members, all young women,² were members of the Carmel Commotion Soccer Team ("Carmel Commotion"). Carmel Commotion was one of a number of soccer teams fielded by the Carmel United Soccer Club, which in turn was an affiliated member in good standing of the IYSA. The IYSA is an Indiana not-for-profit corporation and is a governing body for youth soccer, charged with developing and promoting youth soccer in the State of Indiana in conjunction with the United States Youth Soccer Association, the United States Soccer Federation, and the United States Olympic Committee. In order to insure its activities, the IYSA acquired an insurance policy through Virginia Surety.

In June of 2004, Carmel Commotion applied to the TYSA to receive a permit to travel to Colorado to participate in a youth soccer tournament there. The trip to Colorado was organized by Mark Castro ("Castro"), the Carmel Commotion's coach and employee of the Carmel United Soccer Club. Castro was also certified by the TYSA as a soccer coach. After receiving the TYSA's approval to compete in the Colorado soccer tournament and prior to leaving, Castro provided an itinerary to all the Team Members. The itinerary included a pre-planned time for an unspecified "[t]eam activity" on the afternoon of Saturday, June 12, 2004. Team Members' App. p. 644.

Upon Carmel Commotion's arrival in Colorado, Castro rented a passenger van for the team's use during the soccer tournament. At noon on June 12, 2004, Car-mel Commotion had completed all soccer games and tournament related events for the day. The team returned to the hotel, and after lunch, the decision was made to go on a white water rafting trip as a team building activity. While travelling to the rafting activity, the van Castro had rented and was driving collided with another vehicle. The Team Members were injured as a result of this collision.

On June 7, 2006, the Team Members filed their Complaint for Declaratory Relief against Castro, the IYSA, Virginia Surety, and K & K Insurance Group,³ seeking a declaration that Virginia Surety's policy, which was secured through the IYSA, provided coverage for the Team Members while Castro drove them to the team building white water rafting activity. Specifically, the policy provided for business auto coverage and extended coverage, under certain conditions, for liability arising out of the use of an automobile. The Covered Auto Designation Symbol Endorsement (CA 9954 7/97) attached to the business automobile coverage defines those autos covered as follows:

With respect to hired Auto and employers non-ownership liability, the insured means the Named Insured, member associations and its clubs, leagues, teams, employees, volunteers, executive officers, directors, shareholders, therein but only while the automobile is being used in the business of the Named Insured. Coverage is not provided on behalf of the parents, managers, coaches, umpires, officials, referees, of the insured or volunteers using any automobile "personally owned, leased, borrowed or employer-furnished" in the transportation of youth or adult participants to or from athletic games or athletic events, including but not limited to practices, exhibitions, post-season and scheduled events.

Team Members' App. p. 101 (emphasis added).

On June 26, 2009, Virginia Surety filed its motion for summary judgment and evi-dentiary designation denying coverage to the Team Members for the injuries sustained in the collision. On June 30, 2009, the Team Members filed their eross-motion for summary judgment against Virginia Surety along with a designation of evidence. The parties each responded to the other's motion for summary judgment. On November 24, 2009, the trial court conducted a hearing on the cross-motions for summary judgment. On December 10, 2009, the trial court summarily granted Virginia Surety's motion for summary judgment while it denied the Team Members' motion for summary judgment. The Team Members now appeal. Additional facts will be provided as necessary.

Standard of Review

This ecause comes before this court as an appeal from a granted motion for summary judgment. Summary judgment is appropriate only when there are no genuine issues of material fact and the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. Ind. Trial Rule 56(C). In reviewing a trial court's ruling on summary judgment, this court stands in the shoes of the trial court, applying the same standards in deciding whether to affirm or reverse summary judgment. First Farmers Bank & Trust Co. v. Whorley, 891 N.E.2d 604, 607 (Ind.Ct.App.2008), trams. denied. Thus, on appeal, we must determine whether there is a genuine issue of material fact and whether the trial court has correctly applied the law. Id. at 607-08. In doing so, we consider all of the designated evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Id. at 608.

The party appealing summary judgment has the burden of persuading this court that the trial court's ruling was improper. Id. When the defendant is the moving party, the defendant must show that the undisputed facts negate at least one element of the plaintiff's cause of action or that the defendant has a factually unchallenged affirmative defense that bars the plaintiff's claim. Id. Accordingly, a granted summary judgment must be reversed if the record discloses an incorrect application of the law to the facts. Id.

Discussion and Decision

Insurance policies are governed by the same rules of construction as other contracts. Briles v. Wausau Ins. Companies, 858 N.E.2d 208, 213 (Ind.Ct.App.2006). As with other contracts, the interpretation of an insurance policy is a question of law. Id. When interpreting an insurance policy, our goal is to ascertain and enforce the parties' intent as manifested in the insurance contract. Id. We construe the insurance policy as a whole and consider all of the provisions of the contract and not just the individual words, phrases, or paragraphs. Id. If the language is clear and unambiguous, we give the language its plain and ordinary meaning. Id. An ambiguity exists where the provision is susceptible to more than one interpretation and reasonable persons would differ as to its meaning. Id. However, an ambiguity does not exist merely because the parties proffer differing interpretations of the policy language. Id. We must accept an interpretation of the contract language that harmonizes the provisions, rather than one that supports conflicting versions of the provisions. Id. Additionally, the power to interpret contracts does not extend to changing their terms and we will not give insurance poli-cles an unreasonable construction to provide additional coverage. Id.

The Virginia Surety policy issued to the TYSA provided for business auto coverage as follows:

With respect to hired Auto and employers non-ownership liability, the insured means the Named Insured, member associations and its clubs, leagues, teams, employees, volunteers, executive officers, directors, shareholders, therein but only while the automobile is being used in the business of the Named Insured. Coverage is not provided on behalf of the parents, managers, coaches, umpires, officials, referees, of the insured or volunteers using any automobile "personally owned, leased, borrowed or employer-furnished" in the transportation of youth or adult participants to or from athletic games or athletic events, including but not limited to practices, exhibitions, post-season and scheduled events.

To resolve the issue before us we are required to interpret the phrase "used in the business of" the IYSA. The designated evidence reflects that Carmel Commotion is fielded by the Carmel United Soceer Club, which in turn was an affiliated member in good standing of the IYSA. Castro is an employee of Carmel Commotion and a certified coach under IYSA's licensing requirements. As a result, Castro clearly falls within the initial insured classifications listed in the insurance policy. The question then becomes whether Castro's use of the van to transport the Team Members was "being used in the business of the Named Insured" at the time of the accident.

In their briefs, the parties cite to Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Connecticut Indemnity Co., 55 F.3d 1333, 1335 (7th Cir.1995), in which the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals construed Indiana law in interpreting an insurance policy's use of the phrase "while used in the business of." Id. at 1335. The court found that, although the interpretation of the term was a question of contractual interpretation, Indiana cases addressing the doctrine of respondeat superior are persuasive to evaluate the issue to the extent that they provide an indication as to what sort of activities Indiana courts typically believe are contemplated by the words "in the business of." Id. As such, the Liberty Mutual court relied on Gibbs v. Miller, 152 Ind.App. 326, 283 N.E.2d 592, 594-95 (1972), where we stated that "[the general test in determining the existence of a master-servant relationship is the right to direct and control the conduct of the alleged servant at the time the negligent act occurred." Moreover, the Gibbs court emphasized that the test refers only to the right to control not actual control, especially where the work does not require a great deal of supervision. Id. at 595. In addition to the right to control, the Liberty Mutual court noted two other factors applied by Indiana courts: (1) whether the activities of the servant confer a benefit to the master and (2) whether the servant was in the service of the master. 55 F.3d at 1337 n. 5 (quoting Konradi v. United States, 919 P.2d 1207, 1212-13 (7th Cir.1990)).

The Team Members contend that the IYSA's business is the promotion of youth soccer and, in furtherance of this mission, the IYSA approved Carmel Commotion's participation in the out-of-state soccer tournament they were attending at the time of the accident. As such, the Team Members claim that Carmel Commotion's "related soccer team activities [were] part and parcel of the business of the IYSAL.]" Team Members' Br. at 12.

On the other hand, Virginia Surety argues that while the IYSA sanctioned Car-mel Commotion's attendance and competition at the tournament, the IYSA did not regulate or control the out-of-state tournament or the activities of the Team Members while attending the tournament. Therefore, Virginia Surety maintains that the Team Members' use of the van to go white water rafting was not a use "in the business of the Named Insured" under the policy. We agree.

The IYSA's Articles of Incorporation state the purpose of the organization as

SECTION 1. To develop, promote and administer the game of soccer among Youth under 19 years of age residing within the State of Indiana.

SECTION 2. To encourage and assist in the development and growth of community leagues, associations, organizations, programs and teams so that soccer is made available to more Indiana residents in all levels of competition.

SECTION 3. To develop and encourage sportsmanship and playing proficiency by all players and persons involved in soccer in the State of Indiana.

SECTION 4. To affiliate with USYSA and to encourage registration of all Indiana Youth teams with the USYSA.

SECTION 5. To conduct tournaments of Youth team competition and to sancetion said teams to enter and participate in said tournaments.

SECTION 6. To do any and all other acts necessary or desirable in the furtherance of the foregoing purposes and for the good of Youth soccer.

Team Members' App. p. 815. Thus, the Articles of Incorporation-and specifically Section 5-indicate that the TYSA's mission or business encompasses the organization of competitive soccer teams and their participation in soccer tournaments. Whereas the Articles are ambiguous as to whether Section 5 is geographically limited to the State of Indiana or can be read to include out-of-state tournaments, the IYSA's Playing Rules explicitly contemplate opportunities for travel to and participation in out-of-state tournaments.

The parties do not dispute that before Carmel Commotion is allowed to attend an out-of-state soccer tournament, the team needs to receive permission from the IYSA. Rule 2.6 of the IYSA's Playing Rules states, in pertinent part:

RULE 2.6 OUT-OF-STATE PLAY (USYSA RULE 4032, SECTION 3-B)

A resident of Indiana must register with IYSA in order to be eligible to play in another U.S. Youth Soccer state association. Players are also insured through the state of residence. Failure to register in Indiana will place the player in bad standing with the USYSA and invalidate the player's insurance coverage.

Team Members' App. p. 829. With respect to the permission to travel, Playing Rule 3.6 proseribe the following, in pertinent part:

A} Out-of-state tournaments: Teams participating in United States tournaments outside the state of Indiana must make sure the tournament has been sanctioned [] by their National State Association and USYSA.

* * *

C} Permission to travel-Traveling with this permit guarantees the host state that the players are properly registered, are the appropriate age group, are covered by insurance, and that the team or its players are not under any disciplinary sanctions.

* No later than fourteen (14) days in advance of the departure date, a completed Permit to Travel (must be original-no faxes) must be submitted to TYSA for approval along with the appropriate fee. An additional fee may be made payable to IYSA for an application submitted less than fourteen days in advance.

* A copy of the IYSA approved Permit to Travel shall be presented to the host tournament director by the traveling team.

Team Members' App. p. 835.

Reading the IYSA's Articles of Incorporation together with its Playing Rules clarifies that the IYSA not only promotes soccer for youth residing in Indiana but also encourages Indiana's soccer teams' participation in out-of-state tournaments. The organizational documents establish specific rules that member participants must follow prior to being allowed to travel out-of-state and being covered by insurance.

However, the IYSA's playing rules do not require the team to submit an itinerary with its application for a Permit to Travel. There is nothing in the playing rules from which we could conclude that the TYSA's requirement of a Permit to Travel grants it the right to control a traveling soccer team's activities and itinerary during their out-of-state travel. To the contrary, the IYSA's purpose in requiring a Permit to Travel is simply 1) to grant the IYSA the right to control which out-of-state sance-tioned tournaments its traveling teams participate in, and 2) to guarantee to the out-of-state tournament that the Indiana's traveling team's players are eligible and registered with the TYSA. Moreover, as Virginia Surety observes in its brief, onee the Permit to Travel is issued, the IYSA has no further involvement in the traveling team's participation in the out-of-state tournament.

It is undisputed that at the time of the accident Castro and Carmel Commotion team members were not traveling to an event related to the soccer tournament. In fact, the team had completed all soccer tournament related events for the day before the accident occurred. The players and their coach were engaged in travelling to a leisure activity, white water rafting, which the coach characterized as a team building exercise. Furthermore, the decision to participate in a white water rafting activity was made after the team arrived in Colorado for the tournament. The IYSA did not have knowledge of or authorize the white water rafting activity.

Because the designated evidence does not establish that the IYSA had the right to control Carmel Commotion's activities while attending the out-of-state soccer tournament, we conclude that Castro was not using the rented van "in the business of" the TYSA when he was transporting the team to a white water rafting activity unrelated to the out-of-state soccer tournament the team received the TIYSA's permission to attend. Under the terms of the Virginia Surety insurance policy and the facts and cireumstances before us, we hold that Castro's use of the van was not covered under the policy.⁴ Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's summary judgment in favor of Virginia Surety.

Affirmed.

BRADFORD, J., concurs. RILEY, J., dissents with opinion.

1 . We heard oral argument on this cause on July 12, 2010, at the Indiana Court of Appeals Courtroom in Indianapolis, Indiana. We thank counsel for their advocacy.

2 . For purposes of this lawsuit, the Team Members are represented by their parents.

3 . Defendants IYSA and K & K Insurance Group, have been dismissed from this cause through stipulations of dismissals.

4 . Because we conclude that the accident is not covered under the terms of Virginia Surety's insurance policy, we do not need to address the Team Members' remaining arguments concerning the policy exclusion and whether the policy exclusion renders the coverage illusory.