Hague v. Allstate Insurance Co.

289 N.W.2d 43, 1979 Minn. LEXIS 1680

• Court: Supreme Court of Minnesota
• Decided: August 31, 1979
• Docket: 47874
• Status: Published

Opinions

YETKA, Justice.

Appeal by defendant, Allstate Insurance Co., from an order of the district court granting plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment and denying defendant’s motion to dismiss.¹ We affirm.

The facts are not in dispute. The cause of action upon which this case is based arises out of an automobile and motorcycle accident which occurred on July 1, 1974, in Pierce County, Wisconsin, which is immediately adjacent to the border near Red Wing, Minnesota. Ralph A. Hague was a passenger on a motorcycle owned and operated by his son, Ronald Hague.

The Hagues were traveling west on State Highway No. 35, and they intended to turn left (to the south) onto a road that led to Elderwood Heights, Wisconsin. They slowed to an eventual stop and signaled their intention to make a left turn. While waiting for an eastbound car to pass in the oncoming lane, the motorcycle was struck from behind by an automobile owned and operated by Richard R. Borst, a resident of Ellsworth, Wisconsin. Ralph Hague died as a result of injuries sustained in this accident.

At the time of the accident, Ralph Hague resided with his wife, Lavinia Hague, in Hager City, Wisconsin, which is located just 1½ miles from Red Wing, Minnesota. Although Ralph Hague resided in Wisconsin, he 'was employed in Red Wing, Minnesota, and he had been employed in Red Wing for 15 years immediately preceding his death. After the accident, and prior to the initiation of the above entitled matter, Lavinia Hague moved her residence to Red Wing, Minnesota. On June 19, 1976, almost concurrently with the initiation of this action, Lavinia Hague was married to a Minnesota residént who operated an automobile service station in Bloomington, and established residence with her husband in Savage, Minnesota. The motorcycle which Ralph Hague was riding was owned by Ronald for about 1 year prior to the accident.

Ronald Hague owned other vehicles that were insured by Allstate, but his motorcycle was not insured. Richard Borst was without valid insurance coverage at the time of the accident.

Ralph Hague was insured at the time of the accident by Allstate, which had issued one policy to decedent that extended coverage to three automobiles Ralph Hague owned. A separate premium was paid for each automobile. The policy was effective as of June 8, 1974, and it provided for uninsured motorist coverage to a limit of $15,000 for each automobile.

On May 28, 1976, the Registrar of Probate for the County of Goodhue, State of Minnesota, appointed Lavinia Hague personal representative of the estate of her deceased husband, Ralph Hague. Subsequent to her appointment as personal representative, Lavinia Hague initiated the above-entitled action against Allstate.

Plaintiff is suing for declaratory relief construing the above indicated policy so as to “stack” the separate $15,000 uninsured motorist coverages on each automobile and therefore afford coverage in the total amount of $45,000. Questions of liability and amount of damages are not at issue in this proceeding, only the amount of coverage available. Plaintiff and defendant agree that if Minnesota law governs this case, “stacking” of the uninsured motorist benefits in the insurance policy is applicable.

Plaintiff’s position is that:

(1) Minnesota courts have personal jurisdiction over all of the parties herein because plaintiff is a resident of Minnesota and was so prior to the commencement of this action, and defendant does business within Minnesota and is subject to personal service in this state; and

(2) Under the choice of law doctrine adopted by Minnesota courts, Minnesota law should be applied to the question of “stacking” the uninsured motorist provisions of the automobile insurance policy under which Ralph Hague was insured.

Defendant’s position is that:

(1) The question of “stacking” should be determined by the Wisconsin courts, since the accident took place in Wisconsin, and involved all Wisconsin residents; and

(2) Wisconsin courts have not yet determined the question of “stacking” under their new law, and former decisions under the old law held against “stacking.”

The issues presented by this appeal are:

(1) Did the trial court abuse its discretion in refusing to dismiss the complaint on the ground of forum non conveniens?

(2) Does Minnesota or Wisconsin law apply to determine whether uninsured motorist coverage may be “stacked”?

We have three choices for a decision in this case: (1) We could hold that clearly the case ought to be declined in Minnesota and referred to Wisconsin for trial; (2) we could hold that the case was properly tried in Minnesota but Wisconsin law ought to apply; or (3) we could hold that the case should be tried in Minnesota under Minnesota law. We find the third course of action appropriate in this case for the reasons set forth herein.

1. Forum non conveniens.

Minnesota courts in their discretion may decline jurisdiction over transitory causes of action brought by nonresident citizens or noncitizens of this state when it fairly appears that it would be more equitable to have the case tried in another available court of competent jurisdiction. Johnson v. Chicago, B. & Q. Railroad Co., 243 Minn. 58, 66 N.W.2d 763 (1954). Although the cases speak of nonresidents, it does not appear that the distinction between residents and nonresidents is crucial, except insofar as it bears on the relative convenience of the parties.² The important factors to be considered in invoking the rule of forum non conveniens were set out by the United States Supreme Court in Gulf Oil Corp. v. Gilbert, 330 U.S. 501, 508, 67 S.Ct. 839, 843, 91 L.Ed. 1055, 1062 (1947), as follows:

“ * * * [T]he relative ease of access to sources of proof; availability of compulsory process for attendance of unwilling, and the cost of obtaining attendance of willing, witnesses; possibility of view of premises, if view would be appropriate to the action; and all other practical problems that make trial of a case easy, expeditious and inexpensive. There may also be questions as to the enforcibility of a judgment-if one is obtained. The court will weigh relative advantages and obstacles to fair trial. It is often said that the plaintiff may not, by choice of an inconvenient forum, ‘vex,’ ‘harass,’ or ‘oppress’ the defendant by inflicting upon him expense or trouble not necessary to his own right to pursue his remedy. But unless the balance is strongly in favor of the defendant, the plaintiff’s choice of forum should rarely be disturbed.”

The present action was one for declaratory judgment which did not require witnesses. Plaintiff is a resident of this state and defendant does extensive business within the state. See, Stevens v. American Service Mutual Ins. Co., 234 A.2d 305, 307 (D.C.App.1967). The decedent worked in Minnesota for 15 years and drove to and from his home in Wisconsin. A personal representative was appointed in Minnesota, and there is no showing that a personal representative was appointed in Wisconsin. The only “inconvenience” is that Minnesota law, if applied, might be more liberal than Wisconsin law. There does not appear to be harassment or oppression involved in this lawsuit.

We do not, however, decide the issue of whether a district court may decline jurisdiction over a resident’s cause of action because, even if it may, there was no abuse of discretion here in refusing to dismiss the case. The mere fact that Wisconsin law may be different from Minnesota law is not sufficient reason to decline jurisdiction. Myers v. Government Employees Insurance Co., 302 Minn. 359, 367, 225 N.W.2d 238, 241 (1974); Chubbuck v. Holloway, 182 Minn. 225, 234 N.W. 314, 868 (1931).

2. Choice of Laws.

Defendant argues that even if Minnesota retains jurisdiction, Wisconsin law should be applied to prohibit “stacking” of the uninsured motorist coverage. Plaintiff contends that Minnesota law applies, but that there is no true conflict because Wisconsin law permits stacking.³

In Milkovich v. Saari, 295 Minn. 155, 203 N.W.2d 408 (1973), this court adopted a methodology of analysis for resolving conflicts of. laws questions.⁴ The analysis involves the following “choice-influencing considerations” (295 Minn. 161, 203 N.W.2d 412): (1) predictability of result, (2) maintenance of interstate and international order, (3) simplification of the judicial task, (4) advancement of the forum’s governmental interest, (5) application of the better rule of law. Before applying the five factor analysis, the court must first determine whether the choice of one law will be “outcome determinative,” i.e., whether there is an actual conflict. Myers v. Government Employees Ins. Co. supra. Thus if Wisconsin law would allow stacking, then the choice of law question need not be reached and the result reached by the trial court should be affirmed.

(a) Conflict of law.

The first question which we must determine is whether there is a conflict between the interests of Minnesota and Wisconsin in the present case. Interests of Wisconsin, in the present case, are grounded in the residence of the plaintiff at the time of the accident and making of the contract. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has articulated its state policy of insuring minimum recovery on the part of victims of uninsured motorists. Nelson v. Employers Mutual Cas. Co., 63 Wis.2d 558, 217 N.W.2d 670 (1974). This policy may be based in part on a desire to keep insurance premiums low while providing some protections against uninsured motorists.

Minnesota contacts with the facts of the case begin with plaintiff’s residence at the time of suit, defendant’s license to do business,"and defendant’s conduct of business in the state. There is no indication that plaintiff moved to Minnesota in an effort to forum shop. Thus, as the justice administering state, Minnesota has at least one significant contact.⁵ If this were an ordinary contract case, as defendant suggests, the analysis of Minnesota interest might end with the observation that Minnesota has an interest in maximizing the tort recovery of plaintiffs who are involved in accidents involving uninsured motorists. This policy is clearly articulated in the Minnesota stacking cases beginning with Van Tassel v. Horace Mann Mutual Ins. Co., 296 Minn. 181, 207 N.W.2d 348 (1973). The stated governmental interest is grounded in a policy of compensating injured plaintiffs to the maximum extent of their injuries, even where this recovery is greater than minimum requirements.⁶

Minnesota contacts with and interest in the facts of the present case are, however, more extensive because the contract involved is one concerning automobile liability insurance. Insofar as the contract is one of indemnity for tort recovery, the kinds of contacts relevant to tort cases may be considered. The facts show that plaintiff’s decedent traveled to work in Minnesota for 15 years. Thus, the risk which was covered by the policy was located in Minnesota as well as Wisconsin.

One additional interest, not addressed by the parties, is Minnesota’s interest in the administration of estates. According to the stipulated facts, plaintiff was appointed personal representative of her husband’s estate by a Minnesota court. The plaintiff as an heir resides in Minnesota. This interest was recognized in Travelers Ins. Co. v. Davis, 490 F.2d 536 (3 Cir. 1974). The court applied Pennsylvania law in upholding an arbitrator’s decision which allowed stacking. The suit was brought by the executor of a Pennsylvania decedent’s estate on a policy issued in Massachusetts for a death occurring in Texas. In the present case, the interests of Wisconsin are stronger than those of Massachusetts in Travelers Ins. Co. v. Davis, supra, because the decedent resided there, but nonetheless Minnesota has substantial contacts and interests.⁷

Although the interests of the two states coincide to the extent that both seek compensation of the victims of accidents involving uninsured motorists, they diverge on the policies and interests underlying stacking. The Minnesota interest in full compensation for residents injured by uninsured motorists is sufficient to allow the application of Minnesota law if otherwise warranted.

The question of whether Wisconsin law permits excess insurance clauses arid thus limits stacking is difficult because the Wisconsin Supreme Court has never ruled on the issue under the statute in force at the time this policy was written. Neither the briefs nor the arguments of counsel, however, persuade us that the legislature or the Supreme Court of Wisconsin would overrule the decision in Nelson v. Employers Mutual Cas. Co. supra, in which the court upheld the validity of such clauses.⁸ Thus, we find that Wisconsin law, in effect at the time of the writing of the policy, allowed “excess insurance” clauses and that stacking would not be permitted if Wisconsin law were to apply.

(b) Choice of Law.

Defendant argues that application of the five tests mandate application of Wisconsin law. It. argues that predictability of result, interstate order, and advancement of the forum’s governmental interest mandate this result. Plaintiff argues, and the trial court agreed, that the Milkovich line of cases involving foreign torts makes the advancément of the forum’s governmental interest and better rule of law the only relevant considerations. The discussion of interests is based on the peculiar hybrid nature of the problems involved in automobile liability insurance cases. The analysis should determine the choice of laws by examining both tort and contract considerations.

(1) Predictability of Results.

Defendant argues that this factor favors application of Wisconsin law because the insurer of a vehicle is concerned with setting of standard rates. Plaintiff argues that this analysis is mistaken insofar as defendant was reasonably to be presumed to travel in Minnesota and insofar as Minnesota law would clearly apply if the accident had occurred in Minnesota. This consideration weighs slightly in defendant’s favor, but the fact that one cannot predict automobile accidents because they are unplanned makes predictability of results less important in automobile liability insurance cases than in other contract cases.

(2) Maintenance of Interstate Order.

This concept requires that the state whose laws are ultimately applied have sufficient contacts with the facts in issue. Milkovich v. Saari, supra; Schwartz v. Consolidated Freightways Corp., 300 Minn. 487, 221 N.W.2d 665 (1974), certiorari denied, 425 U.S. 959, 96 S.Ct. 1740, 48 L.Ed.2d 204 (1976). As stated above, the contacts of both states are substantial. Leflar points out that retaliation by one state for mere forum preference of another state may also be considered in a decision to apply non-forum law where forum contacts are minimal. Leflar, Choice — Influencing Considerations in Conflict Law, 41 N.Y.U.L.Rev. 267, 287. In the present case, if the contacts with Minnesota were less substantial, this would be a stronger consideration. Under this heading the court may also consider whether or not application of Minnesota law will encourage forum shopping. (Ibid.) This would also be a strong consideration in the present case if there was any evidence that plaintiff had moved to this state for the purpose of bringing suit. This consideration thus does not require application of Wisconsin law.

(3) Simplification of the Judicial Task.

The parties appear to agree that this issue is irrelevant because there is an applicable Wisconsin statute which this court is capable of interpreting.⁹

(4) Advancement of the Forum’s Governmental Interest.

Minnesota’s governmental interest will most clearly be advanced by application of Minnesota law. The state’s interest in fully compensating resident accident victims and thus keeping them off welfare rolls and enabling them to meet financial obligations will be met most adequately by allowing stacking. The advancement of Minnesota’s' interest is only partially inconsistent with the advancement of Wisconsin’s in that Wisconsin is interested in giving the plaintiff some recovery, but at minimum limits.

The factual contacts with this state are more limited than the contacts which mandated application of Minnesota law in Schwartz v. Consolidated Freightways Corp. supra. In Schwartz the plaintiff, injured in Indiana, was a lifelong Minnesota resident and employed by a Minnesota corporation at the time of the accident. Because the present case involves a third-party insurance beneficiary rather than a plaintiff personally injured in an accident, we are not convinced that the Minnesota contacts are, in themselves, sufficient to mandate application of our law. Thus, we must consider the remaining factor.

(5)The Better Rule of Law.

This consideration clearly mandates application of Minnesota law. Minnesota follows a majority of jurisdictions in allowing stacking and this fact has been recognized by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Nelson v. Employers Mutual Cas. Co., 63 Wis.2d 558, 217 N.W.2d 670. Although majority status is not by itself sufficient to make a rule “better,” the decisions on stacking are fairly recent and well considered in light of current uses of automobiles. Additionally, the line of decisions in Minnesota which favors stacking is impliedly based on the premise that the rule allowing stacking is the better rule of law.¹⁰ We believe that it is preferable to compensate victims of accidents to the full extent of their injuries, and we believe that is the policy adopted by the legislature. The Minnesota rule is better because it requires the cost of accidents with uninsured motorists to be spread more broadly through insurance premiums than does the Wisconsin rule.

The trial court is affirmed.

1 . An order granting summary judgment is not appealable. Rule 103.03, Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure; Johnson & Peterson, Inc. v. Toohey, 289 Minn. 362, 184 N.W.2d 586 (1971). The trial court did not certify the question as important and doubtful. No judgment appears in the record and thus if the case were dismissed judgment would be entered and appeal time would then run. Because that course would simply delay the proceedings, the court' exercises its discretionary review under Rules 102 and 105.01. See, Morgan Co. v. Minnesota Min. & Mfg. Co., Minn., 246 N.W.2d 443 (1976).

2 .Fourth N. W. Nat. Bank v. Hilson Industries, Inc., 264 Minn. 110, 117 N.W.2d 732 (1962), decided that under the circumstances of that case there was no jurisdiction over a nonresident corporation. The case applied principles of due process and forum non conveniens and the “residency” of the plaintiff was not considered. The language of other Minnesota cases could be construed to require the court to retain jurisdiction over suits properly brought by resident plaintiffs, but cf. Savchuk v. Rush, Minn., 245 N.W.2d 624, 630 (1976), vacated and remanded on other grounds, 433 U.S. 902, 97 S.Ct. 2964, 53 L.Ed.2d 1086 (1977), which indicates that resident plaintiffs are subject to forum non conveniens.

3 . The parties agree that if Minnesota law is applied, then stacking is permitted.

4 . The approach adopted was taken from the proposal made by Professor Robert Leflar in Choice-Inñuencing Considerations in Conñict Law, 41 N.Y.U.L.Rev. 267.

5 . This interest was recognized in Milkovich' v. Saari, 295 Minn. 155, 165, 203 N.W.2d 408, 415 (1973), in the court’s approving of the reasoning of Kell v. Henderson, 47 Misc.2d 992, 263 N.Y.S.2d 647 (1965), affirmed, 26 A.D.2d 595, 270 N.Y.S.2d 552 (1966).

6 . Several jurisdictions have applied the law of the place of contracting to interpret uninsured motorist provisions: Brooks v. Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Assn. Ins. Co., 62 N.J. 583, 303 A.2d 884 (1973) (New Jersey residence insufficient contact to apply New Jersey law where policy issuance, accident, and pending workers compensation claim was in Pennsylvania); Travelers Ind. Co. v. Stearns, 116 N.H. 285, 358 A.2d 402 (1976) (accident occurring in New Hampshire insufficient to apply New Hampshire uninsured motorist law where policy issued in Massachusetts to Massachusetts resident for car principally garaged in Massachusetts); Grayson v. National Fire Ins. Co., 313 F.Supp. 1002 (D.Puerto Rico, 1970) (in New Jersey law applied in Puerto Rico accident where policy was issued to New Jersey residents in New Jersey).

7 . The contacts of the plaintiff with Minnesota are less substantial than those of the plaintiff in Gillen v. United Services Auto. Assn., 300 So.2d 3 (Fla.1974), in which the Florida Supreme Court applied its law favoring stacking to an insurance policy entered into in New Hampshire. In Gillen the plaintiff and decedent had moved to Florida prior to the accident and the accident occurred in Florida. Thus, the risk of the policy had little substantial relation to New Hampshire. In the present case the risk was located primarily in Wisconsin, but was also located in Minnesota.

8 . The legislative history of the statute is unclear. Wis.Stat.1967, § 204.30(5)'(now Wis. Stat. 632.32(3)) was amended several times. The effect of these amendments is unclear, but the present statute is essentially the same as that construed in Nelson v. Employers Mutual Cas. Co., 63 Wis.2d 558, 217 N.W.2d 670 (1974).

9 . This would be clearer if the Wisconsin Supreme Court had expressly ruled on the issue.

10 . In Van Tassel v. Horace Mann Mutual Ins. Co., 296 Minn. 181, 207 N.W.2d 348 (1973.), this court expressly stated that the most convincing rationale on stacking was offered by cases which held restrictive clauses invalid.