Hardin v. American Mutual Fire Insurance Company

134 S.E.2d 142, 261 N.C. 67, 1964 N.C. LEXIS 420

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: January 17, 1964
• Docket: 377
• Status: Published

Opinion

Parker, J.

Plaintiff commenced this action by the issuance of summons on 4 January 1963, which was served on defendant on 10 January 1963. In bis complaint lie alleges in substance:

On 18 November 1961 be was injured while riding as a passenger in bis Ford automobile, which at the time was being driven by Ruby Blackwell, when his automobile was involved in a collision in the intersection of U. S. Highway 74 and North Carolina Highway 226 in the town of Shelby, North Carolina, with a Plymouth automobile which was registered in South Carolina and was being operated by Ronnie Lee Bradley. Specific acts of negligence on the part of Bradley •are allegad ¡as the proximate cause of the collision and of personal injuries sustained by .plaintiff .in the ¡collision. The particular personal injuries sustained -by plaintiff are alleged in detail.

On or about 11 October 1961 the defendant insurance company had issued to plaintiff an ¡automobile liability policy No. ACF 43 34 11, under the terms of which plaintiff was the named insured, which policy was .in effect 'at the time of the collision, .covering the Ford automobile ■in which plaintiff was riding. This policy of automobile liability insurance has .attached to it an endorsement effective 11 October 1961, and 'forming a part thereof, entitled “PROTECTION AGAINST UNINSURED MOTORISTS INSURANCE.” A copy of this endorsement is attached to .the complaint and marked Exhibit A. Its provisions relevant to this appeal 'are as follows:

“In consideration of the payment of the premium [$2.00] for this endorsement, the company agrees with the named insured, subject to the limits of liability, exclusions, 'conditions and other terms of this endorsement and to the applicable terms of the policy:

INSURING AGREEMENTS

“I. DAMAGES FOR BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE CAUSED BY UNINSURED AUTOMOBILES: To pay ail sums which the insured or his legal representative shall be legally entitled to recover ais damages from the owner or' 'operator of an uninsured automobile because of:

“(a) bodily injury, sickness or disease, including death resulting therefrom, hereinafter called ‘bodily injury,’ sustained by the insured;

“(b) [Relates to property damage and is not applicable.] caused by accident and arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of such uninsured automobile.

-a- * *::•

“II. DEFINITIONS.

“(c) UNINSURED AUTOMOBILE. The term ‘uninsured automobile’ means:

“(1) with respect to damages for bodily -injury and property damage 'an automobile with respect to the ownership, maintenance or use of which there is, in the amounts specified in the North Carolina Motor Vehicle Safety and Financial Responsibility Act, neither (i) in cash or securities on file with the North Carolina Commissioner of Motor Vehicles nor (ii) a bodily injury and property damage liability bond or insurance -policy, applicable to the accident with respect to- -any person or organization legally responsible for .the use of such automobile, or * *

Roomie Lee Bradley was an uninsured motorist, and the automobile he was ‘Operating at the time of the collision resulting in injuries to plaintiff was an uninsured automobile within the meaning of the provisions of the uninsured motorists endorsement made a -part of the policy issued by the defendant insurance company to plaintiff, and that under the terms of this endorsement plaintiff is entitled to recover (tihe sum. of |5,000 as the insured's portion of .the damages he sustained. He 'duly notified defendant of hie claim, hut it has refused and still refuses to pay it, and the defendant is now indebted to him in the sum of $5,000 with interest.

Defendant in its answer admits the allegations of the complaint relating to the residence of plaintiff, its existence as an insurance corporation, iand the ownership of the automobiles, but it denies that plaintiff was injured by the negligence of Ronnie Lee Bradley. Defendant further admits that it issued to plaintiff the automobile liability insurance policy described in the 'complaint, with an endorsement attached thereto and made a pant thereof, as set forth in plaintiff’s exhibit attached to. the complaint, providing protection against uninsured motorists, and that said policy with Mis endorsement was in effect on 18 November 1961, but it denies that .the automobile operated by Ronnie Lee Bradley was an uninsured' automobile within the provisions of the endorsement attached to its policy. It further admits receipt io.f notice of claim from plaintiff and its denial .of any liability.

For a First Further Answer and Defense, it pleads contributory negligence of plaintiff as a bar to' recovery. For a Second Further Answer and Defense, it pleads its right to have Ronnie Lee Bradley and the owner of the automobile he was driving at the time of the collision made defendants in this action.

For a Third Further Answer and Defense, it alleges that at the time of the collision in which plaintiff was injured, a policy of automobile liability insurance insuring Ronnie Lee Bradley against liability for damages caused by the negligent operation of the automobile which be was driving at that time had been theretofore issued by the Guaranty Insurance Exchange. This policy had been issued to- Richard Bradley, the father of Ronnie Lee Bradley, covered the Plymouth automobile which Ronnie Lee Bradley was operating at the time of the collision, iand wae in full force and effect at such time. Tins policy provided for the payment of damages in an amount equal to or in excess of the 'amount specified in the North Carolina Motor Vehicle Safety and Financial Responsibility Act and qualified under the provisions of Paragraph II (©) (1) (i) and (ii) of the Insuring Agreements of the endorsement forming a part of the 'automobile liability insurance policy as set forth in Exhibit A as a “bodily injury .and property damage liability bond or insurance policy, applicable to. the accident with respect to any person or organization legally responsible for the use ■of isuoh automobile.”

The Guaranty Insurance Exchange became insolvent, and on 29 August 1962 was placed in receivership in the State of Kansas where its principal office was located. It was further placad in receivership- -in the State of South Carolina 'Cm 4 September 1962. Subsequent .to 18 November 1961 land until the date of its insolvency, the Guaranty Insurance Exchange engaged in the normal course of its -business, including the -investigation, determination and settlement of claims ■against it, and the defense of any claims which were determined to be unfounded. The Guaranty Insurance Exchange investigated the claim of ¡plaintiff. The plaintiff instituted suit against Ronnie Lee Bradley and Richard Bradley, and -the Guaranty Insurance Exchange employed counsel to defend this suit.

It is informed and .believes that this action is still pending in the superior court of Davidson County, but that -counsel employed by the Guaranty Insurance Company ih'ave withdrawn from the -defense, and that the Guaranty Insurance Exchange is not now in a position to provide a defense for its insureds or to pay .at this time any judgment which may be recovered against them to the extent provided by the Motor Vehicle Safety -and Financial Responsibility Act of North Carolina.

There was iat the time of the occurrence of the accident upon which plaintiff’s -claim is based a bodily injury and property damage liability insurance policy in effect on -the automobile which collided with the automobile of the plaintiff, and the subsequent insolvency of the company ¡whd-ch issued this policy do-eis not invoke the coverage of an uninsured motorists endorsement issued by -defendant to plaintiff, and the defendant pleads the existence of this automobile liability policy issued by -the Guaranty Insurance Exchange .covering the automobile which Ronnie Lee Bradley was driving at the time of the accident a® a complete defense and plea in bar to plaintiff’® entire action -and to- any liability of the defendant in this action.

Defendant -alleges as .a Fourth Further Answer and Defense that the extent of the insolvency of Guaranty Insurance Exchange is unknown to it, but it is advised' and believes it ha® substantial assets which are available to creditors, and -its affairs .are being administered by a receiver of a court of competent jurisdiction. That -even if it should be held that -the endorsement forming a part of the policy of automobile liability insurance issued by it to plaintiff obligates it to plaintiff in this action, which -it denies, it is impossible to determine its amount of liability until a -detem-iniation ha® been made of assets of Guaranty Insurance Exchange available for claims of plaintiff in this action. Plaintiff has not recovered a judgment against Ronnie Lee Bradley or Richard Bradley and has not pursued bis claim against Guaranty Insurance Exchange. Its liability would not accrue, if there is any, until plaintiff hias exhausted all bis remedias against Guaranty Insurance Exchange, and -it bas been, finally determined that bis claim against this company will not be paid in full by the receiver of Guaranty Insurance Exchange.

Defendant's Third Further Answer and Defense is a plea in bar that extends to plaintiff’s entire cause of action and denies his right to maintain it, and) if established, will destroy bis action. Brown v. Clement Co., 217 N.C. 47, 6 S.E. 2d 842. Whether the allegations therein contained 'are sufficient as such a plea in bar can be tested by a demurrer. G.S. 1-141; Bumgardner v. Groover, 245 N.C. 17, 95 S.E. 2d 101. The judgment sustaining plaintiff’s demurrer to this plea in' bar of defendant affects a substantial right of 'the defendant, and the defendant may appeal therefrom. G.S. 1-277; Mercer v. Hilliard, 249 N.C. 725, 107 S.E. 2d 554. As pointed out in the Mercer case, Rule 4 (a), Rules of Practice in the Supreme Court, 254 N.C. 783, 785, when otherwise applicable, limits the right of immediate appeal only in instances where the demurrer is overruled.

The 1961 General Assembly enacted “an act to amend G.S. 20-279.21 defining motor vehicle liability insurance policy 'for financial responsibility purposes so as to include protection against uninsured motorists.” This act became effective 1 August 1961. 1961 Session Laws, Chapter 640. The pant of this act revelamt on this appeal is the new subdivision added to G.S. 20-279.21, which is codified as G.S. 20-279.21 (b) (3), and reads as follows:

“3. No policy of bodily injury liability insurance, covering liability .arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of any motor vehicle, shall ibe delivered or issued for delivery in this State with respect to. any motor vehicle registered or principally garaged 'in this State unless coverage is provided therein or supplemental thereto, in limits for bodily injury or death set forth in Subsection (e) of paragraph 20-279.5, under provisions filed with and approved by the Insurance Commissioner, for the protection of persons insured thereunder who are legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of uninsured motor vehicles and hit-and-run motor vehicles because of bodily injuay, sickness .or disease, including death, resulting therefrom. Such provisions shall include coverage for .the protection of persons insured thereunder who are legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of uninsured motor vehicles because of injury to or destruction of the property of such insured, with a limit in the aggregate for all insureds in any one accident of five thousand dol- latrs ($5,000.00) ¡and subject, for each insured, to ■an exclusion of the first one ¡hundred 'dollars ($100.00) of sncth damages. The coverage required under this Section ¡shall not be applicable where any insured named in the ¡policy shall reject the coverage.”

Pursuant to this amendment to our Motor Vehicle Safety and Financial Responsibility Act, the motor vehicle liability policy issued by defendant to plaintiff on or about 11 October 1961 has ¡an endorsement forming .a pant of the policy designated as “PROTECTION AGAINST UNINSURED MOTORISTS INSURANCE.”

Our Motor Vehicle Safety ¡and Financial Responsibility Act defines a “motor vehicle liability policy,” G.S. 20-279.21, but it does not define .an uninsured motor vehicle or an uninsured motorist. The endorsement on the motor vehicle liability policy issued by defendant to plaintiff clearly defines an “uninsured automobile” as follows:

“The term ‘uninsured automobile’ means:

“(1) with respect to damages for bodily injury and property damage an automobile with respect to the ownership, maintenance or use of which there is, in the amounts specified in the North Carolina Motor Vehicle Safety and Financial Responsibility Act, neither (i) .in cash or securities on file with the North Carolina Commissioner of Motor Vellidas nor (ii) a bodily injury and property damage liability bond or insurance policy, ¡applicable to the accident with respect to any person or organization legally responsible for the use of such automobile, or * *.”

It seems clear that any cause of action which plaintiff may have acquired against Ronnie Lee Bradley and 'his father Richard Bradley, either or both, as a result of the collision in question arose at the time of the .'collision, to wit, 18 November 1961, and 'any right which he may claim against defendant here under the laws of this State and under the uninsured motorists insurance coverage of the policy in the instant case must be determined by the facts existing at the time of the collision, 18 November 1961. Shearin v. Lloyd, 246 N.C. 363, 98 S.E. 2d 508; Adams v. Mills, 286 U.S. 397, 76 L. Ed. 1184; Federal Insurance Co. v. Speight, 220 F. Supp. 90; 1 Am. Jur. 2d, Actions, sec. 88. This statement of law is supported by the provisions of G.S. 20-279.21 (f) (1), which is a part of the same statute requiring the issuance of uninsured motorists coverage ¡as a part of each policy of automobile liability insurance written in the State of North Carolina subsequent to 1 August 1961, and provides as follow®:

“(f) Every motor vehicle liability policy shall be subject to the following provisions which need not be •contained therein:

“ (1) The liability of the insurance carrier with respect to the insurance required by this -article .shall become absolute whenever injury or damage covered by said motor vehicle liability policy occurs 8 *

Plaintiff contends that the uninsured motorists coverage of the policy here defines with particularity an uninsured automobile, but it does not have “a provision to the effect that -an uninsured automobile shall not include an automobile which has liability coverage by .an insurance company at tire time of .an accident, which insurance company subsequently becomes insolvent,” although the endorsement on its policy excludes from tire term “uninsured automobile” a number of ■automobiles, for instance, an. automobile defined- as an “insured automobile,” an automobile owned by the named insured or by any resident of tire same household, 'an automobile owned by tire United States, Ganada, a state, a .political subdivision of -any such government or any agency of tire foregoing, that the definition of -an “uninsured automobile” is ambiguous, and consequently construing the endorsement on the policy liberally -in hie favor it should be interpreted to mean that at -the time of the collision tire Bradley automobile was an “'uninsured automobile.” Plaintiff’s contention is ingenious, but not convincing. The definition of an “uninsured automobile” set forth in the endorsement on the policy here is plain and unambiguous, there is no occasion for construction, and the language used must be given its plain land commonly accepted meaning. Johnson v. Casualty Co., 234 N.C. 25, 65 S.E. 2d 347; 7 Am. Jur. 2d, Automobile Insurance, sec. 2, p. 294.

For the purposes of the demurrer, accepting the allegations of fact of defendant’s Third Further Answer and Defense as true, it seems clear 'that at the time of the collision here the Bradley automobile was an “insured 'automobile” covered by an automobile liability insurance policy issued 'by Guaranty Insurance Exchange, which policy at the time was in full force and effect, providing for the payment of damages proximataly caused by its negligent operation by Ronnie Lee Bradley, in an amount equal to or in excess of the amount specified in our Motor Vehicle Safety and Financial Responsibility Act. It is further admitted by the demurrer that plaintiff instituted suit against Ronnie Lee Bradley and his father Richard Bradley, 'and that Guaranty Insurance Exchange employed counsel to defend this suit.

It iis 'ousr opinion, and we so hold, that as the demurrer admits that the Bradley automobile was an “insured automobile” as alleged in the Third Further Answer 'and Defense art the time of the collision here, it did not become am. “uninsured automobile” under the language of the ¡statutes of this State amid the defendant's policy provisions so as to ■extend 'the coverage of -the provisions of the endorsement on the policy here providing “PROTECTION AGAINST UNINSURED MOTORISTS INSURANCE” to plaintiff for injuries 'sustained in a ■collision on 18 November 1961, iby reason of the fact that Guaranty Insurance Exchange, which did not deny coverage under its policy of automobile liajbility dnsuramice covering the negligent operation of the Bradley automobile, went or was thrown into receivership on 29 August 1962, over nine months subsequent to the -collision in which plaintiff was injured, and if the facts alleged in defendant’s Third Further Answer and Defense are- established, the plea in bar therein is good.

To date, so far as our investigation and the briefs of counsel disclose, comparatively few cases involving uninsured motorists have received the attention of the courts outside of New York, and these cases have presented a variety of questions relating to different phases of such coverage. Annotation 79 A.L.R. 2d 1252, “Rights 'and liabilities under ‘uninsured motorists’ coverage.”

We are fortified in the conclusion we have reached here -by the fact that the following cases, which are the only cases having a substantially similar factual situation that we have found in. our research and in studying the briefs of counsel, have reached a similar conclusion as we have: Uline v. Motor Vehicle Accident Indem. Corp., 213 N.Y.S. 2d 871 (10 April 1961); Federal Insurance Co. v. Speight, supra (2 August 1963); Fidelity Insurance Co. v. Crosland, County Court for Richland County, South Carolina, which is apparently not reported but is sat forth in the opinion in Federal Insurance Co. v. Speight; and by what is said in 7 Am. Jur. 2d, Automobile Insurance, sec. 136, “What constituted an ‘uninsured’ automobile or motorist.”

The General Assembly in the future may feel that our Motor Vehicle Safety and Financial Responsibility Act should -be amended so ■as to provide coverage under the circumstances of the instant case. However, if the coverage is to be extended or broadened, it is for the General Assembly to do so., and not the courts.

The judgment sustaining the demurrer below is

Reversed.