Hudson Specialty Insurance v. Bland

101 F. Supp. 3d 661, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 52882
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. Texas
DecidedApril 22, 2015
DocketCivil Action No. H-14-1231
StatusPublished

This text of 101 F. Supp. 3d 661 (Hudson Specialty Insurance v. Bland) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Hudson Specialty Insurance v. Bland, 101 F. Supp. 3d 661, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 52882 (S.D. Tex. 2015).

Opinion

Memorandum Opinion and Order

GRAY H. MILLER, District Judge.

Pending before the court are (1) cross motions for summary judgment filed by plaintiff Hudson Specialty Insurance Company (“Hudson”) and defendant Craig Bland (Dkts.13, 15); and (2) a motion to strike summary judgment evidence filed by Hudson (Dkt. 17). After considering the motions, related filings, and the applicable law, the court is of the opinion that Hudson’s motion for summary judgment (Dkt. 13) should be GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART, Bland’s motion for summary judgment (Dkt. 15) should be GRANTED, and Hudson’s motion to strike (Dkt. 17) should be GRANTED.

I. Background

This case is about whether an umbrella insurance policy requires the insurance company to defend its insured in an underlying case relating to a car accident. Bland owns several automobiles, and he acquired a policy from Progressive that [664]*664covers his 2012 Hyundai, his 2010 Lincoln Navigator, his 2008 Chevrolet Corvette, and his 1931 Model A. See Dkt. 13, Ex. 1 at Ex. O (Schedules). He also purchased a personal umbrella policy from Hudson that was effective from August 13, 2012, through August 13, 2013 (“Hudson Policy”). Dkt. 13, Ex. 1 at Declarations, Item 2. The Hudson Policy purports to provide, among other things, defense costs relating to any items covered by the policy that are not covered or required to be covered by the underlying insurance. Dkt. 13, Ex. 1 § III.

On July 1, 2014, Christopher Heuszel filed a claim in state court against Bland and his son, Scott Bland (“Underlying Petition”).1 Dkt. 13, Ex. A. Heuszel alleges in the Underlying Petition that Bland negligently entrusted a vehicle Bland owns to Scott Bland. Id. Heuszel was allegedly a passenger in this vehicle while Scott Bland was driving. Id. Heuszel contends that Scott Bland failed to control his speed and caused the vehicle to leave the road and hit a tree. Id. Heuszel sustained various injuries that resulted in medical bills and lost wages. Id. Heuszel contends that Scott Bland had a history of recklessness, known by Bland, and that Bland’s entrustment of the vehicle to Scott Bland was negligent or grossly negligent. Id.

Hudson filed a complaint in this court seeking a declaratory judgment that it owes no duty to defend under the Hudson Policy unless and until $500,000 is paid towards the claims against Bland in the underlying lawsuit. Dkt. 1. Hudson also seeks a declaratory judgment that it has no duty to pay or indemnify Bland for any award of punitive damages that are excluded under the Hudson Policy. Id. The parties have now filed cross motions for sum7 mary judgment. Dkt. 13,15.

Hudson argues that the court should grant summary judgment in its favor because the Underlying Petition alleges that Bland owns the vehicle involved in the accident and was thus required under the Hudson Policy to maintain primary automobile coverage with a limit of $500,000 on the vehicle. Dkt. 13. Hudson contends that the Hudson Policy states that Hudson has no duty to defend if the underlying policy has a defense requirement.2 Id. Hudson thus requests that the court grant summary judgment in its favor and issue a summary declaratory judgment that Hudson owes no duty to defend Bland for any of the claims in the Underlying Petition unless and until the primary or underlying insurance limit of $500,000 is paid. Id.

Bland contends that the Hudson Policy — an umbrella policy — is intended to provide for gaps in coverage as well as excess. Dkt. 15. He argues that under the Hudson Policy bodily injury claims stemming from Bland’s entrustment of any vehicle he owns are covered if the claims are not covered by the underlying insurance. Id. Bland asserts that the Hudson Policy contains explicit language indicating coverage for vehicular negligent entrustment claims brought against Bland, and Hudson’s attempt to characterize the policy as merely an excess policy as opposed to an umbrella policy is a mischaracterization. Id. Bland thus seeks summary judgment in his favor and a finding that Hudson must defend Bland in the underlying case and that Bland is entitled to coverage un[665]*665der the Hudson Policy as a matter of law. Id.

Hudson also claims that it owes no duty to pay or indemnify Bland for any award of punitive or exemplary damages because these damages are excluded under the Hudson Policy. Dkt. 1. Bland does not dispute that punitive and exemplary damages are excluded under the plain language of the Hudson Policy. Dkt. 15. Bland contends, however, that regardless of whether punitive damages are covered, the insurer is required to provide a defense of the entire suit at least until it can limit the suit to those claims outside of the policy coverage. Id.

The court will first discuss the law applicable to the determination of the duty to defend and interpretation of the Hudson Policy. It will then determine whether it should consider a declaration filed by Bland as part of the summary judgment record, as Hudson moves to strike the affidavit. The court will next set forth the relevant provisions in the Hudson Policy and will analyze whether, in light of the terms of the Hudson Policy and the allegations contained in the Underlying Petition, Hudson has a duty to defend Bland. Lastly, the'Court will address Hudson’s request for a declaratory judgment that it is not liable for punitive or exemplary damages.

II. Legal Standard

A. Motion for Summary Judgment

A court shall grant summary judgment when a “movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). “[A] fact.is genuinely in dispute only if a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the non-moving party.” Fordoche, Inc. v. Texaco, Inc., 463 F.3d 388, 392 (5th Cir.2006). The moving party bears the initial burden of demonstrating the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). If the party meets its burden, the burden shifts to the non-moving party to set forth specific facts showing a genuine issue for trial. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e). The court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-movant and draw all justifiable inferences in favor of the non-movant. Envtl. Conservation Org. v. City of Dallas, Tex., 529 F.3d 519, 524 (5th Cir.2008).

B. Duty to Defend

Texas law applies to this diversity case. Bayle v. Allstate Ins. Co., 615 F.3d 350, 355 (5th Cir.2010). Under Texas law, courts follow the “eight corners” rule to determine whether a party has a duty to defend. Federated Mut. Ins. Co. v.

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101 F. Supp. 3d 661, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 52882, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/hudson-specialty-insurance-v-bland-txsd-2015.