Kobbeman v. Oleson

1998 SD 20, 574 N.W.2d 633, 1998 S.D. LEXIS 19

• Court: South Dakota Supreme Court
• Decided: February 25, 1998
• Docket: None
• Status: Published

Opinions

KONENKAMP, Justice.

[¶ 1.] After his injury in an automobile accident, Dominie Kobbeman collected the policy limits from the tortfeasor’s insurance company, but Kobbeman believed his damages exceeded that amount. He took an assignment of the tortfeasor’s cause of action against his insurance agents in exchange for a covenant not to execute on any judgment Kobbeman might obtain against him. Kob-beman then sued the agents for failure to procure additional insurance. The trial court granted summary judgment for the agents holding the tortfeasor had sustained no loss for lack of added insurance, nor could he ever incur damages by virtue of the covenant, thus no valid cause of action had accrued. Is an assignment in which a plaintiff agrees not to execute on any judgment obtained in the underlying tort action ineffective because the covenant relieves the tort-feasor of any obligation to pay damages? As the covenant was not a full release and left the tortfeasor open to litigation, we uphold the assignment, but because the statute of limitations expired on Kobbeman’s claim against the tortfeasor, we affirm summary judgment.

Facts

[¶2.] On September 5, 1990, Raul Daniel met with David Oleson of the Kahler Insurance Agency to purportedly ask Oleson to secure a personal umbrella liability policy with limits of $1 million to cover Raul and his family, including his son, Christopher. Whether the conversation related to increasing limits on an existing homeowner policy, rather then securing a new umbrella policy, remains in dispute. Raul wrote a check to Kahler for what he believed to be the prorated premium on an umbrella policy, but the agency applied the payment to increase Raul’s existing homeowner policy limits.

[¶ 3.] On July 7, 1993, Christopher Daniel injured Dominic Kobbeman in a motor vehicle accident. State Farm, the Daniels’ motor vehicle liability carrier, concluded Christopher was at fault and paid Kobbeman its policy limits of $100,000. Having been advised Kobbeman’s claimed damages might exceed that amount, Raul contacted Kahler about the umbrella policy and learned Oleson had not obtained one. In exchange for a covenant not to execute on any judgment obtained against them, on December 23, 1993, the Daniels gave an assignment to Kob-beman of their cause of action against Oleson and Kahler.¹ On December 2, 1994, Kobbe-man brought suit against Oleson and Kahler for failure to obtain the umbrella policy. He had not first secured a judgment against Christopher; in fact, Kobbeman did not commence suit against Christopher until after the statute of limitations had expired in July, 1996. Defendants moved for summary judgment contending that by virtue of the covenant not to execute and the expiration of the statute of limitations applicable to the motor vehicle accident, Christopher could suffer no damages and thus an essential element of the cause of action was missing. The circuit court granted the motion. Kobbeman appeals, asking whether a person protected by an agreement not to execute has an assignable cause of action against insurance agents who allegedly failed to procure requested insurance and whether the assignment effectively waived the limitations period.

Standard of Review

[¶ 4.] Under our familiar standard for reviewing summary judgments, we decide only whether genuine issues of material fact existed and whether the law was correctly applied. If any legal basis emerges to support the trial court’s ruling, we will affirm. De Smet Ins. Co. of South Dakota v. Gibson, 1996 SD 102, ¶ 5, 552 N.W.2d 98, 99; Garrett v. BankWest, Inc., 459 N.W.2d 833, 837 (S.D.1990); Pickering v. Pickering, 434 N.W.2d 758, 760 (S.D.1989); SDCL 15-6-56(c). With the material facts undisputed, our review is limited to determining whether the trial court correctly applied the law. Contract interpretation is a question of law. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Vostad, 520 N.W.2d 273, 275 (S.D.1994). Summary judgment is a preferred process to dispose of legally unmeritorious claims. Horne v. Crozier, 1997 SD 65, ¶ 5, 565 N.W.2d 50, 52; Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 327, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 2555, 91 L.Ed.2d 265, 276 (1986) (citations omitted).

Analysis and Decision

[¶ 5.] Insurance agents are usually obligated to obtain the type and amount of insurance applicants request. See City of Colton v. Schwebach, 1997 SD 4, ¶ 10, 557 N.W.2d 769, 771; Rumpza v. Larsen, 1996 SD 87, ¶ 12, 551 N.W.2d 810, 813; Trammell v. Prairie States Ins. Co., 473 N.W.2d 460, 462 (S.D.1991)(duty of insurance agent is to procure insurance of kind specified by insured). Upon a breach of this duty, the measure of damages is the amount the insurer would have paid on behalf of the insured had the desired coverage been obtained. See generally Heinert v. Home Federal Sav. & Loan Ass’n of Sioux Falls, 444 N.W.2d 718 (S.D.1989); Kenyon v. Larsen, 205 Neb. 209, 286 NW.2d 759, 764 (1980); Virginia First Sav. & Loan Ass’n v. Wells, 224 Va. 691, 299 S.E.2d 370, 372 (1983); Pickhover v. Smith’s Mgmt. Corp., 771 P.2d 664, 670 (Utah Ct. App.1989); Wheaton Nat. Bank v. Dudek, 59 Ill.App.3d 970, 17 Ill.Dec. 487, 490, 376 N.E.2d 633, 636 (1978); Greenfield v. Insurance Inc., 19 Cal.App.3d 803, 97 Cal.Rptr. 164, 169 (1971).

[¶ 6.] Civil actions founded on negligence or fraud require damages as an essential element. Lien v. McGladrey & Pullen, 509 N.W.2d 421, 423 (S.D.1993); United Fire & Cas. Co. v. P & C Ins. Services, Inc., 488 N.W.2d 661, 666 (S.D.1992)(“South Dakota law requires that damages be pled with reasonable certainty.”); S.W. Croes Family Trust v. Small Bus. Admin., 446 N.W.2d 55, 57 (S.D.1989). Without damages most tort claims hold no nucleus. See Evergreen Farms v. First Nat. Bank & Trust Co., 250 Neb. 860, 553 N.W.2d 728, 735 (1996)(“Damages, like any other element of plaintiffs cause of action, must be pled and proved, and the burden is on plaintiff to offer evidence sufficient to prove plaintiffs alleged damages.”); Sun Valley Iowa Lake Ass’n. v. Anderson, 551 N.W.2d 621, 641 (Iowa 1996); Poulsen v. Russell, 300 N.W.2d 289, 295 (Iowa 1981).

[¶ 7.] 1. Assignment of Tort Action with Covenant Not to Execute

[¶ 8.] In South Dakota, “[a] thing in action arising out of the violation of a right of property or out of an obligation may be transferred by the owner.” SDCL 43-42-2; see also Sherman v. Harris, 36 S.D. 50, 153 N.W. 925 (1915)(tort action assignable), overruled, on other grounds by Simons v. Kidd, 73 S.D. 280, 41 N.W.2d 840 (1950). By assigning a thing in action, of course, assignors grant no greater rights than they possess. Gilbert v. United Nat’l Bank, 436 N.W.2d 23, 25 (S.D.1989); Barnes v. Hampton, 198 Neb. 151, 252 N.W.2d 138, 139 (1977); Smith v. Brown, 513 N.W.2d 732, 733-34 (Iowa 1994); 6B Appleman, Insurance Law and Practice § 4271, at 138 (1979). “[I]t is fundamental that a valid cause of action must exist in the assignor insured before an assignee can prevail against the insurer.” Berrington v. Williams, 244 Cal.App.2d 130, 52 Cal.Rptr. 772, 776 (1966); Restatement (First) of Contracts § 167(1932).

[¶ 9.] If the requested policy had been purchased, it presumably would have required the insurer to pay an amount, within policy limits, the insured would have been legally obligated to pay as damages. Freeman v. Schmidt Real Estate & Ins., 755 F.2d 135, 137 (8th Cir.1985). Some courts conclude insureds protected by a covenant not to execute have no obligation to pay anything to injured parties; consequently, insurers have no duty to pay under their liability policies. Oregon Mut. Ins. Co. v. Gibson, 88 Or.App. 574, 746 P.2d 245 (1987)(tortfeasor unconditionally insulated from liability had no valid claim to assign); Freeman, 755 F.2d at 138 (citations omitted). If we applied this reasoning to the present case, even if the requested umbrella policy had been obtained, the covenant not to execute would have dis'charged any covered obligation. Some decisions go a step further finding these agreements unenforceable as inherently collusive. Freeman, 755 F.2d at 139. Other cases distinguish between a release and a covenant not to execute, holding that the type of covenant in question here “is merely a contract, and not a release, such that the underlying tort liability remains and a breach of contract action lies in favor of the insured if the injured party seeks to collect his judgment.” State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Paynter, 122 Ariz. 198, 203, 593 P.2d 948, 953 (Ct.App. 1979). The most pragmatic approach looks to the language of the covenant to find whether a tortfeasor remains legally obligated on a judgment. Lancaster v. Royal Ins. Co. of America, 302 Or. 62, 726 P.2d 371, 372 (1986).

[¶ 10.] Here, the assignment provided in part:

The Kobbemans agree and covenant not to execute on any judgment obtained against the Daniels. The Kobbemans represent that their intent is to prosecute the assigned causes of action against Kahler Insurance Agency, Dave Oleson, or any other agency or agent. However, to the extent the Kobbemans are prohibited from proving up their damages in that action, the Kobbemans must have the ability to do so in an underlying action against the Daniels, if so required by a court.

With these provisions, even if a judgment was obtained but not levied against him, Christopher might still endure the adversity of litigation. Moreover, the assignment stipulates nothing about whether a docketed judgment would create a hen on his real property as required by SDCL 15-16-7. He might also suffer diminishment of his credit rating. Christopher’s ostensible remedy if Kobbeman breaks his covenant and attempts to enforce a judgment against him would be to sue for breach of contract. Paynter, 593 P.2d at 953.

[¶ 11.] After considering the gamut of decisions in response to these arrangements, we find ourselves in agreement with those courts upholding assignments of a cause of action in exchange for a covenant not to execute in instances of failure to procure requested insurance. Red Giant Oil Co. v. Lawlor, 528 N.W.2d 524 (Iowa 1995). Concerns that such agreements are intrinsically collusive will not control because insurers have available to them a panoply of defenses, including coverage, fraud, and collusion. Id. at 533. “We fail to see why legally it should make any difference who sues the insurer — the insured or the insured’s assignee.” Id. Indeed, the assignee “would have to prove his damages and the insurer would have a right to assert any defense that it might have had if the insurance had been purchased as requested.” Freeman, 755 F.2d at 141 (Heaney, C.J., dissenting). Requiring assignees to prove their case “in full reduces the risk of collusion, and justifies giving effect to the assignment of the negligence claims.” Campione v. Wilson, 422 Mass. 185, 661 N.E.2d 658, 663 (1996).

[¶ 12.] These types of settlements allow a remedy both to injured parties and to tortfeasors wrongfully deprived of insurance coverage. Red Giant Oil Co., 528 N.W.2d at 534. Here, the covenant not to execute was “merely an agreement ... and not a release.” Id. at 532; see also Gray v. Grain Dealers Mut. Ins. Co., 871 F.2d 1128, 1133 (D.C.Cir.1989) (“Covenants not to execute are different than releases, as the legal liability remains in force against those who have covenants, whereas a release represents total freedom from liability.”). Christopher’s tort liability continued because he might still be legally obligated to pay despite the covenant not to execute. In Clock v. Larson, 564 N.W.2d 436, 438 (Iowa 1997), plaintiff, as the assignee of the insured, brought suit against an insurance agent and insurer, claiming they should have provided greater coverage. Distinguishing Red Giant Oil Co., the Iowa Supreme Court held a controlling factor was the nature of the agreement:

[A]n insured is still legally obligated to pay when there is a covenant not to execute on a judgment. But when there is a full release there is no further liability owed by the insurance company to its insured, and therefore the insured has no right to recover against the insurance company which can be assigned to the injured party.

Id. at 438. A settlement which includes,a covenant not to execute (as opposed to a release) in exchange for an assignment of a cause of action against the tortfeasor’s agent, who allegedly failed to obtain requested insurance, is neither intrinsically collusive nor ineffective for lack of damages. Next we ask, with such assignments must an injured party obtain a judgment against the tortfea-sor to establish damages, and if so, when must the judgment be obtained?

[¶ 13.] 2. Prejudgment Assignment

[¶ 14.] Whatever potential damages Christopher suffered from the failure to procure the requested umbrella policy remained unknown at the time of the assignment to Kobbeman.² In actuality, Kobbeman held an “anticipatory assignment of a chose in action.” R.E. Keeton & A.I. Widiss, Insurance Law § 4.1 at 291 (1988). Is a judgment for an excess amount required to establish proof of. loss from failure to obtain insurance? Somewhat analogously, in bad faith failure to settle eases, most jurisdictions uphold post-judgment assignments of a thing in action in exchange for a covenant not to execute on a judgment. See Gray, 871 F.2d at 1133 n. 7; Samson v. Transamerica Ins. Co., 30 Cal.3d 220, 178 Cal.Rptr. 343, 356, 636 P.2d 32, 45 (1981)(absent collusion or unreasonableness in obtaining a judgment “an insured breaches no duty to the insurance company when he assigns his rights against the company to the injured plaintiffs in return for a covenant not to execute”); 46A CJS Insurance § 1410 (1993)(“A valid judgment must be obtained against an insured before a cause of action arises in favor of the injured person against the insurance company, and until judgment against the insured is rendered, the injured person has only an inchoate or potential right against the company.”). Cf. Critz v. Farmers Ins. Group, 230 Cal.App.2d 788, 41 Cal.Rptr. 401, 404 (1964)(assignment and release upheld even though no judgment obtained against insured because value determined by bad faith of insurer). Contra Bendall v. White, 511 F.Supp. 793, 795 (N.D.Ala.1981). See also Wolff v. Royal Ins. Co. of America, 472 N.W.2d 233, 235 (S.D.1991)(applying Nebraska law — invalid consent judgment given in exchange for covenant not to execute-obtained in bad faith and through collusion).

[¶ 15.] In some forums, prejudgment assignments of an insured’s claims for bad faith have been disapproved.³ See, e.g., State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. v. Gandy, 925 S.W.2d 696, 714 (Tex.1996); Smith v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 5 Cal.App.4th 1104, 7 Cal.Rptr.2d 131, 136 (1992)(“[w]e recognize policy considerations for disallowing assignments of a bad faith action prior to judgment” — stipulated judgment with covenant not to execute not sufficient); Wright v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Cos., 11 Cal.App.4th 998, 14 Cal.Rptr.2d 588, 598 (1992)(“A judgment on the merits, however, is not always required and insurers have been bound by default and stipulated judgments under certain circumstances.”); Doser v. Middlesex Mut. Ins. Co., 101 Cal.App.3d 883, 162 Cal.Rptr. 115, 120 (1980)(insured’s assignment conveys nothing unless judgment entered against insured). “[T]he third party’s suit may not be brought until the action between the injured party and the insured is concluded ... [and] liability of the insured is first determined.... ” Moradi-Shalal v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Cos., 46 Cal.3d 287, 250 Cal.Rptr. 116, 127, 758 P.2d 58, 69 (1988)(settlement is an insufficient conclusion of the underlying action— there must be a conclusive judicial determination of the insured’s liability before the third party can proceed in an action against the insurer); Doser, 162 Cal.Rptr. at 120.

The rationale of the cases requiring a judgment as a condition precedent to an insured’s cause of action against an insurer becomes manifest when we deal with the issue of damages in this case. We are concerned here not only with the fact of damages being clearly established, but the certainty of the amount thereof as well.

Doser, 162 Cal-Rptr. at 120.

[¶ 16.] Other decisions look not to the timing, but to the language of the covenant not to execute. “Whether the assignment was made of a judgment in existence or a judgment to come into existence is not determinative of whether or not the insured’s assignee may maintain an action against the insurance company.” Lancaster, 726 P.2d at 374. See also Antal’s Restaurant, Inc. v. Lumbermen’s Mut. Cas. Co., 680 A.2d 1386, 1389 (D.C.1996)(the debt “for which an insurer becomes liable is fixed at the time of loss even though the amount of the compensation is still to be ascertained.”). In bad faith refusal to settle cases, a rule mandating post-judgment assignment is more imperative because, in most instances, no cause of action solidifies until judgment is rendered against an insured. On the other hand, in failure to procure insurance eases, claims may reasonably arise long before a judgment. We conclude, with assignments of causes of action for failure to procure insurance, a judgment establishing a loss is critical, but its. timing is not.⁴ A more difficult question, one not ripe for consideration here, is whether a judgment obtained without full adversary proceedings will suffice.⁵ See Gandy, 925 S.W.2d at 719. This is an old quandary. Long ago, Holmes’ concern about the alienation of choses in action involved “the difficulty of transferring a mere right ... when the situation of fact from which it sprung could not also be transferred.” 0. Holmes, The Common Law, 409 (Dover 1991)(1881). In any event, so long as one ultimately obtains a judgment in the underlying action to establish the loss before proceeding to trial on the assigned claim, it is not crucial whether the judgment precedes or follows the assignment. Now we come to the final problem: With the statute of limitations having expired, can Kobbeman ever obtain a valid judgment against Christopher?

[¶ 17.] 3. Waiver of Statute of Limitations

[¶ 18.] After the statute of limitations had expired on his underlying tort claim, Kobbeman nonetheless brought a separate suit against Christopher, undoubtedly to seek a judgment above the $100,000 policy limits State Farm had already paid. That matter was still pending at the time this appeal reached us. Because the limitations period expired on Kobbeman’s ease against Christopher, Oleson and Kahler contend Christopher is no longer liable to Kobbeman for any damages in the future and thus the assignment is ineffective. Though he does not dispute that he commenced the action after the limitations period expired, Kobbe-man insists his separate ease against Christopher should be allowed to take its course because the assignment waived the statute of limitations defense.⁶ We are unaware whether the circuit court presiding in the case against Christopher directly ruled on this question. In the case before us, however; the expiration of the limitations period was argued at the summary judgment hearing, but it is unclear whether the court specifically considered this issue when it granted summary judgment. Regardless, the validity of the assignment with its purported waiver of the statute of limitations is squarely before us.

But here the judgment is not an adjudication on the merits. It is only the settlement Red Giant and Coyle reached. There was no real trial. So in these circumstances, while the judgment is binding and valid as to Coyle and Red Giant, it is not conclusive as to LeMars, the insurer. See Miller v. Shugart, 316 N.W.2d 729, 735 (Minn.1982) (reaching the same conclusion as to settlement reached under circumstances similar to those here).

[¶ 19.] Our examination of the assignment reveals it to be indistinct on whether the limitations period was truly waived. Kobbe-man refers to the following language: “[T]o the extent that the Kobbemans are prohibited from proving up their damages in that action [Kobbeman v. Kahler], the Kobbemans must have the ability to do so in an underlying action against the Daniels if so required by a court.” Even if we were to construe this provision as effectively tolling the limitations period applicable to the case against Christopher, the question remains whether such a waiver is valid as it affects Kahler and Oleson.

[¶ 20.] In South Dakota, agreements limiting the time to enforce one’s rights are void. See SDCL 53-9-6. On the other hand, here, as in most jurisdictions, parties to a lawsuit or a potential lawsuit may agree to extend a statutory period of limitations. Order of United Commercial Travelers of America v. Wolfe, 331 U.S. 586, 608, 67 S.Ct. 1355, 1365, 91 L.Ed. 1687 (1947); Kroeger v. Farmers’ Mut. Ins. Co., 52 S.D. 433, 434, 218 N.W. 17 (S.D.1928)(by contract, express or implied, the time for bringing an action may be extended beyond the time fixed by law); Travelers Indem. Co. v. Rexnord, Inc., 37 Pa.Cmwlth. 20, 389 A.2d 246, 249 (1978). See also Annotation, Validity of Contractual Waiver of Statute of Limitations, 1 A.L.R.2d 1445 (1948). Even a waiver agreement reached a year after expiration of a limitations period has been upheld as enforceable to preserve previously time barred claims. Union Bank of Switzerland v. HS Equities, Inc., 457 F.Supp. 515, 521 (S.D.N.Y.1978). Agreements extending a limitations period to an indefinite future date have, however, been held void and unenforceable. T & N PLC v. Fred S. James & Co. of New York, Inc., 29 F.3d 57, 61 (2nd Cir.1994)(interpreting standstill agreement under New York law); Hirtler v. Hirtler, 566 P.2d 1231, 1232 (Utah 1977)(promissory note containing permanent waiver of statute of limitations, void as contrary to public policy).

[¶ 21.] Ordinarily, the statute of limitations defense is personal and cannot be asserted for someone else. Kroeger, 52 S.D. at 434, 218 N.W. 17; State ex rel. Marsh v. Nebraska St. Bd. of Agric., 217 Neb. 622, 350 N.W.2d 535, 540 (1984). Yet a waiver of the statute is usually applicable only to persons agreeing to it. County of Santa Clara v. Vargas, 71 Cal.App.3d 510, 139 Cal.Rptr. 537, 543 (1977). Most troublesome are waiver agreements designed to ensnare nonparticipants. Insurance Co. of North America v. Carnahan, 446 Pa. 48, 284 A.2d 728, 729 (1971)(parties to a lawsuit may modify statutory period of limitations but such contract is only good as between themselves and they may not contract in derogation of rights of third party who was not privy to the agreement). Indeed, “[c]ertain waivers have been held void as against public policy because they were prospective in nature and not in settlement of a contemporaneous dispute.” 950 Third Ave. Co. v. Eastland Indus. Inc., 119 Misc.2d 19, 463 N.Y.S.2d 367, 372 (1983).

[¶22.] We are sincerely concerned with the potential for abuse if we uphold the supposed waiver of the statute of limitations in these circumstances. Christopher’s waiver having the merest personal consequence for himself, truly impacts Oleson and Kahler. See Carnahan, 284 A.2d at 729 (waiver in derogation of third party’s rights). To sanction a tortfeasor’s waiver of the statute of limitations, which in effect extends only another’s exposure to liability, invites future mischief and collusion. Once the statute of limitations expired, the basis for both the assignment and covenant dissolved: Christopher could no longer suffer an excess judgment and thus he (and his assignee) no longer had grounds to sue for failure to obtain an umbrella policy. Validating his waiver would make Christopher’s need to sue the agents a mere pretext. While this is an issue of first impression in South Dakota, and certainly it was not improper for Kobbeman and his attorneys to attempt this undertaking, we know of no legal authority anywhere condoning such an arrangement. The waiver portion of the assignment (if it can be deemed a waiver) is void as against public policy because it prolonged an otherwise closed controversy, solely to extend exposure to others by artificially perpetuating a need for insurance coverage. “Although the Statute of Limitations is generally viewed as a personal defense ‘to afford protection to defendants against defending stale claims,’ it also expresses a societal interest or public policy of giving repose to human affairs .... (citations omitted). Because of the combined private and public interests involved, individual parties are not entirely free to waive or modify the statutory defense.” Kassner & Co., Inc. v. City of New York, 46 N.Y.2d 544, 415 N.Y.S.2d 785, 789, 389 N.E.2d 99, 103 (1979). As Christopher is no longer exposed to liability because the statute of limitations expired, we affirm the grant of summary judgment.⁷

Summary

[¶ 28.] The assignment 'with a covenant not to execute was a tenable method for transferring a cause of action against the insurance agents for failure to obtain requested coverage. However, with the expiration of the statute of limitations, the waiver of the statute being void, Christopher no longer faced the possibility of an excess judgment. The assignment became ineffective when the cause of action it transferred ceased to exist.

[¶ 24.] Affirmed.

[¶ 25.] MILLER,. C.J., and AMUNDSON and GILBERTSON, JJ., concur. [¶ 26.] SABERS, J., dissents.

1 . No one contends that anyone other than Christopher would have' been liable for Kobbeman's injuries.

2 . "Whether the expectation or the reliance measure is used, the promisor's liability will equal the amount of the loss, at least if the insured’s lost opportunity to obtain other insurance is counted.” E. Allan Farnsworth, Contracts § 2.19, at 101 (2d ed 1990). "The expectation measure would be the amount required to put the promisee in the position in which the promis-ee would have been had the insurance been procured, that is, the amount of the loss. The reliance measure would be the amount required to put the promisee in the position in which [the] promisee would have been had the promise not been made, that is, the amount of the loss — if it is assumed that the promisee relied by forbearing to procure insurance elsewhere.” Id. at n. 45.

3 . Kobbeman cites Helmbolt v. LeMars Mutual Ins. Co., Inc., 404 N.W.2d 55, 58 (S.D.1987)(there must exist "potential personal responsibility for an excess judgment”). Our holding in Helmbolt that an insured need not reduce to judgment a claim against a tortfeasor before entitlement to underinsured motorist benefits from the insured’s own insurance company, is based in part upon the statutory mandate of SDCL 58-11-9.5. With its unusual facts and no cognate statutory provisions to direct us here, Helmbolt must be confined to its unique circumstances. "Nothing in the above statutes (SDCL 58-11-9.5 and 9.6) requires an insured to reduce a claim against a tortfeasor to judgment prior to payment of underinsurance benefits.” Helmbolt, 404 N.W.2d at 59. "Had the legislature intended to require a judgment prior to payment of under-insured coverage, it would have and could have said so." Id.

4 . The dissent cites Steinmetz ex rel. Palmer v. Hall-Conway-Jackson, Inc., 49 Wash.App. 223, 741 P.2d 1054, 1056 (1987) to support its argument that no judgment need be obtained in the underlying action and that this case was brought within the appropriate statute of limitations. Steinmetz never discussed any statute of limitations. Although it uses a different rationale, it upheld, as do we, an assignment with a covenant not to execute in the case of an insurance agent who failed to procure requested insurance. Furthermore, in Steinmetz whether a judgment, as opposed to a mere stipulation, was required to establish the insured’s loss was not challenged. Perhaps it is simplistic to ask in response to the dissent’s assertion that no judgment need be obtained against the assignor, does not the granting of a covenant not to execute on any judgment presuppose a judgment will be obtained? Nonetheless, in most states, including Washington, at least a consent judgment is obtained in the underlying case. See cases collected in McLellan v. Atchison Ins. Agency, Inc., 81 Hawaii 62, 912 P.2d 559, 564-65 (Ct.App. 1996)(applying "judgment rule" in case of failure to procure adequate insurance with covenant not to execute — making no distinction from bad faith refusal to settle cases for this purpose — finding the tort is complete when judgment becomes final). McLellan also held that the insurance agency was not bound by the amount set forth in the "stipulated judgment.”

5 . Some courts set out certain factors to determine whether a consent judgment with a covenant not to execute is reasonable. See Chaussee v. Maryland Cas. Co., 60 Wash.App. 504, 803 P.2d 1339, 1342-43 (1991); Griggs v. Bertram, 88 N.J. 347, 443 A.2d 163, 174 (1982). In Red Giant Oil Co., 528 N.W.2d at 534, where the assignor and assignee agreed to a stipulated judgment, the Iowa Supreme Court wrote:

6 . Kobbeman also insisted in a supplemental brief that Kahler and Oleson admitted that Christopher waived the limitations period. Our examination of the record where this admission was supposedly made fails to reveal'any judicial admission. At most, defendants' attorney agreed the assignment could arguably constitute a waiver of the statute of limitations. See Tunender v. Minnaert, 1997 SD 62, ¶ 24, 563 N.W.2d 849, 854.

7 . The dissent misapprehends the legal posture of this case. Christopher’s exposure to potential damages was the subject of his assignment. Assignees’ rights are coterminous with their assignors’. So long as he remained exposed, the assignment of his cause of action against the insurance agents remained valid. Contrary to what the dissent seems to suggest, we uphold that assignment with its covenant not to execute. Once the statute of limitations applicable to Kobbeman’s personal injury action against Christopher expired, however, Christopher was forever relieved of any potential liability. He had no case against the agents as he could no longer suffer any damages. The cause of action he assigned therefore became worthless. Nonetheless, Kobbeman wishes us to construe the assignment as a waiver extending Christopher’s exposure beyond the expiration of the statute of limitations, thus keeping the assignment viable. We say such an arrangement violates public policy.

To illustrate the problem, let us take the dissent's malpractice analogy:

Accountant misses a filing deadline on a tax return thus exposing Client to a late payment penalty. Client has a cause of action against Accountant for damages equal to whatever penalties might be assessed against Client in the future. Client assigns his cause of action to Assignee. As part of the assignment, Client agrees to indefinitely waive the statutory penalty assessment deadline. Later, the deadline to assess penalties expires, so Client would have been off the hook. However, because Client waived the deadline, Assignee may continue the action against Accountant even after any basis for suit would have ceased to exist.

What is wrong with this should be obvious: Exposure to additional penalties becomes purely artificial. Client could suffer no loss except by his own infliction. Such stratagem allows for the prolongation of liability solely for the sake of producing damages against a third party.