BAY MITCHELL, Judge.
{1 Plaintiff/Appellant Shelter Mutual Insurance Company ("Shelter") brought suit against Defendant American Hallmark Insurance Company d/b/a Hallmark Insurance ("Hallmark") and Defendant/Appellee Liberty Mutual Insurance Company ("Liberty Mutual") seeking pro rato contribution for insurance claims submitted to Shelter resulting from an automobile accident involving one of Shelter's insureds.
Shelter appeals a summary judgment awarded to Liberty Mutual.
12 On September 28, 2010, Brendan Faulkner, a minor ("Faulkner"), was involved in an automobile accident in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Faulkner, who was sixteen (16) years old at the time, was permissively driving a
vehicle owned by Claudia Herweck ("Her-week") and insured by Shelter. Herweek is the grandmother of one of Faulkner's friends, and Faulkner had been living with his friend and Herweek for some time prior to the accident.
The accident was caused by Faulkner's negligence, and Shelter received claims from third parties for property damage and personal injuries allegedly sustained as a result of the accident. Shelter's policy with Herweck contained an "other insurance clause" which Shelter claimed entitled it to pro rata contribution from other insurers whose policies also covered Faulkner. Specifically, Shelter claimed Faulkner was covered by a Liberty Mutual auto policy held by Faulkner's great-grandmother, Zaylon Boyd (“B oyd”).
T8 At the time of Faulkner's accident, Boyd lived with her granddaughter who is Faulkner's mother, Christina Cottrell ("Cott rell")
Boyd maintained auto insurance with Liberty Mutual on a 2008 Honda Civic. The Liberty Mutual policy stated it would provide liability coverage for "non-owned auto[s]
for any "family member." "Family member" was defined as "a person related to [the named insured] by blood, marriage or adoption who is a resident of [the named insured's] household. This includes a ward or foster child."
114 Liberty Mutual filed a summary judgment motion arguing it had no policy in effect which provided coverage to Faulkner. Specifically, Liberty Mutual conceded Faulkner was a blood relative of Boyd, the named insured, but argued Faulkner was not a resident of Boyd's household such that he fell within the definition of "family member." Liberty Mutual argued Faulkner was a member of Herweek's household because he paid rent, did not receive support from Cottrell, and was not staying overnight at Cottrell's house during the time of the accident. Shelter disputed Liberty Mutual's assertion Faulkner was not a member of Boyd's household because Faulkner was an unemanci-pated minor incapable of establishing a residence separate and apart from his parents, and if anything, had dual residency with both Herweck and Cottrell. Shelter maintained that Boyd lived with Cottrell, and all three family members, Boyd, Cottrell, and Faulkner, were members of the same household. Shelter stated Faulkner returned to Cott-rell's home prior to the accident to eat meals and returned to her home after the accident, stayed overnight for a period of time, and was living with Cottrell during the time of the lawsuit.
1] 5 The trial court determined there was a disputed fact as to whose household Faulkner was a member but concluded this disputed fact was not material to the issue of whether Liberty Mutual's policy covered Faulkner. The trial court stated, when viewing the facts in the light most favorable to the nonmovant (Shelter), Faulkner was a resident of Cottrell's (his mother's) household. However, the trial court determined Faulkner was not also a resident of Boyd's (his great-grandmother's) household. Although Boyd had "moved in" with Cottrell, this did not "constitute the 'household' as Boyd's 'household'." The trial court granted summary judgment in Liberty Mutual's favor, and Shelter commenced this accelerated appeal in compliance with Oklahoma Supreme Court Rule 1.36.
16 Appellate courts review orders of summary judgment de novo, giving no deference to the trial court, Lowery v. Echostar Satellite Corp., 2007 OK 38, ¶ 11, 160 P.3d 959. Like the trial court, we examine the pleadings and summary judgment evidentia-ry materials submitted by the parties to determine if a genuine issue of material fact is in dispute. Cormichael v. Beller, 1996 OK 48, ¶ 2, 914 P.2d 1051. In so doing, we view the facts and all reasonable inferences arising therefrom in the light most favorable to the nonmovant. Id. "[SJummary judgment is improper if under the evidence, reasonable minds could reach different conclusions from the facts." Vasek v. Board of County Comm'rs of Noble County, 2008 OK 35, ¶ 29, 186 P.3d 928.
T7 In its summary judgment motion, Liberty Mutual argued the express terms of its automobile policy with Boyd did not extend coverage to Faulkner because he was not a "resident" of Boyd's "household." The trial court agreed finding, even though Faulkner was a "resident" of Cottrell's "household," it was not also Boyd's "household." Thus, "resident" and "household" are the disposi-tive terms of the policy but neither was defined in the policy itself.
T8 "Oklahoma law governing insurance coverage disputes is well-established. The foremost principle is that an insurance policy is a contract." Cranfill v. Aetna Life Ins. Co., 2002 OK 26, ¶ 5, 49 P.8d 703. "Parties may contract for risk coverage and will be bound by policy terms. When policy provisions are unambiguous and clear, the employed language is accorded its ordinary, plain meaning; and the contract is enforced carrying out the parties' intentions. The policy is read as a whole, giving the words and terms their ordinary meaning, enforcing each part thereof, This Court may not rewrite an insurance contract to benefit either party.... We will not impose coverage where the policy language clearly does not intend that a particular individual or risk should be covered." BP America, Inc. v. State Auto Property and Casualty Ins. Co., 2005 OK 65, ¶ 6, 148 P3d 832. (Footnotes omitted). "The construction of a policy should be natural and reasonable, viewed in the light of common sense. The result should not be absurd. The interpretation of an insurance contract and whether it is ambiguous is a matter of law that will be resolved by the court." Redcorn v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., 2002 OK 15, ¶ 4, 55 P.3d 1017. (Citation omitted). "An insurance contract is ambiguous only if it is susceptible to two constructions on its face from the standpoint of a reasonably prudent layperson, not from that of a lawyer." Haworth v. Jantzen, 2006 OK 35, ¶ 13, 172 P.3d 193.[TIhis Court will not indulge in strained interpretation to create such an ambiguity. Id.
19 Under Oklahoma law, the definitions of "resident" and "household" are somewhat intertwined. In Indemnity Ins. Co. of North America v. Sanders, 1934 OK 494, ¶¶ 16-17, 36 P.2d 271, the Oklahoma Supreme Court cited several definitions of "household", including one stating "persons who dwell together as a family constitute a 'household'," and a definition from Webster's New International Dictionary stating a household consists of "those who dwell under the same roof and compose a family." Sanders, 1116-17 (internal quotations and citations omitted).
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BAY MITCHELL, Judge.
{1 Plaintiff/Appellant Shelter Mutual Insurance Company ("Shelter") brought suit against Defendant American Hallmark Insurance Company d/b/a Hallmark Insurance ("Hallmark") and Defendant/Appellee Liberty Mutual Insurance Company ("Liberty Mutual") seeking pro rato contribution for insurance claims submitted to Shelter resulting from an automobile accident involving one of Shelter's insureds.
Shelter appeals a summary judgment awarded to Liberty Mutual.
12 On September 28, 2010, Brendan Faulkner, a minor ("Faulkner"), was involved in an automobile accident in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Faulkner, who was sixteen (16) years old at the time, was permissively driving a
vehicle owned by Claudia Herweck ("Her-week") and insured by Shelter. Herweek is the grandmother of one of Faulkner's friends, and Faulkner had been living with his friend and Herweek for some time prior to the accident.
The accident was caused by Faulkner's negligence, and Shelter received claims from third parties for property damage and personal injuries allegedly sustained as a result of the accident. Shelter's policy with Herweck contained an "other insurance clause" which Shelter claimed entitled it to pro rata contribution from other insurers whose policies also covered Faulkner. Specifically, Shelter claimed Faulkner was covered by a Liberty Mutual auto policy held by Faulkner's great-grandmother, Zaylon Boyd (“B oyd”).
T8 At the time of Faulkner's accident, Boyd lived with her granddaughter who is Faulkner's mother, Christina Cottrell ("Cott rell")
Boyd maintained auto insurance with Liberty Mutual on a 2008 Honda Civic. The Liberty Mutual policy stated it would provide liability coverage for "non-owned auto[s]
for any "family member." "Family member" was defined as "a person related to [the named insured] by blood, marriage or adoption who is a resident of [the named insured's] household. This includes a ward or foster child."
114 Liberty Mutual filed a summary judgment motion arguing it had no policy in effect which provided coverage to Faulkner. Specifically, Liberty Mutual conceded Faulkner was a blood relative of Boyd, the named insured, but argued Faulkner was not a resident of Boyd's household such that he fell within the definition of "family member." Liberty Mutual argued Faulkner was a member of Herweek's household because he paid rent, did not receive support from Cottrell, and was not staying overnight at Cottrell's house during the time of the accident. Shelter disputed Liberty Mutual's assertion Faulkner was not a member of Boyd's household because Faulkner was an unemanci-pated minor incapable of establishing a residence separate and apart from his parents, and if anything, had dual residency with both Herweck and Cottrell. Shelter maintained that Boyd lived with Cottrell, and all three family members, Boyd, Cottrell, and Faulkner, were members of the same household. Shelter stated Faulkner returned to Cott-rell's home prior to the accident to eat meals and returned to her home after the accident, stayed overnight for a period of time, and was living with Cottrell during the time of the lawsuit.
1] 5 The trial court determined there was a disputed fact as to whose household Faulkner was a member but concluded this disputed fact was not material to the issue of whether Liberty Mutual's policy covered Faulkner. The trial court stated, when viewing the facts in the light most favorable to the nonmovant (Shelter), Faulkner was a resident of Cottrell's (his mother's) household. However, the trial court determined Faulkner was not also a resident of Boyd's (his great-grandmother's) household. Although Boyd had "moved in" with Cottrell, this did not "constitute the 'household' as Boyd's 'household'." The trial court granted summary judgment in Liberty Mutual's favor, and Shelter commenced this accelerated appeal in compliance with Oklahoma Supreme Court Rule 1.36.
16 Appellate courts review orders of summary judgment de novo, giving no deference to the trial court, Lowery v. Echostar Satellite Corp., 2007 OK 38, ¶ 11, 160 P.3d 959. Like the trial court, we examine the pleadings and summary judgment evidentia-ry materials submitted by the parties to determine if a genuine issue of material fact is in dispute. Cormichael v. Beller, 1996 OK 48, ¶ 2, 914 P.2d 1051. In so doing, we view the facts and all reasonable inferences arising therefrom in the light most favorable to the nonmovant. Id. "[SJummary judgment is improper if under the evidence, reasonable minds could reach different conclusions from the facts." Vasek v. Board of County Comm'rs of Noble County, 2008 OK 35, ¶ 29, 186 P.3d 928.
T7 In its summary judgment motion, Liberty Mutual argued the express terms of its automobile policy with Boyd did not extend coverage to Faulkner because he was not a "resident" of Boyd's "household." The trial court agreed finding, even though Faulkner was a "resident" of Cottrell's "household," it was not also Boyd's "household." Thus, "resident" and "household" are the disposi-tive terms of the policy but neither was defined in the policy itself.
T8 "Oklahoma law governing insurance coverage disputes is well-established. The foremost principle is that an insurance policy is a contract." Cranfill v. Aetna Life Ins. Co., 2002 OK 26, ¶ 5, 49 P.8d 703. "Parties may contract for risk coverage and will be bound by policy terms. When policy provisions are unambiguous and clear, the employed language is accorded its ordinary, plain meaning; and the contract is enforced carrying out the parties' intentions. The policy is read as a whole, giving the words and terms their ordinary meaning, enforcing each part thereof, This Court may not rewrite an insurance contract to benefit either party.... We will not impose coverage where the policy language clearly does not intend that a particular individual or risk should be covered." BP America, Inc. v. State Auto Property and Casualty Ins. Co., 2005 OK 65, ¶ 6, 148 P3d 832. (Footnotes omitted). "The construction of a policy should be natural and reasonable, viewed in the light of common sense. The result should not be absurd. The interpretation of an insurance contract and whether it is ambiguous is a matter of law that will be resolved by the court." Redcorn v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., 2002 OK 15, ¶ 4, 55 P.3d 1017. (Citation omitted). "An insurance contract is ambiguous only if it is susceptible to two constructions on its face from the standpoint of a reasonably prudent layperson, not from that of a lawyer." Haworth v. Jantzen, 2006 OK 35, ¶ 13, 172 P.3d 193.[TIhis Court will not indulge in strained interpretation to create such an ambiguity. Id.
19 Under Oklahoma law, the definitions of "resident" and "household" are somewhat intertwined. In Indemnity Ins. Co. of North America v. Sanders, 1934 OK 494, ¶¶ 16-17, 36 P.2d 271, the Oklahoma Supreme Court cited several definitions of "household", including one stating "persons who dwell together as a family constitute a 'household'," and a definition from Webster's New International Dictionary stating a household consists of "those who dwell under the same roof and compose a family." Sanders, 1116-17 (internal quotations and citations omitted).
A more recent Oklahoma case cited with approval a definition of a "resident of a household" as "one who is a member of a family who lives together under the same roof; that residence emphasizes membership in a group rather than an attachment to a building." - Henderson v. Eaves, 1973 OK 139, ¶ 24, 516 P.2d 270 (cit
ing American States Ins. Co. v. Walker, 26 Utah 2d 161, 486 P.2d 1042 (1971)). Henderson, ¶ 25, also cited a definition of "resident" found in Webster's Dictionary: "Dwelling, or having an abode for a continued length of time; ... one who resides in a place; one who dwells in a place for a period of more or less duration." While these descriptions are not exactly the same, the terms "resident" and "household" are not ambiguous terms. Their meanings are clear to a layperson, and being mindful of these previous cases, the definition found in Henderson, "I 24, is the most succinet: "resident of a household is one who is a member of a family who lives under the same roof."
10 The trial court supported its decision to grant summary judgment in Liberty Mutual's favor by concluding Faulkner was a resident of Cottrell's household, but not Boyd's "household" even though Boyd and Cottrell resided together in the same home. Under these circumstances and understanding that a "household" is ordinarily a family group managed by one head, whether Boyd had her own "household" or was a member of Cottrell's "household" are questions we need not decide. Regardless of the answers to those questions, all members of a "household" must reside together under one roof. E.g. Henderson, 1973 OK 1839, ¶ 24, 516 P.2d 270. The partial transcripts of the depositions of Faulkner, Boyd, and Cottrell provided in the record all agree Faulkner was not staying overnight at Cottrell's home.
For his part, Faulkner stated he was paying rent to Herweck and living with her and her grandson. Boyd stated Faulkner was not "staying at our place" at the time of the accident, and Cottrell confirmed Faulkner sometimes returned to eat meals with her but was not staying overnight. Contrary to the trial court's determination, we do not find there to be a disputed fact as to whether Faulkner was a resident of Cottrell's household. And because Boyd was living with Cottrell, neither was Faulkner a member of Boyd's household at the time of the accident. Faulkner was not residing under the same roof with either Cottrell or Boyd, which is an essential element to establishing he was a member of either's "household." Our de movo review of the record shows there was no dispute that Faulkner was not a member of Boyd's household because he did not reside under the same roof as Boyd at the time of the accident.
T11 Shelter also relied on the theory that Faulkner, as an unemancipated minor, could not establish a residency separate from his parents, particularly his mother, Cottrell. We find no statutory provision or Oklahoma case law supporting this position. Rather, Shelter relied on the fact Cottrell's divorce
decree granted joint custody of Faulkner to her and a case decided by the Oklahoma Supreme Court discussing the residency of a minor in the context of public school education. Shelter cited 48 00.98.2011 § 551-106 which states, in relevant part, that a child custody determination "is conclusive as to all decided issues of law and fact except to the extent the determination is modified." Shelter relied on this statute and a definition of "custody" which included "judicial or penal safekeeping," Joshua C. By and Through Denise L. v. Western Heights Ind. School Dist. of Okla. County, 1995 OK CIV APP 73, ¶ 10, 898 P.2d 1324,
to show Cottrell's legal custody of Faulkner also meant he was a member of her household. While we agree Cottrell had legal custody of Faulkner, the term "custody" is not synonymous with the terms "resident" of a "household" as used in the Liberty Mutual policy. Oklahoma law requires family members to live together to be considered part of the same "household" for insurance purposes, and the undisputed fact remains all three of the family members supposedly comprising the "household" at issue-Faulkner, Cottrell, and Boyd-maintained Faulkner was not living under the same roof as the latter two family members.
112 While other jurisdictions have recognized the possibility of dual residency for unemancipated minor children of divorced parents in the context of insurance coverage, this state has not done so. See Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co. v. Williams, 623 So.2d 1005 (Miss.1993); Countryside Cas. Co. v. McCormick, 722 SW.2d 655 (Mo.App.1987); Ohio Cas. Ins. Co. v. Estate of Wittkopp, 326 N.J.Super. 407, 741 A.2d 619 (N.J.Super.A.D.1999). Notably, each of these decisions determined whether the minor children could be residents of both the custodial parent and noncustodial parent's home when the child primarily resided with the custodial parent but the non-custodial parent exercised visitation. We do not foreclose the possibility that un-emancipated minors with divoreed parents may maintain a residence at both parents' homes under Oklahoma law, but that is not the issue before this Court. The issue here is whether Faulkner resided under the same roof as Boyd to be a part of her "household" for purposes of insurance coverage. The undisputed facts show he did not.
T13 For the reasons set forth above, the decision of the trial court is AFFIRMED.
BELL, P.J., and GOREE, J., concur.