Torgerson v. STATE FARM MUT. AUTO. INS.

957 P.2d 1283
CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedJune 30, 1998
Docket16715-1-III
StatusPublished
Cited by16 cases

This text of 957 P.2d 1283 (Torgerson v. STATE FARM MUT. AUTO. INS.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Torgerson v. STATE FARM MUT. AUTO. INS., 957 P.2d 1283 (Wash. Ct. App. 1998).

Opinion

957 P.2d 1283 (1998)

Susan and David TORGERSON, wife and husband, Appellants,
v.
STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE CO., a foreign corporation, Respondent.

No. 16715-1-III.

Court of Appeals of Washington, Division 3, Panel Nine.

June 30, 1998.
Reconsideration Denied August 13, 1998.

*1285 James A. Domanico, Crary & Clark, Spokane, for Appellants.

Steven M. Cronin, Mullin, Cronin, Casey & Blair, Spokane, William R. Hickman, Pamela A. Okano, Reed, McClure, Seattle, for Respondent.

*1284 SWEENEY, Judge.

RCW 48.22.030 requires a written rejection of uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage limits less than liability limits for any new policy. Susan and David Torgerson bought a 1983 Dodge van after trading in their Ford van. They added coverages, including UIM coverage, to their insurance policy. However, their State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company policy number remained the same. After an accident with an uninsured motorist, State Farm claimed the UIM coverage was the statutory minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident (25/50,000) but could not produce a written rejection. It relied instead on habit and custom evidence to support its claim that the Torgersons must have signed a rejection asking for UIM limits less than their $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident (100/300,000) liability limits. A jury agreed with State Farm.

The first question presented is whether this is a new (requiring a new written UIM rejection) or replacement policy. We conclude it is a new policy. The next question is whether evidence of habit is admissible to satisfy the written rejection requirement of RCW 48.22.020(4). We conclude it is not. We therefore reverse the judgment and remand for entry of judgment in favor of the Torgersons.

FACTS

In March 1983, Susan and David Torgerson bought insurance from State Farm for their 1973 Ford van. They waived UIM and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage by written rejection forms.

In February 1984, the Torgersons replaced their 1973 Ford van and bought a 15-passenger 1983 Dodge van. Through their agent, David Reighley, they asked for "maximum limits." They intended to use the van to haul Boy Scouts, Bluebirds, church groups and other large groups of children. This latest policy had the same account number as the earlier policy and the same liability limits, 100/300,000. But the Torgersons added PIP, comprehensive, collision and UIM coverage. The policy listed UIM limits at 25/50,000.

In July 1992, the Torgersons' van collided with an uninsured driver. State Farm rejected their request for 100/300,000 UIM limits coverage and offered only 25/50,000. Ms. Torgerson admitted that her State Farm premium billings listed UIM limits of 25/50,000. The Torgersons nonetheless deny that they knew the UIM coverage limits.

They also deny signing the statutorily required UIM waiver for UIM coverage less than their liability limits. RCW 48.22.030(4) (written waiver required on new policies only). State Farm could not produce a copy of the statutorily required signed waiver. However, two of its agents testified that it was their custom and practice to discuss *1286 UIM coverage and secure a written waiver if UIM limits were less than liability limits.

The court concluded that the policy was not a "new" policy and therefore State Farm had no obligation to obtain a written rejection for UIM limits less than liability limits. It determined that the issue for the jury was "[d]id the Torgersons request and not receive 100/300,00 coverage or did they request and did they receive what Mr. Reighley says was 25 and 50 and for the reasons he enunciated?" Report of Proceedings at 216 (emphasis added). It rejected the Torgersons' proposed jury instruction 6:

Changes made to an existing policy may constitute a new policy as opposed to a renewal policy if material changes in coverage are requested. If a new policy is created, State Farm has the burden of obtaining a knowing written rejection of Uninsured Motorist benefits in order to avoid providing Uninsured Motorist Coverage in the same amounts as liability limits.

The jury found the Torgersons had not requested the higher UIM limits.

DISCUSSION

A. Standard of Review.

We review the trial court's decision to enter judgment as a matter of law de novo. We view conflicting evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmovant. Hollmann v. Corcoran, 89 Wash.App. 323, 331, 949 P.2d 386 (1997) (citing Forro Precision, Inc. v. International Bus. Mach. Corp., 673 F.2d 1045, 1058 (9th Cir.1982)). The question then is whether there is any evidence or reasonable inferences from the evidence that would support a verdict for the Torgersons. Willis v. Simpson Inv. Co., 79 Wash.App. 405, 410, 902 P.2d 1263 (1995) (citing Baldwin v. City of Seattle, 55 Wash.App. 241, 247, 776 P.2d 1377 (1989)).

B. New Versus Replacement Policy.

An insurance regulatory statute becomes part of the insurance policy. Johnson v. Farmers Ins. Co., 117 Wash.2d 558, 565, 817 P.2d 841 (1991) (citing Blackburn v. Safeco Ins. Co., 115 Wash.2d 82, 86, 794 P.2d 1259 (1990)). Insurance companies must make UIM coverage available to Washington policyholders. RCW 48.22.030; Corley v. Hertz Corp., 76 Wash.App. 687, 692, 887 P.2d 401 (1994), review denied, 128 Wash.2d 1007, 910 P.2d 481 (1996). Unless the insured has signed a written rejection, UIM coverage limits equal the liability limits. RCW 48.22.030(3). But if the insured has previously rejected underinsured coverage and the policy under consideration is only a renewal policy, another written UIM rejection is not required. RCW 48.22.030(4). Once the insured declines all or part of the UIM coverage, the insurer is not obligated to provide UIM coverage at the same levels as the bodily injury or third party liability limits unless the insured subsequently makes a written request to reinstate such coverage. Johnson, 117 Wash.2d at 562, 817 P.2d 841. But if a new policy is issued, UIM coverage must again be offered and rejected in writing, otherwise UIM coverage automatically equals the liability limits of the new policy. Corley, 76 Wash.App.

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Bluebook (online)
957 P.2d 1283, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/torgerson-v-state-farm-mut-auto-ins-washctapp-1998.