Union Savings Bank v. Allstate Indemnity Co.

830 F. Supp. 2d 623, 2011 WL 5835923
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. Indiana
DecidedNovember 21, 2011
DocketNo. 1:10-cv-00843-LJM-MJD
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 830 F. Supp. 2d 623 (Union Savings Bank v. Allstate Indemnity Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. Indiana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Union Savings Bank v. Allstate Indemnity Co., 830 F. Supp. 2d 623, 2011 WL 5835923 (S.D. Ind. 2011).

Opinion

ORDER

LARRY J. McKINNEY, District Judge.

This matter comes before the Court on plaintiffs, Union Savings Bank (“Union Savings”), Motion for Partial Summary Judgment [dkt. no. 44]; defendant’s, Allstate Indemnity Company (“Allstate”), Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment [dkt. no. 48]; and third-party defendant’s, Kristen Tod (“Ms. Tod”), Motion for Summary Judgment [dkt. no. 46]. This matter centers on the scope of third-party defendant’s, Scott Tod (“Mr. Tod”), Allstate Landlords Package Policy AS84 (the “Landlords Policy”). The property in question is located at 14930 Sulky Way, Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana 46032 (the “Property”). The Landlords Policy lists Union Savings as the mortgagee of the Property. Union Savings seeks a declaration from the Court that the Landlords Policy provides it with coverage for damage to the Property. Union Savings further seeks damages for breach of contract and Allstate’s bad faith in denying Union Savings’ claim. Union Savings has only moved for summary judgment on its declaratory judgment request. Allstate seeks a declaration from the Court that the Landlords Policy does not provide coverage to either the Tods or Union Savings for the damage to the Property, as well as summary judgment on Union Savings’ bad faith and breach of contract theories. Ms. Tod, having disclaimed any interest in the Landlord’s Policy, seeks dismissal from the case. For the following reasons, the Court GRANTS Union Savings’ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment [dkt. no. 44]; GRANTS in PART and DENIES in PART Allstate’s Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment [dkt. no. 48], and GRANTS Ms. Tod’s Motion for Summary Judgment [dkt. no. 46].

I. BACKGROUND

On October 27, 2006, the Tods purchased the Property. Grass Dep. Exs. AB. Although there is some dispute as to whether Ms. Tod signed the promissory note that was secured by a mortgage on the Property, there is no dispute that Union Savings was the mortgagee of the Property. Stewart Aff. Ex. 1. On February 23, 2008, Mr. Tod obtained the Landlords Policy for the Property. Id.

On January 2, 2009, Union Savings notified the Tods that they were in default on their loan and that Union Savings would soon begin foreclosure proceedings. Grass Dep. Ex. D. On January 5, 2009, Union Savings engaged an outside contractor to visually inspect the exterior of the Property prior to initiating foreclosure proceedings. Id. Ex. E. In its report, the contractor noted that the water and electricity were “off.” Id. On March 3,2009, Union Savings sent an appraiser to assess the Property. Stewart Aff. Ex. 5. The appraiser discovered water in the basement of the Property and notified Union Savings. Id. Union Savings immediately notified Allstate of the damage. Id. On March 6, 2009, Union Savings filed a formal claim under the mortgagee clause in the Landlords Policy. Id.

On March 25, 2009, by letter, Allstate initially denied Union Savings’ claim. Compl. Ex. B. Citing exclusions in the Landlords Policy for water damage, All[627]*627state explained that there was no coverage for the damage under the Landlords Policy. Id. On June 4, 2009, Union Savings’ counsel submitted a rebuttal letter to Allstate, explaining that the loss was covered under the Policy. Id. Ex. C. Specifically, the letter explained that the damage was neither caused by nor consisted of water; instead, it was principally caused by the electrical shutdown of the property by the property owner and consequent breakdown of the sump pump. Id. Further, explained the letter, even if there were exclusions applicable to the homeowner, the mortgagee clause protected the mortgagee’s interest for a loss caused by the failure of an insured to take reasonable steps to prevent an increase in the hazard or to take reasonable steps to preserve the property. Id.

On November 30, 2009, after consultation with outside counsel and a forensic expert, Allstate concluded that Union Savings’ loss was excluded under Section I of the Landlords Policy. Id. Ex. E. Specifically, Allstate cited language excluding coverage for a loss consisting of or caused by “[w]ater or any other substance that overflows from a sump pump.” Id.

The Landlords Provision contains a mortgagee clause. It provides in relevant part:

Mortgagee
A covered loss will be payable to the mortgagees named on the policy declarations to the extent of their interest and in the order of precedence. All provisions of Section I of this policy apply to these mortgagees.
We will:
a) protect the mortgagee’s interest in a covered building structure in the event of an increase in hazard, intention or criminal acts of, or directed by, an insured person, failure by any insured person to take all reasonable steps to save a preserve property after a loss, a change in ownership, or foreclosure if the mortgagee has no knowledge of these conditions.

Landlords Policy at 19. The pertinent portion of Section I provides:

Losses We Do Not Cover Under Coverages A and B:

A. We do not cover loss to the property ... consisting of or caused by:
2. Water or any other substance that backs up through sewers or drains.
3. Water or any other substance that overflows from a sump pump, sump pump well or other system designed for the removal of subsurface water which is drained from a foundation area of a structure.
4. Water or any other substance on or below the surface of the ground, regardless of its source. This includes water or any other substance which exerts pressure on, or flows, seeps or leaks through, any part of the residence premises.
7. The failure by any insured person to take all reasonable steps to save and preserve property when the property is endangered by a loss we cover.
8. Any substantial change or increase in hazard, if changed or increased by any means within the control or knowledge of an insured person.
9. Intentional or criminal acts of, or at the direction of, an insured person, if the loss that occurs:
a) may be reasonably expected to result from such acts; or
b) is the intended result of such acts.
[628]*628This exclusion applies regardless of whether an insured person is actually charged with, or convicted of, a crime.

Landlords Policy at 7-8.

The Court includes additional facts below as necessary.

II. STANDARD

As stated by the Supreme Court, summary judgment is not a disfavored procedural shortcut, but rather is an integral part of the federal rules as a whole, which are designed to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action. See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 327, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). See also United Ass’n of Black Landscapers v. City of Milwaukee, 916 F.2d 1261, 1267-68 (7th Cir.1990).

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
830 F. Supp. 2d 623, 2011 WL 5835923, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/union-savings-bank-v-allstate-indemnity-co-insd-2011.