Stonington v. McWilliams/Seifert

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NOTICE: THIS DECISION DOES NOT CREATE LEGAL PRECEDENT AND MAY NOT BE CITED EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY APPLICABLE RULES. See Ariz. R. Supreme Court 111(c); ARCAP 28(c); Ariz. R. Crim. P. 31.24 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF ARIZONA DIVISION ONE STONINGTON INSURANCE COMPANY, a foreign corporation, ) ) ) Plaintiff/Counterdefendant/ ) Appellee, ) ) v. ) ) JAMES MICHAEL MCWILLIAMS, ) ) Defendant/Counterclaimant/ ) Appellant, ) ) BROOKE SEIFERT, ) ) Counterclaimant/Appellant ) No. DIVISION ONE FILED: 07-06-2010 PHILIP G. URRY,CLERK BY: GH 1 CA-CV 09-0235 DEPARTMENT C MEMORANDUM DECISION (Not for Publication Rule 28, Arizona Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure) Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County Cause No. CV 2008-007912 The Honorable Richard J. Trujillo, Judge REVERSED AND REMANDED Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, P.C. By Eileen Dennis GilBride, Donald L. Myles Jr., Kevin K. Broerman and Lori L. Voepel Attorneys for Plaintiff/Counterdefendant/Appellee Charles Hulstrand, P.C. By Charles Hulstrand Law Office of Christopher J. Curran, P.C. By Christopher J. Curran Attorneys for Defendant/Counterclaimants/Appellants Phoenix Mesa Chandler B R O W N, Judge ¶1 Appellant James McWilliams appeals the trial court s grant of summary judgment in favor of Stonington Insurance Company ( Stonington ) regarding an insurance coverage dispute. For the following reasons, we reverse and remand for further proceedings. BACKGROUND Patrick Alexander was employed by Tots Unlimited 1 (the ¶2 company ) as a maintenance worker, a position which afforded him use of a company vehicle. Late one night in December 2005, Alexander drove the vehicle to downtown Tempe, where he consumed alcoholic beverages with friends. and shortly thereafter McWilliams, a pedestrian. Alexander for negligence. was He left in the same vehicle involved in a collision with McWilliams suffered injuries and sued Alexander defaulted and McWilliams was awarded $486,378 in compensatory and punitive damages and costs. under McWilliams and Alexander then entered a Damron 2 agreement which Alexander assigned to McWilliams any rights 1 Formally, Borg Holdings GRRO I, L.L.C., GRRO II, L.L.C., Sun Tots, Inc. d/b/a Sunrise Preschool and Tots Unlimited. 2 See Damron v. Sledge, 105 Ariz. 151, 460 P.2d 997 (1969). Under a Damron agreement, if the insurer refuses to defend the insured, the latter admits liability and assigns his rights against the insurer to the plaintiff in exchange for a promise not to execute the judgment against the insured. See Safeway Ins. Co., Inc. v. Guerrero, 210 Ariz. 5, 7 n.1, ¶ 1, 106 P.3d 1020, 1022 n.1 (2005). 2 Alexander had carrier. against Stonington determination that Stonington, filed a had no it the company s declaratory duty to action defend or insurance seeking a indemnify Alexander because Alexander had been driving the company vehicle without permission and was therefore uninsured under the company s policy. ¶3 As assignee of Alexander s rights, McWilliams counter- claimed against Stonington for breach of contract and bad faith. The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment on the issue of whether Alexander had the express or implied permission to drive the company vehicle on the night of the accident and would thus be covered as an insured at that time. The trial court ruled in favor of Stonington, finding as a matter of law that Alexander was not a permissive driver. This timely appeal followed. DISCUSSION ¶4 Summary judgment is appropriate when there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and . . . the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. 56(c). Ariz. R. Civ. P. A motion for summary judgment should be granted if the facts produced in support of the claim . . . have so little probative value, given the quantum of evidence required, that reasonable people could not agree with the conclusion advanced by the proponent of the claim[.] 3 Orme Sch. v. Reeves, 166 Ariz. 301, 309, 802 P.2d 1000, 1008 (1990). [W]e view the facts in the light most favorable to the party against whom judgment was entered. Ariz. Great Am. Mortgage, Inc. v. Statewide Ins. Co., 189 123, omitted). 124, 938 P.2d 1124, 1125 (App. 1997) (citation In determining whether any genuine issues of material fact exist and whether the trial court erred in applying the law, our review is de novo. Eller Media Co. v. City of Tucson, 198 Ariz. 127, 130, ¶ 4, 7 P.3d 136, 139 (App. 2000). ¶5 McWilliams argues that the trial court granting summary judgment in favor of Stonington. erred in In urging us to reach that determination, his primary argument is based on his contention that Arizona courts should follow the initial permission rule, and not the minor deviation rule, to determine the extent of permission granted to Alexander for use of the vehicle and the resulting liability under the Stonington policy. Alternatively, he asserts that even if this court applies the minor deviation rule, there were sufficient facts in dispute regarding whether Alexander had permission to use the company vehicle on the night of the accident to present the matter to a jury. A. ¶6 We address these arguments in turn. Minor Deviation Rule Arizona has adopted an omnibus insurance coverage statute, which requires all automobile policies to cover the named insured as well as anyone using the vehicle with express 4 or implied ( A.R.S. ) permission § of 28-4009(A)(2) the insured. (2004) ( An Ariz. owner s Rev. motor Stat. vehicle liability policy shall comply with the following . . . [t]he policy shall insured and insure any the other person person, named as in the insured, policy using as the the motor vehicle or motor vehicles with the express or implied permission of the named insured[.] ). The law is well settled that the omnibus statute is to be construed broadly to favor coverage for permissive drivers. Hille v. Safeco Ins. Co. of Am., 25 Ariz. App. 353, 354, 543 P.2d 474, 475 (1975). Whether a person has permission to drive a vehicle is generally a question of fact to be determined by the trier of fact. ¶7 To make a prima facie Id. (citation omitted). showing that Alexander was insured under the policy, McWilliams was required to establish that Alexander had either express or implied permission to use the company vehicle as he did on the night of the accident. See Home Ins. Co. v. Keeley, 20 Ariz. App. 200, 202, 511 P.2d 213, 215 (1973) (recognizing that the party claiming coverage under an insurance policy has the burden of establishing, under the facts and circumstances, that the driver of the vehicle had the requisite permission). law in this regard: Three rules have evolved in general case (1) the initial permission, or hell or high water rule; (2) the strict construction rule; and (3) 5 the minor deviation rule. See James v. Aetna Life and Cas., 26 Ariz. App. 137, 138-39, 546 P.2d 1146, 1147-48 (1976). ¶8 McWilliams urges us to apply the initial permission rule, which provides that liability coverage is available to any driver who is given permission to use an insured vehicle even if the subsequent use is a gross deviation from the scope of the initial grant. Id. at 139, 546 P.2d at 1148. In other words, once an owner has relinquished the keys to an authorized driver, that driver is insured for all acts involving the vehicle come hell or high water. See Universal Underwriters Ins. Co. v. State Auto. and Cas. Underwriters, 108 Ariz. 113, 115, 493 P.2d 495, 497 (1972). ¶9 McWilliams argues that the initial permission rule supports the remedial purpose of Arizona s omnibus clause and best reflects our legislature s intent to protect the traveling public from people who are financially irresponsible. 3 See, e.g., Drucker v. Greater Phoenix Transp. Co., 197 Ariz. 41, 44, 3 Noting that the omnibus statute specifically enumerates circumstances under which a motor vehicle liability policy need not provide coverage, A.R.S. § 28-4009(C)(4), McWilliams suggests that had our legislature intended to preclude coverage for employees acting outside the scope of the insured s business, it would have expressly included such an exception as it did for other circumstances. We disagree that a specifically enumerated exception is necessary in the circumstances presented here. The scope of permission intended by the legislature is evident in its requirement that a driver have express or implied permission of the named insured[.] A.R.S. § 28-4009 (A)(2). 6 ¶ 15, 3 P.3d 961, 964 (App. 1991) ( The purpose of the financial responsibility laws is the protection of the travelling public from financial hardship resulting from the operation of motor vehicles by quotations financially irresponsible omitted)). Relying persons. on cases (internal from other jurisdictions, he contends that omnibus clauses such as the one adopted in Arizona initial permission demand rule broad affords application, the and protection only the contemplated under the statute. See, e.g., Commercial Union Ins. Co. v. Johnson, 745 589, Accident & S.W.2d Indem. Co., 594 166 (Ark. A.2d 1988); 713, Clark 715-16 v. Hartford (Conn. 1960); Mitchell v. Allstate Ins. Co., 244 S.W.3d 59, 65 (Ky. 2008); Horace Mann Ins. v. Hampton, 767 P.2d 343, 345-46 (Mont. 1989); Verriest (N.J. v. 1995); INA Underwriters Universal Ins. Co., Underwriters 662 Ins. A.2d Co. v. 967, 973-74 Taylor, 408 S.E.2d 358, 361-64 (W.Va. 1991). ¶10 Regardless of how we might view the applicability of the initial permission rule to cases such as this one, that rule has been expressly rejected by our supreme court. 108 Ariz. at 115, 493 P.2d at 497. Universal, Because we are bound by our supreme court s prior decision on this matter, we do not address McWilliams argument permission rule. regarding adoption of the initial See City of Phoenix v. Leroy's Liquors, Inc., 177 Ariz. 375, 378, 868 P.2d 958, 961 (App. 1993) (noting that 7 court of appeals has no authority to overrule, modify, or disregard decisions of the Arizona Supreme Court). 4 ¶11 Instead, we apply the minor deviation rule. James, 26 Ariz. App. at 139, 546 P.2d at 1148; Universal, 108 Ariz. at 115, 493 P.2d at 497. Under that rule, a permissive driver may extend the scope of use beyond the express or implied grant initially provided, as long as the use remains within the scope of the permission granted. P.2d at 1148. longstanding The notion See James, 26 Ariz. App. at 139, 546 minor deviation that the rule driver of is based a on the vehicle is presumptively the agent of the vehicle s owner, but that such presumption operating may be outside overcome the with scope of evidence the the driver permission was granted. Universal, 108 Ariz. at 115, 493 P.2d at 497 (citing Baker v. Maseeh, 20 Ariz. 201, 179 P. 53 (1919); Silva v. Traver, 63 Ariz. 364, 162 P.2d 615 (1945)). 4 We reject McWilliams contention that Universal is limited to its facts. In that case, after explaining the initial permission rule, our supreme court stated: We do not think, however, that the liberal rule has application to permissive users in Arizona. 108 Ariz. at 115, 493 P.2d at 497. The court then noted that proof of ownership of a vehicle is prima facie evidence that the driver is the agent of the owner but that presumption vanishes whenever contradicting evidence is introduced. Id. A vanishing presumption is entirely inconsistent with the initial permission rule. See James, 26 Ariz. App. at 139, 546 P.2d at 1148 (noting that hell or high water rule was specifically rejected in Universal). 8 B. ¶12 Determination of Permissive Use McWilliams argues that even under the minor deviation rule, sufficient facts exist from which a jury could conclude that Alexander company vehicle accident. had express for or implied personal purposes permission on the to use the night of the As to express permission, we find no basis in the record to support the existence of any material issue of fact. Not even Alexander s own affidavit contains any information that could reasonably be construed as granting him express permission to drive the company vehicle for personal reasons generally or in particular, on the night of the accident. ¶13 Whether McWilliams had implied permission presents a more difficult question. reasonable inference that He asserts that the facts support a Alexander was not subject to any restrictions governing the use of the company vehicle and that the vehicle was provided to Alexander for his use and enjoyment. He further contends that even if there were general policy restrictions and limitations in place regarding proper vehicle usage for employees, Alexander was excluded from typical company policies. ¶14 Implied permission may arise from mutual acquiescence in, or lack of objection to, a continued use of a [vehicle], signifying assent. It is usually shown by the practice of the parties over a period of time preceding the day upon which the 9 insured vehicle was being used. Universal, 108 Ariz. at 115, 493 P.2d at 497 (citation and internal quotations omitted). It may also be found if the operator of the vehicle reasonably believed he was using the vehicle permission granted by the owner. in accordance with the See Grain Dealers Mut. Ins. Co. v. James, 118 Ariz. 116, 118, 575 P.2d 315, 317 (1978) (recognizing that summary judgment is generally not appropriate if a material issue concerns one of the parties state of mind; therefore, his use whether was the with vehicle the operator permission of reasonably the owner believed must be considered). ¶15 Here, we start with the presumption that Alexander was the agent of his employer. P.2d at 497. Universal, 108 Ariz. at 115, 493 Next, we must determine whether Stonington has overcome that presumption by proving that Alexander did not act within the scope of his driving privilege. McWilliams argues that Alexander was given the privilege of unrestricted use of the vehicle, while Stonington contends that Alexander s use was clearly limited to business purposes. Because we find that material issues of fact exist as to the nature of the scope of Alexander s driving privilege, the question of implied permission must be resolved by the trier of fact. ¶16 following: In support of McWilliams position, he points to the (1) After receiving 10 a promotion, Alexander was required to be on-call twenty-four hours a day to respond to company calls assigned to and had him; exclusive (2) he was use of the exclusively company vehicle responsible for maintenance and care of the company vehicle which he paid for with a company debit card; (3) he used the company vehicle for personal use without restriction, oversight, warning, or discipline; (4) he provided the company with receipts for gas and maintenance of the vehicle which would have shown that he was using the vehicle for personal purpose; (5) the company knew he had use of no other vehicle; (6) he never received or acknowledged the company s written scope of use restriction for company vehicles; (7) he witnessed his direct supervisor use a company vehicle for personal purposes; (8) Alexander was an exception to the company s policy against employing and being supervised by relatives; when he was first employed he both lived with and was supervised by his uncle; and (9) Alexander believed that after his promotion the unrestricted use of his employer s vehicle was a benefit of his employment. ¶17 Stonington assertions: counters with the following factual (1) Tots Unlimited has a written policy expressly prohibiting employees from using company vehicles for anything except company business; (2) all maintenance employees, including Alexander, were allowed to drive company vehicles to and from work; (3) at no time 11 did Tots Unlimited authorize Alexander to use a company vehicle for personal purposes; and (4) he was present at a meeting when the company vehicle use policy was discussed, which occurred prior to his accident. ¶18 The scope of Alexander s permitted vehicle use depends on which version of facts is true. If the company did give notice to Alexander of its vehicle use policy, as indicated by its affidavits, then Alexander s permitted use was for business purposes only and his use on the night of the accident was clearly more than a minor deviation from that permitted use. See James, 26 Ariz. App. at 139, 546 P.2d at 1148 (noting that protection is afforded under the minor deviation rule if the bailee s use is not a gross, substantial or major violation, even though it may have amounted to a deviation ). However, if Alexander is correct in that he was never advised of a company policy restricting vehicle use, he was not in attendance at the alleged meeting where the restrictions were discussed, or he was treated differently than other employees, then a jury could reasonably conclude that he was given a company vehicle without restrictions as to when and where it could be driven. Dealers Mut. Ins. Co., 118 Ariz. at 118, 575 See Grain P.2d at 317 (recognizing that if a material issue of fact concerns one of the parties state of mind, summary judgment is generally not appropriate). Other information noted in Alexander s affidavit, such as (1) his exclusive use of the vehicle; (2) his lack of 12 access to any personal vehicle; and (3) his direct supervisor s use of a company car for personal use, lend further support to his position that the scope of the use of the vehicle he was assigned to drive was undefined. As such, whether Alexander reasonably believed he was using the company vehicle within the permission granted is a question of fact we must leave to the trier of fact. ¶19 determine Based on on these this record factual the discrepancies, scope privilege for the company vehicle. of we Alexander s cannot driving In the absence of a defined scope of use, we are unable to determine whether there was a major deviation from the scope of implied permission. Thus, for the purposes of resisting Stonington s summary judgment motion, McWilliams has satisfied his burden of proving that Alexander is covered by the company s insurance policy. See Keeley, 20 Ariz. App. at 202, 511 P.2d at 215 (finding that the party claiming coverage has the burden of establishing, under the facts and circumstances, the requisite permission). 13 CONCLUSION ¶20 Based on the foregoing, we reverse the trial court s grant of summary judgment in favor of Stonington and remand for further proceedings consistent with this decision. /s/ _________________________________ MICHAEL J. BROWN, Judge CONCURRING: /s/ ______________________________ PATRICK IRVINE, Presiding Judge /s/ ______________________________ DONN KESSLER, Judge 14

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