Allstate Indemnity Company v. Mary Hyman--Appeal from 62nd District Court of Lamar County

In The

Court of Appeals

Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana

 

______________________________

 

No. 06-05-00064-CV

______________________________

 

ALLSTATE INDEMNITY COMPANY, Appellant

V.

MARY HYMAN, Appellee

 

 

On Appeal from the 62nd Judicial District Court

Lamar County, Texas

Trial Court No. 69197

 

 

Before Morriss, C.J., Ross and Carter, JJ.

Memorandum Opinion by Justice Carter

 

MEMORANDUM OPINION

 

Mary Hyman, an insured of Allstate Indemnity Company, was involved in an automobile accident July 26, 2000. Hyman made a claim for her severely damaged Ford Explorer, but thought Allstate's offer was inadequate. After several months of unfruitful negotiation, which included letters and telephone calls, this lawsuit was filed just over a year later. Six months after that, in February 2002, the storage facility demanded that Hyman pay the storage fees on the vehicle or relinquish her claim to the vehicle in exchange for cancellation of the debt. She relinquished the vehicle.

Hyman also sued the driver of the other car, Marilyn Baker. On September 25, 2003, Hyman settled her claims against Baker. Hyman's lawsuit against Allstate went to trial October 11, 2004. Hyman claimed Allstate breached its contract with her. A jury agreed, and it also found a knowing violation of Article 21.21 of the Texas Insurance Code. The jury awarded her actual damages of $21,600.00 ($18,000.00 for the vehicle and $3,600.00 for a rental vehicle for a reasonable period of time), enhanced damages of $54,000.00, and also awarded $25,000.00 in attorney's fees. The trial court ordered an offset in the amount of Hyman's settlement with Baker.

Both Allstate and Hyman appeal.

Allstate raises a number of contentions on appeal:

(1) the evidence was factually and legally insufficient to show that it breached its contract and that the evidence conclusively shows Hyman breached it;

(2) Hyman impaired Allstate's subrogation rights;

(3) the evidence concerning the value of the vehicle is not factually sufficient;

(4) the evidence is factually and legally insufficient to support a finding of a violation of Article 21.21 of the Texas Insurance Code;

(5) the amount of damages for vehicle rental is improper and excessive; and

(6) the award of damages exceeds the statutory cap.

Hyman contends that the trial court erred by not awarding damages under Article 21.55 of the Texas Insurance Code, as well as under Article 21.21.

1. Breach of Contract

Allstate first contends that the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to allow the jury to find that it breached its contract with Hyman, and suggests that the evidence conclusively proves it did comply with the terms of the contract. Allstate focuses on evidence that, after Hyman filed a claim and Allstate sent her a letter with a list of information it wanted, she did not provide all of the information thus, Allstate argues, Hyman never triggered Allstate's duty to pay the claim and Allstate did not breach by not paying.

Specifically, Allstate in its August 7 letter asked Hyman to provide information about the lienholder on her vehicle, authorization to speak to the lienholder about her account, possession of the vehicle, and a power of attorney to permit Allstate to sell the vehicle. Allstate argues that these are all items Allstate would need to complete its investigation and secure final proof of loss on Hyman's claim.

a. Standards of Review

In determining a no-evidence issue attacking a jury's finding, we are to consider only the evidence and inferences that tend to support the finding and disregard all evidence and inferences to the contrary. Bradford v. Vento, 48 S.W.3d 749, 754 (Tex. 2001); Cont'l Coffee Prods. Co. v. Cazarez, 937 S.W.2d 444, 450 (Tex. 1996). Anything more than a scintilla of evidence is legally sufficient. Cazarez, 937 S.W.2d at 450.

When considering a factual sufficiency challenge to a jury's verdict, we consider and weigh all of the evidence, not just that evidence which supports the verdict. Mar. Overseas Corp. v. Ellis, 971 S.W.2d 402, 406 07 (Tex. 1998). We may set aside the verdict only if it is so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence that the verdict is clearly wrong and unjust. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986); Ellis, 971 S.W.2d at 407.

b. Sufficiency of the Evidence

Allstate first contends it did not breach its contract with Hyman. Allstate argues that, because it sent a letter requesting various authorizations and because Hyman did not provide those items, Allstate conclusively proved Hyman never triggered Allstate's obligation to pay, and thus the failure to pay is not a breach of contract.

In the letter on which Allstate relies, Allstate told Hyman what was needed "to conclude your claim, if liability is accepted for your loss." The letter states that it enclosed a "Power of Attorney to Transfer Motor Vehicle" form and that it was necessary to return the form to enable Allstate to issue payment and keys. The letter also demands that Hyman return either a clear title, or contact information about any lienholder, and that she contact the lienholder to authorize release of the payoff information to the insurer's representative. The letter finally directs her to call any location where the vehicle is stored with directions to release the vehicle to Allstate. It then contains incomplete telephone numbers at which Hyman could contact some unidentified person for more information.

The letter does not support Allstate's position. It contains nothing that relates to the issue before the court and jury: Allstate's investigation of the claim and its decision to accept or not accept her claim. All of the items demanded (several of which were actually already in Allstate's files) have to do, as clearly stated in the letter, with the procedure that would ultimately be followed after Allstate accepted liability for the loss. Thus, Hyman's failure to provide a release of information and authority over the vehicle to which Allstate had not yet become entitled is not conclusive evidence of a breach by Hyman.

In addition, Hyman testified it was her understanding that, if she signed the requested power of attorney, she would be agreeing to the amount Allstate wanted to pay and that she would have no recourse after signing it. Her belief is understandable, because had she provided the authority requested, she would have turned over to Allstate her rights to the vehicle, without payment or an agreement on the value of the vehicle.

Thus, neither Allstate's position that the proof that Hyman had breached first was conclusive, nor its statement in its brief that it was entitled to judgment notwithstanding the verdict, are viable. There is evidence to support the jury's finding, and the evidence to the contrary is not conclusive.

This also disposes of Allstate's second, related, contention based on the same argument and letter: that the jury's finding that Hyman did not breach the contract was made against the overwhelming weight of the evidence.

Allstate also complains, based on these same factors, that Hyman breached her agreement to cooperate with Allstate in the investigation and settlement of any claim noting in its brief Hyman specifically agreed to authorize Allstate to obtain any pertinent record. The language of the policy requires Hyman to cooperate in the investigation, settlement, or defense of any claim or suit, to promptly send copies of any notices or legal papers received in connection with the accident or loss, and to authorize Allstate to obtain other pertinent records.

The items sought, however, are not pertinent to Allstate's investigation of the accident. They are only, as stated above, pertinent to settlement as far as they would inform Allstate where to send the money after a settlement was reached and as far as power to actually take possession of the vehicle. These items could properly apply only after the settlement was reached. To allow the company to set the value of the property and simultaneously to demand the immediate authority to dispose of it before it has agreed to the valuation on penalty of holding the insured in breach of contract is not contemplated by the contract.

2. Subrogation Rights Impaired?

Allstate also argues Hyman impaired its right of subrogation against Baker by settling with her before the trial between Hyman and Allstate. In a brief argument, Allstate points out that Hyman released her claims against Baker for all claims and causes of action, and argues that this constituted a breach because it "eliminated any claim available to Allstate for any amount it may pay for physical damage to Hyman's vehicle."

The portion of the insurance contract on which Allstate relies is entitled "Right to Recover Payment." It provides that:

A.If we make a payment under this policy and the person to or for whom payment was made has a right to recover damages from another we shall be subrogated to that right. That person shall do:

1.Whatever is necessary to enable us to exercise our rights; and

2.Nothing after loss to prejudice them. . . .

B.If we make a payment under this policy and the person to or for whom payment is made recovers damages from another, that person shall:

1.Hold in trust for us the proceeds of the recovery; and

2.Reimburse us to the extent of our payment. . . .

 

As pointed out by Hyman, the clause begins, "If we make a payment." Allstate has made no payment. However, the policy requires that the insured do nothing after loss to prejudice Allstate. It is equally clear that the section contemplates that, when an insured, who ultimately recovers from Allstate, is also entitled to recover damages from another entity, Allstate is entitled to recover its subrogation rights.

Despite Allstate's vigorous argument to the contrary, that subrogation right is not such as would void the contract. Allstate directs us to Sentry Ins. v. Siurek, 748 S.W.2d 104 (Tex. App. Houston [1st Dist.] 1987, no writ), as support for its position. That case contains language broadly stating that, where a person settles with or releases a wrongdoer from liability for the loss before payment of the loss has been made by the insurance company, the latter's right of subrogation is thereby destroyed and that such an insured, who has barred a subrogation claim by his or her own company, cannot maintain a suit against his or her own insurance company for the same damages. Id. at 106 (citing Hollen v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 551 S.W.2d 46, 49 (Tex. 1977)). // Siurek bases its holding on the one recovery rule. The insured is entitled to but one recovery under the terms of the contract. Siurek, 748 S.W.2d at 106 (citing Bradshaw v. Baylor Univ., 126 Tex. 99, 104, 84 S.W.2d 703, 705 (1935)).

Hollen does not support the broad holding given to it in Siurek. In Hollen, the Texas Supreme Court recognized, in a complicated fact situation involving a number of parties and a severance, that a judgment in favor of one of several defendants was final, and thus the insurer's right of subrogation against that defendant was destroyed. It did not hold that the right of subrogation was in the nature of a covenant, that actions tending to impair that right would completely void the underlying contract, or that the insurer could not seek to be made whole through other means. Further, there is some difference in analysis found in the cases depending on whether the subrogation is based on contract (legal subrogation) or on general principles of law (conventional subrogation).

In either instance, applying a concept described as the "made-whole doctrine," an insured's entire loss must be satisfied before the insurer will be entitled to recover under its right of subrogation. Therefore, the insurer may not ordinarily recover under subrogation until the amount recovered by the insured from the insurer, combined with the amount recovered by the insured from the tortfeasor, exceeds the insured's loss. Ortiz v. Great S. Fire & Cas. Ins. Co., 597 S.W.2d 342, 343 (Tex. 1980).

The appropriate amount to be recovered under subrogation, however, is a determination that is based in the rules of equity. The underlying concepts that control such a review were discussed in some detail by the Austin Court of Appeals.

The distinction we drew between legal and conventional subrogation in Lexington [Insurance Co. v. Gray, 775 S.W.2d 679 (Tex. App. Austin 1989, writ denied), disapproved on other grounds, Amberboy v. Societe de Banque Privee, 831 S.W.2d 793, 797 (Tex. 1992)] simply means that under conventional subrogation no balancing of equities is necessary to determine whether the subrogee has a right to recover at all. While an insurance contract providing expressly for subrogation may remove from the realm of equity the question of whether the insurer has a right to subrogation, it cannot answer the question of when the insurer is actually entitled to subrogation or how much it should receive. . . . Contracts that give insurers the right to subrogation "confirm, but [do] not expand, the equitable subrogation rights of insurers." Oss [v. United Servs. Auto. Ass'n, 807 F.2d 457, 460 (5th Cir. 1987) ]. . . . . To avoid injustice, the equities must still be balanced in deciding what amount, if any, the subrogee is entitled to receive in a given case.

 

Esparza v. Scott & White Health Plan, 909 S.W.2d 548, 551 52 (Tex. App. Austin 1995, writ denied) (citations omitted); see Fortis Benefits v. Cantu, 170 S.W.3d 755, 758 (Tex. App. Waco 2005, no pet. h.).

Thus, if the insured has disregarded the insurer's subrogation rights, such as by agreeing to a settlement with the tortfeasor that does not completely compensate the insured for the loss, the trial court has discretion to balance the equities of the parties and grant the insurer some recovery. See e.g., Esparza, 909 S.W.2d at 552 53) (trial court properly awarded health insurer half of medical expenses it had paid on insureds' behalf out of insureds' settlement of medical malpractice claim even though insureds were not fully compensated for their loss).

Applying these concepts, we first conclude a subrogation clause in a contract does not act as a covenant that would void the entirety of the contract. We next conclude that, where the subrogation amount is definable, the insurer may be able to offset the judgment against it in favor of its insured by the amount that is appropriate under the facts. In this case, that determination is straightforward. The damages were all physical damage to the vehicle, and the jury determined the value of the vehicle. Thus, the subrogation amount to which Allstate is entitled was determined at trial.

The trial court attempted to apply this concept by offsetting the actual damage award by the amount of Hyman's recovery from Baker. The only real question remaining in that respect is whether the court used the correct figure in calculating the offset.

We conclude that it did not. The injured party settled with the tortfeasor for an amount less than the amount the jury ultimately determined was the actual value of Hyman's vehicle. Allstate was contractually entitled to pursue subrogation for the amount determined to be the actual value of the vehicle. Applying equitable principles to the award and the facts, and noting the lack of any clear notification to Allstate of the settlement so that it could attempt to protect its rights, we conclude Allstate is entitled to an offset against the damage award in the amount of the value of the vehicle, less the deductible, as determined by the jury. Allstate would only be authorized to recover for its subrogation rights no more than it was liable to pay the insured for the loss ($18,000.00 less $500.00 deductible = $17,500.00). This procedure is explicitly allowed by the insurance contract, which states, "If we make a payment under this policy and the person to or for whom payment is made recovers damages from another, that person shall: (1) Hold in trust for us the proceeds of the recovery; and (2) Reimburse us to the extent of our payment."

The judgment, as reformed, will reimburse Allstate to the extent of its payment and will avoid any double recovery, as was the concern in Siurek.

In a multifarious one paragraph argument, Allstate contends the trial court erred by overruling Allstate's motion for summary judgment made on this ground. A party may not appeal from the denial of a motion for summary judgment. Allstate also argues the court should have granted its motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict based on this claim. It is impossible to glean from the brief, but we speculate that this argument is due to Allstate's position that it proved Hyman breached first as a matter of law. As stated above, we disagree.

Allstate also argues in two sentences, with no citation to the record, or to authority, or any argument, that the trial court committed reversible error by refusing to allow Allstate to bring this "critical, highly relevant evidence to the jury's attention." The briefing is inadequate to frame the issue, to permit any reasoned response from Hyman, or to allow this Court to consider it. See Tex. R. App. P. 38.1.

3. The Actual Valuation of the Ford Explorer

Allstate also contends the trial court erred in denying its motion for new trial on the issue of damages because the evidence is factually insufficient to support the jury's award for the value of the vehicle. Allstate specifically argues there is factually insufficient evidence to prove that the difference in the value of the vehicle immediately before and after the accident was $18,000.00.

Hyman testified that the pre-accident value of her vehicle was $18,000.00, and its post-accident value was $1,250.00. Allstate argues that this sets the maximum possible value for the vehicle at $16,750.00, and thus the evidence does not support the higher award. Allstate ignores the existence of evidence, however, in the form of estimates of preaccident value presented to the jury, ranging up to $22,000.00, and post-accident value ranging from $1,250.00 to $5,015.00. In determining damages, the jury has discretion to award damages within the range of evidence presented at trial. Gulf States Utils. Co. v. Low, 79 S.W.3d 561, 566 (Tex. 2002). The amount awarded by the jury was within the range of evidence presented, and that evidence was clear and straightforward. It is factually sufficient to support the verdict.

4. Violation of Article 21.21 of the Texas Insurance Code

Allstate next argues the evidence is not legally and factually sufficient to support the jury's finding that Allstate violated Article 21.21 of the Texas Insurance Code. The jury found that Allstate violated the Code either by (a) misrepresenting a material fact or policy provision relating to the coverage, or (b) failing in good faith to effectuate a prompt, fair, and equitable settlement of a claim when the insurer's liability had become reasonably clear.

Specifically, Allstate argues that the case was formulated on allegations of post-loss misrepresentations and then argues that post-loss misrepresentations must be more than a mere breach of contract, relied on by the insured, and cause an injury independent of the denial of policy benefits, citing Provident Am. Ins. Co. v. Castaneda, 988 S.W.2d 189, 198 200 (Tex. 1998). The court in Castaneda reviewed the insurer's failure to respond to its insured's requests for explanation for its refusals to pay, in the context of determining whether there was evidence of some additional form of compensable damage to the insured's credit rating. The court concluded in analyzing the action under Article 21.21-2, Section 2(b), the evidence showed that the only injury was because of the denial of benefits and the evidence did not support any additional injury independent of the policy. The court thus concluded the insurer was not separately liable for that failure because no damage was caused independent of the denial of the claim.

The jury question in this case sought recovery of the amount due under the policy, not for some extraneous additional recovery, and the language in the jury charge was taken from a different section of the Code, Act of May 10, 2001, 77th Leg., R.S., ch. 290, 1, 2001 Tex. Gen. Laws 548, 550 (repealed 2003) (formerly Tex. Ins. Code Ann. art. 21.21, 4(10)(a)), which made behavior actionable, in relevant part, as follows:

(10) Unfair Settlement Practices. (a) Engaging in any of the following unfair settlement practices with respect to a claim by an insured or beneficiary:

(i) misrepresenting to a claimant a material fact or policy provision relating to coverage at issue;

(ii) failing to attempt in good faith to effectuate a prompt, fair, and equitable settlement of a claim with respect to which the insurer's liability has become reasonably clear; . . . .

 

Act of May 10, 2001. Allstate takes the position there was no evidence of any actionable post-loss misrepresentation made to Hyman, or on which she relied, or that produced any damage. However, there was evidence Allstate told Hyman it had to protect a lienholder in settling the claim when it was not necessarily so. Allstate could have paid Hyman the amount, less a reasonable salvage value, without involving the lienholder.

There was also evidence Allstate informed Hyman it had surveyed the value of similar vehicles in the market to determine the value of Hyman's vehicle, when Allstate had not done so. The use of a national service, and of valuation reports from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, does not necessarily reflect the value of the vehicle in Lamar County, Texas. Hyman presented evidence of comparables in Lamar County to support her valuation. This is evidence supporting the verdict, and it appears to be both legally and factually sufficient.

Allstate next contends there was no evidence it failed to attempt, in good faith, to effectuate a fair, prompt, and equitable settlement of the claim. It is clear Allstate promptly acknowledged coverage and offered a settlement. Allstate then argues that the evidence conclusively shows this was a fair settlement offer essentially because its appraisers testified that the amount was for the value of the property ($14,425.00). As already discussed, Hyman presented evidence of local appraisals ranging as high as $22,000.00. The jury ultimately found the true value of the vehicle in the local market area to be $18,000.00. A $3,500.00 differential in a claim of less than $20,000.00 is a substantial difference. The jury had the right to determine that Allstate's offer was not fair, and that the techniques used by Allstate to attempt to obtain an agreement from Hyman to this amount were evidence Allstate did not act in good faith.

Further, Allstate stated in its demand it had used comparable vehicles to determine value, when it had not having used no vehicles from the immediate market in the face of evidence that such comparables were available.

The jury had the authority to consider all of this evidence and conclude Allstate did not attempt in good faith to effectuate a prompt, fair, and equitable settlement secure in the knowledge that most individuals would bow to the demands so that they could use the money from their now useless vehicle to obtain another. The jury could, thus, have perceived this situation as one where the insured, instead, continued to demand the true value of her vehicle, rather than simply acquiescing to Allstate. The finding has support in the evidence.

Under the evidentiary standards set out above, there was both some, and factually sufficient, evidence to support the jury's findings that Allstate made post-loss misrepresentations and that those misrepresentations caused Hyman to suffer the loss of the benefit of her contracted-for bargain. //

Allstate further contends Hyman provided no or insufficient evidence that an Article 21.21 violation was a producing cause of damage to Hyman. Allstate suggests that, because the damages are only claimed due to an alleged delay in payment of policy benefits, and because the chattel was wholly destroyed, then no additional recovery is possible.

Article 21.21, Section 16(a) authorizes recovery for "actual damages," plus court costs and reasonable and necessary attorney's fees, and if knowingly done, actual damages may be trebled. As set out above, the jury could have concluded that the violation was an example of behavior of a company attempting to maximize its profits by making an offer that might be marginally acceptable reasoning that most insureds would take what was offered with only minimal complaint because they either needed replacement transportation immediately or because it would likely cost more to contest the offer than could be obtained by doing so successfully.

In analyzing the claim, we are mindful the Legislature has directed that Article 21.21 "shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes as set forth in this section." Act of Mar. 19, 1985, 69th Leg., R.S., ch. 22, 1, 1985 Tex. Gen. Laws 395 (repealed 2003) (formerly Tex. Ins. Code Ann. art. 21.21, 1(b)). The statute was enacted to protect insurance consumers by prohibiting unfair or deceptive practices in the business of insurance. Act of May 30, 1993, 73rd Leg., R.S., ch. 685, 20.17, 1993 Tex. Gen. Laws 2559, 2704 (repealed 2003) (formerly Tex. Ins. Code Ann. art. 21.21, 1(a)); Rocor Int'l, Inc. v. Nat'l Union Fire Ins. Co., 77 S.W.3d 253, 260 (Tex. 2002); see State Farm Life Ins. Co. v. Beaston, 907 S.W.2d 430, 435 (Tex. 1995).

The statute does not restrict "actual damages" to extra-contractual damages, but Allstate argues that, because the damages were measured by the policy, no such damages exist. We recognize that a number of courts, including this Court, have stated that the mere breach of an insurance contract does not give rise to liability under the Insurance Code or the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA). // As applied, courts thus conclude that a post-loss denial of liability for a questionable claim is not actionable under the DTPA or the Insurance Code. //

This is not a questionable claim. This case does not involve a denial of liability or a claim of a mere breach of contract. Allstate admitted liability, but disputed the proper amount of payment, and refused to tender any payment even for the undisputed portion. Allstate further insisted it could make no payment at all until and unless Hyman gave it full authority over the vehicle. Compare Colonial Co. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Valdez, 30 S.W.3d 514 (Tex. App. Corpus Christi 2000, no writ), holding that, even at the stage of an insured sending final proof of a theft loss, he did not need to include copies of vehicle service records, a copy of the bill of sale or license registration receipt, a negotiable title or copy of the title or all sets of keys thus, the insured's failure to provide those items did not excuse the insurer's unfair settlement practice by failing to timely pay the claim.

There was also evidence Allstate did not seek to determine the value of the vehicle in the "place where the damage was occasioned" (as required by Pasadena State Bank v. Isaac, 149 Tex. 47, 228 S.W.2d 127, 128 (1950), but instead in other areas around North Texas despite evidence of suggestions by Hyman and her attorney that Allstate should change the scope of its appraisal comparables to the local area. The jury was entitled to determine that this evidence constituted a failure to reasonably investigate and that failure would also support the verdict.

The jury's finding that the misrepresentations were knowing has sufficient evidentiary support and removes Allstate's actions from the realm of an inadvertent mistake or shortcoming. Thus, the cases cited by Allstate are distinguishable and do not control the jury's findings or its award based on Allstate's misbehavior.

5. Rental Value Damages

Allstate next argues, focusing on the jury's award for reasonable rental value of a replacement vehicle for a reasonable period of time at $3,600.00, that the amount of the damage award is "improper and excessive." (The jury also found that the conduct was engaged in knowingly and that additional damages of $54,000.00 should be awarded as punishment to the wrongdoer.) Allstate argues the only damages that could properly be awarded were for the cost of obtaining alternative forms of transportation during the three years Hyman's claim was in limbo and that Hyman presented no evidence to support the $3,600.00 award.

There is, however, evidence in Allstate's defendant's exhibit three, that reflects Allstate was approving a rental rate of $20.00 per day, and that by August 17, 2000, the rental had totalled $600.00. Hyman also testified it cost about $40.00 per day for a rental, while the insurance covered only up to $20.00 per day.

The jury was asked to determine the reasonable rental value of a replacement vehicle for a reasonable period of time.

Generally, the correct measure for loss of use damages is the reasonable rental value of the property or a substitute. Luna v. N. Star Dodge Sales, Inc., 667 S.W.2d 115, 119 (Tex. 1984), overruled in part on other grounds by St. Elizabeth Hosp. v. Garrard, 730 S.W.2d 649 (Tex. 1987). However, it is not a prerequisite to recovery of damages that the plaintiff actually rent a substitute during the period of the loss of use. Id. at 118. The primary purpose for allowing loss of use damages is not simply to compensate the plaintiff for the expenses of a substitute, but to award the owner actual pecuniary compensation for his or her loss. Latitude is allowed in determining damages where there is no precise measurement. Int'l Great N. R.R. Co. v. Casey, 46 S.W.2d 669, 670 (Tex. Comm'n App. 1932, holding approved); Chem. Express Carriers, Inc. v. French, 759 S.W.2d 683, 687 (Tex. App. Corpus Christi 1988, writ denied); see Mondragon v. Austin, 954 S.W.2d 191, 195 (Tex. App. Austin 1997, pet. denied).

The question does not specifically require the jury to find that Hyman spent that amount for a rental vehicle, nor (in light of the other possible ways she might have obtained alternative transportation) could it properly do so. It is merely a way to measure damages. The jury answered the question asked, and the jury had some evidence before it from which it could determine a reasonable amount. At forty dollars a day, the jury provided three months' rental. There is some evidence to support the verdict, and the evidence is sufficient to allow that determination.

6. Statutory Cap of Damages

Allstate also contends the court erred in the calculation of the total damages. In this argument, Allstate takes the position that the statute caps the total recovery at three times the actual damages not actual damages plus three times actual damages. Allstate directs this Court to no Insurance Code cases directly on point, and we have discovered none. Its argument is based on the analysis of similar language found in the DTPA, and the application of that language by the courts. See Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. 17.50(b)(1) (Vernon Supp. 2005).

The Texas Insurance Code provides that a prevailing plaintiff may recover the amount of actual damages, and if the trier of fact finds that the defendant's conduct was committed knowingly, the "trier of fact may award not more than three times the amount of actual damages." Act of May 19, 1995, 74th Leg., R.S., ch. 414, 13, 1995 Tex. Gen. Laws 2988, 3000 (repealed 2003) (formerly Tex. Ins. Code Ann. art. 21.21, 16(b)(1)). // During recodification, this section was repealed. Its content was not substantively changed, and is now found at Tex. Ins. Code Ann. 541.152 (Vernon 2005).

(b) In a suit filed under this section, any plaintiff who prevails may obtain:

(1) the amount of actual damages plus court costs and reasonable and necessary attorneys' fees. If the trier of fact finds that the defendant knowingly committed the acts complained of, the trier of fact may award not more than three times the amount of actual damages; . . . .

 

Act of May 19, 1995.

 

The DTPA provides that a prevailing consumer may recover economic damages. It allows a consumer to recover up to three times the amount of economic damages if the trier of fact finds the defendant acted knowingly, or three times the sum of the economic damages and mental anguish if the trier of fact finds the defendant acted intentionally. Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. 17.50(b)(1); Valley Nissan, Inc. v. Davila, 133 S.W.3d 702, 711 n.4 (Tex. App. Corpus Christi 2003, no pet.).

(b) In a suit filed under this section, each consumer who prevails may obtain:

(1) the amount of economic damages found by the trier of fact. If the trier of fact finds that the conduct of the defendant was committed knowingly, the consumer may also recover damages for mental anguish, as found by the trier of fact, and the trier of fact may award not more than three times the amount of economic damages; . . . .

This Court and others have concluded that the Legislature intended the treble damage provision to be a cap on the total damages recoverable in a DTPA action. See Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Inc. v. Hamrick, 125 S.W.3d 555, 584 (Tex. App. Austin 2003, no pet.); Busse v. Pac. Cattle Feeding Fund, 896 S.W.2d 807 (Tex. App. Texarkana 1995, writ denied); see generally Jim Walter Homes, Inc. v. Valencia, 690 S.W.2d 239, 241 (Tex. 1985); // cf. Henry Schein, Inc. v. Stromboe, 102 S.W.3d 675, 695 (Tex. 2002) (describing statute as requiring that a defendant be found to have acted knowingly or intentionally for additional damages to be awarded, citing DTPA statute limiting such damages to three times economic damages if defendant acted knowingly, and three times mental anguish and economic damages if defendant acted intentionally). This at least suggests that the "additional damages" are limited to three times economic damages and that they are truly additional to the actual damages, rather than subsuming them.

The section can be read to allow both actual damages and then an additional punitive award of no more than three times the actual damage award. However, in light of the historical background of the section, and because very similar language in the current version of the DTPA is interpreted in this fashion, it is our conclusion that the section limits a plaintiff's recovery to three times actual damages (plus court costs and reasonable and necessary attorney's fees).

Allstate also raises some additional arguments under this version of the contention of error. It also complains the court did not properly take into account the $500.00 deductible or the $14,146.46 Hyman received from the person who collided with her vehicle.

We agree Allstate was entitled to these offsets. This is accomplished by authorizing Allstate an offset of $17,500.00 from the $18,000.00 figure, which the jury established as the value of the vehicle.

Allstate further contends that, because the award was under the contract, all offsets should have been allowed before determining the maximum additional damages that could be allowed under statute, relying on Smith v. Baldwin, 611 S.W.2d 611, 617 (Tex. 1980) (interim interest not allowed as part of underlying total damages). As previously discussed, the award for additional damages in this case was in tort, not contract. Further, the statute does not provide formal trebling of the verdict. Instead, on a finding that the acts complained of were knowingly committed, the statute provides a ceiling of three times actual damages.

Recently, the Texas Supreme Court discussed settlement credits in Crown Life Ins. Co. v. Casteel:

Under the one satisfaction rule, the nonsettling defendant may only claim a credit based on the damages for which all tortfeasors are jointly liable. . . . the nonsettling defendant is entitled to offset any liability for joint and several damages by the amount of common damages paid by the settling defendant, but not for any amount of separate or punitive damages paid by the settling defendant.

 

22 S.W.3d 378, 391 92 (Tex. 2000) (citations omitted); CTTI Priesmeyer, Inc. v. K & O Ltd. P'ship, 164 S.W.3d 675, 684 (Tex. App. Austin 2005, no pet.); Tex. Capital Sec., Inc. v. Sandefer, 108 S.W.3d 923, 926 (Tex. App. Texarkana 2003, pet. denied).

Thus, under the one satisfaction rule, the nonsettling defendant may only claim a credit based on the damages for which all tortfeasors are jointly liable. Casteel, 22 S.W.3d at 391; Mobil Oil Corp. v. Ellender, 968 S.W.2d 917, 927 28 (Tex. 1998); Sandefer, 108 S.W.3d at 926.

If, as Allstate asks, we apply the offset before calculating the cap on the punitive award, there would effectively be no punitive award. To so reward a defendant that a jury has determined was a wrongdoer is improper.

Clearly, Allstate is entitled to an offset, and we have previously concluded that the amount of the offset is not the amount of the settlement, but the amount for which it could have sought subrogation: $17,500.00. The additional, punitive damages are a different category from actual damages, and are imposed for a different purpose. Compare Casteel, 22 S.W.3d at 392, holding that a nonsettling defendant cannot receive credit for settlement amounts representing punitive damages. Similarly, under these facts, we conclude that the subrogation offset is applied, not before calculating the cap on punitive damages, but after.

The jury found the value of the vehicle was $18,000.00. The policy deductible was $500.00, leaving Hyman's recovery for the vehicle at $17,500.00. Additionally, she was entitled to recover $3,600.00 for the vehicle rental, resulting in total actual damages of $21,100.00. The maximum award that is available is three times the total of actual damages, or $63,300.00 ($17,500 + $3,600.00 = $21,100.00 x 3).

The jury awarded $54,000.00 as "additional damages." The cap on all damages awarded (exclusive of costs and attorney's fees) is exceeded when the actual damages and the "additional" damages are combined. That is impermissible under the terms of the statute. We thus reform the judgment to provide an award of $63,300.00 for damages, in accord with the statutory cap. That amount is reduced by the $17,500.00 of the subrogation offset, providing a net recovery of $45,800.00, plus costs and attorney's fees.

7. Attorney's Fees

Allstate next argues that the court erred by awarding attorney's fees and costs because there was no proof of a breach of contract or a violation of Article 21.21. Based on the foregoing determinations, the contention of error is overruled.

HYMAN'S APPEAL

Hyman contends in her own appeal from the judgment that the trial court should also have awarded damages under Article 21.55 of the Texas Insurance Code, which specifies the time periods during which the insurer must seek information and ultimately pay and also sets out the recovery available, plus a statutory award of eighteen percent per annum on the amount of the claim if the insured prevails. The parties agree that Hyman could potentially have recovered under both statutes. They disagree on almost everything else.

Hyman begins her argument from her position that the trial court did grant her a directed verdict on that claim, but then erred by failing to award damages under the article. There is no formal ruling on the motion, and it is not referenced by the judgment. Allstate takes the position that the trial court ruled in its favor by the letter in which it informed counsel how to prepare the judgment.

Addressing that argument first, a letter is neither a judgment nor an order. A letter to counsel may constitute the pronouncement of judgment if it is in sufficient detail to state the court's decision on all the matters at issue and is filed with the clerk. Comet Aluminum Co. v. Dibrell, 450 S.W.2d 56 (Tex. 1970); Abarca v. Roadstar Corp. of Am., 647 S.W.2d 327 (Tex. App. Corpus Christi 1982, no writ). A letter is not a rendition of judgment if it only indicates the court's intention to render judgment in a certain way and sets out guidelines by which counsel are to draw a judgment. Mixon v. Moye, 860 S.W.2d 209, 210 (Tex. App. Texarkana 1993, no writ); Ex parte Gnesoulis, 525 S.W.2d 205 (Tex. Civ. App. Houston [14th Dist.] 1975, orig. proceeding).

Further, the letter says nothing about the court's disposition of the Article 21.55 claim except by not referring to it. Under most circumstances, the letter itself would not constitute a formal ruling on the motion for directed verdict. So far as an actual ruling exists, it is necessarily the final judgment which awards nothing under the Article 21.55 claim. Based on the judgment, we conclude that the motion was denied. //

Hyman's total argument is quite brief and complains exclusively that the trial court should have awarded damages as found by the jury, for an additional eighteen percent interest per annum on the damage figure of $18,000.00 from August 2, 2000, until the day before judgment.

Allstate argues that, as a matter of law, it proved it complied with its obligations under Article 21.55, Section 2, and, thus, the court correctly denied Hyman's motion for directed verdict. Preserved for Review?

A number of courts, including this one, have explicitly held that the overruling of a motion for directed verdict may be reviewed on appeal only if it was recited in a formal order or in the judgment. Thedford v. Missouri Pac. R.R. Co., 929 S.W.2d 39, 50 (Tex. App. Corpus Christi 1996, writ denied); Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Berry, 833 S.W.2d 587, 590 (Tex. App. Texarkana 1992, writ denied); W. Co. of N. Am. v. S. Pac. Transp. Co., 819 S.W.2d 952, 956 (Tex. App. Austin 1991, no writ); Soto v. S. Life & Health Ins. Co., 776 S.W.2d 752, 754 (Tex. App. Corpus Christi 1989, no writ); Superior Trucks, Inc. v. Allen, 664 S.W.2d 136, 145 (Tex. App. Houston [1st Dist.] 1983, writ ref'd n.r.e.). Compare Fletcher v. Minn. Mining & Mfg. Co., 57 S.W.3d 602, 604 (Tex. App. Houston [1st Dist.] 2001, no pet.) (court declined to imply ruling on motion for directed verdict from trial court's ruling on jury charge requests).

We conclude, based on the cases cited, that the contention has not been preserved for our review.

As reformed, the judgment is affirmed.

 

Jack Carter

Justice

Date Submitted: February 23, 2006

Date Decided: March 21, 2006