NABIL FARAJ V AUTO CLUB INS ASSOC
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S T A T E O F M I C H I G A N
C O U R T O F A P P E A L S
NABIL FARAJ,
UNPUBLISHED
July 16, 1996
Plaintiff–Appellant,
v
No. 178769
LC No. 94-412472-CK
AUTO CLUB INSURANCE ASSOCIATION,
Defendant–Appellee.
Before: Gribbs, P.J., and Saad and J. P. Adair,* JJ.
PER CURIAM.
In this action seeking a declaration of rights pursuant to an uninsured motorist provision in an
automobile insurance contract issued by defendant, plaintiff appeals as of right from the August 23,
1994, order granting summary disposition in favor of defendant. We affirm.
First, we find that the trial court did not err in granting summary disposition to defendant based
on the language of the policy exclusion and exception. Where contract language is clear, the
interpretation of that language is a question of law. Gramer v Gramer, 207 Mich App 123, 125; 523
NW2d 861 (1994). In the instant case, the policy specifically excludes bodily injury sustained by an
insured person while occupying a motor vehicle furnished by his or her employer and operated in the
course of his or her employment. However, the exclusion does not apply (and the subject vehicle is
covered) if the vehicle is, as the policy describes, “YOUR CAR.” The policy then clearly defines
“YOUR CAR” as the vehicle described on the declarations certificate. Plaintiff’s taxi cab is not the
vehicle described on the declarations certificate. While plaintiff urges this Court to apply the individual
definitions of “your” and “car” in the policy in order to possibly extend coverage to the taxi, this Court
will not create ambiguities where none exist. Cavalier Manufacturing Co v Wausau, 211 Mich App
330, 335; ___ NW2d ___ (1995). Since in the policy exclusion the phrase “your car” is in all capitals
and boldface type, just as in the definition section of the policy, this definition clearly applies to the
exclusion. Summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(10) was, therefore, proper because
plaintiff’s taxi cab was excluded under the policy.
* Circuit judge, sitting on the Court of Appeals by assignment.
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Second, we reject plaintiff’s argument that the exclusion does not apply because the taxi cab
was leased to him, and, therefore, was not “furnished” by his employer. Terms of an insurance policy
are interpreted according to the definitions set forth therein; however, if no definitions are provided,
terms of a policy are given a meaning in accordance with their common usage. Cavalier, supra, 211
Mich App 335. We disagree with plaintiff’s assertion that “furnish” means to give gratuitously.
Plaintiff’s employer’s leasing of the taxi cab to plaintiff comes within the common understanding of the
term “to furnish.”
Next, we decline to address plaintiff’s argument that the arbitration agreement in this case was
the equivalent of a stipulation of coverage under the uninsured motorist policy. The issue was never
raised prior to appeal and is, therefore, not preserved for appellate review. Booth Newspapers, Inc v
University of Michigan Bd of Regents, 444 Mich 211, 234; 507 NW2d 422 (1993).
Finally, we find no merit in plaintiff’s argument that the trial court improperly applied the
Fireman’s Rule to this case. Although defendant made reference to the rule during oral arguments on
the motion for summary disposition, we fail to see how the rule is applicable in this case. There is no
indication in the record that the trial court considered the Fireman’s Rule in deciding that plaintiff was
not entitled to coverage.
Affirmed.
/s/ Roman S. Gribbs
/s/ Henry William Saad
/s/ James P. Adair
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