Moore v. Beacon Ins. Co.

284 S.E.2d 136 (1981)

Thomas E. MOORE v. BEACON INSURANCE COMPANY.

No. 8126DC245.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

November 17, 1981.

*137 Haynes, Baucom, Chandler, Claytor & Benton by W. J. Chandler, Charlotte, for plaintiff-appellee.

Casstevens & Hanner by Dorian H. Gunter, Charlotte, for defendant-appellant.

HEDRICK, Judge.

In order to determine the propriety of summary judgment for plaintiff, we *138 first consider the nature of the protection afforded plaintiff by the uninsured motorist provision in his automobile liability policy. Uninsured motorist coverage provides the same protection to a person injured by an uninsured motorist as one injured by a tortfeasor with standard liability coverage. Williams v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., 269 N.C. 235, 152 S.E.2d 102 (1967); 7 Am.Jur.2d, Automobile Insurance, § 293 (1980). We therefore conclude that plaintiff's claims or rights against the defendant pursuant to the uninsured motorist provision in his policy are the same as his rights against a tortfeasor with an ordinary liability insurance policy.

We next consider plaintiff's and defendant's rights and obligations under the medical payments provision of the insurance policy. It is well-settled in North Carolina that an insurer is subrogated to its insured's rights to recover medical expenses resulting from injuries inflicted by a tortfeasor when the insurer has paid such medical expenses pursuant to a medical payments provision in the insurance policy. See Carver v. Mills, 22 N.C.App. 745, 207 S.E.2d 394, cert. denied, 285 N.C. 756, 209 S.E.2d 280 (1974); Milwaukee Insurance Co. v. McLean Trucking Co., 256 N.C. 721, 125 S.E.2d 25 (1962). On the same equitable principles, if the insurer has made payments to the insured for the loss covered by the policy and the insured thereafter recovers for such loss from the tortfeasor, the insurer can recover from the insured the amount it had paid the insured, on the theory that otherwise the insured would be unjustly enriched by having been paid twice for the same loss. North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. v. Greer, ___ N.C. App. ___, 282 S.E.2d 553 (1981); see also United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co. v. Reagan, 256 N.C. 1, 122 S.E.2d 774 (1961) and Fidelity Insurance Co. v. Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co., 165 N.C. 136, 80 S.E. 1069 (1914). We perceive no reason why the rule against unjust enrichment should be any different whether the injured party recovers his medical expenses from the liability carrier of the tortfeasor or the insurance company providing the uninsured motorist coverage. We hold, therefore, that plaintiff in the present case cannot collect his medical expenses pursuant to the uninsured motorists provision and then again under the medical payments provision.

Defendant argues the record discloses a genuine issue as to whether the payment by it of $2,200 included plaintiff's medical expenses. We agree. Upon receipt of the $2,200 plaintiff executed a general release which made no specific reference to medical expenses. Had the release specified that the $2,200 included plaintiff's medical expenses, even though such payment was made pursuant to the uninsured motorists provision, the release would be a bar to plaintiff's claim under the medical payments provision on the theory that plaintiff cannot recover twice for the same damage. On the other hand, if the release had specified that plaintiff's medical expenses were not included, on this record, plaintiff would be entitled to summary judgment under the contract providing for defendant to pay medical expenses. Whether plaintiff's medical expenses were included in the $2,200 is for the jury to determine. There is evidence in this record to support both parties' contentions in this regard. For the reasons stated, summary judgment for plaintiff, including the order for attorney's fees, is vacated and the cause is remanded to the district court for further proceedings.

Vacated and remanded.

CLARK and HARRY C. MARTIN, JJ., concur.