Payne v. Weston
Annotate this Case
September 1995 Term
_________
No. 22644
_________
ANGELA L. PAYNE AND GLENVILLE PAYNE,
Plaintiffs Below, Appellants
V.
RICHARD L. WESTON AND ALLSTATE INSURANCE
COMPANY, A CORPORATION,
Defendants Below, Appellees
______________________________________________________________
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF KANAWHA COUNTY
HONORABLE ROBERT K. SMITH, JUDGE
CIVIL ACTION NO. 92-C-4818
AFFIRMED
________________________________________________________________
Submitted: September 20, 1995
Filed: December 8, 1995
Vincent J. King Benjamin L. Bailey
Charleston, West Virginia Stuart A. McMillan
James M. Barber Bowles, Rice, McDavid, Graff
Hunt & Barber & Love
Charleston, West Virginia Charleston, West Virginia
Attorneys for Appellants Attorneys for Appellees
JUSTICE CLECKLEY delivered the Opinion of the Court.
RETIRED JUSTICE MILLER sitting by temporary assignment.
JUSTICE ALBRIGHT did not participate.
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. There is no common law right to stack coverage available for multiple
vehicles under the same policy or under two or more insurance policies. The right to stack
must arise from the insurance contract itself (as that is the agreement of the parties) or from
a statute (as in the uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage statutes).
2. "A limitation of liability clause within an automobile liability insurance
policy which limits coverage for any one occurrence, regardless of the number of covered
vehicles, does not violate any applicable insurance statute or regulation, and there is no
judicial policy that prevents an insurer from so limiting its liability and yet collecting a
premium for each covered vehicle because each premium is for the increased risk of an
'occurrence.'" Syl. pt. 5, Shamblin v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., 175 W. Va. 337,
332 S.E.2d 639 (1985).
3. An insured is not entitled to stack liability coverages for every vehicle
covered by his or her policy when the insured received a multi-car discount, when only one
vehicle was involved in the accident, and when the policy contains language limiting the
insurer's liability.
Cleckley, Justice:
Angela L. Payne and Glenville Payne, the plaintiffs below and appellants
herein, filed suit in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County after Mrs. Payne was injured when
her car was struck by a car driven by Richard L. Weston, one of the defendants below and
appellants herein. Her husband, Glenville Payne, sought damages for loss of consortium.
They appeal the June 10, 1994, order of the circuit court which granted summary judgment
to Mr. Weston's insurer, Allstate Insurance Company (Allstate), a defendant below and
appellee herein. The circuit court found the language of Mr. Weston's automobile insurance
policy prohibited stacking of the liability coverage.See footnote 1 On appeal, the plaintiffs assert the
policy does not prohibit stacking of liability coverage when multiple vehicles are covered
under the same policy.
I.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On August 19, 1991, Mrs. Payne was severely injured when her car was struck
head on by Mr. Weston's car on Interstate 79 near the Elkview exit. She underwent various
surgical procedures that required hospitalization for more than one month. The plaintiffs allege that to date Mrs. Payne has incurred medical bills in excess of $90,000 and has been
unable to return to work.
In September of 1992, the plaintiffs filed suit against Mr. Weston and Allstate.
Allstate answered the complaint and filed a counterclaim seeking a declaration of the
coverage limits available under Mr. Weston's insurance policy with Allstate. Mr. Weston's
policy contained bodily injury liability limits of $300,000 per person and $500,000 per
accident. In addition to the 1985 Chevrolet Blazer involved in the accident, Mr. Weston
owned a 1986 Mercury Sable that was covered by the automobile insurance policy. In
October of 1992, a settlement was reached whereby the plaintiffs received $300,000 from
Allstate to cover the per person limit of the policy. Mr. Weston was released from all
personal liability for damages in excess of his insurance coverage. The plaintiffs were able
to pursue recovery from Allstate for any additional money available under the policy.See footnote 2
The plaintiffs and defendants filed motions for summary judgment. On July
15, 1993, the circuit court conducted a hearing to allow the parties to present arguments on
this issue. The circuit judge who conducted this hearing retired from the bench before entering an order and the case was assigned to a successor judge. Another hearing was held
on June 1, 1994. Following this hearing, the circuit court found:
"[T]he separability clause and limitations of liability clause at
issue herein unambiguously state that liability limits apply to
each car separately and that the 'each person' limit is the limit of
liability for all damages sustained by any one person in any one
occurrence. Therefore this Court concludes that the plaintiffs
cannot stack the liability coverage for both of Weston's two
vehicles, but instead, are only entitled to $300,000, the per
person limit shown on the declaration sheets."
Accordingly, summary judgment was granted in favor of the defendants.
The sole issue in this appeal is whether the language of the policy allows the
plaintiffs recovery up to the aggregated or stacked limits of the liability policy covering both
of Mr. Weston's vehicles--the 1985 Blazer involved in the accident and his 1986 Sable--
which would leave Allstate with a total potential liability of $600,000 (twice the $300,000
per person limit). Before discussing the parties' arguments, we underscore two points of
utmost importance: (1) this case deals only with the liability coverage of the tortfeasor and
not with uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage; and (2) Mr. Weston has one policy
covering the two vehicles and received a multi-car discount.
II.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
A.
Summary Judgment
On appeal, we conduct a de novo review of the circuit court's decision to grant
summary judgment on behalf of Allstate. Syl. pt. 1, Painter v. Peavy, 192 W. Va. 189, 451 S.E.2d 755 (1994). Indeed, we review a circuit court's award of summary judgment under
the same standards that the circuit court initially applied to determine whether summary
judgment was appropriate. Williams v. Precision Coil, Inc., 194 W. Va. 52, __ , 459 S.E.2d 329, 335 (1995). Summary judgment is mandated if the record when reviewed most
favorably to the nonmoving party discloses "that there is no genuine issue of fact to be tried
and inquiry concerning the facts is not desirable to clarify the application of the law."
Syllabus Point 3, in part, Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. v. Federal Ins. Co. of New York, 148
W. Va. 160, 133 S.E.2d 770 (1963). See Andrick v. Town of Buckhannon, 187 W. Va. 706,
421 S.E.2d 247 (1992). Summary judgment is not a remedy to be exercised at the circuit
court's option; it must be granted when there is no genuine dispute over a material fact.
On the other hand, if the evidence would allow a reasonable jury to return a
verdict for the nonmoving party, then summary judgment will not lie. Summary judgment
will be affirmed only if we are convinced, after an independent review of the record, that
there is no genuine issue of any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Material facts are those necessary to the proof of a claim or defense and are
determined by reference to the substantive law. Where the unresolved issues are primarily
legal rather factual, summary judgment is particularly appropriate.
Because the material facts are not in dispute in this case, the only issue before
this Court is the legal question of determining the proper coverage of the liability insurance
contract. We, therefore, find the matter was ripe for summary judgment. Accordingly, if
there are no genuine issues of material fact as to the policy's coverage, the defendants are
entitled to summary judgment on the plaintiffs' claim for additional insurance coverage.
"[T]he plain language of Rule 56(c) [of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure] mandates the entry of summary judgment, after
adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against a party
who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence
of an element essential to that party's case, and on which that
party will bear the burden of proof at trial. In such a situation,
there can be 'no genuine issue as to any material fact,' since a
complete failure of proof concerning an essential of the
nonmoving party's case necessarily renders all other facts
immaterial." Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23,
106 S. Ct. 2548, 2552, 91 L. Ed. 2d 265, 273 (1986).
The plaintiffs' burden of proof is easily stated. Under West Virginia law, the plaintiffs must
prove both the existence of an applicable insurance contract and its material terms. It is only
when the plaintiffs have established a prima facie case of coverage that the burden of
production shifts to the defendants. In this context, the plaintiffs must present sufficient evidence to show the existence of each element of their case on which they will bear the
burden at trial.
B.
Insurance Contract
The pertinent provisions of the automobile liability policy at issue are set forth
in the footnote.See footnote 3 The interpretation of an insurance contract, including the question of whether the contract is ambiguous, is a legal determination which, like the court's summary
judgment, is reviewed de novo on appeal. Williams v. Precision Coil, Inc., 194 W. Va. at
___ n.18, 459 S.E.2d at 339 n.18. In West Virginia, insurance policies are controlled by the
rules of construction that are applicable to contracts generally. We recognize the well-settled
principle of law that this Court will apply, and not interpret, the plain and ordinary meaning
of an insurance contract in the absence of ambiguity or some other compelling reason. Our
primary concern is to give effect to the plain meaning of the policy and, in doing so, we
construe all parts of the document together. We will not rewrite the terms of the policy;
instead, we enforce it as written. Syllabus Point 1 of Russell v. State Automobile Mutual
Insurance Company, 188 W. Va. 81, 422 S.E.2d 803 (1992), states: "'Where the provisions
of an insurance policy contract are clear and unambiguous they are not subject to judicial
construction or interpretation, but full effect will be given to the plain meaning intended.'
Syllabus, Keffer v. Prudential Ins. Co., 153 W. Va. 813, 172 S.E.2d 714 (1970)." Thus, we
are to ascertain the meaning of the policy as manifested by its language.
The term "ambiguity" is defined as language "reasonably susceptible of two
different meanings" or language "of such doubtful meaning that reasonable minds might be
uncertain or disagree as to its meaning[.]" Syl. pt. 1, in part, Shamblin v. Nationwide Mut.
Ins. Co., 175 W. Va. 337, 332 S.E.2d 639 (1985). Only if the court makes the determination
that the contract cannot be given a certain and definite legal meaning, and is therefore
ambiguous, can a question of fact be submitted to the jury as to the meaning of the contract.
It is only when the document has been found to be ambiguous does the determination of
intent through extrinsic evidence become a question of fact. Where a provision of an
insurance policy is ambiguous, it is construed against the drafter especially when dealing
with exceptions and words of limitation. See Syl. pt. 1, West Virginia Ins. Co. v. Lambert,
193 W. Va. 681, 458 S.E.2d 774 (1995).
However, a court should read policy provisions to avoid ambiguities and not
torture the language to create them. "'If a court properly determines that the contract is
unambiguous on the dispositive issue, it may then properly interpret the contract as a matter
of law and grant summary judgment because no interpretive facts are in genuine issue.'"
Williams v. Precision Coil, Inc., 194 W. Va. at ___ n.26, 459 S.E.2d at 343 n.26, quoting
Goodman v. Resolution Trust Corp. 7 F.3d 1123, 1126 (4th Cir. 1993). For the reasons
discussed below, we find that the liability section of the involved policy plainly and
unambiguously states that the "each person" policy coverage limit is $300,000. The policy
also states that "when two or more automobiles are insured by this policy, the terms of this policy shall apply separately to each[.]" We find no support for the plaintiffs' contention
that they should recover twice this policy limit merely because Mr. Weston had two vehicles
covered by his policy.
III.
ANALYSIS
Before beginning our analysis of the liability policy at issue in this case, we
believe it is helpful to summarize briefly some of our prior cases dealing with the question
of combining and stacking insurance policy coverages. It is apparent that in recent times no
area of the law has generated more appellate litigation than that of stacking. We intend today
to detail once again when stacking is permitted and when it is not.
In State Automobile Insurance Co. v. Youler, 183 W. Va. 556, 396 S.E.2d 737
(1990), Justice (now Chief Justice) McHugh, by synthesizing our prior holdings, added
clarity to this area of law. In Youler, we affirmed our prior holding in Bell v. State Farm
Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., 157 W. Va. 623, 207 S.E.2d 147 (1974), and found that
anti-stacking language in the context of uninsured or underinsured automobile insurance
coverage was violative of W. Va. Code, 33-6-31(b) (1982), in which the Legislature
articulated the public policy of full indemnification in those situations.See footnote 4 Youler demonstrates that although our cases recognize freedom of contract in liability insurance, contractual
provisions that are contrary to public policy as expressed by the Legislature are not
enforceable. See Syl. pt. 1, in part, Deel v. Sweeney, 181 W. Va. 460, 383 S.E.2d 92 (1989)
("[s]tatutory provisions mandated by the Uninsured Motorist Law . . . may not be altered by
insurance policy exclusions").
In this vein, the public policy implications undergirding our decisions in Bell
and Youler are not present when the issue before us is limited to the stacking of liability
coverage. In Youler, we emphasized that the public policy reasons behind the prohibition
of anti-stacking language in the uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage context do not
exist when liability coverage is at issue. "[A]ntistacking language in the case of liability
insurance coverage 'does not violate any applicable insurance statute or regulation[.]'"
Youler, 183 W. Va. at 565, 396 S.E.2d at 746, quoting portions of syl. pt. 5 of Shamblin,
supra. (Emphasis in original). Our decision in Shamblin to enforce the clear anti-stacking language of the liability insurance coverage provision was consistent with our previous
holdings in Bell and Youler.See footnote 5 Therefore, we recognized that in the absence of a contrary or
controlling statute, the coverage in insurance cases is determined by the language of the
policy itself.
We revisited the issue of stacking of uninsured and underinsured motorist
coverage in Russell, supra. Unlike Youler, in which the plaintiffs held two separate policies
which both provided such coverage, the plaintiffs in Russell held one policy which covered
two vehicles. In Russell, we held the application of an anti-stacking provision in the policy
was not contrary to W. Va. Code, 33-6-31 (1992), when the insured received a multi-car
discount because the insured "bargained for only one policy and only one underinsurance
motorist coverage endorsement." 188 W. Va. at 85, 422 S.E.2d at 807.See footnote 6
In summary, a careful reading of our prior cases suggest there is no common
law right to stack coverage available for multiple vehicles under the same policy or under
two or more insurance policies. The right to stack must arise from the insurance contract
itself (as that is the agreement of the parties) or from a statute (as in the uninsured and
underinsured motorist coverage statutes). We find no independent authority for the
contention that the policy limits of an insurance policy should be multiplied by the number
of vehicles covered by that policy. As to the liability coverage of an insurance policy, public
policy is satisfied when there is liability insurance sufficient in an amount to meet minimum
requirements of our financial responsibility law. We believe the rule that evolved from our
cases is, in the absence of a countervailing public policy or statutory consideration, effect
will be given to the anti-stacking provisions in policies issued to the same insured even if the
policies were all issued by the same company.
The mere existence of purported ambiguity in an insurance policy does not
create a right to stack liability coverage. Ambiguity must involve language in the policy that
is related and material to the stacking issue. In other words, ambiguity comes into play only
when the language in the policy appears to permit stacking but a clear reading of the policy
is made difficult by its language. Our interpretive rules of construction regarding ambiguity
require that, under such circumstances, we construe the language against the drafter, the party who had the authority and opportunity to bring about clarity.See footnote 7 Thus, in the absence of
an applicable statutory provision, to demonstrate a genuine issue of material fact sufficient
to withstand a motion for summary judgment, the plaintiffs must point to some clear
language in the insurance policy that permits stacking or to some language that leaves a
reasonable doubt as to whether stacking was intended by the parties. Outside the context of
uninsured and underinsured coverage, the mere absence of anti-stacking language is
insufficient to create a right to stack. In construing the policy, the relevant inquiries must
always be "what has the insured purchased" and whether that agreement has been breached
by the insurer's failure to allow stacking.
Our review of the policy reveals no clear language permitting stacking nor any
ambiguity sufficient to avoid the granting of summary judgment. The language in the
liability provision reasonably cannot be subject to divergent interpretations. It plainly states
that the policy limit "is the total limit of Allstate's liability for all damages as the result of any
one occurrence[.]" Furthermore, the language found in the general conditions provision
clearly states "[w]hen two or more automobiles are insured by this policy, the terms of this
policy shall apply separately to each[.]" The defendants assert that, applying the plain language of the policy, the plaintiffs' stacking claim must be abandoned. We are compelled
to agree.See footnote 8
The plaintiffs do not submit that the policy language is ambiguous or that it
could be interpreted in a way to allow for stacking. Instead, they argue that in the absence
of clear anti-stacking language, e.g., the type of language relied upon in Shamblin, they are
entitled to stack the policy limits for both vehicles owned by Mr. Weston. Thus, the precise
legal question the plaintiffs posit is whether the circuit court misinterpreted Shamblin in
granting summary judgment.
We are quite frankly mystified by the plaintiffs' attempt to draw support solely
from our Shamblin decision. We find their interpretation of Shamblin, suggesting the
decision implicitly created some (common law) right to stack liability coverage limits in the
absence of anti-stacking language, is incorrect. In Shamblin, the appellant, Clarence
Shamblin, d/b/a Shamblin's Mobile Cleaning, purchased an automobile liability insurance
policy from Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (Nationwide) to cover several
automobiles used in his business. On the day of the accident, three vehicles were traveling
along the same route. The drivers of the vehicles were communicating via CB radios to
signal each other when it was safe to pass other vehicles. One driver was advised over the
radio that it was safe to pass a truck after another driver had done so. However, when he
attempted to pass, he collided with the truck and another vehicle, injuring the driver and
passenger of the second vehicle.
During the course of the litigation, Nationwide advised Mr. Shamblin that "the
automobile liability insurance policy limits for bodily injury and property damage for each
vehicle would not be available . . . even if it were determined that more than one of . . .
[Shamblin's] vehicles contributed to the accident." 175 W. Va. at 339, 332 S.E.2d at 641.
(Emphasis in original). A declaratory judgment action was commenced to address this
question. Mr. Shamblin argued that the liability limits for each vehicle contributing to the
accident should be available. However, the trial court disagreed and found there was only
one "occurrence" within the meaning of the policy and, therefore, Nationwide's liability was limited to the bodily injury liability limits -- $100,000 per person/$300,000 per occurrence --
under the policy. Accordingly, no stacking was allowed.
We affirmed the trial court's decision in Shamblin, and held: "If there were
two negligent acts of two of the appellant's drivers in this case, the two acts, (1) signalling
to pass and (2) passing, happened, . . . at or about the time of the accident, and, due to the
closeness in time, as concurrent negligence proximately caused the one 'occurrence,' the
collision." 175 W. Va. at 343, 332 S.E.2d at 644. We then relied upon the plain language
of the policy which stated the limits of liability were "regardless of the number of
automobiles to which this policy applies[.]" 175 W. Va. at 344, 332 S.E.2d at 646. Finally,
we found that, unlike uninsured and underinsured coverage, anti-stacking language in a
liability insurance policy does not violate any applicable statute and/or judicial or public
policy. The discussion in Shamblin concerning stacking was intended to suggest that, if for
no other reason, stacking is not to be allowed where the language of the policy expressly
precludes it: "Certainly, 'stacking' is to be denied when, as in the present case, there is
express 'anti-stacking' language ('regardless of the number of automobiles to which the policy
applies') in the limitation of liability clause." 175 W. Va. at 344, 332 S.E.2d at 646.
The appellant in Shamblin essentially made two arguments in support of his
entitlement to stack. First, he presented a public policy argument that an insurance company
would receive unjust enrichment by limiting stacking and still receiving payment of multiple premiums. Second, he contended that an ambiguity was created in the policy merely by the
fact that the insured had paid a separate premium. This Court disposed of these issues by
suggesting that "[i]n light of the explicit 'anti-stacking' language, the payment of a separate
premium for each vehicle does not create an ambiguity in the insurance policy which should
be resolved against the insurer." 175 W. Va. at 344, 332 S.E.2d at 646. The Court also had
no difficulty disposing of the separate premium argument:
"A limitation of liability clause within an
automobile liability insurance policy which limits coverage for
any one occurrence, regardless of the number of covered
vehicles, does not violate any applicable insurance statute or
regulation, and there is no judicial policy that prevents an
insurer from so limiting its liability and yet collecting a
premium for each covered vehicle because each premium is for
the increased risk of an 'occurrence.'" Syl. pt. 5, Shamblin,
supra.
Seen in context, the case at bar is factually distinguishable from Shamblin.See footnote 9
The appellant in Shamblin paid a separate premium for each vehicle and apparently was not given any discount for the grouping of the vehicles under one policy.See footnote 10 Moreover, the
appellant in Shamblin sought coverage only for those vehicles determined to be involved in
the accident. In Shamblin, the driver of the first vehicle arguably contributed to the accident
when he gave the go ahead to pass to the driver of the second vehicle involved in the
collision. Mr. Shamblin did not seek to stack the liability coverages for all of his vehicles
covered by the policy. In this case, however, plaintiffs seek to stack the liability coverage
for Mr. Weston's 1986 Sable that was not even involved in the accident with his 1985 Blazer
that was in the collision. This clarification is critical because it helps to explain why we find
no authority in Shamblin for the plaintiffs' position.
The point of this analysis is to convey that the Shamblin decision is
inapposite.See footnote 11 Determining the right to stack cannot be divorced from the concept of insurance coverage. While liability insurance coverage is triggered only when the vehicle
involved in the accident is covered under the policy, in the absence of policy language,
stacking is triggered only when the insured is covered simultaneously by two or more
policies providing uninsured or underinsured coverage. To be specific, where uninsured or
underinsured coverage is not involved, stacking of liability coverage is permitted only when
the insured can point to some specific policy language that authorizes stacking. The absence
of clear cut anti-stacking language may be relevant, but it alone does not give rise to stacking
especially, where, as in this case, other language limiting stacking appears. Under the typical
"per occurrence" and "per injury" type policy, as in this case, liability coverage is triggered
if there has been an occurrence causing injury/damage during the policy period. Thus, if the
trigger of coverage is an occurrence, e.g., wrongdoing by the insured, and there is only one
occurrence, then stacking should not be allowed. In our opinion, this summarizes the better
reasoned approach on the legal issue before us, and, as we have suggested herein, the circuit
court's holding is consistent with the greater weight of West Virginia authority.
Having failed to establish any factual, logical or analytical link between
Shamblin and the facts of this case, our mission draws to an end. In placing ultimate reliance
on Shamblin, the plaintiffs misconstrue their substantive burden of proof as we have stated in this case and misapply Shamblin in their analysis. Accordingly, we hold that an insured
is not entitled to stack liability coverages for every vehicle covered by his or her policy when
the insured received a multi-car discount, when only one vehicle was involved in the
accident, and when the policy contains language limiting the insurer's liability ("when two
or more automobiles are insured by this policy, the terms of this policy shall apply separately
to each" and the bodily injury liability limit "is the total limit of . . . liability for all damages
as the result of any one occurrence"). See also Helmick v. Jones, 192 W. Va. 317, 452 S.E.2d 408 (1994). Thus, our conclusion is supported by a clear reading of the insurance
policy and public policy rationales.
IV.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Circuit Court of Kanawha
County is affirmed.
Affirmed.
Footnote: 1
"Stacking" in this context means multiplying the amount of coverage under the policy
per each vehicle covered by the policy. For a general discussion of "stacking," see 7 Am.
Jur. 2d Automobile Insurance § 326 (1980).Footnote: 2
In January of 1993, the plaintiffs received $200,000 from their insurer, State Farm
Insurance Company, pursuant to the stacked limits of their underinsured coverage available
from their two vehicles. See State Auto. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Youler, 183 W. Va. 556, 396 S.E.2d 737 (1990).Footnote: 3
The dollar amounts applicable are listed in the declaration sheet as "$300,000 each
person -- $500,000 each occurrence." Section I is the "Liability Protection" section which
provides, in part:
"Allstate will pay for an insured all damages
which the insured shall be legally obligated to pay because of:
"1. bodily injury sustained by any person, and
"2. injury to or destruction of property[.]
* * *
"The limit of bodily injury liability stated in the
declarations for Coverage AA as applicable to:
"1. 'each person' is the limit of Allstate's liability
for all damages arising out of bodily injury sustained by one
person in any one occurrence;
"2. 'each occurrence' is, subject to the above
provision respecting each person, the total limit of Allstate's
liability for all such damages arising out of bodily injury
sustained by two or more persons as the result of any one
occurrence.
"If a single limit of bodily injury liability and
property damage liability is stated in the declarations for
Coverage AA and BB, such limit as applicable to 'each
occurrence' is the total limit of Allstate's liability for all damages
as the result of any one occurrence[.]"
The "General Conditions" section states, in pertinent part:
"When two or more automobiles are insured by
this policy, the terms of this policy shall apply separately to
each[.]"Footnote: 4
Specifically, in Youler, we held:
"[S]o-called 'antistacking' language in automobile insurance
policies is void under W. Va. Code, 33-6-31(b), as amended, to
the extent that such language is applicable purportedly to
uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and an insured
covered simultaneously by two or more uninsured or
underinsured motorist policy endorsements may recover under
all of such endorsements up to the aggregated or stacked limits
of the same, or up to the amount of the judgment obtained
against the uninsured or underinsured motorist, whichever is
less, as a result of one accident and injury." 183 W. Va. at 565,
396 S.E.2d at 746.Footnote: 5
The distinction between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage versus liability
coverage was noted in note 9 of Shamblin, 175 W. Va. at 344, 332 S.E.2d at 645. "See also
8C J. Appleman & J. Appleman, Insurance Law and Practice § 5083.35, at 293 n. 2 (1981)
(there are public policy reasons, stated in statutes, not to limit uninsured or underinsured
motorist coverages unduly, whereas liability insurance contracts are essentially private
agreements not subject generally to same rules)." Youler, 183 W. Va. at 565, 396 S.E.2d at
746.Footnote: 6
Both the factual and legal climate of the decisions in Bell and Youler are
fundamentally different from the case at bar. In those decisions, this Court was examining
uninsured and underinsured coverage provisions and the anti-stacking clause in light of a
specific statutory requirement. Conversely, the clause at issue in this appeal deals with
liability coverage and is not specifically governed by a West Virginia statute. Footnote: 7
Words, terms, phrases, and clauses in insurance contracts are to be given their
everyday meanings, not hypertechnical or esoteric definitions, but their plain and common
meaning. This follows because insureds are not expected to be wordsmiths, schooled in the
craft of lexicology and, further, because the law disfavors the employment of arcane, subtle
definitions of common words which but promise to confuse even the educated and frustrate
the unlearned. Footnote: 8
Our conclusion is supported in Rosar v. General Insurance Co. of America, 41 Wis.
2d 95, 163 N.W.2d 129 (1968). In Rosar, the plaintiff argued that an ambiguity was created
by the use of language identical to that in this case "the terms of this policy shall apply
separately to each [vehicle where two or more vehicles were insured under the same policy]."
The court relying on an opinion of the Supreme Court of Washington stated:
"We agree with Pacific Indemnity Co. [v.
Thompson, 56 Wash. 2d 715, 355 P.2d 12 (1960)]. We do not
find an ambiguity in the condition that '[w]hen two or more
automobiles are insured hereunder, the terms of this policy shall
apply separately to each.' There was one injured claimant, one
owned and described vehicle involved, and one occurrence. The
liability insurance purchased by the assured under these
circumstances was limited to $10,000." 41 Wis. 2d at 101, 163 N.W.2d at 131. (Footnote omitted).
See also Greer v. Associated Indem. Corp., 371 F.2d 29 (5th Cir. 1967). In Pacific
Indemnity Co., supra, the court stated: "The argument, based on condition No. 4 of the
policy (which provides that all of the policy's terms shall apply separately to each described
automobile), is that contributing coverage is thereby afforded. However, that provision
merely assures the applicability of the policy to whichever car is involved in an accident, or
to all the cars, and does no more." 56 Wash. 2d at 716, 355 P.2d at 12. Footnote: 9
Even if we were to give the plaintiffs the most liberal interpretation of Shamblin, the
plaintiffs still have failed to demonstrate a genuine issue of material fact. The language from
Shamblin seized by the plaintiffs was merely dicta at best and was added merely to address
arguments made by the parties on appeal. With this point in mind, there is no difference
between Shamblin and this case. In both cases, the policy language eliminates any
opportunity for liability coverage stacking. Thus, in this case, the authority of Shamblin is
not appellant friendly. To be specific, we neither accept the plaintiffs' theoretical premises,
nor, after close perscrutation of the record as a whole, can we conclude that the facts would
support the premises. Footnote: 10
We refer to "discounting" only to emphasize the factual distinction between
Shamblin and the case at bar. As suggested in Shamblin, when the policy limits liability
coverage to a single vehicle and a single occurrence "regardless of the number of covered
vehicles," discounting is immaterial. Even though the policy sub judice does not contain the
above language, it has other sufficient limiting language to render a further discussion as to
discounting irrelevant. Footnote: 11
The few cases we have found from other jurisdictions that address this issue reach
a similar conclusion. In Farmers Insurance Group v. Stonik By and Through Stonik, 110
Nev. 64, 867 P.2d 389 (1994), the Supreme Court of Nevada held the only insurance policy
that provided liability for a Ford Ranger accident was the contract for that Ford Ranger
notwithstanding the fact that the insureds owned two other vehicles insured by the same
company. Similarly, in First National Insurance Co. of America v. Clark, 899 S.W.2d 520
(Mo. 1995), an insured was involved in an accident with one of his vehicles, a leased
Chevrolet Blazer, and received the limits of the Blazer's liability policy. He also sought the
liability limits of his policy on a Ford Mustang that he owned. The Supreme Court of
Missouri enforced the language of the policy prohibiting interpolicy stacking as it was not
against public policy.
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