Marra v. Nationwide Ins. Co., Unpublished Decision (1-22-2007)
Marra v. Nationwide Ins. Co., Unpublished Decision (1-22-2007)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
{¶ 1} Plaintiffs-appellants, Frank and Karen Marra, appeal a decision of the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court granting a motion for summary judgment in favor of defendant-appellee, Nationwide Insurance Company. The court found that they were not entitled to underinsured motorists (UIM) coverage under a business auto policy issued by appellee.{¶ 2} Plaintiff-appellant, Frank Marra (Marra), owns one-third of a business called Casual Carpets, Inc. and is also the vice president of the company. On May 19, 1999, Marra left his house in the morning and went to the home of Joan Fisher. Marra took measurements of Fisher's floors in order to give her a price on carpeting for her home. Marra's young son was with him.
{¶ 3} Marra left to attend a meeting with his brother and co-owner, Gene Marra, at Casual Carpet's Columbiana store. Before the meeting, Marra had to drop his son off at preschool. As Marra was driving to the preschool, Linda Diegidio negligently and proximately caused an automobile accident that injured Marra. As a result of the accident, Marra underwent various surgeries.
{¶ 4} Marra's medical bills were $125,000. Marra's injuries are permanent and he will incur future medical expenses. Marra recovered $95,000 from Diegidio. Marra had a personal auto policy through Allstate, which paid him $5,000 in UIM coverage.
{¶ 5} Marra filed a complaint for declaratory judgment against appellee on January 30, 2001, claiming he was entitled to UM/UIM coverage pursuant to the business auto policy appellee issued to Casual Carpets, Inc. Marra's wife, plaintiff-appellant, Karen Marra, set forth an attendant claim for loss of consortium.
{¶ 6} On July 24, 2002, appellants filed a motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of coverage based on Scott-Pontzer v. LibertyMutual Fire Ins. Co. (1999),
{¶ 7} On November 19, 2003, following the Ohio Supreme Court's decision in Westerfield Ins. Co. v. Galatis (2003),
{¶ 8} On January 4, 2005, the trial court vacated its December 7, 2004 judgment entry. The trial court again denied both appellants' renewed motion for summary judgment and appellee's motion to dismiss. This time, the trial court explained that whether Marra was acting within the course and scope of employment was a question of fact.
{¶ 9} Appellee appealed and appellants cross-appealed. This Court found that the trial court had not issued a final appealable order because there had not been a determination of damages. This Court dismissed the case and remanded the matter back to trial court.Marra v. Nationwide Ins. Co. (Apr. 22, 2005), 7th Dist. No. 05-MA-19.
{¶ 10} On remand, the trial court ordered appellee to file a motion for summary judgment. Appellee filed a motion for summary judgment, asserting that appellant was not driving a vehicle covered by the insurance policy and therefore was not subject to UM/UIM coverage of the policy, regardless of whether he was working within the scope of his employment.
{¶ 11} The trial court sustained appellee's motion for summary judgment, holding that the UIM in effect at the time of the accident did not extend to cover appellant. The trial court also found the UIM coverage in effect at the time complied with requirements of R.C.
{¶ 12} Appellant's sole assignment of error states:
{¶ 13} "The trial court erred in ruling that Nationwide Policy No. 92 BA 328-452-3001-0, which it issued to Marra's employer, excluded Marra's underinsured motorist claim."
{¶ 14} A declaratory judgment action allows a court of record to declare the rights, status, and other legal relations of the parties. Civ.R. 57 and R.C.
{¶ 15} Under their sole assignment of error, appellants present three issues for review. Because appellants' second and third issues presented for review involve common and interrelated legal basis, they will be addressed together. Appellants' first issue presented for review will be addressed lastly and separately.
{¶ 16} Appellant's second issue presented for review states:
{¶ 17} "Plaintiff Marra is entitled to UIM coverage under the Nationwide Commercial Auto Policy (NCAP) because the policy fails to clearly and unambiguously require that he occupy a `covered auto' and therefore the purported exclusion must be construed against Nationwide."
{¶ 18} Appellants' third issue presented for review states:
{¶ 19} "The application of Nationwide's symbol 7' designation to the facts of this matter is contrary to law, against public policy and therefore unenforceable."
{¶ 20} R.C. 3938.18 governs the provision of uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. The statute has undergone numerous revisions in recent years. Prior to the most recent revision, R.C.
{¶ 21} "For the purpose of determining the scope of coverage of an underinsured motorist claim, the statutory law in effect at the time of entering into a contract for automobile liability insurance controls the rights and duties of the contracting parties." Ross v. Farmers Ins.Group of Cos. (1998),
{¶ 22} That statute provided, in relevant part:
{¶ 23} "(A) No automobile liability or motor vehicle liability policy of insurance insuring against loss resulting from liability imposed by law for bodily injury or death suffered by any person arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle shall be delivered or issued for delivery in this state * * * unless both of the following coverages are offered to persons insured under the policy for loss due to bodily injury or death suffered by such insureds:
{¶ 24} "* * *
{¶ 25} "(2) Under insured motorist coverage, which shall be in an amount of coverage equivalent to the automobile liability or motor vehicle liability coverage and shall provide protection for insureds thereunder against loss for bodily injury, sickness, or disease, including death, suffered by any person insured under the policy * * *
{¶ 26} "* * *
{¶ 27} "(J) The coverages offered under division (A) of this section or selected in accordance with division (C) of this section may include terms and conditions that preclude coverage for bodily injury or death suffered by an insured under any of the following circumstances:
{¶ 28} "(1) While the insured is operating or occupying a motor vehicle owned, by, furnished to, or available for the regular use of a named insured, * * * if the motor vehicle is not specifically identified in the policy under which a claim is made * * *."
{¶ 29} Citing Westfield Ins. Co. v. Ellis, 11th Dist. No. 2003-T-0093,
{¶ 30} "When confronted with an issue of contractual interpretation, the role of a court is to give effect to the intent of the parties to the agreement. Hamilton Ins. Sen/., Inc. v. Nationwide Ins. Cos. (1999),
{¶ 31} "On the other hand, where a contract is ambiguous, a court may consider extrinsic evidence to ascertain the parties' intent.Shifrin v. Forest City Enterprises, Inc. (1992),
{¶ 32} "It is generally the role of the finder of fact to resolve ambiguity. See, e.g., Davis v. Loopco Industries, Inc. (1993),
{¶ 33} In this case, we need to examine three different provisions of the policy that could possibly apply to appellants' situation — the declarations page, the definition of who is an insured for purposes of UM/UIM coverage, and the "other owned vehicle" exclusion.
{¶ 34} The declarations page of the policy contains a "SCHEDULE OF COVERAGES AND COVERED AUTOS." (Form Auto 8651-B [1-98], page 2 of 4.) This schedule lists the policy limits for various types of coverage, including uninsured-motorist coverage, and it states, "Each of these coverages will apply only to those `autos' shown as covered `autos.'" Thus, according to the declarations page, an insured must have been in a covered auto to be entitled to UM/UIM coverage.
{¶ 35} Next, under a separate endorsement entitled "OHIO UNINSURED MOTORISTS COVERAGE — BODILY INJURY," the policy outlines the UM/UIM coverage. (Form CA 21 33 03 98.) This endorsement expressly modifies the "BUSINESS AUTO COVERAGE FORM," among others. The endorsement also changes who is an insured for purposes of UM/UIM coverage through the following section therein:
{¶ 36} "B. Who Is An Insured
{¶ 37} "1. You.
{¶ 38} "2. If you are an individual, any `family member.'
{¶ 39} "3. Anyone else `occupying' a covered `auto' or a temporary substitute for a covered `auto.' The covered `auto' must be out of service because of its breakdown, repair, servicing, loss or destruction.
{¶ 40} "4. Anyone for damages he or she is entitled to recover because of `bodily injury' sustained by another `insured.'" (Form CA 21 33 03 98, p. 2 of 4.)
{¶ 41} Lastly, also under the "OHIO UNINSURED MOTORISTS COVERAGE — BODILY INJURY" endorsement, is what is commonly referred to as an "other owned vehicle" exclusion, which states:
{¶ 42} "C. Exclusions
{¶ 43} "This insurance does not apply to:
{¶ 44} "* * *
{¶ 45} "5. `Bodily injury' sustained by:
{¶ 46} "a. You while `occupying' or when struck by any vehicle owned by you
that is not a covered `auto' for Uninsured Motorists Coverage under this Coverage Form;
{¶ 47} "b. Any `family member' while `occupying' or when struck by any vehicle owned by that `family member' that is not a covered `auto' for Uninsured Motorists Coverage under this Coverage Form; or
{¶ 48} "c. Any `family member' while `occupying' or when struck by any vehicle owned by you that is insured for Uninsured Motorists Coverage on a primary basis under any other Coverage Form or policy." (Form CA 21 33 03 98, p. 2 of 4.)
{¶ 49} In Westfield Ins. Co. v. Ellis, 11th Dist. No. 2003-T-0093,
{¶ 50} "The definition of `who is an insured' includes `you,' `if you are an individual, any family member,' and `anyone else occupying a covered auto.' The third enumerated paragraph specifically states if the insured is `anyone else,' he or she must be occupying a covered auto. However, the first two paragraphs, including `you' and `family members,'does not specifically state that the insured must be occupying a coveredauto. Thus, the policy is ambiguous as to whether the insured and family members must be occupying a covered auto." (Emphasis added.) Id. at ¶ 33.
{¶ 51} The court then addressed Westfield's reliance on the "other owned vehicle" exclusion, as appellee does here. The court concluded:
{¶ 52} "[A]s just indicated, the policy does not clearly require a party to be driving a covered auto. Were we to read the uninsured motorist portion of the policy to require the insured to be operating a covered auto, the exclusions set forth in the policy would be redundant: There would be no reason to exclude three specific situations addressing a non-covered auto because all situations involving non-covered autos are excluded. * * * Moreover, the `who is an insured' portion of the policy suggests that the insured and family members do not have to be occupying a covered auto. Consequently, Westfield's policy is ambiguous and reasonable (sic) susceptible to different interpretations. As we construe an insurance policy liberally in favor of the insured and strictly against the insurer, Westfield's position is without merit." (Internal citation omitted.) Id. at ¶ 34.
{¶ 53} Interpreting policy language identical to that in WestfieldIns. Co. v. Ellis, 11th Dist. No. 2003-T-0093,
{¶ 54} We agree with the reasoning employed by the Eleventh and First Districts. Westfield Ins. Co. v. Galatis,
{¶ 55} For example, "King held that the use of a vehicle `by and for' the corporate policyholder precipitated coverage. This holding is reasonable because it arguably benefits the policyholder to insure against losses sustained by those operating vehicles on its behalf." Id. at ¶ 37.
{¶ 56} In this case, one of the policyholders listed as a named insured is Casual Carpets, Inc. Presuming that Marra was operating his vehicle in the course and scope of his employment, his use of a vehicle "by and for" Casual Carpets, Inc. should be covered because it arguably benefits Casual Carpets, Inc. to insure against losses by those operating vehicles on its behalf. The benefit becomes even more apparent when consideration is given to the fact that Marra is vice president and one-third owner of Casual Carpets, Inc.
{¶ 57} Therefore, we conclude that appellee's business auto policy herein is ambiguous and reasonably susceptible to different interpretations, and construe it in appellants' favor.
{¶ 58} Turning lastly to appellants' first issue presented for review, it states:
{¶ 59} "The trial court erred by not granting summary judgment to Marra on the issue of whether he was working within the course and scope of his employment for Casual Carpet at the time of the collision on May 19, 1999 since Nationwide failed to set forth any evidence on that issue."
{¶ 60} In Westfield Ins. Co. v. Galatis,
{¶ 61} Appellants' and appellee discuss at length in their appellate briefs the issue of whether plaintiff-appellant, Frank Marra, was working within the course and scope of his employment. However, the trial court never reached this issue when it awarded judgment in favor of appellee. This is because the trial court found that the UIM in effect at the time of the accident did not extend to cover appellant and also that it complied with the requirements of R.C.
{¶ 62} This Court has subscribed to the general rule in Ohio that appellate courts do not consider issues that the trial court did not address. Padula v. Hall, 7th Dist. No. 03-MA-235,
{¶ 63} In conclusion, although we find that appellee's business auto policy herein is ambiguous and reasonably susceptible to different interpretations, we construe the policy in his favor for coverage only to the extent that he can establish that he was working within the course and scope of his employment as required by Galatis. Since the merits of that issue were never reached by the trial court, it will have to be dealt with on remand.
{¶ 64} Accordingly, appellants' sole assignment of error is with merit only to the extent mentioned above. We do not address the merits of appellants' arguments concerning the issue of whether Marra was working in the course and scope of his employment since the trial court has yet to address that particular aspect of the case.
{¶ 65} The judgment of the trial court is hereby reversed and this matter remanded for further proceedings according to law and consistent with this Court's opinion.
Vukovich, J., concurs.
Waite, J., dissents. See dissenting opinion.
Dissenting Opinion
{¶ 66} I respectfully dissent in this appeal because I do not agree with the reasoning or final disposition set forth in the majority opinion. The majority acknowledges that R.C. §
{¶ 67} "(J) The coverages offered under division (A) of this section or selected in accordance with division (C) of this section may include terms and conditions that preclude coverage for bodily injury or death suffered by an insured under any of the following circumstances:
{¶ 68} "(1) While the insured is operating or occupying a motor vehicle owned by, furnished to, or available for the regular use of a named insured, a spouse, or a resident relative of a named insured, if the motor vehicle is not specifically identified in the policy under which a claim is made, or is not a newly acquired or replacement motor vehicle covered under the terms of the policy under which the uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages are provided;"
{¶ 69} The statute does not say that the UIM coverage restriction must be listed as part of the initial definition of who is an insured. It simply says that the policy may contain the restriction, and in this case, Appellee attempted to use a policy exclusion to implement R.C. §
{¶ 70} The majority appears to conclude that the "other owned auto" exclusion is irrelevant because the exclusion was not made a part of the initial definition of who was an "insured" under the policy.
{¶ 71} The majority cites Westfield Ins. Co. v. Ellis, 11th Dist. No. 2003-T-0093,
{¶ 72} The majority also cites Flynn v. Westfield Ins. Co., 1st Dist. No. C-050909,
{¶ 73} "1. You
{¶ 74} "2. If you are an individual, any `family member'
{¶ 75} "3. Anyone else `occupying' a covered `auto' or a temporary substitute for a covered auto. The covered `auto' must be out of service because of its breakdown, repair, servicing, loss or destruction
{¶ 76} "4. Anyone for damages he or she is entitled to recover because of `bodily injury' sustained by another `insured.' " Id. at ¶ 23-26.
{¶ 77} Flynn reasoned that, under the definitions section of the policy, only the third category of insureds, defined as "anyone else," were required to be in a covered auto to receive UIM benefits, because the "covered auto" limitation was built into that part of the definition of who was an "insured." Id. at ¶ 27. If we were only considering the definitional section of the policy, this reasoning would make sense. Insurance policies, though, have other provisions, such as exclusions, that limit coverage even for those who are defined in broad terms as "insureds." The Flynn policy, and the policy now under review, used a similar "other owned auto" exclusion:
{¶ 78} "This insurance does not apply to * * *
{¶ 79} "5. `Bodily Injury' sustained by
{¶ 80} "a. You while `occupying' or when struck by any vehicle owned by you that is not a covered `auto' for Uninsured Motorists Coverage under this Coverage Form." Id. atH29-31.
{¶ 81} Flynn devoted one short paragraph to this exclusion:
{¶ 82} "This exclusion supports an interpretation that the endorsement did not require `you' to be in a covered auto. Had the definition of `you' contained such a requirement, the `other-owned-vehicle' exclusion would have been redundant. It would have been needless to exclude non-covered autos from coverage if the definition of `you' required an insured to be in a covered auto." (Footnote omitted.) Id. at ¶ 32.
{¶ 83} This analysis appears to make no sense. The Flynn court had already concluded that the original definition of an "insured" contained four parts, and that only the third of the four categories (the "anyone else" section) required application of a "covered auto." The definition of the first category of "insureds," simply defined as "you," did not require "you" to be in a covered auto for UIM coverage to apply. Nevertheless, that does not mean that insureds who qualify as "you" are covered for any and all situations. The policy has other provisions, other definitions, other limitations, other exclusions. When we look to the policy exclusions, we find that coverage is excluded for bodily injury suffered by "you" while occupying or struck by a vehicle owned by "you" that was not listed as a covered vehicle in the policy. I cannot see how this exclusion is needless or redundant, since it only applies to "you," and when it is clear that the original definition of "you" did not contain the restriction.
{¶ 84} Flynn, similar to the reasoning in Ellis, seems to require all UIM policy restrictions to be incorporated into the definitional section of the policy. Normally, we read an insurance policy, like any other contract, as a whole rather than examining the definitional section in isolation. Kelly v. Med. Life Ins. Co. (1987),
{¶ 85} As already stated, R.C. §
{¶ 86} Assuming arguendo that Appellant Frank Marra was working in the course and scope of employment, and thus, was an insured under the policy, he was injured while driving a car that he owned and that was not a covered vehicle under the policy. Appellant, as an insured, falls under the "other owned auto" exclusion and should be denied UIM coverage based on the clear language of the policy as permitted by R.C. §
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.