State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance v. Scott
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance v. Scott
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Pending before the court
I. Case Background
A. Procedural History
This declaratory judgment action arises out of state court lawsuits asserted by Angela Lochard and Defendants Kassandra Cross, and Preston Cross (collectively “Defendant Cross”) against Kathy Scott (“Kathy”) and Trevor Moore (“Trevor”).
Defendant Cross’ counterclaim seeks declarations stating that the vehicle involved in the accident was covered by an insurance policy with State Farm, that Lisa Smith (“Lisa”) was the legal owner of
B. Underlying Suits
Andrew and Lisa Smith (“the Smiths”) owned a corporation named Andrew T. Smith & Associates (“Smith & Associates”), which owned a real estate business named The Smith Team.
The sale of the real estate business included the name, the business client base, the client files, the computer data and records, the accounts receivable, the office equipment, and a 1998 Ford Expedition (“the Expedition”).
Although the written agreement stated that the parties would allocate the purchase price among the assets of the business, no amount was specified for each of the assets.
Kathy paid $500 to the Smiths at the beginning of December.
The very day that she received the title certificate, Kathy took both sets of keys, the title certificate, and the Expedition to her home.
The Smiths and Kathy disagreed about whether Kathy asked Andrew for permission for her and Trevor to drive the Expedition, whether she asked if the Expedition would be covered by insurance, and whether she asked if Trevor would be covered by the insurance policy.
C. The Insurance Policy
State Farm issued policy number 1259-122-53 (“the policy”), a Business Auto Policy, to Smith & Associates for the Expedition.
Policy coverage only applied to vehicles specifically designated on the Declarations page, which listed only the Expedition.
II. Summary Judgment Standard
Summary judgment is warranted when the evidence reveals that no genuine dispute exists regarding any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); Brown v. City of Houston, Tex., 337 F.3d 539, 540-41 (5th Cir. 2003). The movant must inform the court of the basis for the summary judgment motion and must demonstrate the absence of genuine factual issues. Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548; Topalian v. Ehrman, 954 F.2d 1125, 1131 (5th Cir. 1992).
If the moving party meets its burden, the nonmoving party must demonstrate
III. Applicable Principles of Insurance Law
As this action is in federal court under diversity jurisdiction, state law governs substantive matters. Erie R.R. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 78, 58 S.Ct. 817, 82 L.Ed. 1188 (1938). The parties agree that Texas law applies to the disposition of this declaratory judgment action.
A. Burden of Proof and Contract Interpretation
In general, the insured bears the initial burden of establishing that coverage is potentially provided by the applicable insurance policy, while it is the insurer’s burden to prove the applicability of an exclusion permitting it to deny coverage. Tex. Ins.Code Ann. § 554.002; see also Lincoln Gen. Ins. Co. v. Reyna, 401 F.3d 347, 350 (5th Cir. 2005) (applying Texas law); Venture Encoding Serv., Inc. v. Atl. Mut. Ins. Co., 107 S.W.3d 729, 733 (Tex. App.-Fort Worth 2003, pet. denied). If the insurer is successful, the burden shifts back to the insured to prove that an exception to the exclusion applies. Guar. Nat’l Ins. Co. v. Vic Mfg. Co., 143 F.3d 192, 193 (5th Cir. 1998) (applying Texas law).
Under Texas law, insurance policies are subject to the rules of contract interpretation. Progressive County Mut. Ins. Co. v. Sink, 107 S.W.3d 547, 551 (Tex. 2003). In construing the terms of a contract, the court’s primary purpose is always to ascertain the true intent of the parties as expressed in the written instrument. Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa. v. CBI Indus., 907 S.W.2d 517, 520 (Tex. 1995). To this end, the court reads all provisions within the contract as a whole and gives effect to each term so that no part of the agreement is left without meaning. MCI Telecomms. Corp v. Tex. Utils. Elec. Co., 995 S.W.2d 647, 652 (Tex. 1999); see also Provident Life & Accident Ins. Co. v. Knott, 128 S.W.3d 211, 216 (Tex. 2003). “Terms in contracts are given their plain, ordinary, and generally accepted meaning unless the contract itself shows that particular definitions are used to replace that meaning.” Bituminous Cas. Corp. v. Maxey, 110 S.W.3d 203, 208-09 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2003, pet. denied).
B. Duty to Defend
In Texas, an insurer’s duty to defend is a separate and distinct duty from its duty to indemnify. Trinity Universal Ins. Co. v. Cowan, 945 S.W.2d 819, 821-22 (Tex. 1997). Under the “eight-corners” rule, an insurer’s duty to defend its insured arises if the complaint in the suit against the insured alleges facts that potentially support claims for which there is coverage. Pine Oak Builders, Inc. v. Great Am. Lloyds Ins. Co., 279 S.W.3d 650, 654 (Tex. 2009). In determining whether this duty exists, the court’s only job is to compare the four corners of the pleading with the four corners of the insurance policy. Reyna, 401 F.3d at 350; see also Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa. v. Merchs. Fast Motor Lines, Inc., 939 S.W.2d 139, 141 (Tex. 1997).
C. Duty to Indemnify
Under Texas law, an insurer’s duty to indemnify is narrower than its duty to defend. St. Paul Ins. Co. v. Tex. Dep't of Transp., 999 S.W.2d 881, 884 (Tex. App.-Austin 1999, pet. denied). The duty to indemnify is triggered only by the actual facts establishing the insured’s liability in the underlying litigation. Cowan, 945 S.W.2d at 821. Accordingly, “an insurer may have a duty to defend but, eventually, no duty to indemnify.” Farmers Tex. County Mut. Ins. Co. v. Griffin, 955 S.W.2d 81, 82 (Tex. 1997).
IV. Analysis
Smith & Associates was the named insured on the policy.
Defendant Cross argues that Smith & Associates owned the Expedition at the time of the accident because delivery of the title was defective and that Trevor was a permissive user of the Expedition under the State Farm policy.
Defendant Cross bases her argument on the Texas Business and Commerce Code (“the Code”) and the Texas Certificate of Title Act (“Title Act”). Defendant Cross contends that sales of motor vehicles in Texas are governed by the Code because a motor vehicle is considered a “good” under the Code. Tex. Bus. & Com.Code § 2.102; Associates Discount Corp. v. Rattan Chevrolet, Inc., 462 S.W.2d 546, 549 (Tex. 1970). Section 2.401 of the Code addresses when title passes for the sale of goods. Defendant Cross particularly cites subsection c, which provides that delivery of unmoved goods subject to a document of title occurs when the title is delivered. Tex. Bus. & Com.Code § 2.401(c) (referring to situations in which delivery is made “without moving the goods”).
The Title Act generally applies to the sale of vehicles. Tex. Transp. Code § 501.071. The Title Act dictates the correct form of title and voids sales with defective certificates of title. Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §§ 501.021, 501.071(a), 501.072(a), 501.073.
The court disagrees with Defendant Cross’ application of the Code and the Title Act to the case at hand. The argument is plagued by several flaws. Notably, Defendant Cross offers a tortured interpretation of unmoved goods under the Code and fails to justify the reading with any other legal authority specific to the facts of this case. Paramount, though, is Defendant Cross’ failure to explain this application of the Code and the Title Act in light of the controlling case law specifically relevant to this case.
In Texas, the right to possession and the power to control a vehicle’s use determine a vehicle’s ownership for insurance coverage purposes. Gulf Ins. Co. v. Bobo, 595 S.W.2d 847, 848 (Tex. 1980). A buyer is not covered by a seller’s insurance policy as an additional insured because after a buyer and seller have reached an agreement to sell a vehicle and that vehicle is delivered, the buyer has control over the vehicle and “does not use the insured vehicle with the consent of the [seller].” Id. (citing Weatherford v. Aetna Ins. Co., 385 S.W.2d 381, 382 (Tex. 1964)). The conditional nature of a sales contract does not negate a buyer’s ownership in a vehicle after possession and control have transferred. Bobo, 595 S.W.2d at 849; Trull v. Serv. Cas. Ins. Co., No. 14-07-00314-CV, 2008 WL 2837775, *3, 2008 Tex. App. LEXIS 5486, *8-9 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] July 22, 2008, no pet.) (unpublished).
A seller who retains title “does so for security reasons only and has no control over the car and no right to its use” and, therefore, cannot legally give permission to the buyer’s use of the vehicle. Id. at 848-49 (citing Weatherford, 385 S.W.2d at 382 (Tex. 1964)). The name on a vehicle’s title raises a rebuttable administrative presumption of ownership, but it is not evidence of ownership itself. Tyler Car & Truck Ctr. v. Empire Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 2 S.W.3d 482, 485 (Tex.App.Tyler 1999, pet. denied); Minter v. Joplin, 535 S.W.2d 737, 738-39 (Tex.Civ.App.Amarillo 1976, no writ).
In Bobo, the Texas Supreme Court found that a completed sales contract existed after the seller delivered the truck to the buyer in exchange for procuring insurance and a promise to pay off the debt on the truck. Bobo, 595 S.W.2d at 848. Possession and right of control and, therefore, ownership passed to the buyer despite the fact that the buyer did not obtain financing under the sales agreement before the truck was involved in an accident. Id.
Similarly, in another Texas case, a buyer had the right to possess and the power to control and, therefore, owned the vehicle after the buyer and seller had “executed documents establishing the terms of sale[ ] and the buyer had paid the down payment on the vehicle” even though the buyer had
Defendant Cross contends that unlike in prior Texas case law, delivery was incomplete in this case because the errors in the title certifícate voided the sale under the Code and the Title Act. However, Texas courts have found that “[n]oncompliance with the Act does not override [a] ... clear showing of a valid and complete transfer of ownership of an automobile.”
Kathy took both sets of keys, the title, and the Expedition to her home on the weekend of December 30, 2009.
In light of this conclusion as to ownership, whether Trevor drove the Expedition with permission of Smith & Associates is irrelevant. The policy cannot cover the accident because the permissive user clause of the policy only applied to covered autos that the named insured, Smith & Associates, “own[ed], hire[d], or borrowfed].”
IV. Attorney’s Fees
Both parties request attorney’s fees under the Texas Declaratory Judgment Act (“TDJA”).
The TDJA allows for the award of attorney’s fees in declaratory judgment actions. However, because the TDJA is procedural, not substantive, it cannot authorize the award of fees in this federal declaratory judgment action. Camacho v. Tex. Workforce Comm’n, 445 F.3d 407, 413 (5th Cir. 2006); Travelers Indem. Co. v. Citgo Petroleum Corp., 166 F.3d 761, 772 (5th Cir. 1999). Therefore, absent specific references by State Farm to any substantive law that justifies such an award, the court refuses to make an exception to the American Rule, which requires litigants to bear their own attorney’s fees. See Camacho, 445 F.3d at 412, 413; Mer
V. Conclusion
Based on the forgoing, the court GRANTS Plaintiff State Farm’s Motion for Summary Judgment and DENIES Defendant Cross’ Motion for Summary Judgment. Plaintiff State Farm is entitled to a declaration that it owed Kathy Scott and Trevor Moore no duty to defend or indemnify in the underlying lawsuits, but it is not entitled to attorney’s fees.
. The parties consented to proceed before the undersigned magistrate judge for all proceedings, including trial and final judgment, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 73. Doc.24.
. The underlying lawsuit filed by Angela Lochard on behalf of herself and the e'state of Brandon Scott Sali against Kathy and Trevor was filed in the 272nd District of Court of Brazos County, cause number 10-000-442-CV. The underlying lawsuit by the family of Timothy Errin Cross was filed against Trevor in the 85th District Court of Brazos County, cause number 10-000885-CV-85. Doc. 1, PL’s Original Compl., ¶ 10.
. Doc. 1, PL’s Original Compl., ¶¶ 12-14.
. Doc. 10, Def, Cross’ Countercl., ¶¶ 8-10.
. Doc. 23, Order for Nonsuit without Prejudice.
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶¶ 1-2.
. Id. at ¶ 9; Doc. 14-2, Ex. B to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Agreement of Purchase & Sale, pp. 1-2.
. Doc. 14-2, Ex. B to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Agreement of Purchase & Sale, pp. 1-2.
. Lisa stated that she gifted Expedition to The Smith Team in 2003 or 2004, while Andrew Smith ("Andrew”) believed Lisa gifted the Expedition in 2008. Doc. 14-6, Ex. F to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Lisa's Dep., pp. 46-47; Doc. 14-7, Ex. G to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Andrew’s Dep., p. 21.
. Doc. 14-6, Ex. F to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Lisa's Dep., pp. 11-13.
. Doc. 14-6, Ex. F to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Lisa’s Dep., pp. 13-14; Doc. 14-5, Ex. E to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Kathy’s Dep., p. 21.
. Doc. 14-7, Ex. G to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Andrew’s Dep., p. 17.
. Doc. 14-2, Ex. B to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Agreement of Purchase & Sale, p. 2.
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶¶ 11-12.
. Id. ¶ 13.
. Doc. 14-5, Ex. E to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Kathy's Dep., pp. 22, 25-26.
. Doc. 14-7, Ex. G to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Andrew's Dep., pp. 37, 44, 49.
. Doc. 14-6, Ex. F to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Lisa’s Dep., p. 15; Doc. 14-7, Ex. G to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Andrew’s Dep., p. 37.
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶ 14.
. Id. at ¶ 15.
. Doc. 14-3, Ex. C to Agreed Stipulation of Fact & Summ. J. Evidence, Vehicle Summary with N.A.D.A (Nat'l Automobile Dealers Assoc.) Values; Doc. 14-7, Ex. G to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Andrew's Dep., pp. 16-17, 51-52.
. Parties stipulate “on or about” December 30, 2009, but Kathy testified the date may have been December 31, 2009. Compare Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶¶ 18, 20, with Doc. 14-5, Ex. E to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Kathy's Dep., pp. 34-35.
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶¶ 18, 20; Doc. 14-4, Ex. D to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Tex. Certificate of Title, pp. 1-2 (unnumbered). Lisa signed her name as a seller but she did not complete the odometer reading, fill in the buyer’s name, or enter a date of sale on the title certificate. Doc. 14-4, Ex. D to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Tex. Certificate of Title, p. 2 (unnumbered).
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶ 24.
. Id. at ¶ 21.
. Id. at ¶ 22; Doc. 14-5, Ex. E to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Kathy's Dep., p. 44.
. Doc. 14-5, Ex. E to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Kathy's Dep., pp. 39-41.
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶ 25.
. Id. at ¶¶ 24, 26.
. Doc. 14-5, Ex. E to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Kathy's Dep., p. 43.
. Doc. 14-7, Ex. G to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Andrew's Dep., pp. 27-28, 43-44; Doc. 14-5, Ex. E to Agreed
. Doc. 14-7, Ex. G to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Andrew's Dep., pp. 30, 38, 63, 65.
. Doc. 14-7, Ex. G to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Andrew’s Dep., p. 36.
. Doc. 14-6, Ex. F to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Lisa’s Dep., pp. 30, 39-40.
. Id. at pp. 21-23.
. Doc. 14-5, Ex. E to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Kathy’s Dep., p. 17.
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶¶ 2-4.
. Id. at ¶ 3.
. Id.
. Doc. 14-1, Ex. A to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, State Farm Tex. Bus. Auto Coverage Form, pp. 1, 7-8.
. Id. at p. 9.
. Id. atp. 1.
. Id. atp. 8.
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶¶ 5-7.
. Doc. 15, PL's Mot. for Summ. J., p. 5 (stating that Texas substantive law applies in this case); Doc. 16, Def. Cross’ Mot. for Summ. J., pp. 7-14 (applying Texas law throughout the analysis).
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶ 3.
. Doc. 16, Def. Cross' Mot. for Summ. J., pp. 8-14.
. See Doc. 15, Pl.'s Mot. for Summ. J., pp. 5-8.
. Id.
. Plaintiff State Farm concedes that title was improperly done in this case. Doc. 17, Pl.'s Response to Def. Cross’ Mot. for Summ. J., p. 3 n. 3.
. Strict application of the Title Act to void a vehicle sale in Texas is used in cases where “the rights of third parties are involved who are usually innocent purchasers of stolen or encumbered vehicles.” Tyler Car & Truck Ctr., 2 S.W.3d at 485; Allstate Ins. Co. v. Dykes, 461 S.W.2d 519, 522 (Tex.Civ.App.Tyler 1971, writ ref’d n.r.e.). Defendant Cross does not argue that the sale transaction involved criminal intent or fraud, and the court finds none, so the Title Act can not be used in this case to invalidate the sale between the Smiths and Kathy. Allstate Ins. Co., 461 S.W.2d at 522.
. Defendant Cross also urges a strict application of the Title Act on the grounds that cases such as Trull and Tyler Car & Truck Ctr. involved car dealers so correct title was not required in those cases by the Title Act. However, Trull does not discuss the Title Act, and Tyler Car & Truck Ctr. explicitly rejected the strict application of the Title Act that Defendant Cross urges the court to adopt in this case. Defendant Cross provides no other case law to support its argument.
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶¶ 11-12.
. Ex. B to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Agreement of Purchase & Sale, pp. 1-2.
. Doc. 14-7, Ex. G to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Andrew’s, p. 17; Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶ 13.
. Doc. 14-5, Ex. E to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Kathy’s Dep., pp. 22, 25-26.
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶¶ 14-15.
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶¶ 18, 20; Doc. 14-4, Ex. D to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Tex. Certificate of Title, pp. 1-2 (unnumbered).
. Doc. 14-5, Ex. E to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Kathy's Dep., p. 44.
. Doc. 14, Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, ¶ 25.
. Doc. 14-6, Ex. F to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Lisa's Dep., p. 15; Doc. 14-7, Ex. G to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, Andrew’s Dep., p. 37.
. Doc. 14-1, Ex. A to Agreed Stipulation of Facts & Summ. J. Evidence, State Farm Tex. Bus. Auto Coverage Form, pp. 1, 7-8.
. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code § 37.009.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE CO. v. Kathy SCOTT Trevor Moore Angela Lochard, Individually and as Representative of the Estate of Brandon Scott Sali Kassandra Cross and Preston Cross
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published