Wohlert et al v. Hartford Fire Insurance Company
Filing
94
ORDER granting 37 Motion for Summary Judgment; denying 50 Motion for Summary Judgment; denying 57 Motion for Summary Judgment (Written Opinion). Signed by Judge Joan N. Ericksen on 3/27/2013. (GS)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
KEVIN WOHLERT and WESTFIELD
NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY,
Plaintiffs,
v.
Civil No. 12-54 (JNE/SER)
ORDER
HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
and THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY
COMPANY OF AMERICA,
Defendants.
Plaintiffs Kevin Wohlert (“Wohlert”) and Westfield National Insurance Company
(“Westfield”) brought this declaratory judgment action against Defendants Hartford Fire
Insurance Company (“Hartford”) and The Travelers Indemnity Company of America
(“Travelers”) to determine the priority of insurance among the three insurers with respect to a car
accident that occurred on July 22, 2009. Now before the Court are the parties’ cross-motions for
summary judgment.
I.
BACKGROUND
Wohlert is a resident of Minnesota. In July 2009, Wohlert was employed as a traveling
manufacturer’s representative (or “National Sales and Training Manager”) by Rheinzink
America, Inc. (“Rheinzink”), a Massachusetts corporation. During his employment, he was
based in Minnesota. He spent about 60-70% of his time traveling throughout the United States
and Canada. On July 22, 2009, while in Nevada on a business trip, Wohlert rear-ended a car
driven by Dale Southam (“Southam”), a Nevada resident. At the time of the accident, Wohlert
was driving a rental vehicle, paid for by Rheinzink, and was acting within the course and scope
of his employment with Rheinzink. Southam subsequently commenced suit in Nevada against
1
Wohlert and Rheinzink, seeking damages for property damage and personal injuries suffered as a
result of the accident.1
At the time of the accident, Wohlert was insured under a personal automobile policy
issued by Westfield. Rheinzink also maintained two insurance policies that provided coverage
for the July 22 incident. Hartford issued Rheinzink a business insurance policy, and Travelers
issued Rheinzink a commercial automobile insurance policy. When Southam filed his lawsuit in
Nevada, Westfield undertook Wohlert’s defense. Westfield tendered the defense to Hartford on
two occasions, but Hartford refused the tender both times. On December 8, 2011, Plaintiffs
brought suit against Hartford in Minnesota state court. On January 6, 2012, Hartford removed
the action to federal district court. In April 2012, nearly two years after the underlying Southam
litigation had commenced, Plaintiffs learned of the existence of the Travelers policy. It was only
at this time that Travelers was made aware of the accident and the underlying Southam litigation.
Travelers, however, believed that Hartford was defending both Rheinzink and Wohlert. On June
20, 2012, Plaintiffs amended their Complaint to include Travelers as a defendant in this action.
On July 5, 2012, Travelers was served with the Amended Complaint. It was then that Travelers
was made aware that only Westfield had been defending Wohlert.
None of the insurers dispute that they provide coverage for Wohlert for the incident—
they do dispute the priority of coverage. Each of the three insurers claims that its policy provides
only excess coverage, and that one or both of the other insurers’ policies provide primary
coverage.2
1
In the Nevada litigation, Rheinzink stipulated to vicarious liability for Wohler’s conduct.
2
Hartford and Travelers have been defending Rheinzink in the underlying Southam
litigation. They now contend that Westfield should be defending Rheinzink, as well as Wohlert.
This issue, however, is not properly before the Court. There is no pleading in which such a
2
A. Westfield Policy
Westfield is an Ohio corporation, authorized to do business in the State of Minnesota. At
the time of the accident, Wohlert was insured by Westfield under a combined homeowners and
automobile policy, with a policy limit of $500,000. This policy covered four vehicles, all
registered in Minnesota, and Wohlert paid $2,296 in premiums for auto liability coverage. There
was no separate premium charged for rental auto coverage.
The Westfield policy provides Auto Liability Coverage as follows:
SECTION IV AUTO LIABILITY
COVERAGE G – AUTO LIABILITY
1. We will pay damages for bodily injury or property damage for which any insured
becomes legally responsible because of an auto accident. We will settle or defend, as
we consider appropriate, any claim or suit asking for these damages which are
payable under the terms of this policy. In addition to our limit of liability, we will
pay all defense costs we incur.
2. “Insured” as used in Coverage G means:
a. You or any family member for the ownership, maintenance or use of any auto
or trailer.
...
4. For any auto or trailer, other than your covered auto, any other person or
organization but only with respect to legal responsibility for acts or omissions of you
or any family member for whom coverage is afforded under this section. This
provision (4.) applies only if the person or organization does not own or hire the auto
or trailer.
The Westfield policy sets forth the following exclusions:
A. We do not provide Auto Liability Coverage for any insured:
7. Maintaining or using any vehicle while that insured is employed or otherwise
engaged in any business not described in Exclusion A.6. above.
declaratory judgment is sought, nor is there any such assertion in any of the Answers to
Plaintiff’s Interrogatories.
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This exclusion (A.7.) does not apply to:
b. The ownership, maintenance or use of a rental vehicle or temporary loaned
vehicle; or
c. Property damage to a:
(1) Rental vehicle
As a condition to Westfield’s Auto Liability Coverage, the policy provides:
2. OTHER INSURANCE
Coverage G – Auto Liability
a. If there is other applicable liability insurance we will only pay our share of the
loss. Our share is the proportion that our limit of liability bears to the total of
all applicable limits.
b. Any insurance we provide for a vehicle you do not own . . . shall be excess
over any other collectible insurance, self-insurance or bond.
B. Hartford Policy
Hartford is a Connecticut corporation. At the time of the accident, Rheinzink was insured
under a commercial general liability (or “Spectrum”) policy issued by Hartford. The policy
covered Rheinzink’s business properties in Massachusetts, provided business liability coverage,
and also provided up to $1,000,000 in coverage for Hired/Non-Owned Auto liability. The total
premium charged for the Hartford policy was $4,028. The portion of the premium attributable to
the Hired/Non-Owned Auto Endorsement was $233.
The Hartford policy provides Business Liability Coverage as follows:
A. COVERAGES
1. BUSINESS LIABILITY COVERAGE (BODILY INJURY, PROPERTY
DAMAGE, PERSONAL AND ADVERTISING INJURY)
Insuring Agreement
a. We will pay those sums that the insured becomes legally obligated to pay
as damages because of “bodily injury,” “property damage” or “personal
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and advertising injury” to which this insurance applies. We will have the
right and duty to defend the insured against any “suit” seeking those
damages.
“Insureds” under the Hartford policy include “your ‘employees’ . . . but only for acts
within the scope of their employment by you or while performing duties related to the conduct of
your business.” The Business Liability Coverage excludes coverage for auto-related injuries.
B. EXCLUSIONS
1. Applicable To Business Liability Coverage
This insurance does not apply to:
...
g. Aircraft, Auto Or Watercraft
“Bodily injury” or “property damage” arising out of the ownership,
maintenance, use or entrustment to others of any aircraft, “auto” or
watercraft owned or operated by or rented or loaned to any insured.
The Hartford policy includes a “Hired Auto and Non-Owned Auto” Endorsement, which
modifies the insurance policy as follows:
A. Under B., EXCLUSIONS, 1. Applicable to Business Liability Coverage, exclusion
g. does not apply to any “auto” that is a “non-owned auto.”
A “non-owned auto” is an “auto” you do not own including but not limited to:
1. An “auto that you lease, hire, rent or borrow . . .
B. With respect to the operation of a “non-owned auto,” WHO IS AN INSURED is
replaced by the following:
The following are “insureds”:
a. You
b. Your “employee” while using with your permission:
(1) An “auto” you hire or borrow;
(2) An “auto” you don’t own, hire or borrow in your business or personal
affairs; or
(3) An “auto” hired or rented by your “employee” on your behalf and at your
direction.
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The Hartford policy also contains the following “other insurance” provision:
D. With respect to the operation of a “non-owed auto,” the following additional
conditions apply:
1. OTHER INSURANCE
a. Except for any liability assumed under an “insured contract” the insurance
provided by this Coverage Form is excess over any other collectible insurance.
...
b. When this Coverage Form and any other Coverage Form or policy covers on
the same basis, either excess or primary, we will pay only our share. Our share
is the proportion that the Limit of Insurance of our Coverage Form bears to the
total of the limits of all the Coverage Forms and policies covering on the same
basis.
C. Travelers Policy
Travelers is a Connecticut corporation. At the time of the accident, Rheinzink was
insured by Travelers under a Commercial Automobile Policy, with a policy limit of $1,000,000.
The policy covered one specified business automobile, and also provided coverage for hired or
borrowed automobiles. Travelers charged a total premium of $1,475, with a $32 premium for
the hired or borrowed auto coverage.
The Travelers policy provides Liability Coverage as follows:
A. Coverage
We will pay all sums an “insured” legally must pay as damages because of “bodily
injury” or “property damage” to which this insurance applies, caused by an
“accident” and resulting from the ownership, maintenance or use of a covered “auto.”
...
We have the right and duty to defend any “insured” against a “suit” asking for such
damages . . . .
1. Who Is An Insured
The following are “insureds”:
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a. You for any covered “auto.”
b. Anyone else while using with your permission a covered “auto” you own,
hire or borrow . . . .
With respect to bodily injury and liability coverage, “covered autos” includes “hired
‘autos,’” or “those ‘autos’ you lease, hire, rent or borrow.”
The following condition applies to the coverage provided under the Travelers policy:
5. Other Insurance
a. For any covered “auto” you own, this Coverage Form provides primary insurance.
For any covered “auto” you don’t own, the insurance provided by this Coverage
Form is excess over any other collectible insurance.
...
d. When this Coverage Form and any other Coverage Form or policy covers on the
same basis, either excess or primary, we will pay only our share. Our share is the
proportion that the Limit of Insurance of our Coverage Form bears to the total of
the limits of all the Coverage Forms and policies covering on the same basis.
The Travelers policy contains an “Auto Coverage Plus Endorsement,” which provides:
H. EMPLOYEE HIRED AUTOS
Section II – LIABILITY COVERAGE, A. Coverage, 1. Who Is An Insured is
amended by adding the following:
An “employee” of yours is an “insured” while operating an “auto” hired or rented
under a contract or agreement in that “employee’s” name, with your permission,
while performing duties related to the conduct of your business.
II.
DISCUSSION
Summary judgment is proper “if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to
any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P.
56(a). To support an assertion that a fact cannot be or is genuinely disputed, a party must cite “to
particular parts of materials in the record,” show “that the materials cited do not establish the
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absence or presence of a genuine dispute,” or show “that an adverse party cannot produce
admissible evidence to support the fact.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1)(A)-(B). “The court need
consider only the cited materials, but it may consider other materials in the record.” Fed. R. Civ.
P. 56(c)(3). In determining whether summary judgment is appropriate, a court must look at the
record and any inferences to be drawn from it in the light most favorable to the nonmovant.
Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 255 (1986).
A. Choice of Law
Plaintiffs filed this lawsuit in state court in Minnesota, and Hartford removed the action
to federal district court. Plaintiffs assert that Minnesota law governs the coverage dispute
between Westfield, Hartford, and Travelers. Travelers argues that Massachusetts or Nevada law
governs the dispute. Hartford argues that Massachusetts law applies. None of the three
insurance contracts includes a choice-of-law provision.
“In determining which state’s law applies, we generally employ the forum state’s choiceof-law rules.” Whitney v. Guys, Inc., 700 F.3d 1118, 1123 (8th Cir. 2012). “Minnesota’s choiceof-law rules involve a multistep analysis.” Id. “The first step requires examination of whether
the different states’ laws actually present a conflict, i.e., ‘if the choice of one forum’s law over
the other will determine the outcome of the case.’” Id. (quoting Nodak Mut. Ins. Co. v. Am.
Family Mut. Ins. Co., 604 N.W.2d 91, 94 (Minn.2000)). Here, the parties agree that there is an
outcome-determinative conflict between the laws of Minnesota, Massachusetts and Nevada.3
3
Under Massachusetts and Nevada law, the courts look to the “other insurance” provisions
to determine priority of coverage. When insurance policies each contain “other insurance”
clauses that conflict with each other, the clauses are disregarded and the loss is pro-rated between
the respective insurers. See Alamo Rent-A-Car, Inc. v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 953 P.2d
1074, 1076 (Nev. 1998); Mission Ins. Co. v. U.S. Fire Ins. Co., 517 N.E.2d 492, 465 (Mass.
1988) (finding conflicting excess clauses to be mutually repugnant). Under Minnesota law, the
courts determine the priority of coverage based on an analysis of the “total policy insuring
8
“The second step requires determination of whether the different states’ laws
constitutionally may be applied to the case at hand.” Id. The parties do not argue that there are
any constitutional concerns with the application of the laws of any of the three states. The Court
agrees that Minnesota, Massachusetts and Nevada have sufficient contacts such that the law of
any of those states could be constitutionally applied. See Allstate Ins. Co. v. Hague, 449 U.S.
302, 312-13 (1981) (“[F]or a State’s substantive law to be selected in a constitutionally
permissible manner, that State must have a significant contact or significant aggregation of
contacts, creating state interests, such that choice of its law is neither arbitrary nor fundamentally
unfair.”).
“The third step requires application of a multifactored test, considering the: ‘(1)
predictability of result; (2) maintenance of interstate and international order; (3) simplification of
the judicial task; (4) advancement of the forum’s governmental interest; and (5) application of
the better rule of law.’” Whitney, 700 F.3d at 1124 (quoting Jepson v. Gen. Cas. Co. of Wis., 513
N.W.2d 467, 470 (Minn. 1994)). These factors are not intended to be applied mechanically, but
instead “prompt courts to carefully and critically consider each new fact situation and explain in
a straight-forward manner their choice of law.” Jepson, 513 N.W.2d at 470.
As a preliminary matter, the Court believes that Nevada law is the least applicable to this
dispute. In a dispute concerning insurance coverage, “where an accident occurs is unimportant.”
Id. The Court examines “whether the choice of law was predictable before the time of the
transaction or event giving rise to the cause of action, not to whether that choice was predictable
intent” and “closeness to the risk.” See Cargill, Inc. v. Evanston Ins. Co., 642 N.W.2d 80, 88
(Minn. Ct. App. 2002) (explaining that under Minnesota law, “priority among insurance policies
is not to be determined by the presence or absence of other-insurance clauses, but by an analysis
of the function and intent of the policies”).
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after the transaction or event.” Nesladek v. Ford Motor Co., 46 F.3d 734, 738 (8th Cir. 1995).
The Hartford and Travelers policies were issued to a Massachusetts-based employer, and the
Westfield policy was issued to a Minnesota resident. It may have been predictable for the
Hartford and Travelers policies to be governed by Massachusetts law, and for the Westfield
policy to be governed by Minnesota law, but prior to the Southam incident, it would not have
been predictable for any of the policies to be governed by Nevada law. Nevada has little
connection with the insurance priority issue being litigated in this dispute, and although Nevada
has an interest in ensuring that its residents are compensated for injuries suffered as a result of
auto accidents, Nevada does not have an interest in determining exactly how that resident gets
compensated—i.e., which insurer among several ultimately bears the costs. Thus, the remainder
of this analysis deals with the choice between the application of Minnesota law and the
application of Massachusetts law.
1. Predictability of Result
“Predictability of results is of great importance in the contractual field,” Schoffman v.
Cent. States Diversified, Inc., 69 F.3d 215, 219 n.10 (8th Cir. 1995), where the parties “have
acted in reliance on a[] state’s laws,” Whitney, 700 F.3d at 1125. This factor serves to
“preserv[e] the parties’ justified expectations” when they entered into their contractual
relationship. Jepson, 513 N.W.2d at 471.
The Westfield policy was issued to a Minnesota resident, providing insurance coverage
for his Minnesota home and four personal vehicles that were registered in Minnesota. The
premiums charged for this coverage were calculated based on Minnesota rates, and the policy
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provided coverage mandated by Minnesota law. The Westfield policy also clearly excluded, to
the extent possible, any coverage for employment-based liabilities.4
The Hartford and Travelers policies were issued to a Massachusetts-based employer,
Rheinzink, and provided coverage mandated by Massachusetts law with premiums calculated at
Massachusetts rates. Rheinzink is a national corporation, with representatives located all across
the United States. The Hartford policy provided commercial general liability coverage, and the
Travelers policy provided commercial automobile coverage. Because Hartford and Travelers
were insuring a national corporation, and providing liability coverage for the acts of numerous
Rheinzink employees located across the country, it would have been predictable that the Hartford
and Travelers policies would be governed by the laws of an employee’s home state, such as
Minnesota. See Bd. of Regents of the Univ. of Minn. v. Royal Ins. Co. of Am., 503 N.W.2d 486
(Minn. Ct. App. 1993), (stating that where insurance policies were issued to New York
corporations that did business in all fifty states, it was predictable that the laws of other states
would apply), rev’d in part on other grounds, 517 N.W.2d 888 (1994). It was not as predictable,
however, that the Westfield policy, covering an individual resident’s home and personal
vehicles, and excluding coverage for business-related activities, would be governed by the state
laws of the insured’s employer. Thus, this factor weighs in favor of applying Minnesota law.
2. Maintenance of Interstate and International Order
In analyzing this factor, the Court is “primarily concerned with whether the application of
Minnesota law would manifest disrespect for [another state’s] sovereignty or impede the
interstate movement of people and goods.” Jepson, 513 N.W.2d at 471. “An aspect of this
4
The Westfield policy excludes personal liability coverage arising out of or in connection
with business activities, as well as for auto liability incurred while using a vehicle while engaged
in any business. Consistent with Minnesota’s No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act, Minn. Stat.
§§ 65B.41-.71, the policy provides an exception to the exclusion for the use of rental vehicles.
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concern is to maintain a coherent legal system in which the courts of different states strive to
sustain, rather than subvert, each other’s interests in areas where their own interests are less
strong.” Id. Consideration of this factor is largely intended to reduce opportunities for forum
shopping, and prevent people “who purposefully seek advantages offered by other state . . . to
avoid the burdens associated with their choice.” Id. In analyzing this factor, the Court “looks at
the contacts the state has with the issues being litigated and the risk of encouraging forum
shopping by applying that state’s law.” Nw. Airlines, Inc. v. Astraea Aviation Servs., Inc., 111
F.3d 1386, 1394 (8th Cir. 1997).
There is no indication that Plaintiffs engaged in forum shopping when bringing suit in
Minnesota. In fact, application of Minnesota law, rather than Massachusetts or Nevada law, may
very well require Westfield to pay more than its pro-rata share of liability coverage, if it is
determined that Westfield provides primary coverage for this incident (as both Defendants
assert). Wohlert is a Minnesota resident, and his insurance policy with Westfield was negotiated
in Minnesota and based on Minnesota coverage requirements and prices. There is nothing to
suggest to this Court that Plaintiffs’ choice of forum was an attempt to seek Minnesota benefits
while burdening the insurance system of other states. The issue being litigated is the priority of
coverage between three different insurance policies, concerning an accident caused by a
Minnesota resident while working for a Massachusetts-based employer. One of the insurance
policies originated from and related to Minnesota, the other two had more significant contacts
with Massachusetts. Overall, the Court cannot conclude that there are stronger contacts with
either one of those two states, and so this factor remains neutral.
3. Simplification of the Judicial Task
This factor has little relevance here, whether the Court is “capable of determining,
interpreting, and applying either the law of [Massachusetts] or the law of Minnesota.” Nesladek,
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46 F.3d at 739; see also Jepson, 513 N.W.2d at 472 (stating that “simplification of the judicial
task[] is not a significant factor” where “the law of either state could be applied without
difficulty”). The Minnesota Court of Appeals, however, has stated that while the court is “fully
capable of administering the law of another forum if called upon to do so,” this factor is
“[n]evertheless . . . obviously advanced when a Minnesota court applies Minnesota law.”
Gimmestad v. Gimmestad, 451 N.W.2d 662, 666 (Minn. Ct. App. 1990); see also Medtronic, Inc.
v. Advanced Bionics Corp., 630 N.W.2d 438, 455 (Minn. Ct. App. 2001). This factor therefore
perhaps slightly favors the application of Minnesota law, but it is not a significant factor in this
Court’s consideration.
4. Advancement of the Forum’s Governmental Interest
This factor examines “which choice of law most advances a significant interest of the
forum.” Jepson, 513 N.W.2d at 472. “This factor is designed to ensure that Minnesota courts do
not have to apply rules of law that are ‘inconsistent with Minnesota’s concept of fairness and
equity.’” Schumacher v. Schumacher, 676 N.W.2d 685, 691 (Minn. Ct. App. 2004) (quoting
Medtronic, 630 N.W.2d at 455).
There is a strong interest in people “get[ting] the benefit of the contracts they enter into.”
Jepson, 513 N.W.2d at 472. Wohlert is a Minnesota resident and insured under a Minnesota
insurance policy with Westfield, and so there is an interest in seeing that Wohlert and Westfield
get the benefit of their contract. Hartford and Travelers, however, issued an insurance policy to a
Massachusetts-based entity, and so there is also an interest in allowing them to receive the
benefit of the contracts they entered into. Massachusetts, however, has adopted an approach
under which insurance policies containing conflicting excess insurance clauses “are mutually
repugnant and both insurers must contribute to the loss.” Mission Ins. Co. v. U.S. Fire Ins. Co.,
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517 N.E.2d 463, 467 (Mass. 1988). Minnesota courts, on the other hand, have consistently and
explicitly rejected that approach, favoring a “more complex” approach that considers the total
policy insuring intent and examines how closely each policy contemplated the risk insured
against. Integrity Mut. Ins. Co. v. State Auto. & Cas. Underwriters Ins. Co., 239 N.W.2d 445,
446-47 (Minn. 1976). Minnesota courts have viewed this latter approach as the more fair
method of determining priority of insurance coverage, and application of Massachusetts’
formulaic rule would be inconsistent with Minnesota’s well-established concept of fairness in
dealing with conflicting “other insurance” clauses. See Gimmestad, 451 N.W. at 666 (“[T]he
concern is that ‘Minnesota courts not be called upon to determine issues under rules, which,
however accepted they may be in other states, are inconsistent with our own concept of fairness
and equity.’” (citation omitted)). This factor therefore favors the application of Minnesota law.
5. Application of the Better Rule of Law
The better rule of law is the “rule that made ‘good socio-economic sense for the time
when the court speaks.’” Jepson, 513 N.W.2d at 473 (citation omitted). The Court should only
reach this fifth factor “when the choice-of-law question remains unresolved after the other
factors are considered.” Medtronic, 630 N.W.2d at 455. Because the other factors weigh in
favor of application of Minnesota law, the Court will not address this final factor.
In sum, the Court concludes that Minnesota law applies to this dispute.
B. Priority of Insurance
All three insurers agree that they each insure Wohlert against the Nevada accident. But
each of the insurance policies contains an “other insurance” clause, declaring its coverage to be
excess to any other applicable coverage. “When it is clear that two or more companies are
among themselves liable to the insured for his loss but the apportionment among the companies
14
cannot be made without violating the other insurance clause of at least one company, then the
courts must look outside the policies for rules of apportionment.” Integrity, 239 N.W.2d at 446.
“[P]riority among insurance policies is . . . to be determined by . . . an analysis of the function
and intent of the policies.” Cargill, Inc. v. Evanston Ins. Co., 642 N.W.2d 80, 88 (Minn. Ct. App.
2002). “Minnesota has used two tests for this purpose: the ‘closest-to-the-risk’ test . . . and the
‘total-policy-insuring-intent’ test.” Id.
The “total policy insuring intent” test “‘applies when the policies were intended to cover
risks different in kind and in size’ and is considered ‘broader’ than the three-part analysis” of the
“closest-to-the-risk” test. N. Star Mut. Ins. Co. v. Midwest Family Mut. Ins. Co., 634 N.W.2d
216, 223 (Minn. Ct. App. 2001) (citation omitted). Because the Westfield policy is a personal
home and automobile policy, the Travelers policy is a commercial automobile policy, and the
Hartford policy is a commercial general liability policy, the three policies cover “risks different
in kind and in size” and so the “total policy insuring intent” test is the more appropriate test to
use under these circumstances. Under the “total policy insuring intent” test, the court
“allocate[s] respective policy coverages in light of the total policy insuring intent, as determined
by the primary policy risks upon which each policy’s premiums were based and as determined
by the primary function of each policy.” Integrity, 239 N.W.2d at 446. If the court determines
that the insurers “are concurrently liable, each must pay a pro rata share of the entire loss.” Id. at
447. But “if one insurer is primarily liable and the other only secondarily, the primary insurer
must pay up to its limit of liability, and then the secondary insurer must pay for any excess up to
its own limit of liability.” Id.
All three policies clearly intended to cover risks related to the use of rental vehicles. The
Hartford and Travelers policies, however, specifically intended to cover risks related to an
15
employee’s use of a rental vehicle during the course of business. Each of those policies
contained a specific endorsement providing coverage for a Rheinzink employee’s use of a rental
vehicle, either “on [Rheinzink’s] behalf and at [Rheinzink’s] direction,” in the case of the
Hartford policy, or “while performing duties related to the conduct of [Rheinzink’s] business,” in
the case of the Travelers policy. Each of those policies also charged a separate premium for that
specific coverage—Hartford charged a premium of $233 for the endorsement, and Travelers
charged a premium of $32 for the endorsement. These two policies most closely contemplated
the risk of the very event that ultimately transpired in this case—an accident involving a
Rheinzink employee’s use of a rental vehicle while performing Rheinzink business. It was this
risk upon which the additional premiums were based, and which was specifically addressed by
the endorsements to the policies.
In contrast, the Westfield policy, which is a personal home and automobile insurance
policy, clearly intended not to cover employment-related risks, to the full extent permitted by
law. As explained above, the Westfield policy excludes personal liability coverage arising out of
or in connection with business activities, as well as for automobile liability incurred while using
a vehicle while engaged in any business. Minnesota insurance law, however, requires that
Minnesota automobile insurers provide coverage for rental vehicles, and so the Westfield policy
provides an exception to the business exclusion for the use of rental vehicles. But even the
Minnesota statute governing insurers of rental vehicles provides that “[i]f the person renting the
motor vehicle is also covered by the person’s employer’s insurance policy . . . the reparation
obligor under the employer’s policy . . . has primary responsibility to pay claims arising from use
of the rented vehicle.” Minn. Stat. § 65B.49, subdiv. 5a(d). While this statute is not directly
enforceable against the Hartford and Travelers policies, see State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v.
16
Great West Cas. Co., 623 N.W.2d 894, 898-99 (Minn. 2001), it does bolster Westfield’s position
that the function of its policy was not to provide coverage for employment-related activities.
Rather, the Westfield policy was drafted in light of Minnesota law providing that where possible,
an employer’s applicable policy or policies would provide primary coverage for an incident
involving the use of a rental vehicle during the course of business. See also Turner v. Mut. Serv.
Cas. Ins. Co., 663 N.W.2d 36, 41 (Minn. Ct. App. 2003) (“[I]f . . . an employer’s policy provides
coverage for claims arising from the use of rental vehicles, that coverage is primary.”).
In sum, upon examining “the primary policy risks upon which each policy’s premiums
were based” and “the primary function of each policy,” the Court concludes that the Westfield
policy is the policy least intended to cover the type of risk involved in this case. The remaining
question is therefore the priority of coverage between the Hartford and Travelers policies.
The Hartford policy is a commercial general liability policy, intended to cover many
types of business risks. It generally excludes coverage for bodily injury or property damage
arising out of the use of any automobile, but under the “Hired Auto and Non-Owned Auto”
Endorsement, creates an exception to the exclusion for hired and non-owned autos. The
Travelers policy is a commercial automobile policy, primarily intended to cover risks related to
automobile accidents occurring during the course of business, and it, too, included an
endorsement for autos hired or rented by employees. This case involves an automobile accident
that occurred during the course of business. When the insurance policies are examined as a
whole, coverage of this type of risk was the primary function of the Travelers commercial
automobile policy. The Hartford policy, in contrast, provided general business liability
coverage, and only provided very limited coverage for liability arising from automobile
accidents.
17
Thus, the total policy insuring intent test favors a finding that the Travelers policy
provides primary coverage, with the Hartford policy providing secondary coverage, and the
Westfield policy providing tertiary coverage. See, e.g., Redeemer Covenant Church of Brooklyn
Park v. Church Mut. Ins. Co., 567 N.W.2d 71, 80 (Minn. Ct. App. 1997) (holding that in a claim
against a church for negligent supervision of a pastor, the pastoral professional liability policy
was primary and the commercial general liability policies were secondary, because the
professional liability policies “were designed to meet the type of liability to which [the church]
was exposed as a result of [the pastor]’s activities, while the CGL policies covered that liability
only incidentally”); N. Star Mut. Ins. Co., 634 N.W.2d at 224 (concluding that a farm policy that
provided general insurance coverage for bodily injuries and excluded almost all liability arising
from the maintenance of a motorized vehicle was excess to a vehicle policy which covered most
such liability, when the claim involved injury caused during the replacement of a tire).
C. Date Upon Which Travelers’ Duty to Defend Was Triggered
A “tender of defense” triggers an insurer’s duty to defend. Home Ins. Co. v. Nat’l Union
Fire Ins. of Pittsburgh, 658 N.W.2d 522, 531 (Minn. 2003). The tender is complete when an
insured gives the insurer both notice of a claim and the opportunity to defend. Id. It is
undisputed that Travelers was not notified of the Southam accident and litigation until April
2012. At that time, the litigation in Nevada was still ongoing and Travelers had the opportunity
to provide a defense if it so desired.5 Therefore, Travelers’ duty to defend was not triggered until
5
According to the parties, as of the March 7, 2013 hearing on these motions, the Southam
litigation was still ongoing. Travelers contends that it was not provided with an opportunity to
defend until it was served with the Amended Complaint in this action on July 5, 2012. Travelers
admits, however, that in June 2012, prior to receiving the Amended Complaint, Travelers offered
to share in the defense of the Southam litigation with Hartford. See Travelers’ Answers to Pl.’s
Interrog. 2b. Thus, Travelers was clearly aware before July 5 that it had the opportunity to
provide a defense in the Southam litigation. The Court therefore rejects Travelers’ argument that
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April 2012. Because no specific date in April was provided to the Court, the Court concludes
that Travelers’ duty was triggered on April 30, 2012. Prior to that date, Hartford had the primary
responsibility of providing Wohlert’s defense, and Westfield’s duty to defend was secondary.
Hartford and Travelers are required to reimburse Westfield for the defense fees and costs it
incurred, in accordance with the dates and insurance priority as set forth in this order.
III.
CONCLUSION
Based on the files, records, and proceedings herein, and for the reasons stated above, IT
IS ORDERED THAT:
1. Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment [Docket No. 37] is GRANTED.
2. Defendant Traveler’s Motion for Summary Judgment [Docket No. 50] is DENIED.
3. Defendant Hartford’s Motion for Summary Judgment [Docket No. 57] is DENIED.
4. The Court declares that the Travelers policy provides primary coverage for Wohlert,
the Hartford policy provides secondary coverage, and the Westfield policy provides
tertiary coverage. The Westfield policy is therefore excess to both the Hartford and
Travelers policies. The Court further declares that Travelers’ duty to defend was
triggered on April 30, 2012. Prior to that date, Hartford bore the primary
responsibility for Wohlert’s defense.
5. Travelers and Hartford must reimburse Westfield any indemnity payments and
defense fees and costs incurred, in accordance with the order of priority as set forth in
this order.
LET JUDGMENT BE ENTERED ACCORDINGLY.
Dated: March 27, 2013
s/ Joan N. Ericksen
JOAN N. ERICKSEN
United States District Judge
its duty to defend was not triggered until July 5, 2012, as it had been provided with notice and an
opportunity to defend in April 2012.
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