Case ID: so2d_622/html/0342-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "ROBERTSON, Presiding Judge. RUSSELL, Judge", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNIVERSAL UNDERWRITERS INSURANCE COMPANY v. William BURROWS, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, and Andrea Bell Wilson.
    2900542.
    Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama.
    Jan. 10, 1992.
    Rehearing Denied Feb. 7, 1992.
    Certiorari Quashed June 11, 1993 Alabama Supreme Court 1910808.
    Bibb Allen and Rhonda K. Pitts of Rives & Peterson, Birmingham, for appellant.
    Joel W. Ramsey of Ramsey, Baxley, McDougle & Collier, Dothan, for appellee.
   ROBERTSON, Presiding Judge.

This is an appeal from a declaratory judgment in favor of William Burrows, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, and Andrea Bell Wilson. Universal Underwriters Insurance Co. (Universal) filed a declaratory judgment request, seeking a ruling on its obligation under an automobile dealership garage liability policy. Universal appeals.

The parties stipulated to the following facts: On March 3, 1988, Andrea Wilson, while driving a 1984 Mazda owned by Smith Tri-State Motors Inc. (Tri-State), was involved in an automobile accident with William Burrows. Tri-State gave Wilson permission to use the vehicle while her automobile was having warranty repairs made. At the time of the accident TriState had in effect an insurance policy issued by Universal.

The sole issue on appeal is whether Andrea Wilson is an insured under the policy of insurance issued by Universal to TriState as a permissive user.

Our supreme court addressed this issue in Wiggins v. Universal Underwriters Ins. Co., 539 So.2d 144 (Ala.1988), and held that the driver in that case was “driving the vehicle in question with the permission of Billy Wiggins Ford, Inc.” and, therefore, was an insured under the policy of insurance issued by Universal to Billy Wiggins Ford, Inc.

The decisions of the supreme court govern the holdings and decisions of this court. Ala.Code § 12-3-16 (1975).

Consequently, on the authority of Wiggins, we hold that Wilson was an insured under the policy of insurance issued by Universal to Tri-State and that the trial court is due to be affirmed.

AFFIRMED.

THIGPEN, J., concurs.

RUSSELL, J., concurs specially.

RUSSELL, Judge

(concurring specially).

I concur with the majority holding that Wilson was an insured under the policy of insurance issued by Universal to Tri-State and that on the authority of Wiggins, 539 So.2d 144, the judgment of the trial court is due to be affirmed. However, I would further add that this finding is based on the language in the subject insurance policy, which is identical to that quoted in Wiggins.

The policy provides as follows:

“WHO IS AN INSURED — ....
“With respect to the AUTO HAZARD:
“1. YOU;
“2. Any of YOUR partners, paid employees, directors, stockholders, executive officers, a member of their household or a member of YOUR household, while using an AUTO covered by this Coverage Part, or when legally responsible for its use. The actual use of the AUTO must be by YOU or within the scope of YOUR permission.”

(Emphasis supplied.)

Because Wilson was driving the vehicle with the permission of Tri-State, Wilson is an insured under the policy.