Case Title: Travelers Indemnity Co. of America v. Deguise

Citation: 180 Vt. 214, 2006 VT 87, 914 A.2d 499

Docket Number: 

State: vermont

Court: Vermont Supreme Court

Date: 2006-08-18T00:00:00Z

Document:
The Travelers Indemnity Co. of America v. Deguise (2005-353); 180 Vt. 214; 914 A.2d 499

2006 VT 87

[Filed 18-Aug-2006]


       NOTICE:  This opinion is subject to motions for reargument under
  V.R.A.P. 40 as well as formal revision before publication in the Vermont
  Reports.  Readers are requested to notify the Reporter of Decisions,
  Vermont Supreme Court, 109 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05609-0801 of
  any errors in order that corrections may be made before this opinion goes
  to press.


                                 2006 VT 87

                                No. 2005-353


  The Travelers Indemnity                        Supreme Court
  Company of America
                                                 On Appeal from
       v.                                        Chittenden Superior Court


  Bruce Deguise and Kristy Deguise               December Term, 2005


  Richard W. Norton, J.

  A. Jeffry Taylor, Abatiell Asociates, P.C., Rutland, for
    Plaintiff-Appellee.

  Paul R. Morwood, South Burlington, for Defendants-Appellants.


  PRESENT:  Reiber, C.J., Dooley, Johnson, Skoglund and Burgess, JJ.

       ¶  1.  BURGESS, J.   In this subrogation action, plaintiff
  ("insurer") seeks to recover from defendants ("tenants") the amount it paid
  under its fire insurance policy with tenants' landlord as a result of a
  fire in tenants' apartment.  The superior court granted summary judgment in
  favor of insurer, denied tenants' cross-motion for summary judgment,
  and-because tenants' negligence and the amount of damages were
  uncontested-entered judgment for insurer.  Tenants argue on appeal that the
  superior court erred in concluding they were not implied coinsureds under
  landlord's insurance policy.  We affirm.
   
       ¶  2.  We review the trial court's grant of summary judgment de
  novo, applying the same standard as the trial court.  Hardwick Recycling &
  Salvage, Inc. v. Acadia Ins. Co., 2004 VT 124, ¶ 14, 177 Vt. 421,