NO. 5-00-0308

	IN THE

	APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

	FIFTH DISTRICT

________________________________________________________________________

BRENDA ROTH, Independent						)  Appeal from the

Administrator of the Estate of						)  Circuit Court of

Angela Roth, Deceased,								)  St. Clair County.

														)		

     Plaintiff-Appellee,								)

														)

v.														)  No. 99-MR-285

														)

ILLINOIS FARMERS INSURANCE				)

COMPANY,											)  Honorable

														)  John M. Goodwin, Jr.,

     Defendant-Appellant.								)  Judge, presiding.

________________________________________________________________________

	PRESIDING JUSTICE CHAPMAN delivered the opinion of the court:

	This is an appeal from an order granting a motion for summary judgment in a

declaratory judgment action brought to adjudicate the meaning of the language contained

within an insurance policy of Illinois Farmers Insurance Company (defendant).  The trial

court found the underinsured-motorist clause in defendant's insurance policy ambiguous and

awarded the plaintiff $200,000.  The only issue in this dispute between the parties is whether

the $100,000 per-person limit or the $300,000 per-occurrence limit of the underinsured-

motorist coverage applies to the plaintiff's claims.  We affirm.

	I. FACTS

	Angela Roth died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.  Angela

was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Ryan Gebke.  The accident occurred as a result of an

apparent drag race instigated by the driver of the other vehicle, Darin Diesen.  Darin Diesen

was at fault and was an underinsured motorist.  At the time of the accident, the decedent,

Angela Roth, was a 17-year-old minor and resided with her parents and eight brothers and sisters.  

	Defendant had issued an automobile insurance policy to Angela's parents.  That

policy provided coverage for Angela's injuries and subsequent death.  The policy provided

coverage for insured persons, including the policyholder or any family member.  The terms

of the policy include both uninsured- and underinsured-motorist coverage.  The parties

agreed that Angela Roth was covered under the policy, and they stipulated to the terms of

that policy.  The limits-of-liability clauses that are the source of contention between the

parties provide as follows: 

	"The amounts shown in the Declarations are the limits of liability for Uninsured

Motorist [sic] which apply subject to the following:

	1.  The uninsured1 motorist bodily injury limit for 'each person' is the maximum we will pay for all damages resulting from bodily injury sustained by one person in any one accident or occurrence.  Included in this limit, but not as a separate claim or claims, are all the consequential damages sustained by other persons, such as loss of services, loss of support, loss of consortium, wrongful death, grief, sorrow[,] and

emotional distress.

	2.  The uninsured motorist bodily injury limit for 'each occurrence' is the maximum amount we will pay for two or more persons for bodily injury sustained in any one accident or occurrence."  (Emphasis in original.)

The terms of the underinsured-motorist benefits include $100,000 per person and $300,000

per occurrence.  The parties stipulated that the total damages sustained by Angela Roth and

the next of kin of Angela Roth under the Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/0.01 et seq. (West 1998)) exceed $300,000. 

	In settlement of the claims against him, Darin Diesen's liability carrier tendered the

sum of $20,000, which represented Diesen's liability limits.  Defendant has paid the plaintiff

$80,000, which represents the difference between the per-person limit and the $20,000

received on behalf of Darin Diesen.    

	The independent administrator of the estate of Angela Roth, Brenda Roth (plaintiff),

made multiple claims under defendant's underinsured-motorist coverage, including a claim

under the Survival Act (755 ILCS 5/27-6 (West 1998)) for Angela's injuries sustained prior

to her death and claims of Angela's next of kin under the Wrongful Death Act.  Plaintiff first

argued that the policy required defendant to pay the $300,000 per-occurrence limit for the

claims since they were for two or more persons for "bodily injury" as defined in the policy. 

Alternatively, plaintiff argued that the terms and definitions in the underinsured-motorist-

coverage section were latently and patently ambiguous.  Defendant argued that the $100,000

per-person limit applied because all claims arising out of Angela's injury and subsequent

death should be considered one claim.  

	Plaintiff and defendant filed cross-motions for summary judgment.  The trial court

granted plaintiff's motion because it found defendant's underinsured-motorist clause 

ambiguous.  The court denied defendant's motion for summary judgment.  The trial court

entered judgment for plaintiff in the amount of $200,000, which represents the difference

between the stipulated amounts paid by defendant and the $300,000 per-occurrence policy

limit.

	II. ANALYSIS

	Plaintiff and defendant agree that claims arising out of the injury to, and death of,

Angela Roth are covered by the underinsured-motorist portion of defendant's policy. 

However, the parties disagree as to whether plaintiff's claims are subject to the per-person

limit of $100,000 or the per-occurrence limit of $300,000.  Plaintiff argues that the terms of

the policy clearly place her claims within the per-occurrence limit.  Alternatively, plaintiff

argues that the wording of the policy is ambiguous as to whether the separate claims arising

out of the injury to, and death of, Angela Roth are subject to the per-occurrence limit or the

per-person limit.

	The construction of an insurance policy is a question of law subject to de novo review.  McKinney v. Allstate Insurance Co., 188 Ill. 2d 493, 722 N.E.2d 1125 (1999).  Our primary objective in construing the language of a policy is to ascertain and give effect to the

intentions of the parties as expressed in their agreement.  American States Insurance Co. v. Koloms, 177 Ill. 2d 473, 479, 687 N.E.2d 72, 75 (1997).  If the terms of the policy are clear and unambiguous, they must be given their plain and ordinary meaning.  Outboard Marine Corp. v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 154 Ill. 2d 90, 108, 607 N.E.2d 1204, 1212 (1992).  However, if the terms are susceptible to more than one meaning, they are considered

ambiguous and will be construed strictly against the insurer, which drafted the policy. Koloms, 177 Ill. 2d at 479, 687 N.E.2d at 75 (1997).  Courts will not strain to find an ambiguity in an insurance policy where none exists.  United States Fire Insurance Co. v. Schnackenberg, 88 Ill. 2d 1, 5, 429 N.E.2d 1203, 1205 (1981).

	Plaintiff contends that the per-occurrence limit of the underinsured-motorist coverage

is triggered by her claims for Angela's personal injuries under the Survival Act and the

separate claim of Angela's parents and siblings under the Wrongful Death Act for the loss

occasioned by Angela's death.  Plaintiff argues these are two different claims that trigger the per-occurrence limit of the underinsured-motorist coverage because they are claims for

bodily injury "for two or more persons."  

	Plaintiff focuses on the definition of "bodily injury" provided in the policy as support

for her reading of the per-occurrence limitation.  Bodily injury is defined in the policy as

meaning "injury to the body, sickness, disease[,] or death of any person."  Thus, plaintiff

argues that the per-occurrence limit applies anytime two or more persons have a claim for

injury to the body or death of "any person" sustained in any one accident.  Plaintiff contends

that because there are two separate claims, one by Angela's estate for injuries sustained by

Angela in the accident and one by Angela's parents and siblings for her wrongful death,

there are two or more persons who have a claim for injury to the body, and death, of any

person.  Finally, plaintiff argues, because the insurance policy does not make its per-

occurrence limit subject to the terms of the per-person limit, it is not necessary to interpret

the per-occurrence coverage with reference to the terms of the per-person coverage.

	Defendant argues that the per-occurrence limit should never be reached because of

the terms and definitions of the per-person clause and that, therefore, any supposed

ambiguity in the per-occurrence limit is irrelevant.  Defendant argues that the per-person

limitation includes the consequential damages sustained by other persons, such as loss of

services, loss of support, loss of consortium, wrongful death, grief, sorrow, and emotional

distress.  Defendant argues that such language has been held by the Illinois Supreme Court

to mean that only one person was injured and that such language is unambiguous.  See  McKinney v. Allstate Insurance Co., 188 Ill. 2d 493, 722 N.E.2d 1125 (1999).  Defendant notes that in McKinney the court examined language restricting the per-person limits to include damages sustained by anyone else as a result of that bodily injury and held that such

language unambiguously limited all claims to the single per-person limit. 

	Defendant's reliance on McKinney is misplaced.  Although in McKinney the Illinois Supreme Court did address an insurance policy's per-person limit and its effect on the

plaintiff's survival claim and wrongful-death claims, the language of the insurance policy

in that case is not the language of the insurance policy at bar.  The language of the limits-of-

liability clauses at issue in McKinney provided as follows:

	"1.  'each person' is the maximum that we will pay for damages arising out of  bodily

injury to one person in any one motor vehicle accident, including damages sustained

by anyone else as a result of that bodily injury.

	2.  'each accident' is the maximum we will pay for damages arising out of bodily

injury to two or more persons in any one motor vehicle accident.  This limit is subject

to the limit for 'each person.' "  McKinney, 188 Ill. 2d at 495, 722 N.E.2d at 1126.

The limits-of-liability clauses of defendant's policy provide as follows:

	"1.  The uninsured motorist bodily injury limit for 'each person' is the maximum we

will pay for all damages resulting from bodily injury sustained by one person in any

one accident or occurrence.  Included in this limit, but not as a separate claim or

claims, are all the consequential damages sustained by other persons, such as loss of

services, loss of support, loss of consortium, wrongful death, grief, sorrow[,] and

emotional distress.

	2.  The uninsured motorist bodily injury limit for 'each occurrence' is the maximum

amount we will pay for two or more persons for bodily injury sustained in any one

accident or occurrence."  (Emphasis omitted.)

The language at issue in McKinney is significantly different than the language in defendant's policy.  Defendant's use of the word "for" in its per-occurrence clause and Allstate's use of

the word "to" in the per-occurrence clause at issue in McKinney is a significant difference in the use of language that gives different meaning and effect to each clause.  When

defendant's definition of bodily injury is included in the per-occurrence clause, the clause provides benefits "for" two or more persons "for" injury or death of "any person."  In

McKinney, Allstate's use of the word "to" in its per-occurrence limitation resulted in an interpretation of the policy that provided payment for bodily injury "to" two or more persons

injured in any one accident.

	When defendant's policy is examined as a whole, it is possible for plaintiff's claims

to fit into either the per-person clause or the per-occurrence clause as each is applicable to

the separate claims asserted.  It is clear that the language "the maximum amount we will pay for two or more persons for bodily injury sustained in any one accident or occurrence" (emphasis added; original emphasis omitted) is applicable to the separate claims asserted by

plaintiff.  The survival claim asserted by Angela Roth's estate for Angela's predeath injuries

and the wrongful-death claim asserted by her parents and siblings for Angela's resulting

death qualify under the terms as two or more persons seeking payment for bodily injury

(injury to the body of Angela Roth and the death of Angela Roth) sustained in any one

accident.  

	Defendant contends that the per-occurrence clause should not be read in isolation; 

rather, it asks that we read the entire policy as a whole.  However, defendant also contends

that we should not reach the issue of the interpretation of the per-occurrence clause because

it need not be reached after a proper examination of the per-person clause.  We are not to

read the provisions of an insurance policy in isolation, but we are required to read the

provisions of a contract in light of each other to determine whether an ambiguity exists.

Douglas v. Allied American Insurance, 312 Ill. App. 3d 535, 727 N.E.2d 376 (2000).  Insurance policy provisions should be read in context, not in isolation.  Economy Preferred Insurance Co. v. Ingold, 302 Ill. App. 3d 360, 707 N.E.2d 983 (1998).  

	In examining defendant's policy as a whole and the relation of its provisions to each

other, we think it significant that the per-occurrence clause in defendant's policy did not expressly make its underinsured-motorist coverage subject to the per-person limit, although

in the bodily injury liability portion of its policy, the per-occurrence clause is subject to the

per-person limit.  The presence of such language in one provision and its absence in another

provision within the same policy is significant in that it suggests an intention by the drafter

to provide broader coverage in those situations where the language is absent.  The absence

of such language serves to distinguish McKinney, because the language in the Allstate policy in McKinney made the "each accident" limitation expressly subject to the limit for "each person."

	Defendant argues that because the per-person clause defines the coverage, there is no

ambiguity.  We disagree.  Because we find that both the per-person clause and the per- occurrence clause define coverage applicable to the claims asserted by plaintiff, the policy

is ambiguous.  Defendant would require the reader of the policy, particularly upon reading

the "Limits of Coverage" section of the policy, to stop at the first clause of that section and

not proceed to number two, the next clause of the same section, simply because number one

is applicable.  However, the second clause, number two under the same section, also applies

to the claims asserted in this case.  It is unreasonable to ask the reader of an insurance policy

to stop reading at the first instance of coverage and to deny any subsequent provisions of

coverage that may also apply.  This is particularly so when neither clause indicates that the

application of one demands that the other be forfeited.  Where one provision, when read

with others, becomes ambiguous, the contract must be construed to favor the insured. 

McDonald v. Prudential Property & Casualty Co., 304 Ill. App. 3d 422, 710 N.E.2d 556 (1999).

	III. CONCLUSION

	Both the per-person clause and per-occurrence clause in the insurance policy's limits

of coverage apply to the claims asserted by plaintiff.  Because neither clause provides that the application of one excludes the application of the other, the result is confusion to an

insured whose claims fall within both, and the policy is ambiguous.  Ambiguous terms in

an insurance policy generally are construed strictly against the drafter of the policy and in

favor of coverage, because the insurer is the drafter of the policy and could have drafted the

ambiguous provision clearly and specifically.  Smith v. Allstate Insurance Co., 312 Ill. App. 3d 246, 726 N.E.2d 1 (1999).  

	For the foregoing reasons, we find defendant's insurance policy ambiguous, and we

affirm the judgment of the circuit court.  

	Affirmed.

	WELCH and HOPKINS, JJ., concur.

                                     	NO. 5-00-0308

	IN THE

	APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

	FIFTH DISTRICT

___________________________________________________________________________________

BRENDA ROTH, Independent			)  Appeal from the

Administrator of the Estate of			)  Circuit Court of

Angela Roth, Deceased,				)  St. Clair County.

							)	

     Plaintiff-Appellee,				)

							)

v.							)  No. 99-MR-285

							)

ILLINOIS FARMERS INSURANCE		)

COMPANY,						)  Honorable

							)  John M. Goodwin, Jr.,

     Defendant-Appellant.				)  Judge, presiding.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Opinion Filed:		August 7, 2001	

___________________________________________________________________________________

Justices:	Honorable Charles W. Chapman, P.J.

	Honorable Thomas M. Welch, J., and

	Honorable Terrence J. Hopkins, J.,

	Concur

___________________________________________________________________________________

Attorney	David C. Knieriem, Law Offices of Morgan & Associates, 600 Emerson Road, Suite

for	107, St. Louis, MO 63141-6762

Appellant	

___________________________________________________________________________________

Attorney	Joanne T. Stevenson, Law Offices of Lackey & Lackey, P.C., 331 E. Broadway,

for	P.O. Box 808, Centralia, IL 62801

Appellee	

___________________________________________________________________________________