Opinion ID: 2443511
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Banaszak's Motorcycle Accident and Subsequent Litigation

Text: On May 26, 2007, an underinsured motorist failed to stop at a red light and struck Banaszak. Banaszak's damages resulting from the accident exceed the $100,000 liability limits of his Progressive Direct Policy and surpass the tortfeasor's minimum amount of coverage. Banaszak filed this action seeking to reform his insurance policy to increase his UM/UIM coverage up to the limits of his $100,000 liability or BI coverage. Banaszak and Progressive filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The trial judge ruled that further discovery was necessary, and denied both motions with leave to refile for summary judgment at the conclusion of discovery. Specifically, the trial judge requested that Progressive track down the initial electronic communications between Banaszak and Progressive. In the second round of summary judgment motions, Progressive renewed its motion for summary judgment while Banaszak filed his own motion seeking relief. Although Progressive was unable to find the online communications, it provided an audiotape of the conversation between the Progressive agent and Banaszak on July 1, 2005. After reviewing a transcript of the conversation, the trial judge ruled that Progressive did not clearly explain that uninsured coverage would be provided to Banaszak, unless rejected in writing. The trial judge granted Banaszak's motion in part and allowed Banaszak to reform his policy to reflect the minimum uninsured motorist coverage of $15,000. Both parties agree that there are no genuine issues of material fact. [1]