Opinion ID: 2623504
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Calhouns' Estoppel Argument

Text: ¶ 33 The Calhouns further argue that even if the Progressive policy satisfies Utah's minimum statutory automobile insurance requirements and properly excludes coverage for John's use of his father's Jeep, Progressive should be estopped from denying liability coverage based on the purported representations of Jason Curry, the insurance agent who procured the Progressive policy, that the policy would cover all vehicles that John drove, including the Jeep. The Calhouns base their estoppel argument on the contention that Mr. Curry was an agent for Progressive. However, the only argument the Calhouns provide in support of their agency claim is the bald assertion that Progressive does not dispute that Mr. Curry was its agent, an assertion that was clearly disputed by Progressive before the district court as well as on appeal. ¶ 34 Generally, the issue of whether an individual is an agent is a question of fact. See Valcarce v. Fitzgerald, 961 P.2d 305, 314 (Utah 1998). However, where there are no disputed issues of fact, we determine whether an individual is an agent as a matter of law. Larsen v. Christensen, 21 Utah 2d 219, 220-21, 443 P.2d 402, 403 (1968); see also Mecham v. Consol. Oil & Transp., Inc., 2002 UT App 251, ¶ 8, 53 P.3d 479. Because the Calhouns have failed to adequately brief why the district court erred, as a matter of law, in determining that, based on the undisputed facts, Mr. Curry was not a Progressive agent, we decline to address the issue. See Smith v. Four Corners Mental Health Ctr., Inc., 2003 UT 23, ¶ 46, 70 P.3d 904. ¶ 35 In sum, we conclude that Progressive is under no obligation to insure John's accident involving his father's Jeep. By its terms, the Progressive policy is an owner's policy that provides additional operator's coverage. Because the policy complies with the minimum statutory requirements of an owner's policy and unmistakably limits the additional operator's coverage it provides, the district court correctly granted summary judgment in favor of Progressive on the basis that the Progressive policy's owned vehicle exclusion precluded it from liability for the accident in this case.