Opinion ID: 2402309
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Interpretation of the Insurance Policy Language

Text: Mr. DeHaan's insurance policy includes the required uninsured motorist coverage under § 19-509. We have previously delineated the analysis of insurance policies: In Sullins v. Allstate Ins. Co., 340 Md. 503, 667 A.2d 617 (1995), we summarized the rules for interpretation of insurance policies that apply here. There we said: `In Maryland, insurance policies, like other contracts, are construed as a whole to determine the parties' intentions. Cheney v. Bell National Life [Ins. Co.], 315 Md. 761, 766-67, 556 A.2d 1135[, 1138] (1989). Words are given their `customary, ordinary, and accepted meaning,' unless there is an indication that the parties intended to use the words in a technical sense. Id., see also Chantel Associates v. [Mount] Vernon [Fire Ins. Co.], 338 Md. 131, 142, 656 A.2d 779[, 784] (1995). `A word's ordinary signification is tested by what meaning a reasonably prudent layperson would attach to the term.' Bausch & Lomb [Inc.] v. Utica Mutual [Ins. Co.], 330 Md. 758, 779, 625 A.2d 1021[, 1031] (1993). If the language in an insurance policy suggests more than one meaning to a reasonably prudent layperson, it is ambiguous. Collier v. MD-Individual Practice [Ass'n], 327 Md. 1, [6,] 607 A.2d 537[, 539] (1992); Pacific Indem. [Co.] v. Interstate Fire & Cas. [Co.], 302 Md. 383, [389,] 488 A.2d 486[, 489] (1985). A term which is clear in one context may be ambiguous in another. Tucker v. Fireman's Fund Ins. Co., 308 Md. 69, 74, 517 A.2d 730[, 732] (1986); Bentz v. Mutual Fire [, Marine & Inland Ins. Co. .], 83 Md.App. 524, 537, 575 A.2d 795[, 801] (1990). . . . Id. at 508-09, 667 A.2d at 619. Bushey v. Northern Assurance Co., 362 Md. 626, 631-32, 766 A.2d 598, 600-01 (2001). We will now evaluate the policy using these principles. Mr. DeHaan's insurance policy tracks the statutory language set out in section 19-509 of the Insurance Article: We will pay damages for bodily injury and property damage an insured is legally entitled to collect from the owner or driver of an uninsured motor vehicle. The bodily injury must be sustained by an insured. The bodily injury or property damage must be caused by accident arising out of the operation, maintenance or use of an uninsured motor vehicle.  [Bolding added for emphasis.] As this language is identical to the statutory text, it is reasonable to infer that State Farm intended to give it the same meaning given to the statute. As explained previously we conclude that the injuries, even if deemed accidental from the point of view of Mr. DeHaan, did not arise out of the use of the motor vehicle as contemplated by the insurance policy, i.e., the contract between the parties.