Opinion ID: 1985501
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: General Principles of Insurance Contract Interpretation.

Text: We have recently summarized the rules that guide our interpretation of insurance policies: The intent of the parties controls. We determine the parties' intent from the language of the policy, unless the policy is ambiguous. Ambiguity exists when, after application of principles of contract interpretation, a genuine uncertainty remains as to which one of two or more meanings is the proper one. A mere disagreement between the parties as to the meaning of policy language does not establish an ambiguity. Only when the policy language is susceptible to two reasonable interpretations do we find an ambiguity. We give policy language its plain and ordinary meaning and do not indulge in a strained or unnatural interpretation merely to find ambiguity. Id. (citation omitted) (quoting Kibbee v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 525 N.W.2d 866, 868 (Iowa 1994)). These are the principles we apply as we interpret the homeowners policy issued by Continental to the Bones.