Opinion ID: 1232510
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Identifying the Insured in Paragraph b

Text: ¶ 37. In our view, the outcome of this case turns on whether the insured in paragraph b could reasonably refer to Nancy Langridge. We conclude that it is not reasonable to read the policy in this fashion. As a result, the policy is not ambiguous and should not be construed in favor of the insured. ¶ 38. We observe, first, that if paragraph b referred to a motor vehicle whose limits of liability for bodily injury liability have been reduced by payments to persons other than AN insured, instead of THE insured, there would be no issue, because AN insured would include William Langridge. In fact, some policies do use an insured in a similar context. [5] Yet, there would be situations in which use of the phrase an insured would limit payment to surviving insureds who had actually suffered bodily injury, and that result would conflict with the reasonable expectations of the insured. [6] ¶ 39. We observe, second, that if Mrs. Langridge were not a named insured, she could make a claim representing the estate under paragraph a in a situation where her husband's policy limits made him eligible for UIM coverage. As a named insured, she could make a claim under paragraph a in a situation where her husband's policy limits made him eligible for UIM coverage. In both situations, the drunk driver's vehicle would be an underinsured motor vehicle. Instead, Mrs. Langridge seeks to collect under paragraph b because her husband's policy limits did not make him eligible for underinsured motorist coverage. ¶ 40. We are required to ask how an insured who cannot succeed under paragraph a with a traditional derivative claim can expect to succeed under paragraph b with an independent claim when the insured claimant has not suffered bodily injury herself and when she is wholly dependent in her claim upon the bodily injury of another. How can she expect an interpretation of the policy that an insured who suffers no bodily injury has an independent claim equal to the claim of a surviving insured who actually suffers bodily injury?