Opinion ID: 7910
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Contractual Construction

Text: 13 In Texas, insurance policies are controlled by the rules of construction that are applicable to contracts generally. 6 We will not rewrite the terms of the Policy; instead, we enforce it as written. 7 Our primary concern is to give effect to the intentions of the parties as expressed in the instrument. 8 Thus, in interpreting the Policy, we construe all parts of the document together, giving effect to the intent of the parties. 9 The determination whether terms are ambiguous is a question of law. 10 A contract is ambiguous only when its meaning is uncertain and doubtful or it is reasonably susceptible of more than one meaning. 11 Only if the court makes the determination that the contract cannot be given a certain and definite legal meaning, and is therefore ambiguous, can a question of fact be submitted to the jury as to the meaning of the contract. 12 Once the document is found to be ambiguous, the determination of the parties' intent through extrinsic evidence is a question of fact. 13 We must interpret and construe insurance policies liberally in favor of the insured, especially when dealing with exceptions and words of limitation. 14