Opinion ID: 2109851
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: negligent service of loan

Text: The Istas assert that PCA was negligent in servicing the loan because PCA did not ensure that the Istas had obtained hail insurance on the 1986 crop. The Istas' loan balance became due on March 1, 1986. PCA made the determination that it would not advance operating funds for 1986, and the Istas personally raised the money to plant their 1986 crop. They concededly never requested that PCA provide hail insurance or advance funds for hail insurance. The trial court concluded that PCA had no duty to furnish or finance hail insurance on the 1986 crop. As a prerequisite to actionable negligence, a plaintiff must establish the existence of a duty on the part of the allegedly negligent person to protect the plaintiff from injury. Barsness v. General Diesel & Equipment Co., 383 N.W.2d 840, 843 (N.D.1986). Whether such a duty exists is generally a preliminary question of law for the court. Barsness v. General Diesel & Equipment Co., supra, 383 N.W.2d at 843. We find the Istas' argument on this issue to be wholly without merit. On the record presented, the trial court did not err in concluding that, as a matter of law, PCA had no duty to furnish or finance hail insurance on the 1986 crop.