Opinion ID: 721301
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: questions certified to the supreme court of louisiana

Text: 103 On the facts recited, we certify the following questions of law certified to the Supreme Court of Louisiana: 104 Question 1: Under the doctrine of Meloy v. Conoco, Inc., 504 So.2d 833 (La.1987), does the LOIA allow a party found faultless in its capacity as platform owner but culpable in its capacity as time charterer to enforce an indemnity agreement so as to collect those costs attending its defense in its capacity as platform owner? 105 Question 2: Does Wilks v. Allstate Insurance Co., 195 So.2d 390 (La.Ct.App.1967), correctly state the law of Louisiana that an insurer may not escape or reduce its liability on the basis of an other insurance clause unless the insurers allegedly providing additional coverage are made parties to the litigation? 106 IF THE RESPONSE IS YES, PLEASE ANSWER QUESTION 2(a). 107 IF THE RESPONSE IS NO, PLEASE SKIP QUESTION 2(a) AND ANSWER QUESTION 3. 108 Question 2(a): A primary policy insures two insureds, both of which are held liable for a single accident covered by the policy. The costs of defending and indemnifying the two insureds exceeds $500,000, the limit of the insurer's total liability to both insureds. How does Louisiana law require the insurer to apportion the payment of the $500,000 among the two insureds? 109 PLEASE ANSWER NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. 110 Question 3: Three insurance policies all provide primary coverage to a first insured suffering a loss. Each policy includes an other insurance clause of a different type. The policy including an escape clause has limits of $500,000. The policy including an excess clause has limits of $50,000,000. The policy including a pro-rata clause has limits of $1,000,000. The carrier issuing the policy with $500,000 limits and an escape clause owes an obligation to a second insured arising from the same accident and the same policy. The costs of defending and indemnifying both the first and second insureds exceeds $500,000. The terms of this policy limit the carrier's obligation to a single $500,000 payment to both insureds. How does Louisiana law apportion responsibility among the three carriers for the first insured's loss? See, e.g., Juan v. Harris, 279 So.2d 187 (La.1973); Graves v. Traders & General Insurance Co., [252 La. 709], 214 So.2d 116 (La.1968); Penton v. Hotho, 601 So.2d 762 (La.Ct.App.1992); Sledge v. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, 492 So.2d 139 (La.Ct.App.), writ denied, 494 So.2d 1176 (1986); Efferson v. Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp., 816 F.Supp. 1103, 1119-21 (E.D.La.1993); Layton v. Land & Marine Applicators, Inc., 522 F.Supp. 679 (E.D.La.1981); Lodrigue v. Montegut Auto Marine Services, 1978 A.M.C. 2272 (E.D.La.1977); Viger v. Geophysical Services, Inc., 338 F.Supp. 808, 812 (W.D.La.1972), opinion adopted by 476 F.2d 1288 (5th Cir.1973). 111 This court also certifies to the Louisiana Supreme Court that its answer to these questions will be determinative in this case, resolving all issues among the parties. We note that an affirmative answer to Certified Question One may require calculation of the costs of defending the suit and the identity of the party that must pay those costs. See Meloy v. Conoco, Inc., 794 F.2d 992 (5th Cir.1986); 504 So.2d 833 (La.1987).