Opinion ID: 1809872
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Whether the court of appeal erred in finding evidence of policy limits other than the $50,000 limits of liability in the Phoenix Policy.

Text: Phoenix contends that only one policy was introduced and that the limits of that policy were clearly established at $50,000. Plaintiff disagrees, arguing that defendants problem is two fold. First, plaintiff maintains that defendants failed to establish the connection between the Phoenix policy and the Travelers policy. Second, plaintiff argues that defendants failed to establish the limits of liability of either policy. In an action under an insurance contract, the insured bears the burden of proving the existence of the policy and coverage. Collins v. New Orleans, Public Service, Inc., 234 So.2d 270 (La.App. 4th Cir.1970). The insurer, however, bears the burden of showing policy limits or exclusions. Massachusetts Protective Ass'n. v. Ferguson, 168 La. 271, 121 So. 863 (1929). It is undisputed that Phoenix issued a policy to Mr. Stierwald. However, plaintiff maintains that it is unclear as to whether Phoenix satisfied its burden of establishing the policy limits. During trial, Phoenix introduced its policy booklet and declarations page. The Travelers Policy booklet listed, on the bottom of each page, the Endorsement Symbol Number A17011. The policy was also designated as Edition 6 of Policy forms 101 and LP. As to the declarations page, it provided in pertinent part: ITEM 4: THE LIMITS OF THE COMPANY'S LIABILITY AGAINST EACH COVERAGE ARE AS STATED IN THIS ITEM, SUBJECT TO ALL RELEVANT TERMS OF THIS POLICY. N/A MEANS THAT COVERAGE IS NOT PROVIDED. WHEN IT APPEARS IN A PREMIUM COLUMN FOR A CAR, THAT COVERAGE IS NOT PROVIDED FOR THAT CAR. THE PREMIUMS APPEARING IN THIS ITEM ARE FOR THE POLICY PERIOD SHOWN IN THAT ITEM 2. COVERAGES LIMITS OF LIABILITY A. BODILY INJURY ............$50,000 EACH PERSON/$100,000 EACH ACCIDENT B. PROPERTY DAMAGE ............................... $50,000 EACH ACCIDENT SYMBOL NUMBERS OF ENDORSEMENTS FORMING A PART OF THIS POLICY ON EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE DECLARATIONS: A17011 POLICY EDITION: 6 POLICY FORM: 101 TOTAL PREMIUM $1944 ITEM 5: LOSS PAYEE: CAR 1 METAIRIE BANK POB 217 METAIRIE LA CAR 2 GMAC POB 2525 HUDSON OH 44236 CAR 3 METAIRIE BANK POB 217 METAIRIE LA ITEM 6: INSURER: THE PHOENIX INSURANCE COMPANY [emphasis added] A review of the record reveals that Phoenix introduced the policy and the declarations page. While plaintiff contends that there are ambiguities as to which entity insured Mr. Stierwald, the policy is clear, at ITEM 6 on the declarations page, that Phoenix is Mr. Stierwald's insurer. When a contract can be construed from the four corners of the instrument without looking to extrinsic evidence, the court should rely on the document. Brown v. Drillers, Inc., 93-1019 (La.1/14/94), 630 So.2d 741. The declaration page read together with the policy booklet establishes that the booklet and the declarations page are to be read together and form one policy. The declarations page indicates that it is to be considered a part of a policy which conforms to the following: (1) Policy Edition 6; (2) Policy Form 101; and (3) policy symbol number A107011. The policy booklet entered into evidence conforms to all three requirements. The policy booklet indicates that it is Policy Edition No. 6, is form 101, and its endorsement symbol is A17011. It is clear from the evidence, that only one policy existed, the Phoenix Policy. The court also agrees with Phoenix that the only policy limits introduced at trial was $50,000 as shown on the declarations sheet introduced at trial. Thus, we find that Phoenix satisfied its burden in establishing its $50,000 policy limits.