Opinion ID: 1095432
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Claim Against Employer's National

Text: Aetna asserts that since it legally stands in the shoes of the State Docks and the State Docks is an additional named insured under the policy between Employer's National and Cooper, it is entitled to a defense and coverage from Cooper with respect to Franklin's claim against it. A named insured, as well as additional named insureds under an insurance policy, is entitled to a defense and coverage from an insurer; however, the defense and coverage are limited to those provided for in the language of the policy. National Surety Corp. v. Wells, 287 F.2d 102 (5th Cir.1961); Lazarus v. Manufacturers Casualty Insurance Co., 267 F.2d 634 (D.C. Cir.1959); Gulf Oil Corp. v. Mobile Drilling, Barge or Vessel, 441 F.Supp. 1 (E.D. La.1975), affirmed, 565 F.2d 958 (5th Cir. 1978). In the instant case, the State Docks is an additional named insured under the policy between Employer's National and Cooper. Cooper was required to maintain insurance naming the State Docks as an additional insured pursuant to the State Docks tariff. We have already held that Aetna stands in the shoes of the State Docks; therefore, Aetna is entitled to a defense and coverage from Employer's National if the policy provides for such under the facts of this case. We cannot determine from the record whether the language of the policy with Employer's National provides a defense and coverage in this instance, because the terms of the policy are not contained in the record. The facts may prove that the State Docks is entitled to a defense and coverage from both Aetna and Employer's National, in which case Aetna should be allowed to seek recovery from Employer's National because Aetna has already defended the State Docks in the suit filed by Franklin. See National Surety Corp. v. Wells, supra; Lazarus v. Manufacturers Casualty Insurance Co., supra; Gulf Oil Corp. v. Mobile Drilling, Barge or Vessel, supra. Because there are issues of fact to be resolved, summary judgment in favor of Employer's National was improper. Aetna's final argument is that the trial court's order denying Aetna's motions for summary judgment against Cooper and Employer's National constitutes reversible error. Based upon our findings as discussed above, there are genuine issues of material fact to be resolved; therefore, the trial court was correct in denying Aetna's motions for summary judgment. In light of the foregoing, the summary judgment in favor of Cooper and Employer's National is reversed, and the denial of summary judgment for Aetna is affirmed. AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART; AND REMANDED. TORBERT, C.J., and JONES, SHORES and ADAMS, JJ., concur. ON APPLICATION FOR REHEARING