Opinion ID: 2585591
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Principles of Insurance Contract Construction

Text: I generally agree with the majority's articulation of insurance policy interpretation principles. The interpretation of insurance policies is a question of law. Weyerhaeuser Co. v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co., 123 Wash.2d 891, 897, 874 P.2d 142 (1994). We look to the whole insurance contract in interpreting it, giving the contract a `fair, reasonable, and sensible construction' as understood by the average person purchasing insurance. Am. Nat'l Fire Ins. Co. v. B & I Trucking & Constr. Co., 134 Wash.2d 413, 427, 951 P.2d 250 (1998) (quoting Key Tronic Corp. v. Aetna (CIGNA) Fire Underwriters Ins. Co., 124 Wash.2d 618, 627, 881 P.2d 201 (1994)). In effect, we look to the context of the policy's purchase so that our interpretation of it avoids strained or absurd consequences. Trans. Ins. Co. v. Wash. Pub. Utils. Dists.' Util. Sys., 111 Wash.2d 452, 457, 760 P.2d 337 (1988). In general, we enforce an insurance contract as written if the contract is clear and unambiguous. Allstate Ins. Co. v. Peasley, 131 Wash.2d 420, 424, 932 P.2d 1244 (1997). If there are ambiguities in the policy language, we may resort to extrinsic evidence to ascertain the intent of parties. Am. Nat'l Fire Ins. Co., 134 Wash.2d at 427-28, 951 P.2d 250. An ambiguity is generally defined as language susceptible to two different reasonable interpretations. Weyerhaeuser, 123 Wash.2d at 897, 874 P.2d 142. If we cannot resolve any ambiguities in the policy language by our interpretation, including the resort to extrinsic language, any ambiguities are resolved in favor of the insured. Id.