Opinion ID: 2380071
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Reliance's Other Policy Arguments

Text: [¶ 21] Reliance also argues that the waiver of subrogation is void as against public policy because it involves a violation of a positive statutory duty or because it is harmful to the interests of society, i.e., it undermines the strong public interest in protecting and preserving historic properties. We reject the violation of a positive statutory duty argument in light of the distinction between waivers of subrogation and exculpatory clauses discussed above. See Penn Ave. Place Assocs. v. Century Steel Erectors, Inc., 798 A.2d 256, 259 (Pa.Super.2002) (distinguishing between waivers of subrogation and exculpatory clauses and finding that a violation of a fire ordinance did not render a waiver of subrogation unenforceable because the tortfeasor satisfied his debt to the injured party by obtaining insurance). We reject the second argument in light of the fact that, as noted above, insurers can account for waivers of subrogation when setting premiums. Thus, there is still an economic incentive for parties to refrain from negligent activity, however described. Hence, the waiver of subrogation in the contract between the Church and Knowles is not void as against public policy, and the court did not err as a matter of law in enforcing it.