Opinion ID: 1147735
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: definitionsinsuring agreements i and ii

Text: Named Insured means the individual so designated in the declarations and also includes the spouse, if a resident of the same household. Insured under Coverages A, B, C and C-1, the unqualified word `insured' includes (1) the named insured, and also includes (2) his relatives, (3) any other person while using the automobile, provided the actual use of the automobile is with the express permission of the named insured, and (4) under Coverages A and B any person or organization legally responsible for the use thereof by an insured as defined under the three subsections above. Relative means a relative of the named insured who is a resident of the same household. In the hearing below Charles Thomas, the insured, testified that the Ford had been bought with the intention that it was to be used by his son David. He instructed David to be careful in operating the Ford, but nothing was ever said as to David permitting some one else to drive the Ford. He knew that Mattison had used the Ford a few times during his work on the farm in going on errands, as well as the other vehicles. He had observed Mattison driving the Ford in the daytime on weekends, accompanied by David, but had had no occasion to observe Mattison driving the Ford at night, but nothing was said by him to David relative to Mattison driving the Ford when not at work. On the night of the accident David left the house and he did not recall David telling him where he was going, and on that night he did not expressly give Mattison permission to drive the Ford nothing was said one way or the other. Mattison testified that when he drove the Ford at night or on weekends he had never had occasion to ask Mr. Thomas' permission to drive the car, and never had occasion to talk to Mr. Thomas on the night of the accident relative to driving the automobile. David Thomas likewise testified that his father had never said anything relative to his permitting other people to drive the Ford. The only instructions he had ever given him were to be careful. When Mattison was driving the Ford, which was always with his permission, he said nothing to him about the operation of the automobile as he knew Mattison was careful and there was no need to tell him how to drive. When they jointly decided to go to the skating rink, he did not tell Mattison how to get there as Mattison knew the way. David also testified that he had permitted friends of his, other than Mattison, to drive the Ford on occasions. The material question raised on this appeal is whether a permittee driver of an insured (as distinguished from the named insured), who is driving an insured automobile is entitled to coverage under an automobile liability policy which provides coverage to (1) the named insured, (2) relatives who are residents of the named insured's household, and (3) any other person using the automobile with the express permission of the named insured. This identical question was before this court in the very recent case of Alabama Farm Bureau Mutual Casualty Ins. Co. v. Government Employees Insurance Company, and Joseph S. Szczepanski, etc., 286 Ala. 414, 240 So.2d 664, decided November 5, 1970. In concluding that a driver of an automobile under such circumstances was not entitled to coverage, this court wrote: This provision is different from the omnibus clause in many policies which do not require the `express permission' of the named insured but require merely the `permission' of the named insured. The decision in the instant case turns on the construction and application of the words `express permission.' Where only `permission' is required, the courts have held that the permission is sufficient to provide coverage if the facts justify a finding that either express or implied permission had been granted by the named insured or other person authorized to grant permission. See 5 A.L.R. 2d 601.