Opinion ID: 1586390
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: hired vehicle under aetna policy

Text: Aetna, subcontractor Baker's insurer, also contends that under its policy the Zaske truck was a nonowned and not a hired automobile as to Woodrich and that therefore its coverage is excess and not concurrent. Aetna's policy defines a hired automobile as one used under contract in behalf of, or loaned to the named insured, provided such automobile is not owned by or registered in the name of an employee or agent of the named insured who is granted an operating allowance of any sort for the use of such automobile. Aetna's definition is as broad as that in the Indemnity policy and for the reasons already given we cannot read into that definition a restriction which is not there; namely, that the use of the vehicle under contract does not apply to a user who is not a direct party to the contract. Aetna asserts, however, that under its definition the Zaske truck was, nevertheless, not a hired automobile on the theory that Zaske, the truck owner, as an employee or agent of Baker, was granted an operating allowance for the use of the automobile. The evidence does not sustain the contention that Zaske was paid an operating allowance. The evidence is that Baker paid Zaske by two separate checks. One check was for his personal services and the other for the use of the truck which had been hired by Baker. The payment for the use of the truck did not include an operating or expense allowance since Baker's and Zaske's uncontradicted testimony is that Baker furnished all the oil, gasoline, and repairs for the operation of the batch trucks. [9]