Court Opinion

ID: 9672736
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 03:59:20.839906+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:18.011757
License: Public Domain

Mackenzie, J.
(concurring). I would reverse the summary judgment on the basis that there are genuine disputes as to material facts.
The policy provisions indicate that three determinations are crucial in finding coverage: (1) the vehicle must in fact be "non-owned” by the relative, (2) and not furnished for his regular use, and (3) the vehicle must have been operated with the permission, or reasonably believed to be with the permission, of the owner.
Even if appellant Szymanski is found to be a non-owner, there is a dispute as to whether the car had been "furnished for his regular use”. Elwart, in his deposition, stated that the vehicle was turned over to Szymanski so he could make repairs on it and, diversely, that the title was not transferred because Elwart could not locate the certificate of title. The former statement indicates the vehicle was not turned over for Szymanski’s regular use whereas the inference from the latter statement is that it was.
Whether the vehicle was being driven with the permission of the owner depends upon the understanding of the parties to the sale since "permission” also encompasses the reasonable belief that it was with permission. Even if the vehicle was not turned over to Szymanski for his regular use in that he did not have permission to use the vehicle, if he had a reasonable belief that he had permission to use the 1972 Nova on a limited basis, *637coverage would be afforded. In short, there is a genuine dispute as to a material fact, for where the truth of the material factual assertion depends on the credibility of a deponent, movant, or affiant, "there inheres a genuine issue to be decided at a trial by the trier of fact and a motion for summary judgment cannot be granted”. Brown v Pointer, 390 Mich 346, 354; 212 NW2d 201 (1973).
Finally, the question of whether Szymanski had an immediate right to possession must still be resolved. Possession does not equal the "immediate right of possession”, as required by MCL 257.37; MSA 9.1837. The Szymanski affidavit, attached to defendants’ motion for reconsideration of plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment, raises a factual dispute on this issue. Summary judgment was inappropriate, and defendants should not be precluded from proving the specific facts which would entitle them to relief.
I also make no determination of the second issue.