Court Opinion

ID: 9626202
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 08:05:09.890265+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:06:23.186316
License: Public Domain

Dore, J.
(dissenting) — The majority holds as a matter of law that the car was furnished for the regular use of petitioner. Because this holding is based solely on the petitioner being contemplated as the only driver of the car and his operation of the vehicle 4 to 6 times a month, I dissent.
In this appeal, Grange Insurance Association contends that the car was used frequently by George and, therefore, the exclusion applies. George contends that the automobile was used infrequently and only with James' permission and, therefore, it follows from Dairyland Ins. Co. v. Ward, 83 Wn.2d 353, 517 P.2d 966 (1974) that George would reasonably believe his use of his brother's car would be covered by his Grange insurance policy.
The trial court correctly interpreted Ward to mean that coverage in these situations is excluded when (1) the automobile is owned by another household member, and (2) is *714furnished for the regular use of the named insured. The court correctly concluded that coverage in the present case turns on what is meant by regular use; however, the court did not consider all factors necessary to determine if the use was regular. The court said George drove the car regularly but only for James' purposes; therefore, the car was not furnished for George's regular use. In effect, the trial court based its decision on the purpose behind the use of the car. While purpose of use is a factor which should be considered in deciding whether an automobile was furnished for regular use, it is not the sole criterion. In Ward, we held that frequency of use is an important factor in determining whether the "use of other automobiles" clause should apply.
From this record, we cannot determine how often George drove James' car. The mere fact that George was the exclusive driver of James' car does not, as a matter of law, constitute regular use. The trial court should resolve the factual issue of frequency before making a determination of whether the automobile was furnished for regular use. This cannot be done on summary judgment but can only be resolved by a trial.
The court should consider several factors in determining whether the car was furnished for George's regular use. Generally, the courts look for frequency and length of use of the automobile. For example, in Motorists Mut. Ins. Co. v. Sandford, 8 Ohio App. 2d 259, 221 N.E.2d 596 (1966), the court held that an exclusion identical to the one in this case did not apply when the insured had only used the vehicle a few times. In Allstate Ins. Co. v. Humphrey, 246 Md. 492, 229 A.2d 70 (1967), the court held that a car was not furnished for the regular use of the appellee even though the use was unrestricted because it was only on loan for 2 weeks. Conversely, in Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co. v. Bullock, 21 N.C. App. 208, 203 S.E.2d 650 (1974), the court concluded that the car was furnished for the insured's regular use when her use was frequent (she drove it to work daily) and the car had been available to her for 3 months.
*715Another factor to consider is whether the use of the borrowed car on the day of the accident was a regular or special use. In Palmer v. Glens Falls Ins. Co., 58 Wn.2d 88, 360 P.2d 742 (1961), the insured had borrowed his son-in-law's car for over 2 months to use in his business. The car was in need of major repairs so the son-in-law gave his father-in-law permission to take the car to a repair shop. On the way to the shop, the father-in-law was involved in an accident. The court held that the insured was not excluded from coverage. The trip to the repair shop for major repairs was distinguishable from the regular use of the car in the insured's business including the trips he made to a gas station for routine servicing.
An additional factor to consider is whether the insured must seek permission from the owner before using the car. In Juzefski v. Western Cas. & Sur. Co., 173 Cal. App. 2d 118, 342 P.2d 928 (1959), the court held that a father's car was not furnished for his son's regular use when the son only used the car on special occasions (0 to 3 times a week) and with his father's permission. See also General Leasing Corp. v. Anderson, 197 Kan. 327, 416 P.2d 302 (1966).
Restrictions on the use of the vehicle or lack thereof are also considered. In Insurance Co. of North Am. v. Ready, 240 So. 2d 311 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1970), the court held a wife's car was furnished to her husband for his regular use when the cars were used interchangeably. See also Cotton States Mut. Ins. Co. v. Falls, 114 Ga. App. 812, 152 S.E.2d 811 (1966) (coverage excluded because the car was made available to the insured for his unrestricted use).
Finally, some courts have examined the purpose of the use; i.e., whether the car was used for the driver's benefit. In Giokaris v. Kincaid, 331 S.W.2d 633 (Mo. 1960), a grandmother was temporarily living with her daughter and her daughter's family. The grandmother owned a car and both she and her daughter had a set of keys. The grandson borrowed the car one day and was involved in an accident. The court held that the grandmother's car was not furnished for the regular use of her daughter (a member of the *716same household as the insured grandson). Except for this one occasion, the car had only been used by the daughter to drive her mother around on her mother's errands.
Thus, the following are the basic criteria in determining whether a car has been furnished for regular use: (1) frequency of use, (2) length of the period of use, (3) whether the use was regular or special on the day of the accident, (4) whether permission must be sought, (5) whether there are any restrictions on use of the vehicle including limiting the driver's use of the car to trips for the owner's benefit.
In the present case, the testimony is uncontroverted that George was the only person who drove the Fairmont and he always asked James' permission. We also know that the use of the car was special on the day of the accident. Further, we know that the policy behind the "use of other automobiles" clause has not been violated. Grange did not suffer an increased risk when George drove James' car. There was only one driver in the family; thus, only one car was on the road at any given time.
In addition, we know that the MacKenzies' living situation was temporary. Once James became too ill for George to care for him, George intended to send him to a rest home. The Fairmont was purchased in March 1980 and the accident occurred in July 1980. At what point in time should George have submitted an additional premium to Grange — after 1 month, after 6 months, after 2 years? Grange did not spell this out in its policy with George. It is obviously unfair to require policyholders to purchase additional premiums on the cars of temporary household members when the policy fails to specify the time limits. Because the insurance policy is completely void on this subject, it should be resolved in favor of the insured.
On the issue of frequency of use, the deposition testimony is inconsistent. We cannot be certain from the record how often George drove James' car. Therefore, as the Court of Appeals correctly determined, summary judgment is inappropriate on the issue of whether the car was furnished for George's regular use. A genuine issue of material facts *717exists which must be resolved by trial.
In order to consider whether an automobile has been furnished for regular use, the trial court needs to determine frequency of use. Because this factual issue has not been determined, I would remand for trial.