Court Opinion

ID: 9585741
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:03:28.913529+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:23:52.690720
License: Public Domain

Carley, Judge,
concurring specially.
The trial court correctly ruled that, based upon its findings, there was no coverage in this case. It is clear that, in the absence of a violation of public policy, the exclusion involved in this case is applicable and enforceable. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co. v. Southern Trust Ins. Co., 174 Ga. App. 513 (330 SE2d 443) (1985). In support of appellant’s contention that the policy exclusion in this case against public policy, appellant relies upon the following cases: Cotton States Mut. Ins. Co. v. Neese, 254 Ga. 335 (329 SE2d 136) (1985); Anderson v. Southeastern Fid. Ins. Co., 251 Ga. 556 (307 SE2d 499) (1983); and Young v. Allstate Ins. Co., 248 Ga. 350 (282 SE2d 115) (1981). I agree with the majority that the cited cases are not controlling here so as to require determination that the challenged exclusion is void as against public policy. However, I do not agree with the majority that those cases are necessarily distinguishable only because in those cases the vehicle was driven by the actual insured. “[I]n Georgia each exclusion must be evaluated individually.” Cotton States Mut. Ins. Co. v. Neese, supra, 338 fn. 6. In the case at bar, the insurance policy’s exclusion of coverage for any person “using a vehicle without a reasonable belief that that person is entitled to do so” is not violative of public policy. Cf. Integon Indent. Corp. v. Canal Ins. Co., 256 Ga. 692 (353 SE2d 186) (1987).
I am authorized to state that Judge Sognier joins in this special concurrence.