Court Opinion

ID: 9688273
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 17:42:15.066149+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:05:49.305024
License: Public Domain

*497MADDOX, Justice
(concurring specially)-
I was initially inclined to dissent, but after careful study, I became persuaded that the majority opinion is correct.
The so-called “non-owned automobile” clauses are of comparatively recent origin and provide regular insurance coverage to the insured and any relative residing in his household in the infrequent use or casual driving of automobiles other than his own. Usually, such' “non-owned automobile” clauses contain language which exclude from such extended coverage any automobile (1) owned by the insured or a member of his household, (2) hired by the insured or a member of his household or (3) provided for the regular use of the insured or a member of his household. The general purpose of the exclusion clause is to prevent a situation in which members of one family or household may have two or more automobiles which are used interchangeably but with only one particular automobile insured. Couch on Insurance, 2d § 45,238. The construction of “non-owned automobile” clauses is governed by the rules used generally in the interpretation and application of contracts of insurance. Several courts have construed an exclusion clause in situations where the “other automobile” was owned by a relative in the same household and have denied coverage. Home Indemnity Co. v. Alday, 213 So.2d 13 (Fla.App.1968) ; Cox v. Santoro, 94 N.J.Super. 319, 228 A.2d 101, aff., 98 N.J.Super. 360, 237 A.2d 491 (1967); Allstate Insurance Co. v. Chinn, 76 Cal.Rptr. 264, 271 Cal.App.2d 274 (1969) ; Hamilton v. Maryland Casualty Co., 368 F.2d 768 (5 Cir. 1966); Goens v. Arinder, 248 Miss. 806, 161 So.2d 509 (1964); 7 Am.Jur.2d, Automobile Insurance, § 107; 83 A.L.R.2d 926.
I can find but one case which is similar factually to this one, that is, where the "non-owned automobile” was furnished to the relative for the relative’s use but was being driven by the insured at the time of the accident. In Farber v. Great American Insurance Co., 406 F.2d 1228 (7 Cir., 1969), Farber owned a Dodge and was covered by a policy which contained a “non-owned automobile” clause similar to the one in the policy here. At the time of his accident, he was driving a Chevrolet which was not owned by his wife, but which had been furnished for her use by her uncle. The Court, finding no ambiguity in the policy, concluded that the parties intended that no insurance coverage existed for accidents involving vehicles which were regularly used by the insured and his wife.1
It is difficult for me to admit that Arch Preston could drive almost any automobile in the world with the owner’s permission and have insurance coverage, but is denied coverage when he drives, for the second time, according to his testimony, an automobile owned by a person who is not a member of the household, but which has been furnished to his married daughter for her use, while she resides in his household, and awaits the return of her soldier-husband from overseas. But I must concede that the exclusion clause states that coverage does not apply to a non-owned automobile, “ * * * (b) hired by or furnished or available to the named insured or relative for frequent or regular use * * (Emphasis added)
Many of the “non-owned automobile” clauses specifically state that a non-owned automobile shall not include one which is furnished to the insured or a relative for regular use. The policy here gives coverage in Insuring Agreement II for automobiles not owned by the insured or any relative residing in his household, and unquestionably the automobile Preston was driving at the time of the accident was not owned by him or by any relative *498residing in his household.2 Nevertheless, the exception clause specifically limits the broad definition of a non-owned automobile which is contained in Insuring Agreement II. I cannot say that this giving of coverage and then taking it away creates a pitfall or ambiguity which would allow us to construe the policy provisions liberally in favor of the insured. Preston apparently was not attempting to get coverage on several cars by insuring only one. He had two policies on the two cars he owned. His use of the Magee car was very infrequent.
The result reached here appears to be hard, but the provisions of the policy are not ambiguous and we are not at liberty to change them. Therefore, I am persuaded that the cause must be reversed and remanded.

. The report of the case does not show how wife. frequently Farber used tlie car furnished to his

. The policy defines a non-owned automobile as follows:
“NON OWNED AUTOMOBILE — under Coverages A.B.C. and C-l means an automobile or trailer not owned by the named insured or any relative, other than a temporary substitute automobile. Under Coverages D, D-l, E and F means a private passenger automobile, utility automobile or trailer not owned by the named insured or any relative, other than a temporary substitute automobile, while said automobile or trailer is in the possession or custody of the insured or being operated by him.”