Court Opinion

ID: 9634286
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 13:08:10.920756+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:09:00.322282
License: Public Domain

RUDMAN, Justice,
concurring in part and dissenting in part.
Although I agree with the court’s conclusion that Allstate has an obligation to defend Bernard P. Vigna, Jr. and Claudia P. Pott, the plaintiffs herein, pursuant to its umbrella policy, I disagree with the court’s conclusion that Allstate has an obligation to defend pursuant to its homeowners’ policy. In Count V of the complaint brought by Howard Smith against Vigna and Pott, Smith alleges that Vigna and Pott promised to pay Smith for his labor and materials: that Smith relied on their promise; and Smith’s reliance caused him “actual detriment or prejudice in the form of lost income, uncompensated outlays for material and services, and emotional pain and suffering.” Allstate’s homeowners’ policy provides:
Losses We Do Not Cover:
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15. We do not cover any liability an insured person assumes under any unwritten contract or agreement.
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This unambiguous statement clearly excludes the liability which Vigna and Pott assumed under their unwritten contract with Smith. I, therefore, would affirm the judgment of the trial court insofar as it declares no obligation on the part of Allstate pursuant to its homeowners’ policy to provide a defense or to indemnify Vigna and Pott. Since there is no such exclusion contained in Allstate’s umbrella policy, I agree with the court that the declaratory judgment entered by the trial court should be vacated insofar as it declares no obligation on the part of Allstate pursuant to its umbrella policy to provide a defense or to indemnify Vigna and Pott.