Dugas Pest Control of Baton Rouge, Inc. v. Mutual Fire, Marine and Inland Ins. Co.
| Decision Date | 04 March 1987 |
| Docket Number | No. 85,85 |
| Citation | 504 So.2d 1051 |
| Parties | DUGAS PEST CONTROL OF BATON ROUGE, INC., et al v. The MUTUAL FIRE, MARINE AND INLAND INSURANCE COMPANY. CA 1519. |
| Court | Court of Appeal of Louisiana — District of US |
Carey J. Guglielmo, Baton Rouge, for Dugas Pest Control of Baton Rouge, Inc., and Douglas R. MacPherson.
William C. Shockey, Baton Rouge, for Mutual Fire, Marine & Inland Ins. Co.
Before SAVOIE, CRAIN and JOHN S. COVINGTON, JJ.
This appeal raises issues concerning an insurer's obligation to defend its insured; the effect that ethical considerations have on the insurer's obligation to defend; and the damages that result from a breach of the insurer's obligation to defend. The plaintiffs are Dugas Pest Control of Baton Rouge, Inc. and its corporate president, Douglas Richard MacPherson. Dugas sued its insurer, The Mutual Fire, Marine and Inland Insurance Company, for reimbursement of attorney's fees Dugas previously incurred defending itself in a separate suit. Dugas claims Mutual was obligated to provide a defense in the earlier suit. Mutual appeals the trial court's judgment in favor of Dugas.
In 1980, the Raglands, a young couple living in East Baton Rouge Parish, discovered insect damage to the wood structure of the house they had recently purchased. They sued the Viators, the vendors of the home; Dugas who had provided exterminator services at the house and an inspection certificate at the act of sale; and Mutual, Dugas' insurer. Mutual had issued to Dugas an insurance policy that was in effect at the time Dugas worked on the house. Initially, Mutual declined to represent Dugas. It claimed that a clause in the insurance policy excluded from coverage the acts which were alleged to have caused the damage to the house. Later, apparently on the advice of counsel, Mutual changed its position and decided to defend the suit on Dugas' behalf. In the answer that it filed on behalf of Dugas and itself, Mutual admitted the existence of the insurance policy; however, it specifically denied that coverage was provided. Even so, Mutual represented Dugas in all the usual pre-trial proceedings. Throughout these proceedings, Dugas was given no indication that Mutual was going to provide it with anything less than a complete defense on all the issues.
On the afternoon of the second day of trial, Mutual's counsel informed Dugas that Mutual was going to deny coverage. Later that afternoon the trial concluded. Judgment was eventually rendered against the Viators, Mutual, and Dugas. On behalf of both Mutual and Dugas, Mutual filed a motion for a new trial on the grounds the judgment was contrary to the law and evidence. Subsequently, the Viators also filed a motion for a new trial. They alleged that the trial court erred in failing to find Dugas (and Mutual) solely liable for the damage. Alternatively, they alleged the trial court erred in failing to grant them indemnification against Dugas.
Several weeks later, in a supplemental memorandum in support of its motion for a new trial, Mutual asserted that the plaintiff failed to establish insurance coverage by Mutual. The grounds for this allegation were that the plaintiff failed to introduce the insurance policy into the record, and there was no other evidence to establish liability on the part of Mutual. In response to these pleadings which denied coverage, Dugas retained Carey Guglielmo as its counsel. Guglielmo promptly enrolled as Dugas' attorney of record.
Eventually, the trial court rendered judgment on the motions for a new trial. The trial court denied the Viator's motion on the indemnity issue. It did, however, grant Mutual's motion on the coverage issue. In written reasons the trial court stated that the plaintiffs had failed in their burden of proving insurance coverage.
The court then noted that Mutual's counsel, still representing Dugas at the time, had created an apparent conflict of interest. As part of its reasons for granting the motion for a new trial, the court stated: "To deny Dugas the opportunity to establish coverage where his own attorney in the trial is now denying coverage would be a gross injustice and will not be countenanced by this court." A new trial was held and the policy was introduced. The court reinstated its original judgment after finding that the policy provided coverage for the loss.
Dugas' counsel represented Dugas in the Viator's appeal of the judgment. The Viator's appeal again raised the question of Dugas' liability to them. Mutual did not appeal the judgment. The Viators lost and that judgment is now final. See Ragland v. Viator, 426 So.2d 231 (La.App. 1st Cir.1983).
Subsequently, Dugas filed the instant suit against Mutual for an alleged breach of Mutual's contractual obligation to defend Dugas in the earlier suit. The trial court rendered judgment against Mutual in the sum of $6,015.15. Mutual brings this appeal.
Mutual raises two assignments of error. The first is that it had no duty to defend Dugas. The second is that if it did have a duty to defend, this duty was properly discharged.
Generally, in the terms of its liability policy, an insurer contractually agrees to provide its insured a legal defense for liability claims against the insured. Problems arise, however, when the insurer concludes that its policy does not provide coverage for the particular claim made against its insured. The insurer is faced with a dilemma between its duty to defend its insured from liability and its right to contest coverage with its insured.
Moreover, the insurer has a duty to defend its insured even though there may ultimately be no liability on the insured's part. The insurer is obligated to provide this defense unless the allegations of the petition unambiguously exclude coverage. American Home Assurance Company v. Czarniecki, 255 La. 251, 230 So.2d 253 (1969); Mason v. Stauffer Chemical Co. 461 So.2d 589 (La.App. 1st Cir.1984). Thus, although the allegations of the petition may ultimately turn out incorrect or untrue, the insurer is still obligated to provide a defense.
In order to protect itself, the insurer may find itself providing its insured with a defense to the liability claim and at the same time contesting with its insured whether the policy provides coverage. If the insured hires an attorney to represent him on the coverage issue, he generally will have to bear these costs himself.
In Clemmons v. Zurich General Accident & Liability Insurance Co., 230 So.2d 887, 895 (La.App. 1st Cir.1969), this court stated:
Our courts have recognized that an insurer may deny coverage and yet furnish its insured with a defense without subjecting itself to liability.
... Further, an insured who hires an attorney to...
To continue reading
Request your trial
-
Steptore v. Masco Const. Co., Inc.
...Transamerica Ins. Group v. Chubb and Son, Inc., 16 Wash.App. 247, 554 P.2d 1080 (1976). Cf. Dugas Pest Cont. v. Mutual Fire, Marine and Inland Ins. Co., 504 So.2d 1051 (La.App. 1st Cir.1987); Brasseaux v. Girourd, 214 So.2d 401 (La.App. 3d Cir.), writ denied, 253 La. 60, 216 So.2d 307 (1968......
-
Landmark Am. Ins. Co. v. Esters
...Transamerica Ins. Group v. Chubb and Son, Inc. , 16 Wash. App. 247, 554 P.2d 1080 (1976). Cf. Dugas Pest Cont. v. Mutual Fire, Marine and Inland Ins. Co. , 504 So.2d 1051 (La. App. 1st Cir. 1987) ; Brasseaux v. Girouard , 214 So.2d 401 (La. App. 3d Cir.), writ denied , 253 La. 60, 216 So.2d......
-
Forvendel v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co.
...; Transamerica Ins. Group v. Chubb and Son, Inc. , 16 Wash.App. 247, 554 P.2d 1080 (1976). Cf. Dugas Pest Cont. v. Mutual Fire, Marine and Inland Ins. Co. , 504 So.2d 1051 (La.App. 1st Cir.1987) ; Brasseaux v. Girouard , 214 So.2d 401 (La.App. 3d Cir.), writ denied , 253 La. 60, 216 So.2d 3......
-
Peavey Co. v. M/V ANPA, 91-3827
...its insured, even if ultimately the insurers may have no liability under the policy. Dugas Pest Control of Baton Rouge v. Mut. Fire, Marine and Inland Ins. Co., 504 So.2d 1051, 1053 (La.App. 1st Cir.1987). To protect its own interest, an insurer can simultaneously provide its insured with a......