Indiana Ins. Co. v. Ivetich, 3-682A129

• Decision Date: 09 February 1983
• Docket Number: No. 3-682A129,3-682A129
• Citation: 445 N.E.2d 110
• Parties: INDIANA INSURANCE COMPANY, Appellant (Defendant Below), v. Marko IVETICH, d/b/a I.M.K. Truck Repair Garage, Appellee (Plaintiff Below).
• Court: Indiana Appellate Court

Page 110

445 N.E.2d 110

INDIANA INSURANCE COMPANY, Appellant (Defendant Below), v. Marko IVETICH, d/b/a I.M.K. Truck Repair Garage, Appellee (Plaintiff Below).

No. 3-682A129.

Court of Appeals of Indiana Third District.

Feb. 9, 1983.

Robin D. Pierce, Spangler, Jennings, Spangler & Dougherty, P.C., Merrillville, for appellant.

Nick Katich, Addison, Stoner, Stiles & Katich, P.C., Merrillville, for appellee.

HOFFMAN, Presiding Judge.

Appellee Marko Ivetich is the owner of a truck repair shop. In early December 1978, Gary Public Transportation, Inc., and Bill's Truck Repair, two of appellee's largest customers, delivered property to appellee which he promised to repair and return. This property was subsequently stolen from appellee's premises. Appellee notified his insurer, Indiana Insurance Company, of the loss.

After investigating insurer sent appellee a letter which in relevant part states:

"As you are no doubt aware, your policy covers loss for theft of customer's property for which you shall become legally obligated to pay. Under these circumstances, we would deny any claim made against you by those customers and if claims are presented to you by them, you may refer them to our office." (Emphasis added.)

Record at 78.

Insurer sent letters of similar import to appellee's customers. Appellee's customers continued to demand payment and at one point threatened to sue appellee. Appellee's letters to insurer provoked only continued denials of liability.

Faced with the possibility of losing two of his largest customers, appellee decided to cover the loss himself. After expending approximately $6,000 to cover the loss, appellee brought an action against his insurer. Appellee sought both compensatory and punitive damages in this action.

Both parties moved for summary judgment. After entering findings of fact and conclusions of law, the trial court granted appellee's motion for summary judgment and awarded him compensatory damages. This appeal results.

On appeal insurer raises only one issue: whether the trial court's grant of appellee's motion for summary judgment was contrary to law.

When reviewing the grant or denial of a motion for summary judgment, this Court applies the same standard of review as the lower court. It must be determined that no genuine material issue of fact existed, and the trial court correctly applied the law. Perry v. Northern Ind. Pub. Serv. Co. (1982), Ind.App., 433 N.E.2d 44; Matter of Estate of Belanger (1982), Ind.App., 433 N.E.2d 39. When an appeal from a summary judgment is based solely on a question of law, this Court stands in the shoes of the trial court. Rowland v. Amoco Oil Co. (1982), Ind.App., 432 N.E.2d 414.

Appellant's argument distilled into its most concise form is as follows: Appellee's insurance policy covers only those losses, caused by specific acts covered, which appellee becomes "legally obligated to pay." ¹ While appellee's policy covers loss due to theft, appellant's investigation indicated that there was some question whether appellee was liable for the theft at issue. Hence, if appellee was not liable for the theft, the insurance policy does not cover the loss, and consequently appellant has no obligation. Further, appellant contends that this action by appellee was barred since he failed to comply with certain conditions precedent set out in the applicable clause of the insurance policy. ²

Under normal circumstances appellant's argument would be irrefutable. Ordinarily when there has been a bailment for mutual benefit, such as existed between appellee and his customers, the bailee will be held responsible for damage or loss of the bailor's property only when he has failed to act with ordinary care and diligence. Conner v. Winton (1856), 8 Ind. 315; Central Transport, Inc. v. Great Dane Trailers (1981), Ind.App., 423 N.E.2d 675; Hacker v. Dan Young Chevrolet, Inc. (1973), 159 Ind.App. 28, 304 N.E.2d 552. Whether the bailee exercised ordinary care and diligence is a matter to be determined by the fact finder. Central Transport, Inc., supra; Light et al. v. Lend Lease Transportation Co. (1959), 129 Ind.App. 234, 156 N.E.2d 94. However, the case at bar presents a different factual situation.

In the instant case appellee has removed himself from the scope of the general rule applicable in mutual benefit bailment situations by his promise to return the customers' property once it was repaired. When a bailee promises to return a bailor's property undamaged, he will be held liable for any damage to the property while in his possession regardless of fault. Nimet Industries, Inc. v. Joy Mfg. Co. (1981), Ind.App., 419 N.E.2d 779; Light et al. v. Lend Lease Transportation Co., supra; Morrow, Inc. v. Paugh (1950), 120 Ind.App. 458, 91 N.E.2d 858. This principle is applicable whether the bailment contract is written, or oral as in this case. Spencer v. Glover (1981), Ind.App., 412 N.E.2d 870. Thus, once the bailed property in appellee's possession was stolen, he became legally obligated to pay for that loss as a matter of law.

Finally, appellant contends that this action is barred by appellee's failure to comply with certain conditions precedent set out in the policy. In this case...