Paskiewicz v. Am. Family Mut. Ins. Co.

Decision Date26 June 2013
Docket NumberNo. 2012AP2758.,2012AP2758.
PartiesMichelle L. PASKIEWICZ and Andrew A. Paskiewicz, Plaintiffs–Appellants, v. AMERICAN FAMILY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, Ray R. Vogt, Jr., Brenda Free and Wisconsin Health Fund, Defendants, Acuity, A Mutual Insurance Company, Defendant–Respondent.
CourtWisconsin Court of Appeals

OPINION TEXT STARTS HERE

On behalf of the plaintiffs-appellants, the cause was submitted on the briefs of Patrick J. Schott and April Rockstead Barker of Schott, Bublitz & Engel, S.C., Brookfield.

On behalf of the defendant-respondent, the cause was submitted on the brief of Julie K. Vaughn of Simpson & Deardorff, S.C., Milwaukee.

Before BROWN, C.J., REILLY and GUNDRUM, JJ.

GUNDRUM, J.

[349 Wis.2d 517]¶ 1 Michelle and Andrew Paskiewicz appeal from a summary judgment dismissing their uninsured and underinsured motorists (UM/UIM) claims against their insurer, Acuity. They contend the circuit court erred in concluding that their insurancepolicy 1 did not provide coverage because the miniature all-terrain vehicle at issue is a toy and therefore not a “land motor vehicle” under the policy. We agree with the Paskiewiczes and reverse.

BACKGROUND

¶ 2 The Paskiewiczes filed a complaint alleging Michelle sustained serious injury to her left leg as a result of three-year-old Alyssa Free striking her with a four-wheel recreational all-terrain vehicle Alyssa was operating. On the date of the alleged injury, Alyssa was at the Paskiewiczes' property with her grandfather, Ray Vogt, a neighbor of the Paskiewiczes. The vehicle Alyssa was operating is a Kazuma Meerkat50–4A.2 The manufacturer's specifications identify the Meerkat50–4Aas having, among other characteristics, a 50–cubic–centimeter 4–stroke gasoline-powered internal-combustion engine, 4–speed semi-automatic transmission, timing chain, crankshaft, clutch, oil pump and pistons, with a wheelbase of 2.3 feet and net weight of 156.53 pounds.3 The specifications further identify the maximum speed for the Meerkat50–4A as 21.75 miles per hour and the dimensions, in feet, as: length, 3.61; width, 2.13; and height, 2.43.4

¶ 3 As part of their complaint, the Paskiewiczes sued Acuity under the UM/UIM provisions of their policy. Acuity moved for summary judgment,5 arguing that, because the Meerkat50–4A with which Alyssa struck Michelle was “child-sized” and was “a child's toy,” the policy did not provide coverage for damages caused by it. The circuit court granted Acuity's motion, and the Paskiewiczes appeal. Additional facts are discussed below as needed.

DISCUSSION

¶ 4 We review de novo a grant of summary judgment, applying the same methodology as the circuit court. Frank v. Wisconsin Mut. Ins. Co., 198 Wis.2d 689, 693–94, 543 N.W.2d 535 (Ct.App.1995). Summary judgment is proper when the relevant facts are undisputed and only a question of law remains. Id. at 694, 543 N.W.2d 535.

¶ 5 The parties agree that the provision of UM/UIM coverage under the policy turns on the question of whether the Meerkat50–4A is a “land motor vehicle.” 6This question requires that we interpret the policy, which is a matter of law we review de novo. Id. We give words used in the insurance contract their plain and ordinary meaning. Id. “When the terms are plain and unambiguous, we will construe the contract as it stands.” Id. Where policy language is ambiguous, the policy will be construed in favor of coverage. Id.

¶ 6 The Paskiewiczes contend the Meerkat50–4A “unambiguously falls within the common and ordinary use of the phrase ‘land motor vehicle,’ and, thus, coverage applies. They alternatively argue that if there is any ambiguity regarding that term, the policy must be interpreted so as to provide them with coverage. Acuity also contends the term “land motor vehicle” is unambiguous, but argues that the Meerkat50–4A does not fall within the scope of the term because it is a “toy ATV” and a reasonable insured would not consider such a “child's toy” to qualify as a “land motor vehicle” or “vehicle” under an “automobile/cycle” insurance policy. We agree with the Paskiewiczes that the term “land motor vehicle” is unambiguous and covers the Meerkat50–4A.

¶ 7 The policy does not define the terms “land motor vehicle,” “motor vehicle” or “vehicle.” When a policy fails to define a term, it is appropriate to consider other sources to assist in determining the ordinarily understood meaning of a word or phrase. See, e.g., Just v. Land Reclamation, Ltd., 155 Wis.2d 737, 745, 456 N.W.2d 570 (1990) (dictionary); State v. Sohn, 193 Wis.2d 346, 359, 535 N.W.2d 1 (Ct.App.1995) (case law).

¶ 8 Neither party disputes that the Meerkat50–4A was designed to operate on land, and was in fact doing so at the time of the incident in question. The parties also do not contest, nor could they in light of the undisputed facts regarding the nature of the Meerkat50–4A, that this vehicle operated under the power of a motor. We note also that [c]ase law has acknowledged that the phrase ‘motor vehicle’ is generic common usage for all classes of self-propelled vehicles not operating on stationary rails or tracks,” and is a term which “includes various vehicles which cannot be classified as automobiles.” Sohn, 193 Wis.2d at 359, 535 N.W.2d 1. Further, common definitions of “vehicle” include: “any means in or by which someone travels or something is carried or conveyed; a means of conveyance or transport,” and “a conveyance moving on wheels, runners, tracks, or the like, as a cart, sled, automobile, or tractor.” Random House Dictionary of the English Language, 2109 (2d ed.1987); see also Sohn, 193 Wis.2d at 357, 535 N.W.2d 1 (concluding that a tractor is a “vehicle” under a statute defining that term as “any self-propelled device for moving persons or property or pulling implements from one place to another”). The Meerkat50–4A fits the common understanding of “land motor vehicle.”

¶ 9 In arguing that the Meerkat50–4A is not a “land motor vehicle,” Acuity emphasizes that it is small in size, could not operate at “high speeds,” and was designed for “child's play,” and contends that it is not a means of conveyance. Significantly, Acuity has identified no language in the policy which would exclude a motor-powered vehicle which operates on land, such as the Meerkat50–4A, from coverage based upon its size, the speed at which it can travel, or its primary use being for the entertainment or recreation of children. According to the manufacturer, the Meerkat50–4A weighs over 150 pounds and is designed to travel at speeds exceeding 20 miles per hour. These facts are not so insignificant as to lead to the conclusion that the Meerkat50–4A somehow does not “count” as a “land motor vehicle.” 7

¶ 10 Acuity is correct in pointing out that the term “vehicle” means a “conveyance,” but is incorrect in arguing that the Meerkat50–4A is not a conveyance merely because it is intended for use by children. The undisputed facts of record leave no question that the Meerkat50–4A is a conveyance that, at the time of the incident in question, was in fact being used as such. SeeRandom House Dictionary,supra, 445 (defining “convey” as “to carry, bring, or take from one place to another; transport; bear”). Indeed, Acuity's appellate position appears at odds with a position it previously took before the circuit court in this case. In opposing another insurer's motion for summary judgment, Acuity argued that [b]ased upon Vogt's testimony, it is undisputed that the [Meerkat50–4A] is a motorized land conveyance designed principally for recreational use off public roads.” Here, the Meerkat50–4A—whether driven around the yard, to a neighbor's house, or around the block on the neighborhood sidewalk—was...

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