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HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-03781 LAURALBB B. BAKBR.STARR, BRQUIRB Pa. Supreme Court I.D. No. 5887t RBYNOLDS , HAVAS A Profe..ional corpor.ticn 101 Pine street P,O. Box 932 Harrieburg, Penneylvania 17108.0932 Attorney for AD.pondentt STATE FARM INSURANCE Telephone! FAXt 17171 236.3200 1717 236,6863 JAMES TOULOUMES, JR., and FROSO TOULOUMES, Petitioners I tN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF I CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA I I CIVIL ACTION .- LAW I I No. 96 -03791 I I I t v. KEMPER NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANIES tla AMERICAN MOTORIST INSURANCE COMPANY, and STATE FARM INSURANCE, Respondents NOTICE TO PIlBAD TOI JAMES TOULOUMES, JR., and FROSO TOULOUMES, PETITIONERS and THEIR ATTORNEY Thomas J. Williams, Esquire HARTSON, DEARDORPP, WILLIAMS AND OTTO 10 East High Street Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED to plead to the enclosed NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM OF DEFENDANT, STNrE FARM INSURANCE, within twenty (20) days from service hereof, or a default judgment may be entered against you. Respectfully submitted, REYNOLDS & HAVAS A Professional Corporation <t\ >\ qc, Date Esquire Pi, fl- Attorneys for Respondent, STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY 2. Admitted to the extent indicated by Petitioners' declaration sheet which is attached to Petitioners' petition as Exhibit "A." 3. Admitted to the extent indicated by Petitioners' declaration sheet which is attached to Petitioners' Petition as Exhibit "A." 4. Admitted. By way of further answer, State F~r.m has offered to settle the third party action for the entirety of Ms. Straubel's liability limits of $100,000.00. However, State Farm has n2t offered the under insured motorist benefits with limits of $15,000/$30,000 as Petitioners are not an "insured" under the State Farm policy or Pennsylvania law. By way of further answer, under the State Farm policy and Pennsylvania law, one is not entitled to liability coverage and underinsured motorist benefits under the same policy. 5. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that the State Farm policy provides for arbitration of underinsured motorist benefits. It is specifically denied that petitioners are entitled to underinsured motorist benefits under the policy issued by State Farm to Ms. Straubel. 6. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Petitioners have made such claim. It is specifically denied that petitioners are entitled to such claim. By way of further answer, the answers contained in paragraphs 4 - 2 . and 5 are incorporated herein by reference as though set forth fully at length. 7. Admitted. By way of further answer, ,State Farm has not appointed an arbitrator as Petitioners are not entitled to underinsured motorist benefits coverage under the State Farm policy or the law. By way of further answer, the answers contained paragraphs 4 and 5 are incorporated herein by reference as though set forth at length. WHEREFORE, Respondent, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, requests that this Court deny Petitioners' petition to Appoint Arbitrators as Petitioners are not entitled to the underinsured motorist benefits coverage in the policy issued by State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company to Judith Straubel. In the alternative, State Farm requests this Court to permit it to appoint its own arbitrator, which has already been arranged. NBW MATTBR 8. The foregoing paragraphs 1 through 7 are incorporated herein by reference as though set forth fully at length. 9. This action arises out of a motor vehicle accident which took place on July 9, 19~2, between Petitioners and Judith Straubel, a State Farm insured. ("Ms. Straubel") A copy of Ms. 3 - policy under the ambit of the "Priority of Recovery" provj,sions in the PaMVFRL. 16. Even assuming, arquendo, that this Court finds Petitioners were an "insured" under Ms. Straubel's policy, Pennsylvania law is clear that a claimant may not recover third party liability benefits and underiosured motorist benefits from the same policy. Manev v. Llovd, ___ Iila. Super. ___' 634 A.2d 1139 (1993), and ~vlor v. Hartford Insurance Compa~, ___ Pa. _, 640 A.2d 1234 (1994). 17. Accordingly, Petitioners are not entitled in any way to receive underinsured motorist benefits from Ms. Straubel's policy of insurance with State Farm. WHEREFORE, State Farm respectf.ully requests that this Honorable Court dismiss Petitioners' petition to Appoint Arbitrators and to hold that underinsured motorist coverage may not be recovered. COUNTIllRCLAIM 18. The foregoing paragraphs are incorporated herein by reference as though set forth fully at length. 19. Following Petitioners' initial notification to State Farm that it was their intention to seek underinsured motorist benefits under Ms. Straubel's policy, State Farm notified Petitioners that under insured motorist benefits were not - 7. available lInder State Farm's policy. A copy of said correspondellclt from Dolores McKenzie, State Fatln Claim Specialiat, to Petit.ioners' counsel dated February 8, 1996, is attached hereto, incorporated herein by reference and marked Rxhibit "B." 20. 'rhereafter, when Petitioners continued to pursue underinaured motorist bemefits from State Farm, counsel for Pet.itioners and State Farm had several telephone conversations in which it Willi once again reiterated that State Farm was not responsible for under insured motorist benefits for Petitioners. A copy of correspondence documenting said conversation is IIttached hereto, incorporated herein by reference and marked "C." 21. As part of the foregoing correspondence, PetitIoners were notif ied that if, indeed, they intended to pursue said claim, State Farm would be willing to appoint an arbitrator. 22. Nonetheless, on July 16, 1996, Respondents were fJerved with the instant petition to Appoint Arbitrators. 23. In light of the clear contractual and statutory language providing that petitioners do not have a right to recover under insured motorist benefits from State Farm under the facts herein, State Farm is entitled to attorneys' fees to compensate for the costs involved in answering Petitioners' petition and claim is made therefor. - 8 - Exhibit A Ilnns of rh. poU'Y ,u, policy if l5Iu.d laralions Pa... If COMPANY of ( of Bloomin.lon, apan. Icdard Time liey is deleted and III \lIher. you, c" ; Or 'IOY denies cov.r. ,el insoh'ent; or lor velllcle whose " unknown and , io,u"d. el nOI include a 'covera~e of lhis use of you, you, ..If.lnsurer under III rClponsibility r any similar la,..; '01 or any of ils gencies: orr public roods ds: or j",elling or olher 6997 AF UNDERJNSVRED MOTOR VEHICLE COVERA.GE W You ba ve tbb covera,. if "W" appean in lhe .Coveralles" Ipace on lh. de<:laratlons plse, We will PlY dalGlgcs for 604/1" I,,}/I,y In III'/I"d Is leSllly entllled to collect from the owner or dri. ver of In ,.,IUriOIll.,,,/ /fIO'O, .d,/e/I. Tho 604/ly III}u,y must be ca-.l by accident arising out of the ownership, mllUtenance or use of an .."""i,,. Ju,.,l mo'" ,"'IcI,. The amount we will pay for dama.es is suhJeclto lbe Iimltltlonl of TiLle 7S of Ihe Pennsylvania ConsoUdated StaIUteS. THERE IS NO COVERAGE FOR BODILY IN. JVR Y ARISING OUT OF THE OWNERSHIP. MAINTENANCE OR USE OF AN UNDERIN. SURED MOTOR VEHICLE UNTIL I THE LIMITS Of LIABILni' OF All BODILY INJURY LIABILITY BONDS AND POLlCrES THAT APPLY HAVE BEEN USED UP BY PAYMENT OF JUDGMENTS OR SETTLEMENTS TO OTHER PERSONS; OR 2, SUCH LIMITS OF lIABILITY OR RE. MAINING PART OF THEM HAVE BEEN OFFERED TO THE INSURED IN WRITING. V"",,ill'"'''' M,,,, V./ricu - means 0 land mo. lor vettiel.: I. lhe ownership, maintenauce or Ole of whicb is insured or boaded for bodily in. Jury Uabllity al Ihe time of tbe accident; and Z. whose Iimi15 of liabililY for bodily injUry liabiUty: a. are less lhan lhe amount of the i",ured', damalles; or b, ha,o beon reduced by paymenls 10 ,,,. '0'" olh.r than Ihe i",u"d 10 less lhln the Imounl of the /1IJ1I"d', damae", IU ..".,IIIr..rld "''''0' ,,/rI,I, does not include 0 laDd molor v.hlcl" I, Insured under Ihe IIlbilhy ~overase of thl, polley; 2, furnished for lb. rogullr use of YO", YO.., """It or any ,,1.rI,.; J, owned by Iny ,overument or ony of its pollucal subdi,illons or Igonclll; . 4, while locI led for uae os I dwolline or olher I prerwses; " S, designed for llSC malnly olT public roads ucopt while on public roads; or 6. defined as on ""'",..reJ "'oro, ,dldl In you, policy, Who 1I In Insu,ed - Co.orlll" U and W /{l,u"d - means Ibe p"'o" or p",oo, covered by u'nJnlured motor vehicle or UIIderinsured mOlor ",ehJcle co'erale. ThJsis: l. the firstp'''''" nlm.d In the dcclaratlona; J, 2. his or berspo..It; J. thel".I,ri..,: and .' 4. sny olher per"M while oc'..pyi"" .. you, ear, a ""'por",y .,,,bl';"~'1 C.,, a "'../y .~9u/"d CG" or a llliler onached to such CG,. Such vohJde ba. to be OIed wilhin the scope of the consenl of YOII or )10'" spo"",' or b, a co, not owned by ;yo.., YUII, 'POUII or any "/Gr/'t, or 0 Ira,ler allached 10 luch a e.... lr has 10 be drh.n by the fint ""0" named in the declarations or tbOI p'"oo', J,o.... and within the "ope of the owner's COD..nt, Such other perso" occ/I,yi", a 'Chicle used 10 corry p."DII' for a chu.e IS nOI aD ;". ,""d. $. any ,"JD" enlltled to recover dRntages be. caUIl of botIJly illjll,y to an illJ..reJ under I throulh 4 above. 2 6997 AF " , , 1'1 , , , , , , I' , " " , , , " '1 I, i " , , , I ;1/ I, , , , " , " , "I " I, ,I 'I , " , I I' , " , " , " , , " 1,',1 , ' , , , I 'I I "I " , " exhibit B " " i" " ", '" 'I , , " " , I' "'I U.."'.I"'.......',,, '>>>111'~'1. II", ~H",IU (f) I, " " , 1 ' , '" I,' , Exhibit C "I ,I I, I I 'I , , " , , , , " " " 11, I " " , , " ',' " , , " 1111 :1' , , R, JAMII RIYNOLDI. JA, JDHN HA V AI MICHAIL M, IADOWIKI ' IT1PHIN L, IANKO, JR, ROLl'I, KROLL IARRY A, KRONTHAL LAURALlI I, IAKIA,ITAAA MICHILI J, THORP REYNOLDS & HAVAS ,. "'"'....IO~"'" COIl~Il.no,- ATTOANIYI AND COUNSELORI AT LAW 101 plNI l~flT POIT omcl lOX 832 HAIlAIIIUAO, PlNNIVLVANI" 1710Q,OG~2 TtLlPHONI 17171 230.3200 '''X 17171 2~U"~ July 9, 1996 VIA PAX .. [7171 243-1850 Thomas J. Williams, Esquire MARTSON, DEARDORFF, WILLIAMS & OTTO Ten East High Street Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 Rei Touloumes vs. Straubel, et al. R&H File No. 2845-1 Dear Tom: This correspondence serves as follow-up to our several telephone conversations regarding the availability of underinsured motorist coverage with regard to the above- referenced matter. You have indicated that the underinsured motorist coverage at issue is that of the $15,000/$30,000 limit available on Ms. Straubel's policy. As we have discussed, it is State Falm's position that liability coverage and underinsured motorist coverage are not recoverable under the same policy. ~ Pavlor v. Hartford Insurance Company, ___ Pa. ___, 640 A.2d 1234 (1994), and the cases cited therein. In effect, the Touloumes' request for underinsured motorist cov~rage from Ms. Straubel's policy is equivalent to an attempt of recovery of both liability and underinsured motorist coverage from the same policy which is not permitted under the foregoing case law. Please call me once you have had an opportunity to review the foregoing case law. If you still believe an arbitration is necessary, State Farm is willing to appoint an arbitrator to review this matter. Very truly yours, / /-,(1 hJ:.08 taurale@. B. Baker-Starr LBS/na bc: .Ms. Dolores McKenzie (SFU 38-6521-212) Confirmation coPY via first class mail. , Celtlllert sa . CI....II Trl.1 AdVOCAte bV the Natiun..1 Baird of Trill AdvoclcV A Penn'I/lvan.. Guprl!llle Cuulf Accredited Agencv '.. i , 'J , .. . .. ". I' l,; I '. " , I.! , l J [' ,. I. I 'J ,. , (': ! . /:~J 'I /, . t, U , , V, (,J di ,I , , I , ,t' , , , t' " 'II' , " I" ,'1 " 'I' , " , I ,\ , " , , 'I , , i" :,1 ',' , , ! I, , I , , " " ,.1 "I' " , " , ' , , , " ,'Ii " , , , , " ,I " " ' , I ,I " " ,. , ' I' '11l1'~ IlAI Mill-' t i1~ t\IJl ~ '~n 411'1lJl '1'1' I Ill.... ,'lnIIlIQ'.Ull,lllll)...I:QI'M 1I.~'N'oI Q',IU<Hll)4lJ Ird'M JAMES TOULOUMES. JR, and FROSO TOUL.OUMES. Petitioners IN THE couln OF COMMON Ill.EAS CUMBERl.AND COUNT\". IlENNSYL. VANIA CIVIL ACTION .l.AW v, NO, (/1, ]),1'/ (:.." " r: . ' J,.~_ KEMPER NATIONAl. INSURANCE COMPANIES tla AMERICAN MOTORISTS INSURANCE COMPANY, and STATE FARM INSURANCE Respondents PETITION TO AllPOINT ARBITRATORS AND NOW. comes Petitioners IIbove named by their attorneys, MARTSON. DEARDORFF, WIL.LlAMS & OTTO, and avers as follows pursuant to 42 !la, C.SA ~730S: I. Petitioners are adult Individuals who at all pertinent times resided at 328 West Old York Road. Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17013 2. Petitioners had an auto Insurllnce policy with Respondent Kemper Nationllllnsunmce Companies tla American Motorists Insurance Company in fullfluce and etl'ect when injured in an auto collision on July 9, 1992. A copy of the declaration sheet is attllched and marked as Exhibit UA,1I 3. Said policy provided lInderinsured Motorists Coverage (lIIM), 4, The said collision involved a car driven by Judith Straubelthat was insured by State Farm Insurance. with liability limits 01'$100.000,00 and UIM limits of $15.00000/$30,000,00, A copy of the declaration sheet of said policy is auached and marked as Exhibit "B," S. Both policies provide for arbitration of 1I1M claims in accordance with the Uniform Arbitration Act. 42 !la, C.SA !i730 I. e/. '\'C//' with both parties appointing one arbitrator and the two arbitrators so appointed selecting a third arbitrator, 6, Petitioners have made a UIM claill1against both policies and have appointed James D, Flower, Jr" Esquire as their arhltrator on or about February S. 1996 A copy of the correspondence dated February S, 1996 to Respondents appointing same is auached IlI1d nHlrked as Exhibit He." 7, Neither Respondent has appointed an arbitrlltor as required by the respective policies " I , exhibit A " " " " " I, " I I, " \tl I I , , I , , , " , , I ,I " " I, " , " , I I ; , , I "I '\ " " " '" '~l' .l.'.r'. "l..l:.lfJ. I .It':. 11.:: I 1 f -..t::": I..... ':': , WIUCAN t1OTORI5'l'~ I.~~\JI(AN~'" L;VlIl'MI CONTINUATION CERTIFICATE Pf'l'Ional Auto Polky AGl!trr IBROKER CCPY !hI. <WIIIflclle .h.U contloue 111. pollry in fomo lor tho policy ,,"Mol .how., ....1 nnl\ Ir lhtt rtq\l1lcc1 ptcmhJm II plld bwllJftl \h. "I'om" chiC .1.lId, MnR ~ 1 ' 95 1 ~ : ~: '10,0 1 ~ p, I] 2 rt\vt.. i VI i .~ ,\n..d, ~\I. (or1llil:OlO to YOUI pollcv, ~ Pollr~ 'j"mbw liB 543 305 I'ellry Iro", 07/20/91 1'O'lntl 10 07120192 11101 A, I'l, IIlndnr>lll"", Ale"Vn,"~<1 32-2909 HCnOlt'llJ,L INSURANCE ISC POBOX 614 CARLlstE PA 17013 Naill.... In...'" a.... ....11I"' ........ BILL TO FOLLOW jAH!S J TOULOUHEB noso I TOULOUMl!S 328 ~ OLD YORK ROAD CARLISI.! PA I 7013 ,"Iuf.d', Ilrll.lJlulUUn RESTAURANT The IUlo(l) '" ,,,llerul ~.'..nu.d In Ihl. poll')' 110 pl"'''p.lIv &1I'l1"rf .llho .boVI Idd.... unl... uloorw Ie ,ljlOd, DfSCIIll'110N 0' AU'Olil O. 'RAIlIlU5l IlIIp 1 66 CADILLAC FLEETIIOOO IGtD\l696JG~116666 2 78 FORD FAIRLANi 6X91T209916 3 86 FORD MUSTANG I1A8P45EOJF21~179 '>)m llmtory Ii 021 027 5 027 027 IP 027 027 CI... (00<: 8572214 8111206 6912415 Crcctlu 128 1 18 erel6llel 1.:WO l)I mO(l:~ "1106 1 III COIT'r'oIln I,ll , v l~u(.1.IWlfl" ? . ^I ('111.."1 11'........I'\I01IlU..I." lS - ^IlL'"lholl dl"ri<:C c,hlO)Un1 1 III O,~ trJlnWiq 4 _ COOU '" ,khH I.lV\n~ h. &HTlIWW ll'~llIljlll ^ . fI,nlvlI 1",,11,Ult ~ ",our. C . A1ltJ"ock brllCt' dtKQUnt COVEMen , liMnS 0' llAlIlITV - C""."I' II pl'O\'ldld only ".0" I p..ml... 0' IImh of lI.blllly II ohown to. ""' raw.o,.. AUIO 1 ^,,~I 2 AUlD 3 Auto $ ~OO.OOO $ 500,000 ~ 500.000 " ll.blIllv . ~lcll .crld.... ; Mo<llul '...."'.nu ' OI,h porIOn ,~. llMrlIU,od MoUxi"l I, ijodll~ Injury' ood1.cclOonl $ 35,000 2, PropofIy Do""'A. . .",,," 1,,:hlc"1 <), Dom.. '" your I\'J'" ' A",uII Cllh Voloe (M",,! mlllu\ dodllctlUlo olwwn 1. ('....""', 1016 2 500 I, tlIIlo, thnn colli. Ion "'" v 100 I"",,,,.nd labor CotII fJOI' dlublomo" TOTAL MtMtUM tACH AUlO AlJ\O 1 lot'm premium $ 378.00 $ 12.00 $ 35.000 $ 35.000 $ $ 500 100 A"'" 10rm I...-um CAIV. "'pI \ ~ ~, .1 Jl $ J2 $ 1 owl", "ldll I ItJlAl 'OIN'fS AUlo 2 Torm premium $ 246,00 Auto 3 10'''' promhlm ~ 402,00 $ I~, 00 $ 462,00 $ 222,00 i 102.00 1200.00 134,00 $ 12,00 344.00 140.00 94.00 968.00 94.00 t 66,00 326.00 ,'re rovers_ lot enOO.&CInc:nll IltJlCltcd lD Ulb pollry, roll<-'Y 101Al e 2,494.00 ;OLLISIOO COVIlIUGB PROVIDM BY YOUR POLICY EXTEKlJ5 TO ~N'rAL VEHICLES BUBJ1!CT TO TIlE CONDITIONS \NIl LIMITATIONS IN YOUR POLICV SUCH AS COVERED 'I'1!RRlTORY I LENGnl or TIliR OR ANY OtDUCTIBLES. ~OlNT8t nus AMOUNT SHOWS TIlE SURCHARGE Foa EACH AUTO THAT RF.llUT.TS fROH \CCID!NT INVOLVEllEtrr. , . r"' It. PuNll' l)!\j dt't<"'frlllcd lJY Ino nlic'. r, 'hI" '><11,. r<fIWI pI ,'I 01 .,M,"llllJlo 1)""1 III your ,1'\',," In InCM 1tA1'" two "~ pO"'l ,nit_ ('rflIlllA" dlllrJI;C Of 1 P<',ot, 'CO """ 111 "I" , POI'" . .. _ I ,jM~^,'N liSl ""l Y )(l;M~I!R PAYHRNT fLIIN ACCOUNT N\IKllER SKT1969!8 In IllCfll~ (')II,OW' I ch.,,&" n..m II !hi' I'CMWII ,MOt u, It'... ! EXHIBIT "A" , 193 , ,It " " " " ' " " EXHIBIT B "I' " " I " 'II I " " , , " ,I , , " , " I, I Ii' I, , II, " , , " "II ,I ,I I, " " , , , , , ,./ , , I' I , , " " " , " ' EXHIBIT C , , 1/) " I' I II '11 i' " , ,I I i , , " " " '" 'Ii! , il ,I WILI.lAM /I, MA~11I11N DAHilL K. DWD<I~" TllllMM J. WILLIAMS 1\'lIV.OmI,11I Snrfll.N 1., IlUlt.IM (illllW. II. PALUl, Jl, WILLIAM D. PllWlLL TllllMM 0, CULUNI fj (JI I ,J)I ''1I'~I/' ...P. .JlIla4,IJMI., j'),'a,I'((.o",., f/f/f{((aJIIJ (Y A NUlrt'\&!lJNA!. n)~"()JlA'JIUN A'I'I\JRNHS ANO CUUNS~LI.l"l~ AT LAW l'~N rWiT HIl.1I STIl~n CAllllSlf" PtNNSVl.VANIA 17013 ello 'I . TlLrrllONI (717) 24H'41 February 5, 1996 'ACSIMILI (717) 145.1850 INTlllNlT mdwollmdwo"om Mr, Edward A, McMerty, III Claim Specialist Slate Farm Insurance Harrisburg Service Center 115 Limekiln Road P,O, Box 257 New Cumberland, PA 17070.0257 , " RE: Claim Number: Date of Loss: Your Insured: Our Clients: Our File Number: 38.6521.212 July 9, 1992 Judith Ann Straubel James J, and Froso Touloumes 4850,13 Dear Ed: I understand that you have VIM coverage for Judith Ann Straube!. A copy of the Declaration Page is enclosed for your convenient reference, As I interpret this, the coverage is in the amount of $15,000.00 for one claim and $30,000,00 in the al!8regate, Please treat this as a demand for the $15,000.00 limit each on behalf of James J, Touloumes, Jr, and Froso I, Touloumes for a total of $30,000,00. Mr, and Mrs, Touloumes were insured by American Motorists Insurance, A copy of their Declaration Page is enclosed, We would also request your consent to settle this for the S I 00,00.00 policy limit in our claim against your insured's liability coverage, If this claim for VIM limits is not acceptable, then I hereby appoint James D, Flower, Jr., Esquire as my arbitrator, and I would request that you appoint your arbitrator, Very truly yours, Thomas J, Williams TJW/tdw Enclosures p 'fJLIlIfIOATAflI.1i\l.1f.Nl..TR9to\4I'I(1)'11