MARC T. TREADWELL, JUDGE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
Plaintiff Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's London ("Lloyd's") and Defendant and Counterclaimant Bert Witham ("Witham") have filed cross-motions for summary judgment. (Docs. 74; 77). For the reasons stated below, Lloyd's motion is
This case arises from a dispute regarding Lloyd's obligations to Witham pursuant to an insurance policy (the "Policy") covering certain property located at 551 Bethesda Avenue, Macon, Georgia ("Bethseda Avenue property") that was destroyed by a fire on January 28, 2013. The Policy named Reaching Souls Cathedral of Praise as the insured, the Ross Family Partnership as the loss payee, and Witham as the mortgage holder. (Doc. 33-1 at 1). It is undisputed Witham's daughter, Brenda McGinn, acted as Witham's agent during the relevant events.
In December 2003, Reaching Souls, pastored by Onslow Ross, acquired the Bethseda Avenue property and then mortgaged the property in 2006. (Docs. 75, ¶¶ 2, 4; 94, ¶¶ 2, 4). In 2007, Witham loaned money to Reaching Souls for the completion of a new sanctuary. (Docs. 78, ¶ 10; 98, ¶ 10). Witham then purchased the mortgage note from the previous mortgage
In 2008, Pastor Onslow Ross was convicted of a federal offense and sentenced to prison. (Doc. 78, ¶ 13; 94, ¶ 13). Thereafter, Reaching Souls's congregation dwindled and with it the church's financial resources. (Id.). As a result, Reaching Souls was unable to pay its debt obligation to Witham and the insurance premiums for the Bethseda Avenue property. Witham testified that after he learned a previous insurance policy was about to lapse, he contacted insurance agent Bill Scarbrough for help acquiring insurance for Reaching Souls's property. (Doc. 41-1 at 28:14-29:5). Scarbrough, however, testified in his deposition that Evelyn Ross, Pastor Ross's mother, first contacted him to request insurance. (Doc. 42-1 at 40:3-17). In any event, Scarborough procured insurance for Reaching Souls for several years, and a series of emails indicate Scarbrough also communicated with Witham and McGinn about his efforts to obtain insurance. (Docs. 42-7; 42-8; 42-31; 42-39; 42-49; 42-64).
In April 2012, after receiving notice another insurance company was cancelling coverage due to non-payment of premiums, McGinn testified she "became involved on behalf of [her] father in regard to the matter of the church's insurance coverage for the property" and "requested Mr. Scarbrough to be sure to keep [her] informed concerning the insurance coverage." (Docs. 75-6; 77-2, ¶ 11). After several insurance companies declined to issue coverage, Scarborough obtained insurance through Chubb Insurance Company, and Witham paid the initial premium. (Doc. 77-2, ¶ 13). Witham and McGinn deny that Scarbrough obtained these previous insurance policies on Witham's behalf. (Docs. 75, ¶ 59; 94, ¶ 59).
In June 2012, Chubb provided notice that it was cancelling coverage effective July 25, 2012. (Docs. 42:1 at 154:20-157:19; 42-30). Despite this cancellation, McGinn testified that Witham continued to fund the completion of the new sanctuary, and Scarbrough began looking for replacement coverage before the Chubb policy lapsed. (Doc. 77-2, ¶¶ 15-16).
On July 9, 2012, Scarborough submitted an insurance application to Lloyd's. (Doc. 8-4). It is undisputed that the application only sought coverage for the actual cash value of the property. (Id.). Three pages of the application include McGinn's signature as the applicant. (Id. at 2, 17-18). The parties dispute whether McGinn actually signed the application. Scarborough initially testified in his deposition that McGinn signed the application but later testified in an affidavit and at a hearing that he signed McGinn's name to the application without her authorization. (Docs. 42-1 at 189:24-190:2; 57 at 2; 63 at 37:20-38:7). McGinn in her affidavit denied signing the application. (Doc. 77-2, ¶ 18).
On July 25, 2012, Lloyd's agreed to bind coverage through July 25, 2013. After the Policy was issued, Scarbrough submitted a hazard report on which he signed Witham's name as the insured; Witham never objected to Scarbrough's signing his name. (Docs. 42-1 at 209:10-24). On September 6, 2012, Lloyd's inspected the property. (Doc. 8-5). McGinn was present at this inspection and was listed on the inspection report as the "interview contact name" and "Financier." (Docs. 8-5; 77-2, ¶ 19). Thereafter, McGinn emailed Scarborough Insurance Agency regarding the limits of the insurance coverage, stating she "finally had the time to really look at [the Policy].... There is absolutely NO WAY the old building should be insured for $1,000,000 (rebuild is probably half that)." (Doc. 42-39 at 4).
After the inspection, Lloyd's informed Scarbrough's agency that the annual servicing of the fire extinguishers was a "mandatory recommendation" and that rates may have to be increased if the central burglar alarm system was not activated. (Docs. 8-5; 8-6). This information was emailed to McGinn who replied that "[Evelyn Ross was] going to reactivate both the fire and burglar alarm system as well as handle the fire extinguishers." (Doc. 8-6 at 3). After another email, McGinn replied that she would talk with Evelyn Ross about the matter because "Mrs. Ross [was] supposed to have had this done" and "if necessary, [McGinn would] take care of it [herself]" and "have everything the insurance company needs completed." (Id. at 6). The parties dispute whether the central alarm system was activated at the time of the fire and thus whether McGinn's statements constitute material misrepresentations. (Docs. 77-2, ¶ 22
On January 28, 2013, a fire occurred at the Bethesda Avenue property. (Docs. 78, ¶ 1; 98, ¶ 1). On May 3, 2013, Witham, through his counsel, submitted a proof of loss sworn to by both Witham and McGinn. (Doc. 8-16). At the beginning of the proof of loss, Witham stated that Lloyd's "[a]t the time of loss, ... insured the interest of Bert Witham and Reaching Souls ... against loss by fire to the property described." (Id. at 2). Elsewhere in the proof of loss, Witham indicated that he was the mortgage holder, and no other person had an interest in the insured property. (Id.). Although confusing, the proof of loss states the actual cash value of the Bethesda Avenue property was "$1,000,000 and $100,000." (Id.). Finally, Witham stated that "[t]he said loss did not originate by any act, design or procurement on the part of your insured, or this affiant." (Id.). In addition to filing the proof of loss, McGinn submitted to an examination under oath conducted by Lloyd's counsel.
Lloyd's denied Witham's claim and then filed this lawsuit seeking rescission of the Policy against Reaching Souls, the Ross Family Partnership, and Witham. (Doc. 8). Witham filed a counterclaim seeking a declaration that he is entitled to coverage under the Policy. (Doc. 10). The Court entered a default judgment against Reaching Souls and the Ross Family Partnership on November 15, 2013, declaring that the Policy was rescinded and void ab initio as to these Defendants. (Doc. 15). In its motion for summary judgment, Lloyd's contends it is entitled to a declaration that (1) it can rescind the Policy because Witham through his agents McGinn and Scarbrough made material misrepresentations; (2) alternatively, Witham's material misrepresentations on the sworn proof of loss void his coverage; (3) alternatively, the fire loss was not a covered loss; and (4) alternatively, Witham's coverage is limited to the actual cash value of the buildings and structures damaged in the fire. (Doc. 76 at 3-4). Witham has filed a cross-motion for summary judgment on his counterclaim for
A court must grant summary judgment "if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). "A factual dispute is genuine only if `a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.'" Info. Sys. & Networks Corp. v. City of Atlanta, 281 F.3d 1220, 1224 (11th Cir.2002) (quoting United States v. Four Parcels of Real Prop., 941 F.2d 1428, 1437 (11th Cir.1991)). The burden rests with the moving party to prove that no genuine issue of material fact exists. Id. The party may support its assertion that a fact is undisputed by "citing to particular parts of materials in the record, including depositions, documents, electronically stored information, affidavits or declarations, stipulations (including those made for purposes of the motion only), admissions, interrogatory answers, or other materials." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1)(A).
"If the moving party bears the burden of proof at trial, the moving party must establish all essential elements of the claim or defense in order to obtain summary judgment." Anthony v. Anthony, 642 F.Supp.2d 1366, 1371 (S.D.Fla.2009) (citing Four Parcels of Real Prop., 941 F.2d at 1438). The moving party must carry its burden by presenting "credible evidence" affirmatively showing that, "on all the essential elements of its case on which it bears the burden of proof at trial, no reasonable jury could find for the nonmoving party." Four Parcels of Real Prop., 941 F.2d at 1438. In other words, the moving party's evidence must be so credible that, if not controverted at trial, the party would be entitled to a directed verdict. Id.
"If the moving party makes such an affirmative showing, it is entitled to summary judgment unless the nonmoving party, in response, `come[s] forward with significant, probative evidence demonstrating the existence of a triable issue of fact.'" Id. (quoting Chanel, Inc. v. Italian Activewear of Fla., Inc., 931 F.2d 1472, 1477 (11th Cir.1991)) (alteration in original). However, "[c]redibility determinations, the weighing of the evidence, and the drawing of legitimate inferences from the facts are jury functions, not those of a judge.... The evidence of the non-movant is to be believed, and all justifiable inferences are to be drawn in his favor." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 255, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). Thus, the Court "`can only grant summary judgment if everything in the record demonstrates that no genuine issue of material fact exists.'" Strickland v. Norfolk S. Ry. Co., 692 F.3d 1151, 1154 (11th Cir.2012) (quoting Tippens v. Celotex Corp., 805 F.2d 949, 952 (11th Cir.1986)).
In contrast, "[w]hen the nonmoving party has the burden of proof at trial, the moving party is not required to `support its motion with affidavits or other similar material negating the opponent's claim.'" Four Parcels of Real Prop., 941 F.2d at 1437 (quoting Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986)). The moving party "simply may show ... that there is an absence of evidence to support the non-moving party's case." Id. at 1438 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). "Assuming the moving party has met its burden, the non-movant must then show a genuine dispute regarding any issue for which it will bear the burden of proof at
The standard of review for cross-motions for summary judgment does not differ from the standard applied when only one party files a motion. See Am. Bankers Ins. Grp. v. United States, 408 F.3d 1328, 1331 (11th Cir.2005). "Cross-motions for summary judgment will not, in themselves, warrant the court in granting summary judgment unless one of the parties is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on facts that are not genuinely disputed." United States v. Oakley, 744 F.2d 1553, 1555 (11th Cir. 1984) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). The Court will consider each motion on its own merits, resolving all reasonable inferences against the party whose motion is under consideration. See Am. Bankers Ins. Grp., 408 F.3d at 1331.
Lloyd's contends Witham, as a matter of law, is not an innocent mortgage holder. Conversely, in his motion for summary judgment, Witham contends he is. The "mortgageholder clause" in the Policy is a New York standard mortgage clause, pursuant to which, under Georgia law, "the mortgagee is protected even if the insured does something to invalidate the mortgage" because the "clause creates a separate and distinct contract between the mortgagee and the insurance company." In re Alexander, 329 B.R. 919, 923 (Bankr. M.D.Ga.2005) (citing Am. Cent. Ins. Co. v. Lee, 273 Ga. 880, 548 S.E.2d 338, 340 (2001)); S. Gen. Ins. Co. v. Key, 197 Ga.App. 290, 398 S.E.2d 237, 238 (1990); see also AIG Centennial Ins. Co. v. O'Neill, 782 F.3d 1296, 1307 (11th Cir.2015). However, because the standard mortgage clause represents an independent contract and thus is "subject to the same limitations to which all contracts are subject," a mortgage holder's own acts and omissions may void coverage under the mortgage clause. See Morris Cty. Nat'l. Bank v. John Deere Ins. Co., 254 F.3d 538, 541 (5th Cir.2001); Citizens St. Bank of Dickinson v. Am. Fire & Casualty Co., 198 F.2d 57, 60 (5th Cir.1952).
It is undisputed Scarbrough procured insurance for Reaching Souls's property and filled out the application with the alleged material misrepresentations. (Doc. 57). The question is whether Scarbrough filled out the application as Witham's agent or as Reaching Souls's agent. If he was Witham's agent, the purported material misrepresentations are imputed to Witham. "Under Georgia law, actual agency arises whenever a person expressly authorizes another to act for him or subsequently ratifies the acts of another made in his behalf."
It is clear there are genuine disputes of fact whether Scarbrough was acting as
Witham and McGinn, on the other hand, maintain that their involvement and communications with Scarbrough were for the sole purpose of protecting Witham's interest as the mortgage holder, and they otherwise did not authorize Scarbrough to procure insurance as their legal agent. (Docs. 41-1 at 36:8-10; 77-2, ¶ 10). See Ga. Farm Mut. Ins. Co. v. First Fed. Savings & Loan Ass'n of Statesboro, 152 Ga.App. 16, 16, 20, 262 S.E.2d 147, 148, 150 (1979). Scarbrough also testified in his deposition that only Reaching Souls as the insured, and not Witham as the mortgage holder, had the authority to instruct him what to include in an insurance application. (Doc. 42-1 at 247:16-248:4). Indeed, Scarborough testified in his deposition that he answered the questions in the application based on answers in previous insurance applications for Reaching Souls and that he was provided the information in these previous applications by Evelyn Ross. (Doc. 42-1 at 182:10-23; 187:1-188:18; 244:7-23).
No doubt Lloyd's thought it had put the last nail in Witham's claim when Scarbrough testified in his deposition that McGinn signed the application containing the misrepresentations as Witham's "authorized representative." (Doc. 42-1 at 189:24-190:2, 192:13-21). But Scarbrough then testified in a subsequent affidavit and at a hearing that, in fact, he signed McGinn's name to the application.
Lloyd's has asserted Witham intentionally made three material misrepresentations. First, Lloyd's claims Witham intentionally misrepresented that he alone had an insurable interest in the property when, in fact, Reaching Souls did as well. This argument is specious. Witham stated in the proof of loss that Reaching Souls also had an insurable interest in the property: "[a]t the time of loss, ... [Lloyd's] insured the interest of Bert Witham and Reaching Souls ... against loss by fire to the property described." (Doc. 8-16 at 2). Moreover, Lloyd's obviously knew that its insured had a potential interest in the property. Accordingly, Lloyd's is not entitled to summary judgment on this issue.
Second, Lloyd's argues Witham intentionally made a material misrepresentation as to the claimed loss amount. (Doc. 76 at 13-14). Witham does not argue this alleged misrepresentation was immaterial; rather, he contends there is no evidence that he intentionally made the misrepresentation to defraud Lloyd's. In the proof of loss, Witham stated the actual cash value of the property was "$1,000,000 and $100,000," the "whole loss and damage" was "$900,000 + $100,000," and the "amount claimed" was $995,000.00. (Doc. 8-16). There is no precise explanation of what this means in the record, but Witham testified he assumed the amount claimed was calculated from the "face amount of the policy, less the $5,000 deduction."
Lloyd's has provided evidence that before the proof of loss was filed, McGinn, in an email to Scarbrough on September 14, 2012, stated she had read the Policy and that "[t]here is absolutely NO WAY the old building should be insured for $1,000,000 (rebuild is probably half that)." (Doc. 42-39 at 4). This evidence suggests McGinn may have understood the buildings and structures damaged in the fire were worth significantly less than the claimed amount. However, McGinn explains that (1) she "had no actual knowledge at that time and did not investigate what the actual value of the buildings ... might be"; (2) the amounts claimed "were based on [their] understanding of the approximate value of the insured buildings" destroyed; (3) the $900,000.00 loss estimate for the building was based on an appraisal done years prior; and (4) they were unaware coverage for the insured property was for the actual cash value and not the replacement cost value. (Doc. 77-2, ¶¶ 23, 26).
Finally, Lloyd's argues Witham made a material misrepresentation when he said that the loss did not originate by the act of the insured, or "this affiant." (Doc. 76 at 16). Lloyd's points to circumstantial evidence that agents of Reaching Souls were responsible for the fire. Further, McGinn testified in her affidavit that shortly after the fire, two federal agents told her they suspected the Ross family started the fire for financial gain. (Doc. 77-2, ¶ 24). There is no evidence in the record that any member of the Ross family or agent of Reaching Souls was indicted or convicted for arson. In any event, Lloyd's has not provided evidence to establish that either Witham or McGinn had such knowledge that Reaching Souls committed arson that would have required them to affirmatively
If Witham can recover under the policy, Lloyd's argues that, pursuant to the mortgage clause, he can recover only under the Buildings and Structures Coverage of the policy. In his motion for summary judgment, Witham claims that he can also recover under the Business Personal Property Coverage. The Policy's mortgage clause provides the following:
(Doc. 33-1 at 20). Witham argues the last paragraph under section 2.d. — "All of the
Pursuant to Georgia law, "the interpretation of an insurance policy, including the determination and resolution of ambiguities, is a question of law for the court to decide." Giddens v. Equitable Life Assurance Soc. of United States, 445 F.3d 1286, 1297 (11th Cir.2006). "[I]n attempting to ascertain the intentions of the parties, insurance contracts are governed by the ordinary rules of construction applicable to other contracts." Se. Atl. Cargo, etc. v. First State Ins. Co., 197 Ga.App. 371, 372, 398 S.E.2d 264, 265 (1990). "[A]n insurance policy must be construed as a whole, and all of the provisions should be so interpreted so as to harmonize with the other." Chanin v. Tharrington, 222 Ga.App. 890, 890, 476 S.E.2d 651, 652 (1996) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).
As discussed, the Policy's mortgage clause is a New York standard mortgage clause which creates a separate contract between the insurer and the mortgage holder. Because this clause is a separate contract, authority interpreting similar mortgage clauses as the one above, which include the "all-terms" paragraph, have all concluded the standard mortgage clause permits the named mortgage holder to recover "to the extent allowable under the Standard Mortgage Clause." See Florists' Mut. Ins. Co. v. Agstar of N.M. Inc., 2005 WL 3664325, at *9 (D.N.M.2005); see also First Nat'l Bank, Abilene Tex. v. Am. States Ins. Co., 134 F.3d 382, 1998 WL 30246, at *2-*4 (10th Cir.1998); Colony Ins. Co. v. Peterson, 2012 WL 1867047, at *20-*22 (M.D.N.C.2012), rejected in part on other grounds by 2012 WL 4369666 (M.D.N.C.2012). In other words, the mortgage holder's coverage is defined and limited by the express terms of the standard mortgage clause.
Here, section 2.b. expressly defines and limits the mortgage holder's recovery to buildings and structures: "We will pay for covered loss of or damage to buildings or structures to each mortgageholder shown in the Declarations in their order of precedence." (Doc. 33-1 at 20). And section 2.d. adds the right of the mortgage holder to recover this loss payment even if the insured is denied coverage by his own acts or omissions. (Id.). Reading the mortgage clause as a whole in conjunction with the Policy, the Court agrees the standard mortgage clause was clearly intended to expressly define and limit Witham's recovery to the covered loss of the building and structures and to allow Witham to recover this loss regardless of Reaching Souls's acts or omissions. Section 2.d. was not, however, intended to expand the limits of Witham's recovery to the same extent as the insured could have recovered. Thus, the "all-terms" paragraph did not expand the coverage provided by 2.b. to include business personal property.
Witham suggests that because his security interest in the property included the buildings' contents, he is entitled to recover the value of these contents under the mortgage clause. (Doc. 77-1 at 25). However, coverage under the mortgage clause does not change based on the extent of a particular mortgage holder's security interest in the property. See Cont'l Mortg. & Equity Trust v. Meridian Mut. Ins. Co., 969 F.Supp. 460, 464 n. 5 (E.D.Mich.1997) ("[The mortgagee] points out that the
For the reasons stated above, Lloyd's motion for summary judgment is
Witham has also objected to the filing of the transcript of McGinn's EUO as discovery. (Doc. 53). Again, the Court doubts an EUO can in every way be used just as a deposition can be used. However, given that McGinn went to the EUO instead of Witham, she undoubtedly acted as Witham's agent, and at her EUO, she testified to matters concerning her assistance as an agent to Witham during the events that are the subject of this lawsuit. (Doc. 38-9). Thus, the EUO would likely be admissible as an admission by a party opponent pursuant to Fed. R. Evid. 801(d)(2). Accordingly, Witham's objection is
Finally, Lloyd's has moved for discovery sanctions pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(c)(2) because of Witham's failure to admit that McGinn was represented by counsel at her EUO. (Doc. 55). In his response to the Request for Admission, Witham's counsel stated that the request calls for an admission to a legal conclusion given the differences between an attorney's role in a deposition and in an EUO. Given these differences, the Court does not agree that sanctions are warranted against Witham for his denial that McGinn was represented by counsel at her EUO. At the very least, Witham "had a reasonable ground to believe that [he] might prevail on the matter." Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(c)(2)(C). Accordingly, Lloyd's motion for sanctions is
Lloyd's also challenges the admissibility of Arthur's testimony pursuant to Fed. R. Evid. 702. Lloyd's argues that Anthony's testimony is unreliable because he did not sufficiently explain the methodology underlying his analysis and because Anthony used copies of electronically stored images of signatures instead of originals. As to methodology, the Court is satisfied Anthony's testimony is sufficiently reliable. (Doc. 51 at 69:7-23, 72:7-24, 75:15-76:25, 80:7-84:20, 89:25-93:1, 105:15-106:11). Although Anthony in his deposition generally describes his comparison method, he specifically demonstrates the reliability of his method by giving a "detailed explanation as to exactly how [he] evaluated the documents and drew his conclusions." See Dracz v. Am. General Life Ins. Co., 426 F.Supp.2d 1373, 1379-90 (M.D.Ga.2006). Further, that Anthony used copies instead of originals for his comparison "should go to the weight of his testimony, but should not bar its admission, completely." Wolf v. Ramsey, 253 F.Supp.2d 1323, 1346 (N.D.Ga.2003). Accordingly, Lloyd's motion to preclude the expert testimony of Arthur Anthony is