JOHN A. JARVEY, District Judge.
Plaintiff, the Weitz Company, LLC ("Weitz") filed a Complaint against the Defendants on June 4, 2010. [Dkt. No. 1.] Defendants are Lexington Insurance Company ("Lexington"); Allied World Assurance Company (U.S.), Inc. ("Allied"); Westchester Surplus Lines Insurance Company ("Westchester"); Essex Insurance Company ("Essex"); and Lloyd's of London, et al., a/k/a/ Underwriters at Lloyd's ("Lloyd's Underwriters").
This matter now comes before the Court pursuant to Lexington/Allied's motion for
This Court has diversity jurisdiction over the subject matter of this case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(1) and (a)(2) because there is complete diversity of citizenship between Weitz and the Defendants,
This case arises from the construction of a retirement community in Aventura, Florida. On January 8, 2001, the plaintiff, The Weitz Company, LLC ("Weitz"), entered into a contract with CC-Aventura, Inc., an affiliate of the Hyatt Corporation ("Hyatt"), to build a luxury-life residential
According to the second amended complaint, Allied, Axis, Essex, Lexington, Lloyd's Underwriters, and Westchester provided "all risk" property insurance policies to Hyatt covering the project. [Dkt. No. 142 Page 5]; [Dkt. No. 89 Page 4.] For instance, in late 2003, Lexington and Allied World issued commercial first-party property insurance policies to Hyatt insuring multiple Hyatt properties throughout the United States. [Dkt. No. 148-2 Page 4.] These policies included the Classic-Aventura property in Florida. [Dkt. No. 148-2 Page 4.] The policies provided insurance coverage for "direct physical loss or damage" to the covered properties for certain periods of time.
In 2005, Hyatt, Lexington, and Allied entered into a settlement agreement, in which Lexington/Allied agreed to pay Hyatt $750,000 for the reported claims arising from the project.
In 2006, after settling with Lexington/Allied, Hyatt filed a lawsuit against Weitz and MSA Architects, Inc. ("MSA") in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, on grounds of breach of contract, breach of guaranty, and breach of applicable building codes.
In 2010, shortly before trial, Weitz entered into a settlement agreement with Hyatt. Pursuant to the agreement, Weitz paid Hyatt approximately $53 million for the property damage Hyatt suffered.
Later that same year, Weitz sued Hyatt's first-party property insurers — the Defendants — in this Court on a breach-of-contract theory. Weitz amended its initial complaint to seek recovery in equity through subrogation and unjust enrichment. [Dkt. No. 68 Page 6.] Weitz alleges that the $53 million Weitz paid Hyatt for property damages should have been covered by Hyatt's insurance policies that were issued by the Defendants. Based on assignments from entities that contributed to the Hyatt/Weitz settlement, Weitz now seeks to recover a counterclaim of $4,963,404.18 that Weitz gave up as a part of that settlement.
As to the equitable and/or legal subrogation claim, Weitz argues that the Defendants are primarily liable for the property damage to the project because: (1) Weitz paid Hyatt for the property damage covered by the Defendants' policies; (2) Weitz made the settlement payment to Hyatt to protect its own interests; (3) Weitz's settlement payment to Hyatt was not voluntary; (4) Weitz's settlement payment served as payment of Defendants' entire debt; and (5) given that the settlement payment made by Weitz to Hyatt should have been made by the Defendants, subrogation against the Defendants would not work any injustice to them. See In re Chapala Intern., Inc., No. 94-1208-CH, 1995 WL 17911422, at *34 (S.D.Iowa May 26, 1995) (articulating the five-part test to prove an equitable subrogation claim) (citing In re Hagen, 147 B.R. 166, 167 (Bankr. N.D.Iowa 1992)).
Regarding the unjust enrichment claim, Weitz asserts that it conferred a benefit on the Defendants because it covered the property damages that were the responsibility of the Defendants under their insurance policies. For that reason, Defendants were unjustly enriched by the benefit that Weitz conferred. It would be inequitable, Weitz argues, to allow the Defendants to retain the benefit without paying for its value.
The Defendants argue that Weitz has already been made whole from the payments it received after settling with Hyatt. Therefore, Weitz cannot collect at law or in equity because it has already been reimbursed for everything it paid Hyatt in 2010. In addition, the Defendants contend that no amount of the settlement paid by Weitz to Hyatt was a liability owed by the Defendant insurers. Finally, the Defendants also argue that Weitz's claims fail as a matter of law because Weitz's claims are barred by the release Lexington/Allied received from Hyatt, and the suit limitation clauses and notice provisions in Defendants' insurance policies. Because the Defendants
"Summary judgment is proper if there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Carraher v. Target Corp., 503 F.3d 714, 716 (8th Cir. 2007) (citing Fed.R.Civ.P.56(c); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986)). The moving party has the initial burden of demonstrating the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. See Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548. The requirement of a "genuine" issue of fact means that "the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). In other words, the nonmoving party is not "relieved" of its "own burden of producing in turn evidence that would support a jury verdict." Id. at 256, 106 S.Ct. 2505.
This Court "must view the evidence, and the inferences that may be reasonably drawn from it, in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party." Carraher, 503 F.3d at 716. The nonmoving party, or party opposing a properly supported motion for summary judgment, "`may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of his pleading, but ... must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.'" Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505 (quoting Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(e)). "One of the principal purposes of the summary judgment rule is to isolate and dispose of factually unsupported claims or defenses, and ... [the rule] should be interpreted in a way that allows it to accomplish this purpose." Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323-24, 106 S.Ct. 2548. In this case, there is no genuine issue of material fact for trial because the Plaintiff did not present evidence from which a jury might return a verdict in its favor. See Anderson, 477 U.S. at 257, 106 S.Ct. 2505.
An analysis of whether the Defendants' contractual limitations provisions apply to Weitz's claims, and whether Weitz's unjust enrichment claim is separate from Weitz's equitable subrogation claim, presents a choice-of-law issues as to which of the following three states' laws apply: Illinois (location of the named insured's headquarters); Florida (location of the loss); or Iowa (location of Weitz's headquarters).
A court makes four analytical steps in resolving a choice-of-law issue: (1) characterize the nature of the cause of action; (2) decide if a conflict of law exists; (3) identify the law that applies based on the forum state's choice-of-law principles; and (4) determine which state's substantive law applies based on the application of the forum state's choice-of-law principles. See Jackson v. Travelers Insurance Co., 26 F.Supp.2d 1153, 1156-57 (S.D.Iowa 1998).
In deciding the choice-of-law questions presented here, this Court finds the following: (1) Weitz's claims are properly characterized as contract claims; (2) A "true conflict" exists between the laws of Florida and Iowa, and the laws of Illinois regarding whether an unjust enrichment claim is a separate cause of action, and whether contractual limitations clauses that shorten an applicable statutory limitations period are permissible; (3) Under the Iowa choice-of-law rules, the "most significant relationship" test of the Restatement
This Court's jurisdiction is based upon diversity jurisdiction; therefore, this Court must follow the choice-of-law rules of the state in which it sits. See Klaxon Co. v. Stentor Electric Mfg. Co., 313 U.S. 487, 496-97, 61 S.Ct. 1020, 85 L.Ed. 1477 (1941); see also Colonial Ins. Co. of Cal. v. Spirco Envtl. Inc., 137 F.3d 560, 561 (8th Cir.1998). In this case, the parties agree that Iowa's choice-of-law rules govern the Court's determination of the applicable substantive law because Iowa is the forum state. See Carton v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 639 F.Supp.2d 982, 987 (N.D.Iowa 2009) (citing Alumbaugh v. Union Pac. R.R. Co., 322 F.3d 520, 523 (8th Cir.2003)). The parties' agreement ends there.
The first step in determining a choice-of-law question is to properly characterize the type of case involved, and the law of the forum state controls this question. See Drinkall v. Used Car Rentals, Inc., 32 F.3d 329, 331 (8th Cir.1994) (quoting O'Neal v. Kennamer, 958 F.2d 1044, 1046 (11th Cir.1992)). The "nature of the causes of action" must first be decided because "a state may have adopted different choice of law approaches depending on the nature of the claim." Jackson, 26 F.Supp.2d at 1156 (citing Drinkall, 32 F.3d at 331).
The first question in this case is whether equitable subrogation and unjust enrichment claims are properly characterized as tort or contract claims.
In their motion for summary judgment, Lexington/Allied contend that Weitz's equitable subrogation and unjust enrichment claims implicate Lexington/Allied's obligations under their property insurance contracts with Hyatt. Lexington/Allied argue that "[f]or choice of law purposes these [Weitz's] claims most closely resemble contract claims." [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 15.] This point was reiterated at the hearing on Defendants' motions for summary judgment in July of this year. [Dkt. No. 185 Page 81.] Lexington/Allied rely on Duchardt v. Midland Nat'l Life Ins. Co., 265 F.R.D. 436, 446-48 (S.D.Iowa 2009), and Dethmers Mfg. Co. v. Automatic Equipment, Mfg. Co., 23 F.Supp.2d 974, 1001-04 (N.D.Iowa 1998), for the proposition that Iowa's contract choice-of-law principles apply here.
Weitz counters that it has a right to recover based on legally valid assignments to Weitz by its subcontractors and insurers. Weitz disagrees with Lexington/Allied that Weitz "stand[s] in Hyatt's shoes against [Lexington/Allied] as an insured" or it is a "contractual subrogee." [Dkt. No. 156 Page 8.] Rather, Weitz stresses that it brings claims for equitable — not contractual — subrogation and unjust enrichment. Since Weitz brings claims "solely in equity, not contract," it contends that Iowa's tort choice-of-law rules apply. [Dkt. No. 156 Pages 1213.] According to Weitz, Am. Online, Inc. v. National Health Care Discount, Inc., 121 F.Supp.2d 1255 (N.D.Iowa 2000), is the most persuasive precedent, and any reliance on Dethmers is misplaced.
This Court disagrees with Weitz's characterization of its claims. Under the laws of the forum state, Iowa, all of Weitz's claims are in contract.
In addition, the case law relied upon by Weitz is distinguishable. In Am. Online, Inc., the court correctly applied Restatement (Second) § 145's tort choice-of-law principles because the claims at issue were properly characterized as tort claims. 121 F.Supp.2d at 1269-70. There, an Iowa corporation hired e-mailers to send unauthorized and unsolicited bulk e-mail advertisements to customers of AOL, an Internet Service Provider (ISP), in violation of state and federal laws. Id. at 1270. By relying on Am. Online, Inc., Weitz incorrectly argues that Iowa's tort choice-of-law rules apply here. In sum, if there is a "true conflict" between the laws of Florida, Illinois, and Iowa, this Court must apply Iowa's contract, not tort, choice-of-law rules.
The second step in determining a choice-of-law question requires the Court to decide if there is any conflict or difference between the state laws regarding the claims presented. See Jackson, 26 F.Supp.2d at 1156-1157 (citing Phillips v. Marist Soc'y, 80 F.3d 274, 276 (8th Cir. 1996)). "Before any choice of law need be made, there must be a `true conflict' between the laws of the possible jurisdictions on the pertinent issue." Harlan Feeders, Inc. v. Grand Lab., 881 F.Supp. 1400, 1404 (N.D.Iowa 1995) (citing Nesladek v. Ford Motor Co., 46 F.3d 734, 736 (8th Cir.1995)). Federal district courts in Iowa have used the term "conflict" or "difference" to indicate the situation where two or more laws are contradictory to each other. Jackson, 26 F.Supp.2d at 1157.
For example, in Harlan Feeders, Inc., the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa held that there was a "true conflict" between Nebraska's prohibition of punitive or exemplary damages by its Constitution, and Iowa's establishment by statute and common law of the availability and substantive requirements for punitive damages. Harlan Feeders, Inc., 881 F.Supp. at 1404-05. The court concluded that there was a "true conflict" between the laws of Nebraska and Iowa regarding the right to seek punitive damages in a civil action. Id. The court reasoned that the availability of punitive damages was a question of "substantive law," rather than "procedural law." Id. at 1408. Therefore, the court held that "punitive damages must be considered in this case in accordance with the substantive law of the
At issue is whether a "true conflict" between the laws of Iowa, Florida, or Illinois exists. If no conflict or difference between the laws exists, then the law of the forum applies without a choice-of-law analysis being necessary. Phillips, 80 F.3d at 276.
Lexington/Allied contend that differences exist between the states' laws relating to (1) if unjust enrichment is a separate cause of action, and (2) if contractual limitations clauses that shorten an applicable statutory limitations period are permissible. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Pages 23, 31.] They cite Siegel v. Shell Oil Co., 612 F.3d 932, 937 (7th Cir.2010), and this Court's May 25, 2011 order denying Defendants' motions to dismiss for the proposition that Illinois does not recognize unjust enrichment as a separate cause of action. [Dkt. No. 89.] By contrast, Lexington/Allied assert that Florida and Iowa generally recognize a separate cause of action for unjust enrichment. See Moynet v. Courtois, 8 So.3d 377, 379 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.2009); see also Iowa Waste Sys., Inc. v. Buchanan County, 617 N.W.2d 23, 29-31 (Iowa Ct. App.2003).
Responding, Weitz disagrees with Lexington/Allied's characterization of the law. According to Weitz, no conflict of law exists to justify a choice-of-law analysis. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 15.] Weitz refers this Court to Cleary v. Philip Morris Inc., 656 F.3d 511 (7th Cir.2011), and Control Solutions, LLC v. Oshkosh Corp., No. 10 C 121, 2012 WL 3096678 (N.D.Ill. July 27, 2012), contending that Illinois does recognize a stand-alone cause of action for unjust enrichment.
There is a difference between the laws of Illinois, and the laws of Florida and Iowa regarding unjust enrichment claims. Under Illinois law, a claim for unjust enrichment is not a separate cause of action based on the facts confronting this Court. See Siegel, 612 F.3d at 937.
Contrary to the arguments presented in Weitz's brief, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Cleary does not definitively resolve whether Illinois recognizes unjust enrichment as a separate cause of action. Cleary, 656 F.3d at 518. It is true that the Seventh Circuit in Cleary cites Illinois Supreme Court cases that recognize unjust enrichment as an independent cause of action, such as Raintree Homes, Inc. v. Vill. of Long Grove, 209 Ill.2d 248, 282 Ill.Dec. 815, 807 N.E.2d 439, 445 (2004); Peddinghaus v. Peddinghaus, 295 Ill.App.3d 943, 230 Ill.Dec. 55, 692 N.E.2d 1221, 1225 (1998); HPI Health Care Servs., Inc. v. Mt. Vernon Hosp., Inc., 131 Ill.2d 145, 137 Ill.Dec. 19, 545 N.E.2d 672, 679 (1989); and Indep. Voters v. Ill. Commerce Comm'n, 117 Ill.2d 90, 109 Ill.Dec. 782, 510 N.E.2d 850, 852-58 (1987). However, Weitz overlooks the Seventh Circuit's analysis of recent Illinois case law suggesting an opposite conclusion than the one Weitz puts forth — that is, "an unjust enrichment claim cannot stand untethered from an underlying claim." Cleary, 656 F.3d at 518. At the hearing on Defendants' motions for summary judgment, Weitz went so far as to argue:
[Dkt. No. 185 Page 69.] Weitz misstates Cleary.
After analyzing the conflicting case law on whether unjust enrichment is a separate cause of action, the Seventh Circuit wrote, "Despite these reflections, it is not necessary to resolve definitively whether Illinois law recognizes unjust enrichment as an independent cause of action: the plaintiffs' case fails because their allegations are insufficient to support a cause of action for unjust enrichment." Cleary, 656 F.3d at 518. More importantly, the Seventh Circuit's resolution of the "apparently conflicting language" of Illinois state law on unjust enrichment claims bolsters Lexington/Allied's contentions. As Lexington/Allied note in their reply brief, Cleary stands for the proposition that "if an unjust enrichment claim rests on the same improper conduct alleged in another claim, then the unjust enrichment claim will be tied to this related claim — and, of course, unjust enrichment will stand or fall with the related claim." [Dkt. No. 164 Pages 10-11]; Cleary, 656 F.3d at 517 (citing Ass'n Benefit Servs., Inc. v. Caremark RX, Inc., 493 F.3d 841, 855 (7th Cir.2007)).
Other Illinois case law — even precedent cited by Weitz — comes to the same conclusion as the court in Cleary. See, e.g., Pirelli Armstrong Tire Corp. Retiree Medical Benefits Trust v. Walgreen Co., 631 F.3d 436, 447 (7th Cir.2011) ("Under Illinois law, unjust enrichment is not a separate cause of action. `Rather, it is a condition that may be brought about by unlawful or improper conduct as defined by law, such as fraud, duress, or undue influence, and may be redressed by a cause of action based upon that improper conduct'"); see also Control Solutions, 2012 WL 3096678, at *10 ("Thus, unjust enrichment may be asserted as a stand alone claim. However, if the improper conduct that forms the basis of the unjust enrichment claim is the same conduct forming the basis for another claim, then either both stand as alternative theories of recovery or both fail"); Mulligan v. QVC, Inc., 382 Ill.App.3d 620, 321 Ill.Dec. 257, 888 N.E.2d 1190, 1200 (2008) ("[T]his court has held that [a claim for unjust enrichment] is not a separate cause of action that, standing alone, would justify an action for recovery. `Rather, it is a condition that may be brought about by unlawful or improper conduct such as fraud, and may be redressed by a cause of action based upon that improper conduct'"). Thus, neither Cleary nor Control Solutions, stand for the proposition that Illinois recognizes a stand-alone cause of action for an unjust enrichment claim where, as here, an unjust enrichment claim and an equitable subrogation claim arise from the same conduct of the Defendants.
Furthermore, Lexington/Allied and Weitz refer this Court to its May 25, 2011 order, [Dkt. No. 89 Page 17 n. 10], denying Defendants' motions to dismiss in which this Court found that under Illinois law a claim for unjust enrichment is not a separate cause of action. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 23]; [Dkt. No. 156 Page 21.] However, in reaching that conclusion, this Court stated that "no conflict exists on the issue of unjust enrichment among the three states (Iowa, Illinois, and Florida) whose law potentially governs." [Dkt. No. 89 Page 17 n. 10.] Based on this reasoning, the Court did not conduct a choice-of-law analysis. Upon further reflection, this Court is persuaded that it was wrong. Moreover, after review of the parties' briefs, and the case law referenced above, this Court finds
Lexington/Allied contend that Illinois recognizes and enforces contractual limitations provisions. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 30.] Lexington/Allied argue that Illinois courts have held that suits on insurance policies brought after expiration of such a contractual limitations period must be dismissed because compliance with the limitations period is a condition precedent to recovery. According to Lexington/Allied, Iowa also enforces these clauses if they are "reasonable in light of the contracts' provisions and the circumstances of their performance." [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 31.] Conversely, Lexington/Allied argue that Florida does not permit contractual limitations clauses that shorten an applicable statutory limitations period. See Scratch Golf, LLC. v. Lexington Ins. Co., No. 08-60815, 2009 WL 1287963, at *2-3 (S.D.Fla. May 6, 2009), aff'd, No. 09-13088, 2009 WL 4377556 (11th Cir.2009).
Weitz asserts that the statute of limitations for a claim for equitable subrogation under Florida law is four years, and only begins to run once payment is made. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 27]; see also FLA. STAT. ANN. § 95.11(3)(k) (West 2013); Allstate Ins. Co. v. Metro. Dade County, 436 So.2d 976, 979 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1983). Weitz points to Am. Alliance Ins. Co. v. IARW Ins. Co., Ltd., as the sole authority to suggest Illinois courts are "in accord" with Florida law. 165 F.3d 558, 561 (7th Cir. 1999). Referring this Court to Am. Alliance Ins. Co., Weitz argues that the Seventh Circuit applied Illinois law and held that "[a] period of limitations set by contract binds only the parties to the contract." Id. Thus, Weitz contends that its claims are not time barred under either Illinois or Florida law.
Weitz also distinguishes the cases relied upon by Lexington/Allied as contractual subrogation cases that are "inapplicable" in the context of a "purely equitable claim." [Dkt. No. 156 Page 28.] Weitz argues that the cases cited by Lexington/Allied are distinct because they involved direct actions by an insured against its insurer. Weitz also cites Florida and Illinois case law that highlight the distinctions between causes of action for contractual subrogation and equitable subrogation. See, e.g., State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Johnson, 18 So.3d 1099, 1100-1101 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.2009); see also Electric Ins. Co. v. Nat'l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, 346 F.Supp.2d 958, 964 (N.D.Ill.2004).
There exists a conflict of laws over how contractual limitations provisions are treated. The Lexington/Allied policies state in relevant part: "No suit or action on this policy for the recovery of any claim shall be sustainable in a court of law or equity ... unless commenced within twenty-four months next after inception of the loss." [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 29.] The parties agree that, under Florida law, the contractual limitations provision would not bar Weitz's action if it shortened the applicable statutory limitations period for the claim. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 32]; [Dkt. No. 156 Page 27.]
Whether Illinois's law would enforce the Lexington/Allied policies' limitation is at the center of the parties' disagreement.
[Dkt. No. 185 Page 96.] For that reason, Lexington/Allied's contractual limitations policy would be upheld under Illinois law.
Because this Court concludes there are conflicts of laws, it must next decide which state's substantive law applies to the controversies presented based on Iowa's choice-of-law principles. See Jackson, 26 F.Supp.2d at 1159. Once this Court determines which state's substantive law applies, it will determine whether Weitz can bring a separate unjust enrichment claim, and whether the two-year suit limitations period in Lexington/Allied's policies applies to Weitz's claims in equity.
The third step in determining a choice-of-law question requires the Court to "identify the applicable choice-of-law principles of the forum state, and finally, apply those principles to decide which state's law applies." Jackson, 26 F.Supp.2d at 1157. "The Iowa Supreme Court has repeatedly turned to the Restatement in analyzing the choice of law issues." Washburn v. Soper, 319 F.3d 338, 342 (8th Cir.2003). It most recently considered choice-of-law issues in May of this year. See Moad v. Dakota Truck Underwriters, 831 N.W.2d 111, 115 (Iowa 2013).
Because choice-of-law clauses express the intent of the parties to a contract, Iowa courts are generally deferential to such clauses. See Gabe's Constr. Co. v. United Capitol Ins. Co., 539 N.W.2d 144, 146 (Iowa 1995). Nothing in the record indicates that there was a choice-of-law clause in the insurance policies negotiated between Hyatt and Lexington/Allied.
Where the parties to a contract have not specified which law governs, Iowa applies the law of the state with the "most significant relationship" or interests in the litigation, as determined by Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 188. See Aurora National Life Assurance Co., 462 F.Supp.2d 951, 962 (S.D.Iowa 2006) (citing Gabe's Constr. Co., 539 N.W.2d at 146); see also Woods Masonry, Inc. v. Monumental Gen. Cas. Ins. Co., 198 F.Supp.2d 1016, 1025 (N.D.Iowa 2002); Cole v. State Auto. & Cas. Underwriters, 296 N.W.2d 779, 781 (Iowa 1980) (an insurance contract case in which Iowa adopted the "most significant relationship" test).
The parties disagree as to whether Restatement (Second) Conflict of Laws §§ 145, 188, or 193 should apply. Weitz asserts that in applying the factors under Restatement (Second) Conflict of Laws § 145's tort choice-of-law test, Florida law controls. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 13]; [Dkt. No. 185 Page 100.] For the reasons stated
In the alternative, Weitz argues that "[e]ven if the Court were to apply Iowa's contract rules to a choice-of-law analysis, Lexington/Allied apply the wrong test." [Dkt. No. 156 Page 13.] According to Weitz, § 193 of the Restatement, "Contracts of Fire, Surety or Casualty," provides that the law of the state where the risk is located governs when the contract is one of insurance, unless another state has a more significant relationship to the parties and the transaction. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 14.] Liability insurance is one of the various kinds of "casualty insurance." See Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193, cmt. a (1971); see also Gabe's Constr. Co., 539 N.W.2d at 147.
Weitz urges the Court to adopt the site-specific choice-of-law test under Restatement (Second) Conflict of Laws § 193 for the insurance contracts between Hyatt and Lexington/Allied to determine whether Florida, Illinois, or Iowa law applies. [Dkt. No. 156 Pages 13-14.] Weitz attempts to bolster its claim that Florida law should apply by referring the Court to comment f of § 193. Comment f addresses the situation of "multiple risk policies which insure against risks located in several states," and the comment suggests that if a house located in one state were damaged by a fire, then the local law of that state would apply "at least with respect to most issues." Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193, cmt. f (1971).
In its reply brief, Lexington/Allied cite St. Paul Fire and argue that § 193 of the Restatement does not apply here "because it pertains only to policies that are governed by state-specific statutory forms." [Dkt. No. 164 Page 7]; see also St. Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co. v. Building Const. Enterprises, Inc., 526 F.3d 1166, 1168-69 (8th Cir.2008). Instead, Lexington/Allied argue that § 188, a general choice-of-law test for use when a contract contains no choice-of-law provision, should apply. St. Paul Fire, 526 F.3d at 1168.
The Court rejects Weitz's reliance on RESTATEMENT (SECOND) CONFLICT OF LAWS § 193 in support of its alternative argument that Florida law should apply. Section 193 is a specific choice-of-law provision that addresses "contracts of fire, surety or casualty insurance" and treats the principal location of the insured risk as the most important factor in the choice-of-law determination. See RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF CONFLICT OF LAWS § 193 (1971).
In St. Paul Fire, § 193 was addressed in the context of multi-risk insurance policies where, as here, there is no principal location for the insured risk. St. Paul Fire, 526 F.3d at 1168-69. There, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the argument that Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 193 required the application of Kansas law, and held that Restatement § 188 required the application of Missouri law. Id. at 1169. The insurance contract dispute involved a claim for coverage of construction activity in Kansas. Id. However, the insurance policy was issued in Missouri, the insured was headquartered in Missouri, and the place of contracting for the purpose of entering into the insurance contracts was in Missouri. Id.
The court reasoned that "[w]ith multiple-risk insurance policies, there often will be no principal location for the insured risk. In such circumstances, the general, multi-factored test of § 188, rather than the site specific test of 193, typically controls." Id. at 1168-69 (citing RESTATEMENT
Weitz does not address St. Paul Fire, and its reliance on Gabe's Construction Co. is misplaced. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 14.] In Gabe's Construction Co., the Iowa Supreme Court relied upon § 193 to conclude that Iowa law should apply because the principal location of the insurer's risk was in Iowa. Gabe's Constr. Co., 539 N.W.2d at 146-47. There, liability arose from an endorsement that named Gabe's Construction Co. as an additional insured. Id. at 147. The certificate of insurance was also specifically limited to coverage from liability arising from a project in Iowa. Id.
This case is markedly different than Gabe's Construction Co. Here, the insurance policies of Lexington/Allied and Hyatt were not specifically limited to coverage of one project in one state. Lexington/Allied's insurance policies do not cover Hyatt principally in Florida. Thus, § 193 loses its significance. See RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF CONFLICT OF LAWS § 193 cmt. b (1971); see also St. Paul Fire, 526 F.3d at 1168-69.
As in St. Paul Fire, the Lexington/Allied insurance policies provided coverage to the real and personal property of Hyatt throughout the United States and Territories. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 16.] Weitz was also not named as an additional insured for purposes of any property located in Florida. [Dkt. No. 164 Pages 78.] Hence, because Iowa courts apply Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 188 in deciding choice-of-law questions in like circumstances, this Court must now apply the principles of § 188 to the present conflict to determine if Iowa's choice-of-law principles favor Illinois or Florida law on the facts before the Court. See, e.g., Gabe's Constr. Co., 539 N.W.2d at 146; see also Cole, 296 N.W.2d at 781.
This Court must take into account the contacts considered under Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 188(2), including: (a) the place of contracting; (b) the place of negotiation of the contract; (c) the place of performance; (d) the location of the subject matter of the contract; and (e) the domicile, residence, nationality, place of incorporation and place of business of the parties. These contacts are to be evaluated according to their relative importance with respect to the particular issue.
A review of the record, and an examination of the specific factors set forth in the Restatement, shows that Illinois has significant contacts to the transaction or dispute and the parties. Illinois law applies to this dispute.
As regards factor (b), the place of negotiation is where the parties negotiate and agree on the terms of their contract. See RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF CONFLICT OF LAWS § 188 cmt. e (1971). Here, Weitz does not dispute that the contract between Hyatt, Hyatt's insurance broker, and the Lexington/Allied underwriter for the insurance policies was negotiated in Illinois. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 16]; [Dkt. No. 156 Pages 13-14]; [Dkt. No. 185 Pages 99100.]
With reference to factor (c), the place of performance in an insurance contract is "the place where premiums are paid, absent some provision in the policy to the contrary." White, 1998 WL 34112764, at 4* (citing Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co. v. Cooper Park Dev. Corp., 169 F.2d 803 (3d Cir.1948)). In this case, the record indicates that the Midwestern Risk Specialists collected the premiums on the policies in Illinois, and delivered the policies to Hyatt's broker in Illinois. [Dkt. No. 148-2 Page 8.] Moreover, as explained at the hearing on Defendants' motions for summary judgment, the premiums are paid in Chicago, Illinois. [Dkt. No. 185 Page 94.]
As to factor (d), the situs of the subject matter of the contract is the state or states where a thing or risk is located. The situses of the subject matter of the Defendants' policies are the United States and Territories where Hyatt's properties are located. [Dkt. No. 185 Page 94.] The policies insured risks in many states, and therefore, no single insured location, or state, is the subject matter of the policies. However, the Court agrees with Lexington/Allied because the strongest connection is to Illinois, where the underwriter, broker, and insured are all located. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 16.]
Concerning factor (e), all of the places considered under factor (e) are places of enduring relationships to the parties. In the case at bar, the broker, underwriter, and insured all have their principal places of business in Chicago, Illinois. The principal place of business of each of the relevant Hyatt entities is also in Illinois, and the policies provide an Illinois location for the named insured. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 16.] After considering all the factors under § 188, this Court finds that Illinois has the most significant relationship with the transactions or dispute, parties, and contract involved.
This Court is unconvinced that the location of the underlying project, and the claimed damage in Florida outweigh the contacts with Illinois. The location of where a risk subsequently manifests into a claim has little to do with the risk's principal location at the time the contract is entered into. See, e.g., White, 1998 WL 34112764, at *5-6 (finding that Colorado had the most significant relationship to the
Furthermore, Iowa courts place less weight on the location of an accident or claimed damage, and instead, rely on the place of contracting and the negotiation of the contract to determine choice-of-law questions. See Cole, 296 N.W.2d at 782 (finding that under Iowa's choice-of-law rules, the most-significant relationship test favored the application of Minnesota law where the insurance policy was sold in a Minnesota transaction to a Minnesota resident by a Minnesota agent in order to establish an insurer-insured relationship in Minnesota, and although the case arose out of an accident that occurred in Minnesota, the court did not even consider the accident when identifying connections to Minnesota that required the application of Minnesota law under the Restatement).
Federal courts applying Iowa's choice-of-law principles are in line with Iowa's state courts' decisions. See, e.g., Dethmers Mfg. Co., 23 F.Supp.2d at 1004 (finding under Iowa choice-of-law rules that a claim for a breach of an alleged contract to keep an invention confidential was governed by the law of Nebraska, which barred punitive damages, rather than by the law of Iowa, California, or Nevada, as the defendant was a Nebraska corporation, and negotiations and performance occurred primarily in Nebraska, and negotiations only incidentally began in California and terminated in Nevada); see also Woods Masonry, Inc., 198 F.Supp.2d at 1021 (finding that in applying Iowa's "most significant relationship" test, even though the underlying accident occurred in Iowa, Arkansas had the most significant relationship because the policy at issue was formed in Arkansas, and the policyholder was domiciled in Arkansas); Northwestern Flyers, Inc. v. Olson Bros. Mfg. Co., Inc., 679 F.2d 1264, 1272 (8th Cir. 1982) (finding that although a plane crash occurred in Montana, Nebraska had "the most significant relationship with the transaction in dispute and that Nebraska law should control any interpretation of the [insurance] policy provisions" as the parties entered into the insurance contract in Nebraska, and the insured was a Nebraska corporation). For the foregoing reasons, this Court must decide the unjust enrichment and contractual limitation provision issues based on Illinois's substantive law.
A federal court sitting in diversity must apply state substantive law and federal procedural law. See Erie R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 78, 58 S.Ct. 817, 82 L.Ed. 1188 (1938); see also Hanna v. Plumer, 380 U.S. 460, 465-66, 85 S.Ct. 1136, 14 L.Ed.2d 8 (1965). This Court interprets and applies Iowa's substantive law to the matters where there is not a conflict of laws, including the release and the notice-of-loss provisions in Lexington/Allied's insurance policies and Weitz's equitable subrogation claim. See Weitz Co., 574 F.3d at 889-90; see also Modern Equip. Co. v. Cont'l W. Ins. Co., 355 F.3d 1125, 1128 n. 7 (8th Cir.2004) ("If there is not a true conflict
Initially this Court addresses the release Hyatt gave Lexington/Allied in November 2005. Then it considers the effect of the Defendants' suit limitations and notice-of-loss provisions in their insurance policies. Any claim, security, or remedy that the subrogee, Weitz, acquires from the subrogor, Hyatt, "is taken subject to the limitations, burdens and disqualifications incident to them in the hands of the party to whom the subrogee is subrogated." Central Nat'l Ins. Co. v. Insurance Co. of N. Am., 522 N.W.2d 39, 44 (Iowa 1994). "[S]uch claim, security, and remedy are subject to any defenses that might have been urged against the party to whom the subrogee is subrogated." Id.; see also Wilson v. Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co., 770 N.W.2d 324, 328 (Iowa 2009) (finding that a subrogee's rights are "subject to all defenses the [third party] could assert against the [subrogor]"); Allied Mut. Ins. Co. v. Heiken, 675 N.W.2d 820, 825 (Iowa 2004). Therefore, in bringing an equitable subrogation claim, Weitz is subject to all the conditions, limitations, and defenses that would have applied to a claim by Hyatt against the Defendants. Weitz is not safeguarded from the defenses and limitations in Defendants' insurance policies because Weitz is proceeding in equity.
Next, Weitz's underlying equitable subrogation claim is reviewed along with its claim for an unpaid contract balance totaling $4,963,404.18 allegedly owed by Lexington/Allied. Finally, in applying Illinois law, this Court finds that because Weitz's equitable subrogation claim fails as matter of law, its unjust enrichment claim also fails as a matter of law. For these reasons, this Court grants Defendants' motions for summary judgment on all of Weitz's claims.
The construction of an unambiguous release or settlement agreement is a question of law, which this Court may determine without the intervention of a jury. See PMX Industries, Inc. v. LEP Profit International, 31 F.3d 701, 703 (8th Cir. 1994) (applying Iowa law and finding summary judgment appropriate where a release was unambiguous); see also Builders Kitchen and Supply Co. v. Moyer, 776 N.W.2d 112, *2 (Iowa App.2009) (unpublished table decision) (citing Daggett v. Nebraska-Eastern Express, Inc., 252 Iowa 341, 107 N.W.2d 102, 108 (1961)).
The construction of the provisions of an insurance policy, such as suit limitations provisions, is a question of law. See Outboard Marine Corp. v. Liberty Mutual Ins. Co., 154 Ill.2d 90, 180 Ill.Dec. 691, 607 N.E.2d 1204, 1212 (1992); see also Hoover v. Country Mut. Ins. Co., 363 Ill.Dec. 612, 975 N.E.2d 638, 646 (Ill.App.Ct.2012). Even though wavier of a suit limitations period and estoppel are normally questions for the trier of fact, Lee v. Ohio Casualty Ins. Co., 58 Ill.App.3d 1, 15 Ill.Dec. 555, 373 N.E.2d 1027, 1031 (1978), it does not mean that summary judgment is never appropriate. See Florsheim v. Travelers Indemnity Co., 75 Ill.App.3d 298, 30 Ill.Dec. 876, 393 N.E.2d 1223, 1228 (1979) (citing Doll v. Farmers Automobile Ins. Association, 54 Ill.App.3d 868, 12 Ill.Dec. 635, 370 N.E.2d 258, 261 (1977)).
The timeliness of notification to the insurer is ordinarily a question of fact. See Grinnell Mut. Reins. Co., 654 N.W.2d at 542. However, when the insured has unreasonably and inexcusably delayed in
Under Iowa law, "[a] release or settlement agreement is a contract, and is construed under the legal principles applicable to the construction and interpretation of contracts." PMX Industries, Inc., 31 F.3d at 703 (applying Iowa law and affirming summary judgment based on a general release) (citing Amana Refrigeration v. Pidgeon's Furniture & Appliance Stores Inc., 883 F.2d 657, 658 (8th Cir. 1989)). Iowa's Supreme Court has explained that it "interprets] settlement agreements according to the intent of the parties as determined by the terms of the release." State v. Klawonn, 688 N.W.2d 271, 275 (Iowa 2004) (citing Waits v. United Fire & Cas. Co., 572 N.W.2d 565, 572 (Iowa 1997)). There is no requirement that each promise in an agreement containing multiple promises is to be supported by separate consideration. See PMX Industries, Inc., 31 F.3d at 704 (citing Matter of Estate of Claussen, 482 N.W.2d 381, 383 (Iowa 1992)). The forbearance to press a claim, or a promise of such forbearance, constitutes sufficient consideration if the claimant is asserting the claim in good faith. See Dyer v. National By-Products, Inc., 380 N.W.2d 732, 734 (Iowa 1986).
This Court next addresses whether enforcing a November 2005 settlement agreement between Lexington/Allied and Hyatt (which precludes Weitz from pursuing a claim against Lexington/Allied) is inequitable.
Lexington/Allied contend that Weitz's care center claim fails as a matter of law because Hyatt gave Lexington/Allied a release in 2005 which bars Weitz's claim as to the 2004 care center damage. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 25.] Because Hyatt discharged Lexington/Allied from future liability in 2005, Lexington/Allied argue, Hyatt does not have an insurance claim under the Lexington/Allied insurance policies for the care center. Therefore, Weitz's derivative claim is barred because of this settlement agreement. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Pages 2829.]
In reply, Weitz argues that Lexington/Allied "coerc[ed] a minimal settlement [with Hyatt] and forc[ed] the pursuit of claims against Weitz [by Hyatt] instead." [Dkt. No. 156 Page 26.] According to Weitz, the agreement between Lexington/Allied and Hyatt for $750,000 did not reflect the actual damage to the care center, which Weitz alleges was $11.5 million. Weitz further contends that the November 2005 agreement cannot bar Weitz's care center claim because Weitz brings a claim "in equity" for damages that should have been recovered under the Lexington/Allied insurance policies originally. Weitz makes the argument that enforcing the November agreement between Lexington/Allied and Hyatt "would be inequitable ... and a violation of public policy." [Dkt. No. 156 Page 26.]
The general release that was negotiated between Hyatt and Lexington/Allied on November 2, 2005 states that Lexington/Allied is released from further liability for "any and all claims, demands [or] actions... arising from any act or occurrence" up to the November 2, 2005 release
Weitz's arguments are without merit. The plain language of the release that was signed by Hyatt in 2005 indicates that any claims against Lexington/Allied are not cognizable. The releases that Lexington/Allied secured were general releases. See PMX Industries, Inc., 31 F.3d at 703. There was also sufficient consideration for the settlement agreement because Hyatt received $750,000 from Lexington/Allied in exchange for Hyatt's promise to forbear pressing any claims against Lexington/Allied. See Dyer, 380 N.W.2d at 734. There is no indication from the record that Lexington/Allied secured the releases through "unethical behavior," "strong-arming," or by threats not to renew Hyatt's insurance program, or that Lexington/Allied "foisted [] liability on Weitz." [Dkt. No. 156 Pages 22, 2425.]
Indeed, Weitz puts forth scant evidence to support the claim that Lexington/Allied acted "unethically." The fact that Lexington's Senior Claim Examiners "conceded that he had never before seen (and would not personally condone)" Lexington/Allied linking their insurance renewal offer with their settlement offer to Hyatt proves little. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 24.] Sophisticated counsel represented Hyatt and Lexington/Allied. The parties had sufficiently equal bargaining power, and there is no evidence that Hyatt was coerced into making an agreement with Lexington/Allied. This Court is aware of the fact that insurance companies often face the same "threats" from owners of businesses or companies who shop around for new insurance companies at the time for renewal. [Dkt. No. 185 Page 60.] Hence, the evidence is not such that a reasonable jury could find that Hyatt entered the 2005 settlement agreement because Lexington/Allied coerced Hyatt. Rather, as Lexington/Allied assert, "[T]here is no evidence showing that this settlement [between Lexington/Allied and Hyatt] was anything other than a voluntary, binding negotiation and compromise." [Dkt. No. 164 Page 12.]
Because Weitz is asserting a right of equitable subrogation through its alleged subrogor, Hyatt, it can enforce only the rights that Hyatt could enforce directly. See United States v. United Services Auto. Ass'n, 238 F.2d 364, 366 (8th Cir.1956) (quoting United States v. Munsey Trust Co., 332 U.S. 234, 242, 67 S.Ct. 1599, 91 L.Ed. 2022 (1947)) ("The subrogee stands in the place of one whose claim he has paid, `It is elementary that one cannot acquire by subrogation what another whose rights he claims did not have.' A [subrogee] can take nothing by subrogation except such rights as the [subrogor] had"); see also Grinnell Mut. Reinsurance Co. v. Recker, 561 N.W.2d 63, 69 (Iowa 1997). Hyatt settled "any kind" of claim against Lexington/Allied and released Lexington/Allied from liability regarding the care center property. Therefore, Weitz is barred from making any claims with regards to damage to the care center in 2004.
Illinois case law establishes that insurance policies may validly set forth
Compliance with the contractual limitations provisions is a condition precedent to recovery under a policy of insurance. See Hoover, 363 Ill.Dec. 612, 975 N.E.2d at 646; see also Cramer v. Insurance Exchange Agency, 174 Ill.2d 513, 221 Ill.Dec. 473, 675 N.E.2d 897, 906 (1996); Foamcraft, Inc. v. First State Ins. Co., 238 Ill.App.3d 791, 179 Ill.Dec. 705, 606 N.E.2d 537, 539 (1992). The Illinois Supreme Court has noted that there are "strong reasons" to impose suit limitation provisions because of the great difficulty in investigating and preparing a defense for losses following a great lapse of time. See Peoria Marine & Fire Ins. Co. v. Whitehill, 25 Ill. 466, *7 (Ill.1861). Absent a statute to the contrary, contractual limitations provisions are as a general rule enforceable. See also Affiliated FM Ins. Co. v. Board of Educ. of City of Chicago, 23 F.3d 1261, 1264 (7th Cir.1994) (applying Illinois law). "A limitation period is enforceable even though the claim was meritorious and the insurer should have paid it; unless the insurer because of its conduct waives or is estopped from relying on the bar." Florsheim, 30 Ill.Dec. 876, 393 N.E.2d at 1229.
The controversy here concerns the enforceability of suit limitations provisions in Defendants' insurance policies that require the insured to bring suit within one or two years.
Lexington/Allied argue that the contractual limitations provision in their insurance policies required Hyatt (or Weitz, as Hyatt's subrogee) to bring suit against Lexington/Allied regarding the care center within twenty-four months of putting Lexington/Allied on notice of the September 27, 2004 damage. Thus, as Lexington/Allied point out, Hyatt had no later than October 1, 2006 to put Lexington/Allied on notice. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 29.] Weitz did not commence this lawsuit until June 2010, which is five years and nine months after the damage to the care center occurred. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 30.]
In addition, although Lexington/Allied dispute that the damage to the towers occurred in or about July 2005, as Weitz alleges, Lexington/Allied argue that Weitz's towers claim still falls outside the contractual limitations period. This is because, even if this Court assumes that the damage occurred in July 2005, this action did not arise until four years and eleven months after the damage to the towers occurred. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 30.]
In response, Weitz presents a two-fold argument. First, Weitz alleges that in equity it is not subject to Lexington/Allied's contractual limitations provision. [Dkt. No. 156 Pages 27, 29.] Second, even if this Court analyzes Weitz's claims in relation to Hyatt's rights against Lexington/Allied, Hyatt's claims were still viable at the time Weitz filed the present action. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 27.]
A contractual limitations policy that is applicable to a subrogor also applies to the subrogee. See, e.g., Am. Alliance Ins., 165 F.3d at 561; see also Illinois Farmers Ins. Co. v. Makovsky, 293 Ill.App.3d 77, 228 Ill.Dec. 559, 689 N.E.2d 618, 622 (1997). "One who asserts a right of subrogation must step into the shoes of, or be substituted for the one whose claim or debt he has paid and can only enforce those rights which the latter could enforce." Illinois Farmers Ins. Co., 228 Ill.Dec. 559, 689 N.E.2d at 622. As the subrogee of Hyatt in this action, Weitz is likewise bound by any limitations period in the insurance policy. Thus, if the limitations period is found to have expired prior to the filing of Weitz's complaint in this case, Weitz cannot recover for the damage to the care center or towers. See Florsheim, 30 Ill.Dec. 876, 393 N.E.2d at 1231 (citing Doll, 12 Ill.Dec. 635, 370 N.E.2d at 261); see also Salloum Foods & Liquor, Inc. v. Parliament Ins. Co., 69 Ill.App.3d 422, 26 Ill.Dec. 399, 388 N.E.2d 23, 28 (1979).
The relevant Lexington/Allied policy provides: "No suit or action on this policy for the recovery of any claim shall be sustainable in a court of law or equity ... unless commenced within twenty-four months next after inception of the loss." [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 29.] (emphasis added).
The record reveals that Weitz waited five years and nine months to sue on the damage to the care center, and four years and eleven months to sue on the damage to the towers. (L/A MSJ 21). Weitz's claims were untimely. Even if Hyatt had not released Lexington/Allied from further liability regarding the damage to the care center, Weitz's claim regarding the care center is barred because of the suit limitations provision in the Defendants' insurance policies.
Further, Weitz does not put forth any evidence that suggests the Defendants did not intend to rely on the requirements of their insurance policies. "A waiver is an intentional relinquishment of a known right." Florsheim, 30 Ill.Dec. 876, 393 N.E.2d at 1229. To constitute a waiver, the words or conduct of the insurer must have been inconsistent with its intention to rely on the requirements of the policy. Id. A waiver may also be implied from the insurer's conduct. Sager, 317 F.2d at 442. Nothing in the record indicates that the Defendant insurers implicitly or intentionally waived their limitations period for bringing suit.
The strongest argument made by Weitz is that the Defendant insurers' investigation into the damage to the towers constituted a waiver of their suit limitations requirements. Yet, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, applying Illinois law, has held that "[defendants' investigation of the claimed loss did not bring its conduct within the scope of the rule of implied waiver exemplified by the Illinois authorities." See Sager, 317 F.2d at 442. The Defendant insurers have never changed their position that they were not liable for the loss. No negotiation in furtherance of a settlement agreement ever took place between Weitz and the Defendants. All Weitz alleges is that Lexington/Allied did not "close" their towers claim until Weitz agreed to make its settlement payment to Hyatt. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 27.] Accordingly, there was no waiver of the Defendants' suit limitations requirements.
Nor does Weitz suggest that Lexington/Allied should be estopped from enforcing the suit limitations provision. Conduct is typically found to amount to estoppel where there is a concession of liability by the insurer, advance payments by the insurer to the insured in contemplation of eventual settlement, and statements by the insurer which encouraged the insured to delay filing his action. See Garcia, 217 Ill.Dec. 133, 666 N.E.2d at 805. In this case, Weitz does not offer evidence that the Defendants conceded liability, the Defendants provided advance payment to Weitz in contemplation of settlement, or the Defendants made statements encouraging Weitz to delay filing a lawsuit. Because Weitz did not comply with the Defendants' insurance policy provisions, Weitz's claims regarding the alleged damage to the care center in 2004 and the alleged damage to the towers in 2005 are barred.
"When, as here, a notice provision is written as a condition precedent to policy coverage, the insured must show substantial compliance with the condition." Grinnell Mut. Reinsurance Co., 654 N.W.2d at 542 (citing Met-Coil Systems Corp. v. Columbia Cas. Co., 524 N.W.2d 650, 654 (Iowa 1994)). Iowa's Supreme Court has held notice given to the insurer
The question here is whether Weitz gave, or was excused from giving, notice to the Defendants regarding the damage to the plaza deck in 2008 before Weitz brought the present claims against the Defendants in equity. Weitz concedes that Allied World is not liable for the 2008 damage to the plaza deck. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 30 n. 10.]
For purposes of their summary judgment motion, Lexington assumes that the damage to the plaza deck was evident by May 2008 as Weitz alleges. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 27.] The exact date of the damage, however, is disputed. Lexington argues that it never received direct notice from Hyatt or Weitz about the damage, and consequently, Hyatt is barred from suing Lexington on this claim.
Weitz acknowledges that it did not directly notify the insurers for five years after the damage to the plaza deck occurred. However, Weitz argues that the documents Lexington "produced show that it did receive notice of [the 2008 plaza deck] damage." [Dkt. No. 156 Page 30.] Moreover, Lexington had "actual `notice' of the Plaza Deck damage." [Dkt. No. 156 Page 30.] This is because Lexington was "monitoring" the litigation between Hyatt and Weitz. Lexington also produced a "Southern District Litigation file" in discovery that included copies of Hyatt's expert's confidential damages reports, which detailed the 2008 plaza deck damage. Weitz reiterates to this Court that it is "here in equity." Weitz argues that fairness and equity require Lexington/Allied to "reimburse Weitz for damages they were obligated to pay in the first instance [to Hyatt]." [Dkt. No. 156 Page 31.]
The notice provision in Lexington/Allied's insurance policies was included in the "Manuscript All Risk Form" under the subpart captioned: "23. Notice of Loss": "The Insured shall, as soon as practicable, report to this Company or its agent every loss, damage or occurrence that may give rise to a claim under this policy." [Dkt. No. 148-7 Page 57.] The giving of the notice was a condition precedent to Lexington's liability. The 2007-2008 Lexington policy provides: "All adjusted claims shall be due and payable thirty (30) days after the presentation and acceptance of satisfactory proof(s) of loss at the office of the Company." [Dkt. No. 164 Page 14.]
First, regarding the "substantial compliance" issue, this Court must interpret the phrase "as soon as practicable" from Lexington/Allied's insurance policy. Iowa courts are in agreement that "as soon as practicable" means "within a reasonable time in light of the circumstances." See Henschel, 178 N.W.2d at 415 (citing Leytem v. Fireman's Fund Indemnity Co., 249 Iowa 524, 85 N.W.2d 921, 922 (1957)). Shorter delays between an accident or property damage and notice to the insurer were held as a matter of law not to be in substantial compliance with notice provisions of "as soon as practicable" or "as soon as possible." See Bruns v. Hartford Accident and Indemnity Co., 407 N.W.2d 576, 579-80 (Iowa 1987) (finding twenty-eight-month delay in notice by insured was not in substantial compliance with giving notice "as soon as possible"); see also Henderson, 106 N.W.2d at 92 (finding thirteen-month delay in notice by insured was not in substantial compliance with giving notice "as soon as practicable"); see also Fireman's Fund Ins. Co., 538 N.W.2d at 264-65 (citing cases involving ten-month, four-year, and seven-month delays in notice that precluded coverage as matters of law).
A review of the record reveals that Hyatt never informed Lexington of the damage to the plaza deck. Lexington does not appear to be notified of the loss until this case was filed on June 4, 2010, which was more than two years after the date of loss alleged by Weitz of May 2008. In addition, Hyatt never gave notice to Lexington of the alleged plaza deck damage. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 34.] In fact, Hyatt's Risk Manager conceded that Hyatt never gave formal notice of the plaza deck damage to Lexington, and a representative of Lexington indicated that it did not appear Lexington nor Allied World received formal or informal notice of damage to the plaza deck. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 30.] Weitz also acknowledges that it did not directly notify Lexington, or one of its agents, of the damage to the plaza deck that occurred in 2008. Rather, Weitz asserts that Lexington had notice based on Lexington's monitoring of the dispute between Hyatt and Weitz. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 30.] This Court rejects that argument.
Weitz's argument fails as a matter of law because Lexington never received direct notice from Hyatt or Weitz in accordance with Lexington/Allied's policies. See Fireman's Fund Ins. Co., 538 N.W.2d at 263 (citing Am. Casualty Co. v. FDIC, 944 F.2d 455, 460 (8th Cir.1991) (notice must be specific and in writing)); see also Hasbrouck v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 511 N.W.2d 364, 369-70 (Iowa 1993) (constructive notice to insurer insufficient;
Second, the next issue is whether substantial compliance was excused. If a claimant fails to meet its burden of proof of substantial compliance with a notice provision, the claimant may still recover if it can demonstrate such noncompliance was excused. See Met-Coil Systems Corp., 524 N.W.2d at 656 (citing Bruns, 407 N.W.2d at 579). Iowa's Supreme Court has held that an insured's mistaken belief or lack of knowledge regarding coverage may be a justifiable excuse for noncompliance with an insurance policy's notice provision if the insured exercised due diligence by not acting negligently and made a "reasonable effort to discover the existence of coverage." Grinnell Mut. Reinsurance Co., 654 N.W.2d at 542 (citing Met-Coil Systems Corp., 524 N.W.2d at 654).
In this case, Weitz has not offered any excuses for its failure to comply with the notice provisions contained in Lexington/Allied's insurance policies. It also does not appear that Weitz made a "reasonable effort" to determine the existence of coverage, as the only evidence in the record of such a request is when Weitz sued Lexington/Allied after Hyatt brought suit against Weitz and Weitz settled with Hyatt.
Finally, the question that remains is whether the insurance company, Lexington, was prejudiced. An insured's substantial breach of a condition precedent, which is not excused or waived, must be presumed prejudicial to the insurer. See Met-Coil Systems Corp., 524 N.W.2d at 658; see also Henderson, 106 N.W.2d at 92. "Although the presumption is rebuttable, unless overcome by a satisfactory showing of lack of prejudice by the claimant, it will defeat his recovery." Henderson, 106 N.W.2d at 92.
This Court concludes that Weitz failed to show a lack of prejudice as a matter of law, and thus, did not meet its burden. See Met-Coil Systems Corp., 524 N.W.2d at 658. The Iowa Supreme Court has recognized how a party may be prejudiced with late notice:
Fireman's Fund Ins. Co., 538 N.W.2d at 266.
In this case, evidence of prejudice includes the fact that because Hyatt never gave the required notice of any plaza deck damage, Lexington was denied the chance to respond. As a consequence, Lexington did not have the opportunity to negotiate with Hyatt regarding the damage to the plaza deck. Hyatt is barred from suing Lexington/Allied for the alleged damage, and thus, it is prejudicial to allow Weitz, as Hyatt's subrogee, to sue Lexington/Allied at this late date. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Pages 3435.] Moreover, two years and one month passed after the damage to the
The United States Supreme Court has explained that, under the doctrine of subrogation, "one who has been compelled to pay a debt which ought to have been paid by another is entitled to exercise all the remedies which the creditor possessed against that other." Am. Sur. Co. of New York v. Bethlehem Nat'l Bank of Bethlehem, 314 U.S. 314, 315, 62 S.Ct. 226, 86 L.Ed. 241 (1941). Iowa's Supreme Court has described equitable subrogation as "a doctrine that originated in equity to give relief to a person or entity that pays a legal obligation that should have, in good conscience, been satisfied by another." Wilson, 770 N.W.2d at 328. Put simply, subrogation is the substitution of one party for another with regard to certain rights. See Allied Mut. Ins. Co., 675 N.W.2d at 824 n. 1. "The rights to which the subrogee succeeds are the same as, and no greater than those of the person for whom the subrogee is substituted. The subrogee can acquire no claim, security, or remedy that the subrogor does not have." Central Nat'l Ins. Co., 522 N.W.2d at 44; see also Heritage Bank v. Lovett, 613 N.W.2d 652, 653 (Iowa 2000); Grinnell Mut. Reinsurance Co., 561 N.W.2d at 69 (noting a subrogee "merely steps into the shoes of the subrogor" and has no greater rights than those of the subrogor).
In the context of insurance law, the doctrine has emerged to permit "an insurer who has paid a loss to an insured to become `subrogated in a corresponding amount to the insured's right of action against any other person responsible for the loss.'" Wilson, 770 N.W.2d at 328 (citing Allied Mut. Ins. Co., 675 N.W.2d at 824). The rights of subrogation often arise by contract. Id. However, "even when the insurance contract does not explicitly provide for them, `[t]he insurer's right to subrogation attaches by operation of law upon payment of the loss based on principles of equity.'" Id. (citing Allied Mut. Ins. Co., 675 N.W.2d at 824 n. 2). It has been asserted that the doctrine is needed in insurance "to preserve the principle of indemnity." Allied Mut. Ins. Co., 675 N.W.2d at 824.
Subrogation is grounded on "principles of natural equity" and its purpose is to "prevent injustice." State, Dept. of Human Services ex rel. Palmer v. Unisys Corp., 637 N.W.2d 142, 156 (Iowa 2001). Without the doctrine, a person who is secondarily liable would not have a cause of action against the unjustly enriched party. Id. "Thus, the rationale for subrogation is `bottomed on a sensitivity to the comparative equities involved.'" Id. Equitable subrogation "will never be enforced, when doing so would be inequitable, or where it would work injustice to others having equal equities." Am. Sur. Co. of New York v. State Trust & Sav. Bank of Mt. Pleasant, 218 Iowa 1, 254 N.W. 338, 340 (1934). Importantly, one that is primarily liable for a debt cannot receive equitable subrogation. In re Hagen, 147 B.R. at 168.
According to Lexington/Allied, Weitz has already recovered from other subcontractors and insurers $2,799,684 more than Weitz paid Hyatt to settle. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Pages 18, 20.] Thus, Weitz is seeking a windfall of millions of dollars. Lexington/Allied contend that because Weitz brings an equitable subrogation claim, a form of restitution, Weitz cannot recover as Weitz has "already recouped from various sources all that it paid to Hyatt." [Dkt. No. 148-1 Page 19.] Equity does not allow a double recovery. Weitz omitted the fact that it sought to recover on the basis of assignments of putative subrogation rights in its complaints. Instead, Weitz argued it was entitled to recover based on equitable subrogation. Lexington/Allied assert that Weitz failed to disclose, until its second supplemental initial rule 26 disclosures on April 6, 2012, that its claim for recovery was based almost entirely on assignments of putative subrogation rights entered into in 2009 and early 2010. [Dkt. No. 148-1 Pages 2021.] These assignments are immaterial, Lexington/Allied argue, as Weitz (Hyatt's putative subrogee) is entitled to only a single recovery. "[Weitz's] rights against Defendants as putative subrogee are derivative of, and no greater than, Hyatt's, the putative subrogor." [Dkt. No. 164 Page 8.] Weitz recovered the only sum from its pleadings that is reimbursable, which is the Hyatt settlement payment.
Weitz contends that it received "valid assignments" from its insurers and subcontractors. "It is well established that a party which receives a valid assignment of another's right to pursue a debt steps into that party's shoes and receives all rights and interests of the assigning party with respect to that debt."
Weitz repeats to the Court that Lexington/Allied do not challenge the validity of the assignments that Weitz received. Weitz asserts that there is no federal or local rule, nor any precedent cited by Lexington/Allied that supports the proposition that assignments must be "plead specifically." [Dkt. No. 156 Page 18.] It is also
The principal issue remains the same as the one discussed in this Court's denial of Defendants' motions to dismiss on May 25, 2011. That is, "whether any portion of the settlement amount [between Weitz and Hyatt] was a liability the Defendants owed [to Weitz]." [Dkt. No. 89 Page 22.] Because this Court found it was plausible that "Weitz paid a sum in excess of its own liability, knowing it preserved its right to bring claims against Defendants," this Court did not grant Defendants' motions to dismiss. [Dkt. No. 89 Page 22.] This Court now finds that the damages presented here by Weitz are not unrelated to those negotiated in the settlement agreement between Lexington/Allied and Hyatt, and the money Weitz paid Hyatt resulted from Weitz's own liability. Weitz also does not attribute to the Defendants a specific portion of its settlement amount with Hyatt.
First, Weitz made a payment to Hyatt to protect its own interests and pay its own liability to Hyatt. Weitz settled with Hyatt for $53 million and allegedly forewent a $4,963,404.18 counterclaim in order to end costly litigation, and it received assignments from "lower-tier settling parties" in order to recover against the Defendants. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 16.]
Second, Weitz's payment was voluntary in the interest of settling its own liability and debt with Hyatt. Weitz voluntarily entered into settlement agreements with Hyatt, and paid $53 million to Hyatt.
Third, Weitz's payment to Hyatt did not satisfy a "debt for which the claimant was not primarily liable." In re Chapala Intern., Inc., 1995 WL 17911422, at *34. Weitz's payment was not for a debt owed by the Defendants. Weitz simply contends that the Defendants owe $53 million based on Weitz's settlement with Hyatt, plus an additional $4,963,404.18 for a counterclaim that Weitz allegedly forewent against Hyatt. [Dkt. No. 156 Page 16.] Yet, as Lexington/Allied point out, Weitz "never impleaded the Defendant insurers on contingent third-party subrogation claims as part of the Florida Action [with
Fourth, Weitz did not pay any amount for which the Defendants were liable. Rather, it appears from the record that any debt Lexington/Allied owed Hyatt was resolved by the $750,000 settlement agreement negotiated between Lexington/Allied and Hyatt in November 2005. The facts indicate that the approximately $53 million that Weitz paid to Hyatt was to settle its own debt. "One cannot seek subrogation for paying one's own debts." In re Hagen, 147 B.R. at 168; see also Brown v. Sheldon State Bank, 139 Iowa 83, 117 N.W. 289, 293 (1908) ("Subrogation is allowable in equity, only in favor of a person who has advanced money to pay the debt of another, to whom he stood in the position of surety, or where he has been compelled to pay the debt of another to protect his own rights ... It is never allowed in favor of a person who is himself personally liable for the debt he discharges by payment"). The facts also indicate that the alleged $4,963,404.18 counterclaim that Weitz forewent against Hyatt was based on a breach of Hyatt's construction-contract obligation with Weitz.
Finally, granting Weitz subrogation rights would cause injustice to the rights of others as it would misapply the Defendants' insurance policies and create coverage where it does not (and should not) exist. This is because Weitz has already recovered more than it paid Hyatt to settle. Subrogation is an equitable remedy that is meant to make the subrogee whole; it is not meant to allow double recovery. See Allied Mut. Ins. Co., 675 N.W.2d at 828 ("[R]esolution of subrogation issues is guided by the equitable principle that the injured party is entitled to be made whole but not allowed a double recovery").
Weitz is barred from recovery because its claims are "subject to any defenses" that may have been put forth against Hyatt, such as the release, notice-of-loss provision, and suit limitation periods in the Defendants' insurance policies. Central Nat. Ins. Co., of Omaha, 522 N.W.2d at 44. In addition, in considering Weitz's equitable subrogation claim, this Court must be thoughtful of the "comparative equities involved." State, Dept. of Human Services ex rel. Palmer, 637 N.W.2d at 156. This Court is unconvinced that Weitz paid a
"Under Illinois law, unjust enrichment is not a separate cause of action." Pirelli Armstrong Tire Corp. Retiree Medical Benefits Trust, 631 F.3d at 447; see also Mulligan, 321 Ill.Dec. 257, 888 N.E.2d at 1200. Illinois courts will find that "if an unjust enrichment claim rests on the same improper conduct alleged in another claim, then the unjust enrichment claim will be tied to this related claim — and, of course, unjust enrichment will stand or fall with the related claim." See Cleary, 656 F.3d at 517; see also Control Solutions, 2012 WL 3096678, at *10. Put another way, if an underlying substantive claim fails, then the unjust enrichment claim fails because it is dependent on the viability of the separate substantive claim. See, e.g., Pearson v. Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Inc., 790 F.Supp.2d 759, 769 (N.D.Ill. 2011) (finding that "[b]ecause no other counts remain, a claim for unjust enrichment cannot stand").
Here, because this Court finds that Weitz's equitable subrogation claim fails as a matter of law, it also finds that Weitz's unjust enrichment claim fails as a matter of law. See Pirelli Armstrong Tire Corp. Retiree Medical Benefits Trust, 631 F.3d at 447. Therefore, the Defendants are also entitled to summary judgment on the second count in Weitz's second amended operative complaint.
For the foregoing reasons,
Westchester also argues that, even if Weitz had a viable claim, the damages alleged by Weitz that are associated with the towers do not reach Westchester's $40 million insurance layer. [Dkt. No. 153-1 Pages 8-9.] Because this Court finds that Westchester's suit limitations policy bars Weitz's claim, this Court need not decide whether Westchester's insurance layer of $40 million was implicated by the damage to the towers.
