TUCKER L. MELANÇON, District Judge.
Before the Court are defendant, Chubb Custom Insurance Company's ("Chubb") Motion for Summary Judgment [Rec. Doc. 65], defendant, Amerisure Mutual Insurance Company's ("Amerisure") Memorandum in Opposition [Rec. Doc. 76], and
This case arises out of a claim for personal injuries allegedly sustained by Fruge while employed by Nabors Drilling USA, Inc. ("Nabors") as a driller, assigned to work on a land based drilling rig operated by Nabors and Ulterra MWD, L.P. ("Ulterra MWD"). Fruge claims that on August 5, 2006, he suffered "career-ending injuries" when an MWD nipple and sensor exploded from the stand pipe manifold and violently struck him. R. 89, p. 2.
Plaintiffs filed their Complaint on May 2, 2007, seeking damages for injuries resulting from the accident. R. 1, ¶ VIII. As defendants, plaintiffs named Ulterra Drilling Technologies, L.P. ("Ulterra Drilling"), and Ulterra MWD alleging that each is liable for the damages incurred as a result of the accident.
On November 5, 2005, Chubb issued two insurance policies to Ulterra MWD: (1) # 7954-96-82, providing commercial general liability coverage up to $1,000,000 per occurrence effective from November 2005 to November 2006 (the "Chubb CGL policy"); and (2) # 7954-96-83, providing umbrella coverage to Ulterra MWD up to $5,000,000 per occurrence with a coverage period of November 2005 to November 2006 (the "Chubb umbrella policy") (collectively the "Chubb policies").
The record reflects that Chubb and Amerisure originally agreed to share in the defense of Ulterra MWD as the alleged insurers and entered into a cost-sharing agreement on or about May 23, 2007, specifying that they would share the costs of defense of Ulterra MWD as co-insurers. R. 88, Exh. 1, ¶ 5 Affidavit of Richard Rogers.
Chubb and Amerisure have filed Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment arguing that they are not the primary insurers for this accident. R. 65, 78. Chubb seeks a summary judgment declaring that Amerisure must provide a defense for Ulterra MWD in the underlying litigation, contending that Amerisure has a duty to defend because Ulterra MWD is named as an insured on each of the Amerisure policies. R. 65. Further, Chubb asserts that any coverage owed to Ulterra MWD is in excess of that provided by the Amerisure polices. Id. Amerisure opposes Chubb's motion and moves for a declaration that Chubb is the primary and singular insurer of Ulterra MWD, alleging that there is no coverage owed under the Amerisure policies as the inclusion of Ulterra MWD is the result of a clerical error on the part of Amerisure's insurance broker, William Rigg Company.
A motion for summary judgment shall be granted if the pleadings, depositions and affidavits show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56; Little v. Liquid Air Corp., 37 F.3d 1069 (5th Cir.1994) (en banc). Initially, the party moving for summary judgment must demonstrate the absence of any genuine issues of material fact. When a party seeking summary judgment bears the burden of proof at trial, it must come forward with evidence which would entitle it to a directed verdict if such evidence were uncontroverted at trial. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 324, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). As to issues which the non-moving party has the burden of proof at trial, the moving party may satisfy this burden by demonstrating the absence of evidence supporting the non-moving party's claim. Id. If the moving party fails to carry this burden, his motion must be denied. If he succeeds, however, the burden shifts to the non-moving party to show that there is a genuine issue for trial. Id. at 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548.
Chubb seeks a summary judgment declaring that Amerisure must provide a defense for Ulterra MWD in the underlying lawsuit. Chubb contends that Amerisure issued a CGL and umbrella insurance policy, covering Ulterra MWD as an insured, providing full and complete coverage to Ulterra MWD for all of plaintiffs' claims. Chubb maintains that any coverage afforded under the Chubb policies is in excess to that provided by the Amerisure commercial general liability and umbrella policies. Amerisure argues that Chubb's requested summary judgment is improper. Amerisure submits that Ulterra MWD is not an insured under the CGL policy because Ulterra MWD was listed on the Endorsements page by mistake, the result of a clerical error, and the policies have since been reformed to correct the error. Accordingly, Amerisure has filed an opposition as well as a cross-motion for summary judgment seeking to have Chubb declared as primary insurer under its policies with Ulterra MWD.
In Amerisure's cross-motion for summary judgment, it argues that Chubb lacks standing to assert its cross-claim against Amerisure, as Chubb is not a party to the insurance contract between Amerisure and Ulterra Drilling. R. 78, p. 27. Specifically, Amerisure argues that Chubb has no insurable interest under the policy, has no right to assert a claim for breach of contract, nor does it have a right to demand insurance coverage under a contract to which it is not a party. Id. Thus, Amerisure alleges that Chubb has "no standing to demand payment to [Ulterra] MWD under an insurance contract that was issued to a third party." In support, Amerisure points to Louisiana jurisprudence dictating that "under Louisiana law a claimant must possess an insurable interest in a claim under the policy in question in order to recover on an insurance policy covering the claim." Id. at 29; See generally Young v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Ins. Co., 426 So.2d 636 (La.App. 1 Cir. 1982) writs denied, 433 So.2d 171 (La. 1983). In response, Chubb argues that Louisiana law recognizes its right of action against Amerisure under the equitable doctrine of contribution, as they are both solidary obligors, bound by their obligation to Ulterra MWD, a mutual insured. Additionally, Chubb alleges that the "other insurance" clauses in the policies provide it with a separate right and cause of action
The declarations page of the Amerisure CGL policy refers to Endorsement A, which is entitled "Named Insured Endorsement." Endorsement A provides, in pertinent part:
R. 66, Exh. A; R. 76-5, Amerisure CGL Policy. Similarly, under the Amerisure umbrella policy, and the attached endorsement, entitled "Named Insured Endorsement," the policy specifies that the endorsement modifies the umbrella liability policy by providing the following:
R. 66-2, Exh. B, Amerisure Umbrella policy.
"Under Louisiana law,
From a clear reading of the Amerisure policies, it is evident that both the CGL and the umbrella policies expressly cover Ulterra MWD as an insured. See R. 66, Exh. A; R. 76-5; R. 66, Exh. B. Chubb argues that because Ulterra MWD is an insured under each of the policies, Amerisure owes a duty to defend and indemnify Ulterra MWD "up to and inclusive of all limits provided in the primary and umbrella policies." R. 65. Amerisure responds, arguing that Ulterra MWD was improperly listed as an insured on the Endorsement pages appended to the Amerisure policies. R. 76. In support, Amerisure has filed the affidavits of Thomason, Jones and Steadman, stating that Ulterra MWD was never an intended insured under the Amerisure policies as no premiums were paid by or for Ulterra MWD, and no application for insurance was submitted by Ulterra MWD. R. 76, Exh. 1, 2, 3 Affidavits of Thomason, Jones and Steadman. Chubb has moved to strike the affidavits, alleging that they constitute impermissible parol evidence. Amerisure submits that it was Chubb, not Amerisure, that issued primary and excess policies to Ulterra MWD in exchange for the payment of premiums. Amerisure argues that "[n]either MWD nor Drilling applied for any type of liability insurance from Amerisure to insure MWD... [t]here are no applications ... [or] evidence of any payment by MWD or Drilling to Amerisure for Amerisure to insure MWD."
"In general, under Louisiana law, extrinsic evidence cannot be used to `negate or vary' the unambiguous terms of a written contract. See Patterson v. City of New Orleans, 686 So.2d 87, 90 (La.App. 4 Cir.,1996). `When the words of a contract are clear and explicit and lead to no absurd consequences, no further interpretation may be made in search of the parties' intent.' La. Civ.Code Ann. art. 2046; see also Steier v. Heller, 732 So.2d 787, 792 (La.App. 2 Cir.,1999) ('When the terms of a written contract are clear, unambiguous, and lead to no absurd consequences, parol evidence cannot be used to vary or explain the contract terms, and the parties' meaning or intent must be determined from the four corners of the contract'); Patterson, 686 So.2d at 90. Only where a contract is ambiguous can a court base its interpretation on extrinsic evidence. See Id. A contract is ambiguous only if its terms are unclear or susceptible to more than one interpretation, or the intent of the parties cannot be ascertained from the language employed. See McDuffie v. Riverwood Int'l Corp., 660 So.2d 158, 160 (La.App. 2 Cir.,1995)." Gebreyesus v. F.C. Schaffer & Associates, Inc., 204 F.3d 639, 643 (5th Cir.2000).
In the present case, the Amerisure policy unambiguously designates Ulterra MWD as an insured under the policy. R. 66, Exh. A. Given the clarity of the insurance policies, Amerisure and Ulterra MWD's subjective intent is wholly irrelevant. "[W]here extrinsic evidence of intent was introduced for the purpose of divesting persons qualifying as an insured of their rights under the express terms of the policy [extrinsic evidence should not be considered]." Washington v. Savoie, 634 So.2d 1176, 1179 (La.1994); See American Electric Power Company v. Affiliated FM Insurance Company, 556 F.3d 282 (5th Cir.2009) (citing Washington, 634 So.2d at 1179). Because the named insureds under the policies are clear from the face of the insurance policies, the Court will not consider extrinsic evidence of intent in order to determine the named insureds under the policies. Thus, finding no ambiguity in the policies, the Court will enforce the Amerisure policies as written: as providing commercial general liability and umbrella coverage to Ulterra MWD.
Alternatively, Amerisure requests that the Court reform the Amerisure policy to match the intent of Ulterra MWD and Amerisure as their being named as an insured under the policy was merely a clerical error. "Under Louisiana law, a party may reform a written instrument that does not reflect the true intent of the contracting parties. Valhi Inc. v. Zapata Corp., 365 So.2d 867, 870 (La.App., 1978). Reformation is an equitable remedy designed to correct an error in the contract. Id. The error `must be mutual', see, e.g., Pat S. Todd Oil Co. v. Wall, 581 So.2d 333,
The record establishes that on September 6, 2007, after plaintiff's alleged August 5, 2006 accident, Amerisure issued a "Policy Change" to the Amerisure policies "deleting Ulterra MWD, LP as a named insured" and stating that the policy changes were effective on December 31, 2005. R. 78-7, Exh. 4; R. 78-8, Exh. 5. Louisiana Revised Statute 22:1262, previously codified at Section 22:639, specifically prohibits the very action that Amerisure requests this Court take. This statute prohibits an insurance contract from being retroactively annulled by any agreement after an occurrence for which the insured may be liable. Specifically, the statute provides the following:
LSA-R.S. 22:1262. Counsel for Chubb has succinctly summarized the controlling law regarding post-accident reformation resulting in decreased coverage in his briefs to the Court. As exhibited by Louisiana courts, reformation that limits the recovery of a third party tort victim through post-accident invalidation of an instrument is unacceptable. See Washington v. Savoie, 634 So.2d 1176, 1180 (La. 1994) (refusing to reform a clerical mistake because reformation would limit the recovery of third-party tort victims); Lewis v. Saucer, 653 So.2d 1254, 1259 (La.Ct. App.1995) (noting that an "instrument may not be reformed or corrected to the prejudice of third parties who are authorized to rely on the integrity of the instrument"). Similarly, this Court is wary of permitting reformation of a policy post-accident and after the initiation of related legal proceedings, in fear that such action "would encourage bad faith `cooperation' between an insurer who seeks to avoid payment of claims and a named insured whose premiums are fixed on the basis of its loss experience." Washington, 634 So.2d at 1180. In Washington, the court explained that although reformation of a policy provision is valid as between insurer and insured when either party can prove a mistake which does not reflect their mutual intent, public policy precludes reformation of the effective date of coverage when the change adversely affects the rights of persons insured under the policy to recover damages under the coverage provisions before the change. Id.
Amerisure's attempts to distinguish Washington on the basis that the policy involved therein addressed UM coverage are to no avail. Amerisure has not submitted, nor has the Court been able to find any case law indicating that the principles of contract interpretation as they apply to CGL and umbrella insurance polices differ
Having determined that the Amerisure policies are enforceable and provide coverage to Ulterra MWD, the Court must address the issue of ranking. The Amerisure CGL policy contained an "other insurance" provision providing that Amerisure is primary except when the excess insurance provision applies. Part (2) of the Excess Insurance provision applies as follows:
This insurance is excess over:
R. 66, Exh. A, Amerisure CGL Policy, bate no. 210 (emphasis added). Likewise, the Chubb CGL policy provides that it is primary, except when the excess provision applies. R. 66, Exh. E, p. 39, Chubb CGL Policy, p. 23 of 34. The Chubb excess provision provides the following:
Id. (emphasis added).
Chubb correctly points out that Ulterra MWD is included as a named insured by the "Named Insured Endorsement" in the Amerisure policy, thus requiring a finding that Chubb be considered as providing CGL coverage in excess of that provided by the Amerisure CGL policy. R. 66, Exh. A, bate no. 050. Under the Chubb policy, Ulterra MWD is the named insured on the declarations page of the policy, and is not added as an "additional insured by an attachment of an endorsement" as required under the excess provision of the Amerisure policy. See R. 66, Exh. E, p. 23 of 34. Thus, the clear language of the policies
With respect to the umbrella policies, the "other insurance" clause in the Amerisure Umbrella policy provides, "This insurance is excess over and shall not contribute with any of the other insurance, whether primary, excess contingent or on any other basis." R. 66, Exh. B, Amerisure Umbrella policy, p. 11 of 16, "Other Insurance". Similarly, the Chubb Umbrella policy provides that "[t]his insurance is excess over any other insurance, whether primary, excess, contingent or on any other basis." R. 66, Exh. F, Chubb Umbrella policy, p. 25 of 34. Hence, these two umbrella policies are each excess over the Chubb and Amerisure CGL policies. See American Intern. Specialty Lines Ins. Co. v. Canal Indem. Co., 352 F.3d 254, 258 (5th Cir.2003) (An "other insurance" "excess clause" provides that policy coverage will apply only as excess insurance over any other valid and collectible insurance). Further, both policies provide that they will pay only their share of the loss. R. 66, Exh. B; F. "[W]hen two [insurance] policies afford the same layer of coverage and both contain conflicting `other insurance' clauses which are irreconcilable, the policies must share liability on a pro rata basis." Samuels v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins., Co., 939 So.2d 1235, 1241 (2006) (citing Graves v. Traders and General Ins. Co., 252 La. 709, 214 So.2d 116 (1968)).
The Umbrella policy issued by Amerisure has a $10,000,000.00 per occurrence limit, R. 66, Exh. B, and the Umbrella policy issued by Chubb has a $5,000,000.00 per occurrence limit. Id. at Exh. F. Under the clear language of the policies and the applicable jurisprudence, the Amerisure and Chubb Umbrella Policies are in excess to the Amerisure and Chubb CGL policies, in proportion to their limits, that is a 2:1 ratio, respectively.
Accordingly, coverage under the policies for the accident at issue in this case ranks as follows:
For the foregoing reasons, Chubb's Motion for Summary Judgment [Rec. Doc. 65] will be granted and Amerisure's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment [Rec. Doc. 78] will be denied. Amerisure's Motion to Dismiss [Rec. Doc. 70] and Chubb's Motion to Strike [Rec. Doc. 71] will be denied as moot.
R. 76, Exh. 3, ¶¶ 15-17.