McSHANE, Judge:
Plaintiff Malinda Hoffman brings this action seeking damages for alleged breach of an insurance policy covering her manufactured home. Both plaintiff and defendant filed motions for summary judgment. This Court has jurisdiction under 42 U.S.C. § 1332. Upon review, defendant's motion for summary judgment (#16) and plaintiff's motion for summary judgment (#23) are GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.
This action arises out of a claim that plaintiff filed under her Foremost Signature homeowners insurance policy. Plaintiff purchased a manufactured home in Springfield in August 2008 and insured the home with Foremost Signature effective May 4, 2011. Decl. of Kyle A. Sturm 2, May 14, 2013, ECF No. 19-3. Plaintiff filed a petition for bankruptcy on May 10, 2011, which resulted in discharge and closure of the estate on August 15, 2011. In re Malinda Hoffman, No. 11-62267-fra7 (Bankr.D.Or.2011). On August 18, 2011, plaintiff contacted her insurance agent and requested to increase her policy limits for the manufactured home from $96,000 to $131,000 and for her personal property from $55,000 to $65,000. Def.'s Concise Statement of Material Fact ¶ 17, ECF No. 18. Defendant extended coverage for plaintiff's personal property but not her manufactured home. On August 22, 2011, plaintiff's manufactured home caught on fire and was subsequently determined to be a total loss. Id. at ¶ 19 & 20. Plaintiff submitted a "Proof of Loss" on February 27, 2011 seeking $115,200
Defendant paid $96,000 toward dwelling coverage, $3,200 toward other structures coverage [payment 13], $65,500
Plaintiff now seeks at least $39,975.65
Table 1
Coverage Insurance Paid Sought Complaint Dwelling $96,000 $96,000 $0 $0Replacement Dwelling (20%) $19,200 $0 $18,927.65 up to $20,000Other Structures $9,600 $3,200 $10,600 up to $8,000Personal Property $65,000 $65,500 *5 up to $28,000Additional Living Expenses $19,200 $7,678.50 at least $3,048 up to $15,000Debris Removal $5,000 $5,000 $06 up to $3,000Ordinance & Law Coverage $0 $5,400 up to $10,000Landscape & Miscellaneous $0 $2,000 up to $2,000Total $214,000 $177,378.50 at least $39,975.65 up to $86,000
See Pl.'s Mot. Summ. J. 4, ECF No. 23-1; Pl.'s Resp. to Def.'s Reply to Pl.'s Mot. Summ. J. 14, ECF No. 32; Compl. 3-4, ECF No. 1.
The court must grant summary judgment if there are no genuine issues of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(a). An issue of fact is genuine "if the evidence is such that a reasonably jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Villiarimo v. Aloha Island Air., Inc., 281 F.3d 1054, 1061 (9th Cir. 2002) (quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986)). The court views the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Allen v. City of Los Angeles, 66 F.3d 1052, 1056 (9th Cir. 1995) (citing Jesinger v. Nevada Fed. Credit Union, 24 F.3d 1127, 1130 (9th Cir.1994)). If the moving party shows that there are no genuine issues of material fact, the nonmoving party must go beyond the pleadings and designate facts showing an issue for trial. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 324, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); see Fed.R.Civ.P. (56)(c).
Defendant contends that: (1) plaintiff is judicially estopped from valuing her manufactured home and personal property at higher rates than in her prior bankruptcy proceeding; (2) plaintiff is precluded from "replacement" dwelling coverage because she failed to replace her dwelling with a dwelling "of like kind and quality" within 365 days; (3) plaintiff is precluded from additional "other structure" coverage because she failed to replace and received actual cash value for these other structures; (4) plaintiff is precluded from "ordinance or law" coverage because she did not incur any building ordinance or law expenses; and (5) plaintiff is precluded from additional "personal property" coverage because she received her full policy limit. In response and upon her own motion, plaintiff contends that defendant failed to fully compensate her for adjusted living expenses under the contract and violated its duty of good faith and fair dealing.
Defendant contends that plaintiff's claims for damages resulting from loss of
"Judicial estoppel is an equitable doctrine that precludes a party from gaining an advantage by asserting one position, and then later seeking an advantage by taking a clearly inconsistent position." Hamilton v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Company, 270 F.3d 778, 782 (9th Cir.2001). In New Hampshire, the Supreme Court indicated that "several factors typically inform the decision whether to apply the doctrine in a particular case." 532 U.S. at 750, 121 S.Ct. 1808. "First, a party's later position must be `clearly inconsistent' with its earlier position." Id. "Second, courts regularly inquire whether the party has succeeded in persuading a court to accept that party's earlier position in a later proceeding would create the perception that either the first or the second court was misled." Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). "A third consideration is whether the party seeking to assert an inconsistent position would derive an unfair advantage or impose an unfair detriment on the opposing party if not estopped." Id. at 751, 121 S.Ct. 1808. In enumerating these factors, the Supreme Court held that these factors did "not establish inflexible prerequisites" and that "[a]dditional considerations may inform the doctrine's application in specific factual contexts." Id.
Under 11 U.S.C. § 521(1), a "debtor shall file ... a schedule of assets and liabilities." See also Hamilton, 270 F.3d at 785 (quoting In re Coastal Plains, 179 F.3d 197, 207-08 (5th Cir.1999)) (internal quotation marks omitted) ("The Bankruptcy Code and Rules impose upon the bankruptcy debtors an express, affirmative duty to disclose all assets...."). Plaintiff listed the value
First, this Court recognizes that plaintiff, appearing pro se in her bankruptcy petition, is entitled to additional leniency to the extent that her errors were inadvertent.
Under Schedule B, a petitioner is directed to "list all personal property of the debtor of whatever kind." Chapter 7 Voluntary Petition 13, In re Malinda Hoffman, No. 11-62267-fra7 (Bankr.D.Or. 2011), ECF No. 1; see also 11 U.S.C. § 521(1). Plaintiff listed the value of her "personal property" as $5,000 under Bankruptcy Schedule B and then subsequently valued her personal property at $65,000 or more
First, this Court recognizes the difference between the "current" and the "replacement" value of an item of personal property, i.e., the value difference between used and new items. This distinction is important because plaintiff's "$5,000" figure is a "current value," and plaintiff's "$142,472" figure is a "replacement cost." Both parties dispute the significance of the valuation differences between "current" and "replacement" value. From plaintiff's perspective, judicial estoppel should be precluded because of the inherent difference between "current" and "replacement" value. See, e.g., infra § I(B); Letter from Ronald R. Sticka 1, ECF No. 39.
From defendant's perspective, valuation differences can be avoided through a supplemental
Second, this Court also recognizes that "valuation" differences are not relevant with respect to property plaintiff denied owning in Bankruptcy Schedule B. Thus, plaintiff's claim is restricted to those classes of personal property identified in Schedule B, i.e., clothing, household goods, or furnishings. See Chapter 7 Voluntary Petition 12-14, In re Malinda Hoffman, No. 11-62267-fra7 (Bankr.D.Or.2011), ECF No. 1. For example, plaintiff is precluded from claiming books, item 550, 551 and 552. Decl. of Kyle A. Sturm 44, May 14, 2013, ECF No. 19-18. However, this Court is reluctant to assess and determine whether 1,189 individual items of personal property fall within the scope of these accepted categories; this is particularly true in light of the fact that many items arguably qualify as "household goods."
Third, this Court is not persuaded that plaintiff's earlier representations satisfy New Hampshire's second factor. Under the second factor, this Court assesses whether plaintiff's representations "create the perception that the Bankruptcy Court or this Court has been misled." New Hampshire, 532 U.S. at 750, 121 S.Ct. 1808. On August 16, 2013, the United States Trustee, in response to a letter from this Court,
Defendant contends that plaintiff is precluded from additional "replacement" dwelling coverage because plaintiff did not replace her dwelling with a dwelling of "like kind and quality" within 365 days. Defendant's argument rests on two basic premises; first, that defendant rightfully interpreted the contractual provision "of like kind and quality" to preclude coverage to a "stick-built" home; and second, that plaintiff is precluded from "replacement" dwelling coverage because she failed to replace her dwelling with a dwelling "of like kind and quality" within 365 days.
"Interpretation of an insurance policy is a question of law, and our task is to ascertain the intention of the parties to the insurance policy." Holloway v. Republic Indemnity Co. of America, 341 Or. 642, 649, 147 P.3d 329 (Or.2006) (citing Hoffman Construction Co. v. Fred S. James & Co., 313 Or. 464, 469, 836 P.2d 703 (Or. 1992)). This Court "determines the intention of the parties based on the terms and conditions of the insurance policy." Id. at 649-50, 147 P.3d 329 (citations omitted). "If the policy does not define the phrase in question, [this Court resorts] to various aids of interpretation to discern the parties' intended meaning." Id. at 650, 147 P.3d 329 (quoting Groshong v. Mutual of Enumclaw Ins. Co., 329 Or. 303, 307-08, 985 P.2d 1284 (Or.1999)) (internal quotation marks omitted). Under that framework, this Court first considers whether the phrase in question has a plain meaning. Id. (citations omitted). "If the phrase in question has more than one plausible interpretation," this Court will then "examine the phrase in light of the particular context in which that [phrase] is used in the policy and the broader context of the policy as a whole." Id. (citations omitted) (internal quotation marks omitted). "If the ambiguity remains after [this Court] has engaged in those analytical exercises, then any reasonable doubt as to the intended meaning of such [a] term[] will be resolved against the insurance company." Id. (citations omitted) (quoting North Pacific Ins. Co. v. Hamilton, 332 Or. 20, 25, 22 P.3d 739 (Or.2001)) (internal quotation marks omitted). However, "a term is ambiguous ... only if two or more plausible interpretations of that term withstand scrutiny." Hoffman, 313 Or. at 470, 836 P.2d 703.
The contract provides, in relevant part:
Decl. of Kyle A. Sturm 4, May 14, 2013, ECF No. 19-14. The contract does not provide an explicit definition for the phrase of "like kind and quality." Therefore, this Court "must decide whether that phrase has a plain meaning." Holloway, 341 Or. at 650, 147 P.3d 329.
This Court first turns to the dictionary definitions. The term "like" is defined as "possessing the characteristics of; resembling closely; similar to." AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE 1014 (4th ed.2000); see also THE OXFORD-ENGLISH DICTIONARY Vol. VIII, 944 (2d ed.2001) ("Having the same characteristics or qualities as some other ... thing"). The term "kind" is defined as "[a] natural quality, property or characteristic." THE OXFORD-ENGLISH DICTIONARY Vol. VIII, 436 (2d ed.2001); see also AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE 964 (4th ed.2000) ("3. Fundamental, underlying character as a determinant of the class to which a thing belongs."). The term "quality" is defined as "[a]n inherent or distinguishing characteristic; a property." AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE 1431 (4th ed.2000); see also THE OXFORD-ENGLISH DICTIONARY Vol. XII, 971 (2d ed.2001) ("the nature, kind, or character (of something)"). Collectively, these definitions require a replacement dwelling to possess similar qualities and/or characteristics to that of the lost dwelling.
Defendant and plaintiff offer differing plain meaning interpretations of "like kind and quality." Defendant, in articulating a more restrictive interpretation, argues that an Adair "stickbuilt" home is simply too different from a manufactured home to be of like kind and quality. For example, defendant explains that unlike a manufactured home, a "stick-built" home is subject to a different statutory framework,
In contrast, plaintiff, in articulating a more flexible interpretation, makes two arguments. First, plaintiff contends that an Adair home is sufficiently similar to a manufactured home because both are "single family dwellings with four walls" and "a roof." Pl.'s Resp. to Def.'s Reply to Pl.'s Mot. Summ. J. 5, ECF No. 32. Second, plaintiff looks to non-precedential case law
Because both parties offer plausible explanations, this Court next examines these respective arguments "in light of, among other things, the particular context in
Plaintiff's broad interpretation of "of like kind and quality" equates this restriction with the term "dwelling"
Defendant contends that plaintiff is precluded from "replacement" dwelling coverage because she failed to replace her dwelling within 365 days. In response, plaintiff argues first, that a 365 day replacement period is void under Oregon law, and second, that actual replacement is not required under the contract. Plaintiff's arguments are unpersuasive.
In her first argument, plaintiff directs this Court's attention to ORS § 742.234. ORS § 742.234, "Insurers options" states:
OR.REV.STAT. § 742.234 (2011). Plaintiff, relying upon this provision,
In her second argument, plaintiff contends that actual replacement is not required, or in the alternative, that application of this replacement provision to plaintiff would be inequitable because of ongoing negotiations with defendant as to the value of an applicable replacement "dwelling" during the replacement period. Contrary to plaintiff's first assertion, actual replacement is generally considered a prerequisite to recovery under an insurance replacement provision in Oregon. For example, in Higgins, the Oregon Supreme Court held that "since plaintiffs have not expended anything in repairing or replacing the insured building they are not eligible to recover under the `Replacement Cost' extension of the policy." 256 Or. at 166, 469 P.2d 766; accord Patton v. Mutual of Enumclaw Ins. Co., 238 Or.App. 101, 122, 242 P.3d 624 (Or.App.2010) ("We conclude that ... in the absence of actual replacement, [defendant] had no duty to pay more than the actual cash value of the destroyed property, up to a maximum of the policy limit....").
Plaintiff argues that Higgins
As to plaintiff's second assertion, ongoing negotiations between the parties do not make application of the replacement provision inequitable. First, this Court declines to consider ongoing discussion regarding the Adair stick home because the Adair home is not a dwelling of "like kind and quality" and defendant did not lead plaintiff to believe otherwise. Second, the factual circumstances of plaintiff's claim line up closely with those in Patton. In this case, defendant provided plaintiff with a replacement estimate of between $90,054 and $103,500. Decl. of Malinda Hoffman 1, ECF No. 24-8. Plaintiff, doubting the accuracy of defendant's estimate, obtained her own estimate of $126,098. Decl. of Malinda Hoffman 1, ECF No. 24-10. Defendant, as in Patton, advised plaintiff that her home could be replaced for the lower estimate ("$90,054.00-$103,500.00") and that "[t]here could still be an additional payment once [insurer] verified that the potential purchase is a like kind and quality manufactured home to what [plaintiff] had before." Decl. of Malinda Hoffman 1, ECF No. 24-8. Third, plaintiff's reliance on Great American Ins. Co. of New York v. Jackson County School District is misplaced. 2007 WL 2713894 (D.Or. Sep. 17, 2007). In Great American, the District Court, in ruling against the insurer's non-replacement affirmative defense, found that "[i]t was impractical for [insured] to proceed with replacement until the parties (or the court) determines the extent of [insurer's] obligations...." Id. at *5. However, unlike in plaintiff's case, in Great American, the parties agreed upon the type and location of the replacement building but differed as to the specific materials that qualified as "like kind and quality" subject to a modifying provision.
Defendant contends that plaintiff is precluded from additional recovery under "Other Structures" coverage because plaintiff failed to replace her lost other structures and plaintiff received the actual
Turning first to the insurance contract, "COVERAGE B — OTHER STRUCTURES" provides:
The amount we pay for loss to your other structure will be the lowest of:
Decl. of Kyle A. Sturm 4, May 14, 2013, ECF No. 19-14 (emphasis added). As indicated supra § II(B), Oregon law requires actual replacement for replacement-based coverage. See, e.g., Higgins, 256 Or. at 166, 469 P.2d 766. Thus, because plaintiff has not replaced her other structures, she is precluded from replacement-based recovery for other structures under the contract.
As to the coverage dispute, plaintiff argues that she lost three
Defendant contends that plaintiff is precluded from "ordinance or law" coverage because she did not incur any relevant
Under the "Ordinance or Law" section, the insurer is obligated to "pay the actual, reasonable and necessary cost" for the increased costs associated with construction, repair, renovation, or demolition of an insured structure or dwelling. Decl. of Kyle A. Sturm 10, May 14, 2013, ECF No. 19-4. To date, plaintiff has not incurred any qualifying ordinance or law expenses. Accordingly, summary judgment is granted to defendant as to this issue.
Defendant contends that plaintiff is precluded from further "personal property" recovery because plaintiff received her full policy limits. In response, plaintiff argues that defendant failed to timely pay her full limits under the policy.
Under the "Coverage C — Personal Property" section, plaintiff was presented with two payment methods for insured personal property; the "Replacement Cost Payment Method" and the "Actual Cash Value Payment Method." Decl. of Kyle A. Sturm 7, May 14, 2013, ECF No. 19-4. Of these options, plaintiff selected
Defendant and plaintiff now dispute the timeliness of payments made under the policy. Defendant ultimately paid plaintiff the policy limit, $65,500, over five payments. Defendant's first two payments, $2,500 and $7,500, were characterized as "advances" and paid on August 23, 2011 and February 10, 2012, respectively. Decl. of Kyle A. Sturm 2 & 6, May 14, 2013, ECF No. 19-15. Defendant's third payment, $38,473.39, paid on March 15, 2012, was characterized as payment "based on [plaintiff's] contents valuation report." Id. at 8. Defendant's fourth payment, $6,526.61, paid on May 9, 2012, corresponds to defendant valuing plaintiff's lost property at an actual cost value of $66,928. Id. at 12; Decl. of Malinda Hoffman 28, ECF No. 24-3. Defendant's fifth and final payment, $10,500, was paid September 20, 2012. Decl. of Kyle A. Sturm 13, May 14, 2013, ECF No. 19-15.
Plaintiff contends that defendant failed to fully compensate her for adjusted living expenses under the contract. In response, defendant argues that plaintiff was fully compensated for the time needed to "repair or replace the damaged property."
Under the "Coverage D — Additional Living Expenses" section, defendant is obligated to "pay the actual, reasonable and necessary increase in [plaintiff's] living expense to maintain [plaintiff's] normal standard of living while [plaintiff] live[s] elsewhere." Decl. of Kyle A. Sturm 9, May 14, 2013, ECF No. 19-4. Defendant's financial obligation is limited to "the shortest time needed ... [t]o repair or replace the damaged property." Id. Defendant paid plaintiff $7,678.50
From defendant's perspective, the additional living expenses replacement period began on February 10, 2012, when plaintiff received her $95,000 "mobile home" payment under the contract. See Decl. of Kyle A. Sturm 6, May 14, 2013, ECF No. 19-15. Defendant argues that a replacement dwelling of "like kind and quality" could be manufactured and installed within "6-8 weeks." Decl. of Malinda Hoffman 19, ECF No. 24-3; see also Decl. of Kyle A. Sturm 3, May 14, 2013, ECF No. 19-17 (estimating that a replacement dwelling could be "buil[t] [in] 4-5 weeks"). Thus, according to defendant, the April 30, 2012 deadline, more than 11 weeks after plaintiff's receipt of her "mobile home" payment, is reasonable under the contract.
From plaintiff's perspective, defendant's underlying time estimate is based upon an insufficient valuation worksheet and should
Defendant contests plaintiff's $10,727.48 figure. In particular, defendant argues that plaintiff's rental contract ($1,125 per month) is only effective for purposes of the contract from November 23, 2011 until April 30, 2012.
Plaintiff contends that defendant violated its duty of good faith and fair dealing by failing to conduct a reasonable investigation and valuation of plaintiff's lost manufactured home pursuant to ORS § 746.230. Plaintiff argues that this failure resulted in defendant's refusal to adequately pay under the "replacement" dwelling provision of the contract. Plaintiff's argument is unpersuasive.
Under ORS § 746.230, an insurer is prohibited from "refusing to pay claims without conducting a reasonable investigation based on all available information." OR. REV.STAT. § 746.230 (2011). Plaintiff directs this Court's attention to defendant's "1/2 page check the box style worksheet," and argues that this valuation was unreasonable as a matter of law. Even assuming the worksheet was unreasonable as a matter of law, there is no indication that defendant failed to pay because of this failure.
For these reasons, defendant's motion for summary judgment (#16) and plaintiff's
IT IS SO ORDERED.