716 F.3d 131
4th Cir.2013Background
- Dooley had Hartford auto policy with separate vehicle premiums for liability and UM/UIM in 2003 onward.
- The 2008 Hartford policy Declarations omitted a stated UM/UIM amount.
- UM/UIM endorsement required payment per Va. Code §38.2-2206; anti-stacking provision limited total UM/UIM.
- Va. Code §38.2-2206(A) requires UM/UIM coverage equal to general liability limits.
- Dispute arose whether policy allowed stacking of UM/UIM across three vehicles.
- District court granted Hartford summary judgment; Dooley appealed.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether anti-stacking is ambiguous without UM/UIM amount in Declarations | Dooley: ambiguity allows stacking | Hartford: statute fixes equal UM/UIM; no stacking | Anti-stacking unambiguous; no stacking allowed |
| Whether Va. Code §38.2-2206(A) fixes UM/UIM equal to liability per vehicle | Dooley: omission creates ambiguity | Hartford: statute requires equal UM/UIM; declaration omission not decisive | Statute requires equal UM/UIM; does not insert amount on declarations |
| Whether policy read as a whole favors stacking if ambiguity exists | Dooley: Williams creates ambiguity | Hartford: policy unambiguously prohibits stacking | Read in context, policy unambiguously prohibits stacking |
| Whether Dooley is entitled to stacking despite anti-stacking clause | Dooley: ambiguity allows stacking | Hartford: clear anti-stacking language | Policy does not permit stacking; district court correct |
Key Cases Cited
- Lipscombe v. Sec. Ins. Co., 213 S.E.2d 322 (Va. 1972) (premiums paid imply proportional UM/UIM; ambiguity if unclear)
- Goodville Mut. Cas. Co. v. Borror, 275 S.E.2d 625 (Va. 1981) (anti-stacking language deemed unambiguous)
- Williams v. Safeco Ins. Co., 677 S.E.2d 300 (Va. 2009) (anti-stacking language read in policy context creates ambiguity)
- Virginia Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co. v. Gile, 524 S.E.2d 642 (Va. 2000) (interpretation principles for insurance contracts)
- Cunningham v. Ins. Co. of N. Am., 189 S.E.2d 832 (Va. 1972) (UM/UIM stacking principles foundation)