The Magistrate Judge for the Federal District Court of Hawaii recommended a finding that there was no coverage under the deceased driver's car rental policy or rental agreement for an accident caused by reckless driving. Praetorian Ins. Co. v. Estate of Apo, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 164489 (D Haw. Sept. 6, 2019).
The decedent was asleep in a rented vehicle when awakened by police. The decedent reversed the auto and collided with an police vehicle. A high speed pursuit then ensued. The decedent drove in the wrong direction on the opposing side of traffic at approximately 90 miles an hour and struck an oncoming vehicle, killing both the decedent the underlying plaintiff.
The vehicle driven by decedent had been rented to a friend, who loaned decedent the car. The rental agreement stated "None" for the listing of additional drivers. The agreement also stated, "under no circumstances shall vehicle be used, operated or driven by any other person." Praetorian insured the rented vehicle.
The underlying lawsuit was filed against the decedent's estate. Thereafter, Praetorian filed an action for declaratory judgment that it had no duty to defend or indemnify. The estate did not answer and Praetorian filed Motion for Default Judgment or for Summary Judgment against the estate. No opposition to the motion was filed.
The court found that the decedent was not an insured under the policy. The policy defined "insured" as "you" and/or the rentee. The policy was therefore unambiguous that only the car rental company or the rentee qualified as an insured. The policy also stated it was subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions, and limitations contained in the rental agreement. Consequently, there was no coverage for the estate for the claims asserted in the underlying lawsuit.
As a result, the court found and recommended that the Motion be granted and that default judgment be entered against the estate and in favor of Praetorian.
