PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 13. Zurich American Insurance company has asked the U.S. Court of appeals for the Third Circuit to reverse a lower court’s ruling ordering it to pay $1 million in uninsured motorist (UM) benefits, arguing that a sign down form setting UM limits at $35,oo0.00 was valid and enforceable.
Stefan Freeth alleged injury while working on a truck owned by roadway contractor Road-Con Inc. He sought UM/UIM benefits under Road – Con’s commercial auto policy with Zurich, and was awarded $1 million in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pa., following Zurich’s removal of the case from the Chester County, Pa. Court of Common Pleas.
On appeal, Zurich contends that the sign down form completed by a company executive was a sufficient “express designation” within the meaning of the Pa. M.V.F.R.L. to constitute a valid election of UM/UIM limits lower than the commercial auto policy’s bodily injury limits of $1 million dollars. Freeth’s counsel claims the form is ambiguous, stating, “there is no affirmative written election of the amount of $35,000.00 by Road-Con. There is no handwritten entry by the named insured or check mark or initialing of the amount of $35,000.00 on the Summary Form.”
Stefan Freeth v. Zurich American Insurance Co., No. 15-2924, (3rd Cir 2015)
Editor’s Note: For copies of the briefing, email me at chaddick@dmclaw.com
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