{ "id": 3739721, "name": "ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOHN J. LANE et al., Defendants-Appellants (Bruce C. Stern et al., Defendants)", "name_abbreviation": "Allstate Insurance v. Lane", "decision_date": "2003-12-23", "docket_number": "No. 1-02-3550", "first_page": "547", "last_page": "554", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "345 Ill. App. 3d 547" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "789 N.E.2d 1094", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1098" }, { "page": "1095" }, { "page": "1096" }, { "page": "1098" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "99 Ohio St. 3d 156", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ohio St. 3d", "case_ids": [ 149687 ], "weight": 5, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "160" }, { "page": "156" }, { "page": "157" }, { "page": "160-61" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ohio-st-3d/99/0156-01" ] }, { "cite": "679 A.2d 540", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.2d", "case_ids": [ 1999236 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "551" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/md/342/0634-01" ] }, { "cite": "980 S.W2d 43", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 11791957 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "54" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/sw2d/980/0043-01" ] }, { "cite": "374 N.E.2d 787", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1978, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "58 Ill. App. 3d 729", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5627836 ], "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "734" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/58/0729-01" ] }, { "cite": "619 N.E.2d 1266", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "recklessness does not include knowing falsehoods" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "246 Ill. App. 3d 852", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5386860 ], "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "858", "parenthetical": "recklessness does not include knowing falsehoods" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/246/0852-01" ] }, { "cite": "00 C 5182", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cow.", "year": 2002, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "629 N.E.2d 1179", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1994, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "258 Ill. App. 3d 827", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2881360 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "834" }, { "page": "834", "parenthetical": "the underlying suits do not allege that the insured \"expected\" or \"intended\" the infestation" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/258/0827-01" ] }, { "cite": "126 F.3d 886", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.3d", "case_ids": [ 943580 ], "weight": 6, "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "890-91" }, { "page": "891" }, { "page": "888" }, { "page": "890" }, { "page": "891" }, { "page": "891", "parenthetical": "the complaint does not allege that PSSA intentionally overlooked or expected to miss the contractor's shortcomings" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f3d/126/0886-01" ] }, { "cite": "785 N.E.2d 1", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2003, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "203 Ill. 2d 141", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 799389 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "150" }, { "page": "150" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/203/0141-01" ] }, { "cite": "607 N.E.2d 1204", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "154 Ill. 2d 90", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 4820940 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "102" }, { "page": "108" }, { "page": "108" }, { "page": "125" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/154/0090-01" ] }, { "cite": "757 N.E.2d 481", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2001, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "197 Ill. 2d 278", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 259023 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "292" }, { "page": "292-93" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/197/0278-01" ] }, { "cite": "734 N.E.2d 50", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "315 Ill. App. 3d 552", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 980702 ], "weight": 3, "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "559" }, { "page": "559" }, { "page": "559" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/315/0552-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 779, "char_count": 16423, "ocr_confidence": 0.765, "pagerank": { "raw": 8.236779789509062e-08, "percentile": 0.47749212405819796 }, "sha256": "f2a69ebb735a9c17095fca6291bfc9f9caa3653cb1c432e1d5ff08c3c1f67a5e", "simhash": "1:ab5edec03dc7943b", "word_count": 2642 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:40:04.128176+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "BURKE and GARCIA, JJ., concur." ], "parties": [ "ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOHN J. LANE et al., Defendants-Appellants (Bruce C. Stern et al., Defendants)." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE CAHILL\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nDefendants John J. Lane and Joan M. Lane appeal from a summary judgment in favor of plaintiff Allstate Insurance Company. The trial court concluded that Allstate had no obligation to defend or indemnify the Lanes in a lawsuit brought by Bruce C. Stern and Silvia M. Stern. The Sterns sought rescission of a real estate contract and damages because the home the Sterns purchased from the Lanes had been damaged by extensive water infiltration before the closing. We affirm.\nThe facts are undisputed. On June 4, 1999, the Sterns entered into a real estate contract to purchase the Lanes\u2019 house in Oak Park, Illinois. The Lanes signed a residential real property disclosure report, stating they were not aware of recurring leaks in the basement, material defects in the walls or floors, leaks or material defects in the roof, ceiling or chimney or material defects in the plumbing. The sale was closed on August 2, 1999, and the Sterns took possession of the house on August 4, 1999. They soon discovered defects in the property, including leaks, water damage and sewer odors.\nThe Sterns filed their amended complaint, seeking rescission of the sales contract or restitution under the theories of fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, violation of the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act (765 ILCS 77/1 et seq. (West 1998)) and mutual mistake of fact. The Sterns also sued the real estate broker and agent for fraudulent or negligent misrepresentation and breach of fiduciary duty for failure to disclose known material defects in the property. The Sterns alleged that between 1984 and 1995, the Lanes replaced most of the windows in the house, but because of improper installation, the windows leaked and rainwater entered the house. The Sterns claimed that the Lanes knew of the water infiltration by the mid-1990s when they discovered damaged plaster, bubbling in the wallpaper and puddling in the basement during heavy rains. The sewer pipes cracked and the walls and floors lost structural support when the house shifted. As a result of the infiltration, the wooden studs and face boards rotted, the insulation became waterlogged and the plaster walls softened. The Sterns alleged in their complaint that raw sewage leaked under the house and through the foundation of the basement. The defects forced the Sterns to leave the house.\nThe Sterns alleged that the Lanes knew of the defects and concealed them:\n\u201cJohn Lane admitted to having discovered the water damage prior to the closing and advised Tony Iwerson [the real estate agent] of the water damage. John Lane admitted that the Lanes had asked Iwerson on July 10, 1999 [,] what their responsibility was with respect to the anticipated sale of the [p]roperty, and that Iwerson had told the Lanes not to advise the Sterns of the leaking and water damage.\u201d\nThe complaint states that despite several contacts between the Sterns, Iwerson and the Lanes between July 10, 1999, and the closing on August 2, 1999, neither Iwerson nor the Lanes mentioned leaking or water damage to the Sterns.\nThe Lanes\u2019 Allstate family liability insurance policy provided: \u201cAllstate will pay damages which an insured person becomes legally obligated to pay because of bodily injury or property damage arising from an occurrence to which this policy applies, and is covered by this part of the policy.\u201d The Lanes tendered to Allstate the defense of the underlying action. Allstate refused to defend the Lanes and filed a complaint for a declaratory judgment, arguing that the Lanes were not covered because the Sterns did not allege that the Lanes\u2019 conduct resulted in property damage caused by an occurrence as defined in the policy. The parties then filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The Lanes argued that Allstate should defend them in the Sterns\u2019 suit for negligent misrepresentation because the Lanes\u2019 failure to ascertain the existence and extent of the damage was an occurrence resulting in property damage. Allstate argued that the Sterns had alleged the breach of a real estate contract and economic loss caused by the Lanes\u2019 failure to disclose material defects, not \u201cproperty damage\u201d caused by an \u201coccurrence.\u201d Allstate further argued that it owed no duty to defend or indemnify the Lanes because the underlying action arose from a contract, intentional acts, or a third-party property damage claim, all of which were excluded under the policy.\nThe trial court concluded that there was no \u201coccurrence\u201d resulting in \u201cbodily injury\u201d or \u201cproperty damage\u201d as defined in the policy and granted Allstate\u2019s motion for summary judgment. The Lanes appeal, arguing that the Sterns\u2019 negligent misrepresentation complaint sufficiently alleged an occurrence as defined in the policy.\nWe review de novo appeals from summary judgment. Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co. v. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 315 Ill. App. 3d 552, 559, 734 N.E.2d 50 (2000). Appeals raising questions of law on the provisions of insurance policies also are subject to de novo review. Travelers Insurance Co. v. Eljer Manufacturing, Inc., 197 Ill. 2d 278, 292, 757 N.E.2d 481 (2001). Summary judgment \u201cis a drastic measure and should only be granted if the movant\u2019s right to judgment is clear and free from doubt.\u201d Outboard Marine Corp. v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 154 Ill. 2d 90, 102, 607 N.E.2d 1204 (1992). In deciding whether a summary judgment ruling is correct, we construe all evidence strictly against the moving party and liberally in favor of the nonmoving party. Atlantic Mutual, 315 Ill. App. 3d at 559. Where, as here, the pleadings, depositions and affidavits show no genuine issue of material fact, the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. 735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 1005(c) (West 2000); Atlantic Mutual, 315 Ill. App. 3d at 559.\nAn insurer\u2019s duty to defend arises if the facts alleged in the underlying complaint fall within, or potentially within, the policy\u2019s coverage. Outboard Marine, 154 Ill. 2d at 108. An insurer can refuse to defend its insured only if it is clear from the face of the underlying complaint that the coverage does not extend to the allegations. Outboard Marine, 154 Ill. 2d at 108. The duty to defend is much broader than the duty to indemnify. Outboard Marine, 154 Ill. 2d at 125. To determine whether an insurer has a duty to defend, a court compares the allegations in the underlying complaint with the relevant coverage provisions of the insurance policy. Guillen v. Potomac Insurance Co. of Illinois, 203 Ill. 2d 141, 150, 785 N.E.2d 1 (2003). \u201cIf the facts alleged in the underlying complaint fall within or potentially fall within the coverage of the policy, the insurer\u2019s duty to defendant is triggered.\u201d Guillen, 203 Ill. 2d at 150. In analyzing the terms of an insurance policy, words that are clear and unambiguous must be given their plain, ordinary and popular meaning. Travelers Insurance, 197 Ill. 2d at 292-93.\nThe Lanes\u2019 policy defined \u201coccurrence\u201d as \u201can accident, including continuous or repeated exposure to substantially the same general harmful conditions during the policy period, resulting in bodily injury or property damage.\u201d The policy excluded \u201cany liability an insured person assumes arising out of any contract or agreement\u201d and \u201cdamage intended by, or which reasonably may be expected to result from the intentional *** acts or omissions of[,] any injured person.\u201d\nThe Lanes argue that Allstate is obligated to defend them because the Sterns\u2019 claims of \u201cnegligent representation and negligent failure to ascertain defects\u201d alleged an \u201coccurrence\u201d resulting in \u201cproperty damage.\u201d We disagree.\nThe record makes clear that the Sterns\u2019 claims do not arise from an occurrence within the meaning of the Allstate policy. The complaint did not allege that the property damage was caused by the Lanes\u2019 failure to disclose leaks and defects to the Sterns in July 1999. Instead, the Sterns alleged that the property damage was caused by the faulty installation of windows and resulting water infiltration in the 1980s and 1990s. The Lanes\u2019 failure to disclose defects during a one-month period in 1999 could not have caused damage which accrued during an earlier 10-year period. Nor did the complaint allege an \u201coccurrence\u201d in the form of an \u201caccident\u201d under the policy. To the contrary, the Sterns alleged that the Lanes\u2019 failure to mention the leaks or water damage was deliberate, not careless or negligent. Because the Lanes\u2019 failure to inform the Sterns about the known defects was not an occurrence, Allstate owed no duty to defend the Lanes against the Sterns\u2019 claims. The Lanes\u2019 case for coverage is further weakened by the fact the Sterns\u2019 complaint arises from a contract and alleged intentional acts, both of which are excluded under the Allstate policy.\nThe Lanes rely on Prisco Serena Sturm Architects, Ltd. v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 126 F.3d 886, 890-91 (7th Cir. 1997), where the Seventh Circuit concluded that the negligent inspection and certification of defective construction work was an occurrence under an insurance policy with essentially the same language as here. Prisco, 126 F.3d at 891. In Prisco, a school hired Prisco Serena Sturm Architects (PSSA) to guard against defects in a construction contractor\u2019s work. Prisco, 126 F.3d at 888. PSSA performed its job negligently, the construction was faulty and the school sued PSSA. PSSA\u2019s insurance carrier denied coverage, finding that the underlying claim did not allege an occurrence within the meaning of the policy. Prisco, 126 F.3d at 890. The Seventh Circuit concluded that the complaint did allege an occurrence because PSSA was negligent in performing its role as inspector and certifier and prevented the school from discovering faulty construction work. Prisco, 126 F.3d at 891. The court relied on Posing v. Merit Insurance Co., 258 Ill. App. 3d 827, 834, 629 N.E.2d 1179 (1994), where a termite infestation was held to be an occurrence for insurance purposes after faulty inspection and treatment of the premises resulted in property damage.\nAllstate distinguishes Prisco and Posing, arguing that the respective insured\u2019s conduct in those cases was alleged to have been unknowing. See Prisco, 126 F.3d at 891 (the complaint does not allege that PSSA intentionally overlooked or expected to miss the contractor\u2019s shortcomings); Posing, 258 Ill. App. 3d at 834 (the underlying suits do not allege that the insured \u201cexpected\u201d or \u201cintended\u201d the infestation). By contrast, Allstate argues, the Sterns consistently alleged that the Lanes knew of the defects yet failed to inform the Sterns and, in fact, made misrepresentations.\nWe agree that Prisco and Posing are distinguishable. The Sterns alleged that the Lanes knew of the defects to such an extent that they discussed the matter with their realtor and purportedly followed his advice to conceal the information. Even if, as the trial court suggests, the Lanes did not realize the full extent of the damage, they are alleged to have known of and concealed the defects.\nThe Lanes cite TIG Insurance Co. v. Joe Rizza Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., No. 00 C 5182, (N.D. Ill. March 14, 2002), where the federal district court found that an insurance company owed a duty to defend an underlying lawsuit alleging negligent misrepresentation where an insured recklessly disregarded the truth. The court in TIG considered allegations that the insured recklessly disregarded the truth. \u201cReckless disregard\u201d occurs when a party makes a statement \u201cdespite a high degree of awareness of its probable falsity or entertaining serious doubts as to its truth.\u201d St. Paul Insurance Co. of Illinois v. Landau, Omahana & Kopka, Ltd., 246 Ill. App. 3d 852, 858, 619 N.E.2d 1266 (1993) (recklessness does not include knowing falsehoods).\nThe evidence here, including the residential real property disclosure report signed by the Lanes and the Sterns, supports the conclusion that the Lanes made representations that they knew to be false. It is not alleged that the Lanes merely entertained doubts as to whether the residential real property report was true or that they suspected that the report was \u201cprobably false.\u201d The Sterns asserted that the Lanes knew for a fact that the home was damaged and they deliberately failed to tell the prospective buyers.\nBoth parties rely on out-of-state cases to support their arguments. Only in the absence of Illinois authority on the point of law in question are we to look to other jurisdictions for persuasive authority. People ex rel. Watson v. Spinka, 58 Ill. App. 3d 729, 734, 374 N.E.2d 787 (1978). While Illinois authority is sufficient to resolve the issues before us, the parties\u2019 out-of-state citations help illustrate relevant points.\nThe Lanes call our attention to Wood America, 980 S.W2d 43 (Mo. App. 1998), Brethren Mutual Insurance Co., 342 Md.\nv. Safeco Insurance Co. of and its predicate, Sheets v. 634, 679 A.2d 540 (1996). The courts in both cases concluded that a negligent misrepresentation complaint alleged an occurrence and invoked the insurance company\u2019s duty to defend. In Wood, the Missouri court found it \u201cconceivable\u201d that the insured person who sold his riverfront property had never experienced flooding in the residence he represented to the buyers as flood-proof. The property flooded after the sale. Wood, 980 S.W.2d at 54. In Sheets, the Maryland court found that it was conceivable that the insured farmer, who had a small family, never experienced the septic system problems that occurred after a much larger family purchased the property. Sheets, 342 Md. at 657, 679 A.2d at 551.\nHere, we cannot read the Sterns\u2019 complaint as conceding that the Lanes may have been unaware of the water infiltration damage. The Sterns alleged the Lanes made repairs to conceal the damage before the sale. Wood and Sheets do not persuade us that the Sterns\u2019 allegations created a duty to defend.\nAnother case on point is Cincinnati Insurance Co. v. Anders, 99 Ohio St. 3d 156, 789 N.E.2d 1094 (2003), which we granted leave to Allstate to cite as supplemental authority. In that Ohio case, the homeowners\u2019 insurance policy defined occurrence in essentially the same terms as the Lanes\u2019 policy. Cincinnati Insurance, 99 Ohio St. 3d at 160, 789 N.E.2d at 1098. The homeowners failed to disclose structural, electrical, mechanical and plumbing defects in the house when they sold it. When named in the resulting lawsuit, the sellers asked their insurer to provide legal representation under their homeowners\u2019 policy and the company refused. Cincinnati Insurance, 99 Ohio St. 3d at 156, 789 N.E.2d at 1095. The Ohio Supreme Court reviewed essentially the same question presented here: \u201c \u2018[w]hether insurance policies covering personal injuries arising out of property damages provide coverage to homeowners who are sued for their negligent failure to disclose to purchasers damage to the property that occurred during the sellers\u2019 occupancy.\u2019 \u201d Cincinnati Insurance, 99 Ohio St. 3d at 157, 789 N.E.2d at 1096. The court answered the question, as have we, in the negative, concluding: \u201cThe actual accident was the faulty installation of the insulation, leading to the structural deterioration of the house. The underlying claims of the [buyers] against the [sellers] pertain to the nondisclosure of the damage, not the damage itself. Therefore, the underlying claims are outside the scope of the [insurance] policy.\u201d Cincinnati Insurance, 99 Ohio St. 3d at 160-61, 789 N.E.2d at 1098.\nWe believe the reasoning in Cincinnati Insurance is relevant to our decision here. The actual accident or occurrence here was the faulty installation of windows, leading to the structural deterioration of the house. The Sterns\u2019 claim pertained to the nondisclosure of the damage, not to the damage itself. The underlying claims, then, are outside the scope of the Lanes\u2019 Allstate policy.\nThe judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.\nAffirmed.\nBURKE and GARCIA, JJ., concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE CAHILL" } ], "attorneys": [ "Arthur L. Klein, David S. Wayne, and David B. Goodman, all of Arnstein & Lehr, of Chicago, for appellants.", "James R. Murray and John A. Husmann, both of Tressler, Soderstrom, Maloney & Priess, of Chicago, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOHN J. LANE et al., Defendants-Appellants (Bruce C. Stern et al., Defendants).\nFirst District (2nd Division)\nNo. 1-02-3550\nOpinion filed December 23, 2003.\nArthur L. Klein, David S. Wayne, and David B. Goodman, all of Arnstein & Lehr, of Chicago, for appellants.\nJames R. Murray and John A. Husmann, both of Tressler, Soderstrom, Maloney & Priess, of Chicago, for appellee." }, "file_name": "0547-01", "first_page_order": 567, "last_page_order": 574 }