{ "id": 5314017, "name": "ESTEBAN GARCIA OLVERA, Plaintiff v. CHARLES Z. FLACK AGENCY, INC., Defendant", "name_abbreviation": "Olvera v. Charles Z. Flack Agency, Inc.", "decision_date": "1992-05-05", "docket_number": "No. 9129SC419", "first_page": "193", "last_page": "199", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "106 N.C. App. 193" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "64 ALR3d 398", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R. 3d", "weight": 2, "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "153 S.E.2d 60", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1967, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "62" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "269 N.C. 558", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8564823 ], "year": 1967, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/269/0558-01" ] }, { "cite": "324 S.E.2d 889", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "892" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "72 N.C. App. 591", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8527260 ], "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "595" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/72/0591-01" ] }, { "cite": "251 S.E.2d 449", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "296 N.C. 570", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8568282 ], "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/296/0570-01" ] }, { "cite": "337 S.E.2d 855", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "315 N.C. 182", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4719882, 4716177, 4714993, 4714074, 4715326 ], "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/315/0182-03", "/nc/315/0182-02", "/nc/315/0182-05", "/nc/315/0182-04", "/nc/315/0182-01" ] }, { "cite": "330 S.E.2d 830", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 6, "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "832" }, { "page": "833" }, { "page": "833" }, { "page": "833" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "75 N.C. App. 279", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8525649 ], "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/75/0279-01" ] }, { "cite": "83 S.E.2d 485", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1954, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "240 N.C. 610", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8606516 ], "year": 1954, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/240/0610-01" ] }, { "cite": "148 S.E.2d 229", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1966, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "232" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "267 N.C. 392", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8559432 ], "year": 1966, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "395" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/267/0392-01" ] }, { "cite": "109 S.E. 632", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "weight": 4, "year": 1921, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "634" }, { "page": "634" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "182 N.C. 599", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8657164 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1921, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "602" }, { "page": "603" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/182/0599-01" ] }, { "cite": "185 S.E.2d 732", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "735", "parenthetical": "quoting Elam v. Smithdeal Realty and Ins. Co., 182 N.C. 599, 602, 109 S.E. 632 (1921)" }, { "page": "735" }, { "page": "736" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "13 N.C. App. 375", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8553578 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "379", "parenthetical": "quoting Elam v. Smithdeal Realty and Ins. Co., 182 N.C. 599, 602, 109 S.E. 632 (1921)" }, { "page": "379" }, { "page": "380" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/13/0375-01" ] }, { "cite": "361 S.E.2d 568", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1987, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "570" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "321 N.C. 78", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2572852 ], "year": 1987, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "81" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/321/0078-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 698, "char_count": 13574, "ocr_confidence": 0.733, "pagerank": { "raw": 8.356050492897805e-08, "percentile": 0.4813075974699683 }, "sha256": "53bbaa97d71ae95a6b473133620b48235abd1c41283fd5bdaa31706141cfd272", "simhash": "1:a36445d74409b867", "word_count": 2303 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T19:35:11.401464+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Chief Judge Hedrick and Judge Walker concur." ], "parties": [ "ESTEBAN GARCIA OLVERA, Plaintiff v. CHARLES Z. FLACK AGENCY, INC., Defendant" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "ORR, Judge.\nThe issue on appeal is whether the trial court erred in granting the Agency\u2019s motion for a directed verdict. For the reasons below, we reverse the order of the trial court.\nThe Agency issued through Auto-Owners Insurance Company a homeowners insurance policy to Willie Lee Little for coverage from 31 October 1985 to 31 October 1986. On or about 17 December 1985, Little conveyed the house and lot to his mother, Myra Childress. On 24 November 1986, plaintiff contracted to purchase the house and lot from Myra Childress. Plaintiff moved into the house with his children and Vicki Driscoll, the mother of one of his children.\nDriscoll testified that in April 1987 a letter addressed to Willie Lee Little arrived in the mail. She took the letter to Ms. Childress who told her it was a bill for insurance and gave it back to Driscoll. The bill from the Agency for a homeowners policy was dated 1 April 1987 and included service charges. Driscoll then took the bill to the Agency and told \u201ca receptionist sitting at the first desk,\u201d Ms. Allison Irons, that she wanted to pay the bill. She further testified:\nI told her I wanted to make \u2014 to pay this and I wanted to have the insurance changed over into Steve\u2019s [plaintiff\u2019s] name. And she asked me how to spell Steve \u2014 or Esteban, and I told her. And she put Willie\u2019s name on top of it. She said so I\u2019ll know how to do it. And then I asked her how long the insurance stayed in effect. I thought maybe six months or something. And she turned around to another lady that was behind her and verified a year. And she told me it lasted a year.\nMs. Irons gave Driscoll a receipt stating that the money was received from Willie Lee Little with plaintiff\u2019s name in parentheses. On 25 November 1987, the house was destroyed by fire. A formal proof of loss standard form was submitted. Payment under the policy was denied.\nPlaintiff brought this action alleging breach of contract and negligence. The trial court granted the Agency\u2019s motion for a directed verdict on the grounds that the evidence was insufficient to establish a breach of contract or negligence on the part of the Agency and that in addition the evidence established the plaintiff\u2019s contributory negligence as a matter of law.\nIn determining a motion for a directed verdict pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 50 (1990), the trial court must \u201cconsider all the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. A directed verdict may be granted only if, as a matter of law, the evidence is insufficient to justify a verdict for the nonmovant.\u201d Watkins v. Hellings, 321 N.C. 78, 81, 361 S.E.2d 568, 570 (1987).\n[W]here an insurance agent . . . undertakes to procure a policy of insurance for another, affording protection against a designated risk, the law imposes upon him the duty, in the exercise of reasonable care, to perform the duty he has assumed and within the amount of the proposed policy he may be held liable for the loss properly attributed to his negligent default.\nJohnson v. George Tenuta & Co., 13 N.C. App. 375, 379, 185 S.E.2d 732, 735 (1972) (quoting Elam v. Smithdeal Realty and Ins. Co., 182 N.C. 599, 602, 109 S.E. 632 (1921)). \u201cIf a[n] . . . agent is unable to procure the insurance he has undertaken to provide, he impliedly undertakes \u2014 and it is his duty \u2014 to give timely notice to his customer, the proposed insured, who may then take the necessary steps to secure the insurance elsewhere or otherwise protect himself.\u201d Wiles v. Mullinax, 267 N.C. 392, 395, 148 S.E.2d 229, 232 (1966). \u201cWhen, under these circumstances, the broker fails to give such notice, he renders himself liable for the resulting damage which his client suffered from lack of insurance.\u201d Id. \u201c \u2018To enforce such liability the plaintiff, at his election, may sue for breach of contract, or for negligent default in performance of duty imposed by contract.\u2019 \u201d Johnson, 13 N.C. App. at 379, 185 S.E.2d at 735 (quoting Bank v. Bryan, 240 N.C. 610, 83 S.E.2d 485 (1954)).\nIn Johnson, plaintiff elected to sue for breach of contract, and this Court affirmed the trial court\u2019s order granting a directed verdict in favor of defendant on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence to establish a contract. There the evidence only showed that plaintiff took over the existing policy of the prior owners and sent to defendant through the real estate agent a check for the pro rata portion of the premium. Plaintiff never requested nor did defendant agree to procure any insurance in addition to that already in force. At most, the evidence showed that defendant promised without consideration to get a copy of the existing policy and told plaintiff not to worry because he was \u201cfully covered.\u201d Johnson, 13 N.C. App. at 380, 185 S.E.2d at 736.\nIn Alford v. Tudor Hall & Assoc., 75 N.C. App. 279, 330 S.E.2d 830, disc, review denied, 315 N.C. 182, 337 S.E.2d 855 (1985), this Court affirmed the trial court\u2019s grant of defendant\u2019s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict on plaintiff\u2019s negligence claim. The Court stated:\nIn determining whether an agent has undertaken to procure a policy of insurance, a court must look to the conduct of the parties and the communications between them, and more specifically to the extent to which they indicate that the agent has acknowledged an obligation to secure a policy. Where \u201can insurance agent or broker promises, or gives some affirmative assurance, that he will procure or renew a policy of insurance under circumstances which lull the insured into the belief that such insurance has been effected, the law will impose upon the broker or agent the obligation to perform the duty which he has thus assumed.\u201d 3 Couch on Insurance 2d (Rev. ed.) \u00a725:46 (1984).\nId. at 282, 330 S.E.2d at 832. \u201cEvidence that an agent took an application from the customer is sufficient to support a duty to procure insurance.\u201d Id. \u201cA \u2018bare acknowledgement\u2019 of a contract to protect the insured against casualty of a specified kind until a formal policy can be issued is enough, even if the parties\u2019 communications have not settled all the terms of the contemplated contract of insurance.\u201d Id. at 282, 330 S.E.2d at 833 (quoting Sloan v. Wells, 296 N.C. 570, 251 S.E.2d 449 (1979)).\nIn Alford, the evidence indicated that plaintiff told defendant\u2019s employee he needed insurance on his home but left open the amount of the premium and extent of coverage. Plaintiff asked defendant to calculate premiums for several coverages and told him he would bring a check later. Further, defendant did not expressly or impliedly promise or undertake to procure insurance for plaintiff. The Court stated: \u201cAn agreement by the agent to calculate premiums at various levels of coverage, without more, is in the nature of preliminary discussion, and does not reflect an undertaking to secure insurance.\u201d Id. at 283, 330 S.E.2d at 833. Therefore, the Court held that defendant was not under any duty to contact plaintiff or warn him of the lack of insurance coverage. Id. at 283-84, 330 S.E.2d at 833.\nHere Driscoll told Ms. Irons, who works for the Agency, that plaintiff wanted to have the insurance policy changed to his name and paid the premium. Ms. Irons asked how to spell plaintiff\u2019s name so she would \u201cknow how to do it.\u201d The Agency knew the identity of the property and the extent of the coverage, and Ms. Irons clarified the duration of the policy. In looking at the evidence in the light most favorable to plaintiff, the evidence is sufficient for the jury to infer that the Agency agreed to transfer the policy to plaintiff\u2019s name and accepted plaintiff\u2019s payment as consideration for the policy. Thus the trial court erred in granting the Agency\u2019s motion for a dir\u00e9cted verdict on the breach of contract claim.\nFurther, there is sufficient evidence from which a jury could find that the Agency was negligent. The trial court also determined that the evidence establishes plaintiff\u2019s contributory negligence as a matter of law. In Elam, 182 N.C. at 603, 109 S.E. at 634, our Supreme Court stated:\n[W]here a person of mature years, of sound mind, who can read and write, signs or accepts a deed or formal contract affecting his pecuniary interest, it is his duty to read it, and knowledge of the contents will be imputed to him in case he has negligently failed to do so. But this is subject to the qualification that nothing has been said or done to mislead him or to put a man of reasonable business prudence off his guard.\nIn Elam, the Court held that whether failure to hold an adequate policy is due to plaintiff\u2019s own negligence in failing to read his policy and taking out a sufficient policy to protect himself was a question for the jury. Id. at 603-04, 109 S.E. at 634. Here the issue of any contributory negligence on the part of plaintiff is a question for the jury. See id.\nThe Agency argues that there is no evidence that Ms. Irons had authority to bind the Agency. We disagree.\nA principal is liable upon a contract duly made by its agent with a third person in three instances: when the agent acts within the scope of his or her actual authority; when a contract, although unauthorized, has been ratified; or when the agent acts within the scope of his or her apparent authority, unless the third person has notice that the agent is exceeding actual authority.\nFoote & Davies, Inc. v. Arnold Craven, Inc., 72 N.C. App. 591, 595, 324 S.E.2d 889, 892 (1985). The Agency cites Fleming v. Employers Mut. Liability Ins. Co., 269 N.C. 558, 153 S.E.2d 60 (1967), where our Supreme Court stated:\n\u201cThe mere opinion of an agent as to the extent of his powers, or his mere assumption of authority without foundation, will not bind the principal; and a third person dealing with a known agent must bear the burden of determining for himself, by the exercise of reasonable diligence and prudence, the existence or nonexistence of the agent\u2019s authority to act in the premises.\u201d 3 Am. Jur. 2d, Agency \u00a7 78.\nId. at 561, 153 S.E.2d at 62. There the Court held that there is no presumption that one answering the telephone may waive the provisions of an insurance policy or bind the employer in important matters. Id.\n[I]t is a matter of common knowledge that the insurance business is carried on by agents largely through subordinates, that it cannot properly be carried on in any other way, and that therefore a general agent may, as a matter of implied consent, appoint subagents and subordinates whose, statements, acts, knowledge, or receipt of notice within the ordinary course of business will bind the company.\n43 Am. Jur. 2d Insurance \u00a7 124 at 206-07 (1982). Thus there is sufficient evidence that Ms. Irons had authority to bind defendant to defeat a directed verdict motion.\nFor the above stated reasons, the decision of the trial court is reversed and a new trial ordered.\nChief Judge Hedrick and Judge Walker concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "ORR, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Goldsmith & Goldsmith, P.A., by C. Frank Goldsmith, Jr., for plaintiff-appellant.", "Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, by Wayne P. Huckel and Cory Hohnbaum, for defendant-appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "ESTEBAN GARCIA OLVERA, Plaintiff v. CHARLES Z. FLACK AGENCY, INC., Defendant\nNo. 9129SC419\n(Filed 5 May 1992)\n1. Insurance \u00a7 2.3 (NCI3d)\u2014 agency\u2019s failure to procure insurance \u2014breach of contract \u2014negligence and contributory negligence\nPlaintiffs evidence was sufficient for the jury on the issue of defendant insurance agency\u2019s breach of contract to procure homeowners insurance for plaintiff where it tended to show that plaintiff\u2019s girlfriend took to defendant agency a bill for homeowners insurance that had been mailed by the agency to a prior owner of plaintiff\u2019s home; she told an employee of defendant agency that plaintiff wanted the insurance changed to his name and paid the premium; the employee asked how to spell defendant\u2019s name so she would \u201cknow how to do it\u201d; the employee told plaintiff\u2019s girlfriend that the policy period was one year; the employee gave the girlfriend a receipt stating that payment was received from the prior owner with plaintiff\u2019s name in parentheses; no policy of homeowners insurance was ever issued to plaintiff; and plaintiff\u2019s home was destroyed by fire seven months later. This evidence was also sufficient to permit the jury to find negligence on the part of defendant agency and presented a question for the jury on the issue of contributory negligence by plaintiff.\nAm Jur 2d, Insurance \u00a7 139.\nLiability of insurance broker or agent to insured for failure to procure insurance. 64 ALR3d 398.\n2. Insurance \u00a7 2 (NCI3d)\u2014 receptionist for insurance agency \u2014 authority to bind agency\nThere was sufficient evidence for the jury to find that a receptionist sitting at the front desk of defendant insurance agency had the authority to bind defendant agency in a contract to procure homeowners insurance for plaintiff.\nAm Jur 2d, Insurance \u00a7 139.\nLiability of insurance broker or agent to insured for failure to procure insurance. 64 ALR3d 398.\nAPPEAL by plaintiff from judgment entered 15 January 1991 by Judge Loto Greenlee Caviness in RUTHERFORD County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 9 March 1992.\nPlaintiff brought this action 14 December 1988 against defendants Charles Z. Flack Agency, Inc. (hereinafter \u201cthe Agency\u201d) and Auto-Owners Insurance Company alleging breach of contract and negligence. Auto-Owners moved for summary judgment, and the trial court granted the motion on 21 September 1990. At trial upon the conclusion of plaintiff\u2019s evidence, the trial court granted the Agency\u2019s motion for a directed verdict.\nFrom this order, plaintiff appeals.\nGoldsmith & Goldsmith, P.A., by C. Frank Goldsmith, Jr., for plaintiff-appellant.\nKennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, by Wayne P. Huckel and Cory Hohnbaum, for defendant-appellee." }, "file_name": "0193-01", "first_page_order": 223, "last_page_order": 229 }