{ "id": 11649095, "name": "STATE AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES, Plaintiff v. JULIAN McCLAMROCH and DIANNE McCLAMROCH, Defendants", "name_abbreviation": "State Auto Insurance Companies v. McClamroch", "decision_date": "1998-04-07", "docket_number": "No. COA97-879", "first_page": "214", "last_page": "221", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "129 N.C. App. 214" } ], "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": "493 S.E.2d 416", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1997, "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "347 N.C. 342", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 551055 ], "year": 1997, "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/347/0342-01" ] }, { "cite": "488 S.E.2d 234", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "346 N.C. 741", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 139525 ], "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/346/0741-01" ] }, { "cite": "483 S.E.2d 167", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "345 N.C. 342", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 54115, 53835, 54062, 54032, 54166 ], "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/345/0342-03", "/nc/345/0342-04", "/nc/345/0342-01", "/nc/345/0342-02", "/nc/345/0342-05" ] }, { "cite": "476 S.E.2d 459", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "464" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "124 N.C. 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App.", "case_ids": [ 11711415 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "489" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/126/0483-01" ] }, { "cite": "129 L.Ed.2d 894", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. 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App.", "case_ids": [ 8520465 ], "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "8" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/111/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "448 S.E.2d 530", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1994, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "337 N.C. 695", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2552715, 2552427, 2551467, 2551157, 2549500 ], "year": 1994, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/337/0695-02", "/nc/337/0695-05", "/nc/337/0695-01", "/nc/337/0695-03", "/nc/337/0695-04" ] }, { "cite": "443 S.E.2d 93", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "95" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "114 N.C. App. 760", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8527990 ], "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "763" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/114/0760-01" ] }, { "cite": "77 S.E.2d 682", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1953, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "689" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "238 N.C. 185", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8602245 ], "year": 1953, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "193-94" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/238/0185-01" ] }, { "cite": "87 F.3d 1310", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.3d", "year": 1996, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "889 F.Supp. 241", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F. Supp.", "case_ids": [ 7833678 ], "year": 1995, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f-supp/889/0241-01" ] }, { "cite": "493 S.E.2d 658", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "127 N.C. 729", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "477 S.E.2d 59", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1996, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "124 N.C. App. 232", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 11889245 ], "year": 1996, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/124/0232-01" ] }, { "cite": "412 S.E.2d 318", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "323" }, { "page": "323" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "330 N.C. 697", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2511365 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "705" }, { "page": "705" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/330/0697-01" ] }, { "cite": "466 S.E.2d 313", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "315" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "121 N.C. App. 477", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 11918015 ], "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "480" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/121/0477-01" ] }, { "cite": "243 S.E.2d 894", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "897" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "295 N.C. 39", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8560959 ], "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "42" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/295/0039-01" ] }, { "cite": "346 S.E.2d 134", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "316 N.C. 386", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4697093, 4703166 ], "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/316/0386-02", "/nc/316/0386-01" ] }, { "cite": "340 S.E.2d 374", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "315 N.C. 688", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4720126 ], "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/315/0688-01" ] }, { "cite": "71 S.E.2d 54", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1952, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "235 N.C. 741", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626827 ], "year": 1952, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/235/0741-01" ] }, { "cite": "331 S.E.2d 712", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "714", "parenthetical": "citing Teer Co. v. Hitchcock Corp., 235 N.C. 741, 71 S.E.2d 54 (1952)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "76 N.C. App. 151", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8526817 ], "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "153", "parenthetical": "citing Teer Co. v. Hitchcock Corp., 235 N.C. 741, 71 S.E.2d 54 (1952)" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/76/0151-01" ] }, { "cite": "216 S.E.2d 464", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1975, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "26 N.C. App. 494", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8553688 ], "year": 1975, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/26/0494-01" ] }, { "cite": "189 S.E.2d 484", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "489" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "281 N.C. 496", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8575351 ], "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "502" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/281/0496-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 745, "char_count": 17205, "ocr_confidence": 0.768, "pagerank": { "raw": 5.3633407447963885e-08, "percentile": 0.3365835228231453 }, "sha256": "72b6dd0945ea27b8fa665c500716c9f5ee262fcd0cbefaa110eab9e5137e7ed9", "simhash": "1:1553f7ee204a9edc", "word_count": 2711 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T18:14:06.814789+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges HORTON and SMITH concur." ], "parties": [ "STATE AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES, Plaintiff v. JULIAN McCLAMROCH and DIANNE McCLAMROCH, Defendants" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "EAGLES, Judge.\nWe first consider whether the trial court erred in granting summary judgment because plaintiff is not the correct party plaintiff. Defendants argue that \u201cState Auto Insurance Companies\u201d is not the proper plaintiff because the insurance policy being reviewed was issued by \u201cState Automobile Mutual Insurance Company,\u201d a separate legal entity. Accordingly, defendants argue that plaintiff has not carried its burden of proving that it had standing to sue.\nPlaintiff first contends that defendants failed to raise this matter in the trial court and cannot raise it for the first time on appeal. Plaintiff additionally states that the \u201cpolicy was issued by State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, which makes up one part of the \u2018State Auto Insurance Companies\u2019 umbrella.\u201d Plaintiff argues that the fact that it is proceeding under the name of its umbrella organization is irrelevant to the substantive issues in this case.\nWe hold that State Auto Insurance Companies had standing to sue. State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company is not a separate legal entity from State Auto Insurance Companies, it is a corporate division of State Auto Insurance Companies. The policy issued to the McClamrochs has a \u201cState Auto Insurance Companies\u201d logo on it, indicating State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company\u2019s affiliation with State Auto Insurance Companies. Accordingly, it was proper for plaintiff to proceed under the name of its umbrella organization. The assignment of error is overruled.\nWe next consider whether the trial court erred in refusing to transfer venue to Guilford County because Forsyth County has no connection to the case. Defendants argue that this case is the factual twin of USAA v. Simpson, COA 96-636 (unpublished opinion, June 3, 1996), petition for disc, review pending. The Simpsons are defendants in the Kaplan case. USAA, the Simpsons\u2019 insurer, retained a lawyer to defend the Simpsons under a reservation of rights. The insurer then sued the Simpsons, and the Simpsons moved to transfer venue to Guilford County. This court determined that the motion should have been granted and venue transferred to Guilford County. Defendants contend similarly that venue should have been transferred to Guilford County.\nPlaintiff contends that there are procedural differences between this action and the Simpson case and that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion to transfer venue. First, plaintiff argues that defendants did not contest venue in their answer to the complaint. See G.S. 1-83. Second, the Kaplans moved to transfer venue to Guilford County and that motion was denied and affirmed on appeal. The defendants had a full opportunity to participate and did not take exception to the ruling or join in the appeal. Accordingly, plaintiff argues that the ruling \u201cbecame the law of the case, and Judge Zimmerman lacked authority to overrule Judge [Jerry C.] Martin\u2019s order when the McClamrochs sought to challenge venue in Forsyth County.\u201d See Calloway v. Ford Motor Co., 281 N.C. 496, 502, 189 S.E.2d 484, 489 (1972).\nDefendants\u2019 assignment of error fails because venue has been waived. Where a motion in writing is not made within the time prescribed by statute, defendant waives his right to object to venue. See G.S. 1-83; see also Swift & Co. v. Dan-Cleve Corp., 26 N.C. App. 494, 216 S.E.2d 464 (1975). The plaintiff filed their complaint on 16 December 1994. Defendants filed their answer 28 February 1995. The Kaplans also filed their motion to transfer venue on 28 February 1995, but the defendants did not join in the motion. The motion was denied on 21 August 1995, and defendants did not object to or appeal from the trial court\u2019s order. Defendants\u2019 motion to change venue was not filed until 3 May 1996. \u201cThe language of the statute is clear that the time for making the written demand is before the time for filing answer expires. Moreover, our Supreme Court, interpreting this statute, has explicitly stated that the defendant who files answer to the merits before raising his objection to venue, waives the right.\u201d Cheek v. Higgins, 76 N.C. App. 151, 153, 331 S.E.2d 712, 714 (1985) (citing Teer Co. v. Hitchcock Corp., 235 N.C. 741, 71 S.E.2d 54 (1952)).\nWe cite as an alternative basis for our holding that on 21 August 1995, Judge Jerry C. Martin entered an order denying a motion to transfer venue to Guilford County. Judge Martin found that \u201cForsyth County is a convenient forum and that the ends of justice do not require transfer.\u201d The McClamrochs did not except to this ruling or pursue an appeal. Accordingly, it became the law of the case. The assignment of error is overruled.\nWe next consider whether the trial court erred in granting summary judgment because plaintiff had a duty to defend or provide coverage to defendants. The defendants argue that plaintiff has a duty to defend if, when comparing the allegations of the complaint to the insurance policy, any claim is potentially covered. See Waste Management of Carolinas, Inc. v. Peerless Ins. Co., 315 N.C. 688, 340 S.E.2d 374, reh\u2019g denied, 316 N.C. 386, 346 S.E.2d 134 (1986). Defendants contend that the alleged claims of negligent infliction of emotional distress and property damage are covered, and require plaintiff to defend the entire action. Defendants also argue that in construing an insurance contract, the policy should be interpreted in accord with the reasonable expectations of the insured. See Grant v. Emmco Ins. Co., 295 N.C. 39, 42, 243 S.E.2d 894, 897 (1978). In the present case, both defendants testified that they believed they were covered. Defendants additionally argue that the general rules of construction of an insurance policy require that exclusions be interpreted narrowly while coverage clauses must be interpreted broadly to provide the greatest possible protection to the insured. See Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Johnson, 121 N.C. App. 477, 480, 466 S.E.2d 313, 315 (1996).\nWith these principles in mind, defendants argue that the insurance contract covers the claims because there was both an \u201coccurrence\u201d and \u201charm\u201d within the meaning of the policy. Defendants first argue that there was an occurrence because the alleged harm here was accidental. See N.C. Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co. v. Stox, 330 N.C. 697, 705, 412 S.E.2d 318, 323 (1992). Defendants contend in their brief that \u201cthe fact that the McClamrochs intentionally witnessed outside the Kaplans\u2019 home is irrelevant\u201d since the McClamrochs \u201cdid not intend to cause any harm by their legal, peaceful actions.\u201d Defendants next argue that the harm is within the policy definitions of property damage and bodily injury. First, defendants argue that severe emotional distress is bodily injury and therefore is covered. Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc. v. Fireman's Fund Ins. Co., 124 N.C. App. 232, 477 S.E.2d 59 (1996), reh\u2019g in part, 127 N.C. 729, 493 S.E.2d 658 (1997). Second, defendants contend that nuisance is included within the policy definition of property damage because the allegation is that the Kaplans lost the use and enjoyment of their home. Whiteville Oil Co., Inc. v. Federated Mut. Ins. Co., 889 F.Supp. 241 (E.D.N.C. 1995), aff\u2019d, 87 F.3d 1310 (4th Cir. 1996). Defendants further argue that the property damage results from nuisance per accidens, which by definition results in property damage, and is therefore covered under the policy. Morgan v. High Penn Oil Co., 238 N.C. 185, 193-94, 77 S.E.2d 682, 689 (1953).\nDefendants finally argue that the expected or intended injury exclusion does not relieve State Auto of a duty to defend. Defendants argue that the exclusion only applies if both the act and the resulting injury were intentional. Nationwide Mutual Fire Ins. Co. v. Banks, 114 N.C. App. 760, 763, 443 S.E.2d 93, 95, disc. review denied, 337 N.C. 695, 448 S.E.2d 530 (1994). Defendants maintain that plaintiff cannot carry its burden of proving the applicability of this exclusion. Accordingly, defendants argue that summary judgment should be reversed.\nPlaintiff first argues that the policy exclusion for intentional acts applies because defendants\u2019 repeated intentional marches and picketing were substantially certain to cause injury. Plaintiff contends that the McClamrochs knew their presence was injurious to the Kaplans when they continued picketing even after the injunction was entered against them. The injunction made it clear that the defendants were \u201charming the Kaplans\u201d and that the Kaplans would suffer \u201cirreparable harm\u201d unless the court enjoined the McClamrochs\u2019 actions. Kaplan v. Prolife Action League of Greensboro, 111 N.C. App. 1, 8, 431 S.E.2d 828, 831, dismissal allowed, disc. review denied, 335 N.C. 175, 436 S.E.2d 379 (1993), cert. denied sub nom., Winfield v. Kaplan, 512 U.S. 1253, 129 L.Ed.2d 894 (1994). Plaintiff argues that the addition of the negligence claim is not sufficient to trigger coverage because the Kaplans have \u201crecast their allegations of intentional conduct under a heading of \u2018negligence\u2019 \u201d without offering any new facts. See Eubanks v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co., 126 N.C. App. 483, 485 S.E.2d 870, disc. review denied, 347 N.C. 265, 493 S.E.2d 452 (1997).\nPlaintiff next argues that there is no coverage because the policy does not apply to the Kaplans\u2019 claims. First, plaintiff maintains that the Kaplans\u2019 claims of emotional distress without physical symptoms do not invoke coverage for bodily injury under the policy. Second, plaintiff contends that a nuisance claim does not invoke coverage for property damage under the policy because there was no damage to \u201ctangible\u201d property, either through physical damage or diminution in value. Third, plaintiff argues that there have been no \u201coccurrences\u201d as defined by the insurance contract because there was no accident. Plaintiff maintains that the McClamrochs\u2019 actions and any resulting harm cannot be considered an unintended, unforseen or unexpected event.\nFinally, plaintiff argues that summary judgment was proper because a contrary ruling would contradict public policy. Plaintiff contends that public policy should not require homeowners\u2019 insurance companies to provide financial protection that would allow the defendants to picket homes and businesses without the consequences normally provided for by law.\nAfter careful consideration of the record, briefs and contentions of both parties, we affirm. Under the intentional act exclusion:\nan insurer must demonstrate not only that the insured intended the act, but also that he intended to cause harm or injury. The rationale for this rule of law is twofold. First, the plain language of the policy is in terms of an intentional or expected injury, not an intentional or expected act. Were we to allow the argument that only an intentional act is required, we would in effect be rewriting the policy. Second, . . . many injuries result from intentional acts, although the injuries themselves are wholly unintentional.\nStox, 330 N.C. at 705, 412 S.E.2d at 323. However, while intent to injure is required, an intent to injure may be inferred where the act is substantially certain to result in injury. See Henderson v. U.S. Fidelity & Guar. Co., 124 N.C. App. 103, 110, 476 S.E.2d 459, 464 (1996), review allowed, 345 N.C. 342, 483 S.E.2d 167, aff\u2019d, 346 N.C. 741, 488 S.E.2d 234 (1997).\nDefendants were intentionally engaged in targeted residential picketing with the intent of inflicting sufficient emotional distress to coerce Dr. Kaplan from engaging in the legal, though controversial, activity of performing abortions. An intent to injure is the only logical conclusion to be inferred from defendants\u2019 conduct. The addition of the negligence claim is not sufficient to invoke coverage, because the amended complaint merely alleges \u201c \u2018but a different characterization of the same wilful act_\u2019 \u201d Eubanks, 126 N.C. App. at 489, 485 S.E.2d at 873. The Kaplans have simply \u201crecast their allegations of intentional conduct under a heading of negligence.\u201d Accordingly, we hold that the intentional acts exclusion of the insurance contract applies and summary judgment was properly granted.\nIn sum, because State Auto Insurance Companies is the umbrella organization of which State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company is a division, defendants\u2019 assignment of error asserting that plaintiff is not the proper party fails. The order of the trial court denying defendants\u2019 motion to transfer venue to Guilford County is affirmed. Finally, the order of the trial court granting summary judgment for plaintiff is affirmed.\nAffirmed.\nJudges HORTON and SMITH concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "EAGLES, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, by James H. Kelly, Jr., and Susan H. Boyles, for plaintiff-appellee.", "Gordon & Nesbit, P.L.L.C., by Thomas L. Nesbit, for defendant-appellants." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "STATE AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES, Plaintiff v. JULIAN McCLAMROCH and DIANNE McCLAMROCH, Defendants\nNo. COA97-879\n(Filed 7 April 1998)\n1. Parties \u00a7 12 (NCI4th)\u2014 complaint \u2014 corporate plaintiff\u2014 umbrella organization named \u2014 proper party\nThe trial court did not err by granting summary judgment for plaintiffs and against defendants where defendants argued that \u201cState Auto Insurance Companies\u201d was not the proper party because the policy was issued by \u201cState Automobile Mutual Insurance Company.\u201d State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company is a corporate division of State Auto Insurance Companies and it was proper for plaintiff to proceed under the name of its umbrella organization.\n2. Venue \u00a7 22 (NCI4th)\u2014 motion to transfer \u2014 filed after answer \u2014 waived\nThe trial court did not err by refusing to transfer venue where defendants filed their answer on 28 February 1995 and did not file the motion to change venue until 3 May 1996. The time for making the written demand is before the time for filing the answer expires and it has been explicitly held that a defendant who files an answer to the merits before raising his objection to venue waives the right. Moreover, another judge in a motion to intervene and change venue had denied the transfer and defendants had not excepted to that ruling or pursued an appeal.\n3. Insurance \u00a7 823 (NCI4th)\u2014 homeowner\u2019s insurance \u2014 abortion picketing \u2014 duty to defend\nThe trial court did not err in a declaratory judgment action by determining that there was no coverage under a homeowners\u2019 policy where the policy contained an exclusion for intentional acts, which may be inferred where the act is substantially certain to result in injury. Defendants engaged in targeted residential picketing with the intent of inflicting sufficient emotional distress to coerce a doctor from engaging in legal, though controversial, activity; an intent to injure is the only logical inference. The addition of a negligence claim by the doctor for negligent infliction of emotional distress is not sufficient to invoke coverage because the amended complaint merely alleged a different characterization of the same willful act.\nAppeal by defendants from orders entered 21 April 1997 and 10 March 1997 by Judge H. W. Zimmerman, Jr. in Forsyth County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 23 February 1998.\nThis case arises out of Kaplan v. Prolife Action League of Greensboro, 347 N.C. 342, 493 S.E.2d 416 (1997). On 18 January 1994, Julian and Dianne McClamroch were sued in tort by Dr. Richard Kaplan and Marguerite Kaplan arising from defendants\u2019 pro-life picketing activities outside the Kaplans\u2019 home. The Kaplans alleged six claims: private nuisance, public nuisance, intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, violations of the North Carolina Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and interference with civil rights. The Kaplans sought monetary damages and injunctive relief.\nThe McClamrochs have homeowners insurance protection from State Auto Insurance Companies (\u201cState Auto\u201d). State Auto denied coverage and declined to defend the McClamrochs. On 27 October 1994, the Kaplans amended their complaint to add a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress. State Auto continued to deny the claim, although it subsequently retained an attorney to defend the McClamrochs under a reservation of rights.\nOn 28 December 1994, State Auto filed this declaratory judgment action against the McClamrochs seeking an interpretation of the policy. On 28 February 1995, the Kaplans moved to intervene and change venue to Guilford County. The trial court denied both of the Kaplans\u2019 motions, and the Court of Appeals issued an unpublished opinion affirming the trial court\u2019s ruling. State Auto Ins. Companies v. McClamroch, COA95-1331 (unpublished opinion, Nov. 5, 1996).\nOn 3 May 1996 the McClamrochs moved to transfer venue to Guilford County. On 23 January 1997 plaintiffs moved for summary judgment. On 7 February 1997, the McClamrochs filed a cross motion for summary judgment, and in the alternative requested that the court transfer venue to Guilford County. Following a hearing, on 10 March 1997 the trial court denied the McClamrochs\u2019 motion to change venue and their cross motion for summary judgment, and granted plaintiff\u2019s motion for summary judgment on all claims. The defendants motion for reconsideration was denied on 21 April 1997. Defendants appeal.\nKilpatrick Stockton LLP, by James H. Kelly, Jr., and Susan H. Boyles, for plaintiff-appellee.\nGordon & Nesbit, P.L.L.C., by Thomas L. Nesbit, for defendant-appellants." }, "file_name": "0214-01", "first_page_order": 254, "last_page_order": 261 }