{ "id": 2551316, "name": "WILLIAM BRIAN HALES and DONNA HALES v. NORTH CAROLINA INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION", "name_abbreviation": "Hales v. North Carolina Insurance Guaranty Ass'n", "decision_date": "1994-07-29", "docket_number": "No. 418PA93", "first_page": "329", "last_page": "343", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "337 N.C. 329" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "433 S.E.2d 468", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1993, "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "111 N.C. App. 892", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8524626 ], "year": 1993, "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/111/0892-01" ] }, { "cite": "415 S.E.2d 341", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "344" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "331 N.C. 182", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2498339 ], "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "187" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/331/0182-01" ] }, { "cite": "144 S.E.2d 835", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1965, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "840", "parenthetical": "this Court deemed an amendment to the former N.C.G.S. \u00a7 55-38 to be pertinent in an action instituted prior to the amendment's effective date for the purpose of showing that prior to the amendment, the General Assembly considered the statute to be applicable to banking corporations" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "265 N.C. 601", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8576536 ], "year": 1965, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "609" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/265/0601-01" ] }, { "cite": "210 S.E.2d 199", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1974, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "203", "parenthetical": "where the statute itself contains a definition of a word used in the statute, the statutory definition controls even if contrary to the ordinary meaning of the word" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "286 N.C. 215", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8564966 ], "year": 1974, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "219", "parenthetical": "where the statute itself contains a definition of a word used in the statute, the statutory definition controls even if contrary to the ordinary meaning of the word" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/286/0215-01" ] }, { "cite": "441 S.E.2d 118", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1994, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "335 N.C. 566", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2532352, 2526477, 2532206, 2529831 ], "year": 1994, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/335/0566-03", "/nc/335/0566-01", "/nc/335/0566-04", "/nc/335/0566-02" ] }, { "cite": "436 S.E.2d 828", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "831", "parenthetical": "having expressly prohibited contingent fees in a number of other settings where it deemed them to be inappropriate, the General Assembly would have expressly prohibited them in N.C.G.S. \u00a7 105-299 had it intended such a prohibition" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "335 N.C. 227", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2527364 ], "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "230", "parenthetical": "having expressly prohibited contingent fees in a number of other settings where it deemed them to be inappropriate, the General Assembly would have expressly prohibited them in N.C.G.S. \u00a7 105-299 had it intended such a prohibition" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/335/0227-01" ] }, { "cite": "171 S.E.2d 601", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "605" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "7 N.C. App. 152", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8548622 ], "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "160" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/7/0152-01" ] }, { "cite": "337 S.E.2d 569", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "573" }, { "page": "574" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "315 N.C. 262", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4719040 ], "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "269" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/315/0262-01" ] }, { "cite": "382 S.E.2d 745", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "748" }, { "page": "748" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "325 N.C. 246", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2491345 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "253" }, { "page": "254" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/325/0246-01" ] }, { "cite": "62 Fordham L. Rev 321", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "Fordham L. Rev.", "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "356", "parenthetical": "\"The cases [applying the doctrine of virtual representation] are sporadic, and the doctrine often idiosyncratic.\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "648 F.2d 784", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 1229911 ], "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "790", "parenthetical": "\"doubling the] soundness\" of the doctrine of virtual representation" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/648/0784-01" ] }, { "cite": "811 F.2d 1119", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 1165288 ], "year": 1987, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1125", "parenthetical": "noting that \"no uniform pattern has emerged from the cases [applying the doctrine of virtual representation]\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/811/1119-01" ] }, { "cite": "578 F.2d 1002", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 870348 ], "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1008", "parenthetical": "emphasis added" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/578/1002-01" ] }, { "cite": "54 L. Ed. 2d 93", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "year": 1977, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "434 U.S. 832", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6259780, 6260485, 6260072, 6261065, 6260779, 6259473, 6262038, 6261750, 6262422, 6261467, 6259197 ], "year": 1977, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/434/0832-03", "/us/434/0832-05", "/us/434/0832-04", "/us/434/0832-07", "/us/434/0832-06", "/us/434/0832-02", "/us/434/0832-10", "/us/434/0832-09", "/us/434/0832-11", "/us/434/0832-08", "/us/434/0832-01" ] }, { "cite": "546 F.2d 84", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 1010009 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "97" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/546/0084-01" ] }, { "cite": "13 N.E. 161", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.", "weight": 3, "year": 1887, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "163-64", "parenthetical": "holding that a challenge by taxpayers and property owners to the issuance of municipal bonds was barred by a judgment entered in a prior action" }, { "page": "213" }, { "page": "212" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "123 Ill. 122", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2921497 ], "year": 1887, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "132", "parenthetical": "holding that a challenge by taxpayers and property owners to the issuance of municipal bonds was barred by a judgment entered in a prior action" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/123/0122-01" ] }, { "cite": "67 N.Y.U. L. Rev. 193", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "N.Y.U. L. Rev.", "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "203-32" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "46 L. Ed. 2d 137", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "year": 1975, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "423 U.S. 908", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6390404, 6390661, 6390828, 6390992, 6390520 ], "year": 1975, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/423/0908-01", "/us/423/0908-03", "/us/423/0908-04", "/us/423/0908-05", "/us/423/0908-02" ] }, { "cite": "511 F.2d 710", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 153206 ], "weight": 3, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "719" }, { "page": "719" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/511/0710-01" ] }, { "cite": "196 S.E. 321", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "year": 1938, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "322" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "213 N.C. 414", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8628436 ], "year": 1938, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "416" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/213/0414-01" ] }, { "cite": "81 S.E.2d 404", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1954, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "240 N.C. 196", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8596496, 8596449 ], "year": 1954, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/240/0196-02", "/nc/240/0196-01" ] }, { "cite": "79 S.E.2d 167", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1953, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "174" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "238 N.C. 679", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8616307 ], "year": 1953, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "689" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/238/0679-01" ] }, { "cite": "112 S.E.2d 123", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1960, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "128" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "251 N.C. 485", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626310 ], "year": 1960, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "492" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/251/0485-01" ] }, { "cite": "150 S.E.2d 396", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 7, "year": 1966, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "401" }, { "page": "402-03" }, { "page": "399" }, { "page": "402-03" }, { "page": "402" }, { "page": "402-03" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "268 N.C. 234", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8561100 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1966, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "239" }, { "page": "241" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/268/0234-01" ] }, { "cite": "124 S.E.2d 574", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1962, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "577" }, { "page": "577" }, { "page": "578", "parenthetical": "emphasis added" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "256 N.C. 520", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8573709 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1962, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "524" }, { "page": "525" }, { "page": "526" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/256/0520-01" ] }, { "cite": "308 S.E.2d 288", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "290" }, { "page": "290" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "309 N.C. 616", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4765995 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "620" }, { "page": "620" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/309/0616-01" ] }, { "cite": "200 S.E.2d 799", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1973, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "805" }, { "page": "805" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "284 N.C. 348", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8561845 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1973, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "356" }, { "page": "356" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/284/0348-01" ] }, { "cite": "349 S.E.2d 552", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "556" }, { "page": "556" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "318 N.C. 421", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4736107 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "428" }, { "page": "427" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/318/0421-01" ] }, { "cite": "439 S.E.2d 146", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1993, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "335 N.C. 237", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2530660, 2532612, 2531436, 2529973, 2532507 ], "year": 1993, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/335/0237-05", "/nc/335/0237-01", "/nc/335/0237-02", "/nc/335/0237-04", "/nc/335/0237-03" ] }, { "cite": "433 S.E.2d 468", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "471" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "111 N.C. App. 892", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8524626 ], "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "896" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/111/0892-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1244, "char_count": 36625, "ocr_confidence": 0.74, "pagerank": { "raw": 3.12611335484794e-07, "percentile": 0.8609702727842434 }, "sha256": "4ac6b1c9f13a1c827775ba30e32eb5d8bfe93fc4da4885796bd3f883319ecf8d", "simhash": "1:2f2f0627846d8494", "word_count": 6064 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:06:06.194618+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "WILLIAM BRIAN HALES and DONNA HALES v. NORTH CAROLINA INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "MITCHELL, Justice.\nThe primary issue before us in this case is whether the plaintiffs\u2019 claims are barred by the doctrines of res judicata or collateral estoppel. We hold that they are not; therefore, we reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals.\nThe pleadings and forecast of evidence before the trial court tended to show the following. William I. Hales, the father of the plaintiff W. Brian Hales, procured automobile liability insurance through Cotton Insurance and Realty Co. (hereinafter \u201cCotton\u201d) in 1968. Due to an arrangement between Cotton and Interstate Casualty Insurance Company (hereinafter \u201cInterstate\u201d), the exact nature of which is unclear, Cotton subsequently designated Interstate as the company that would provide automobile liability insurance to William Hales. This occurred in December of 1984.\nIn January of the following year, William Hales amended his policy by adding a 1977 Plymouth and a 1979 Buick and deleting a 1974 Dodge Dart. As a result of this amendment, William Hales received an invoice from Cotton seeking an additional premium in the amount of $155.00. When William did not pay this additional amount, he received a \u201cNotice of Cancellation or Refusal to Renew\u201d from Interstate, explaining that it intended to terminate his policy on 2 March 1985. William paid the $155.00 premium to Cotton on 1 March 1985 and subsequently received a notice from Interstate informing him that his policy had been \u201creinstated with no lapse in coverage.\u201d\nOn 4 March 1985, Cotton sent William Hales a premium notice which stated, in pertinent part, as follows:\nYour auto policy is up for renewal on April 5, 1985. Please have your payment in our office before the renewal date to avoid a lapse in coverage. Thank you.\nThe notice also indicated that the amount of the payment to be made was $313.00. William Hales never paid the $313.00 and received no further correspondence from Interstate or Cotton.\nOn 29 May 1985, Brian Hales was injured in an automobile accident while a passenger in the 1979 Buick. Brian\u2019s brother, Robert Hales, was driving.\nWilliam Hales subsequently filed a declaratory judgment action against Interstate on 21 November 1985 seeking a declaration that, inter alia, the Interstate policy was in effect on the date of the accident. Neither Brian nor his mother, Donna Hales, were parties to this action. The trial court granted Interstate\u2019s motion for summary judgment on the ground that the policy was not in effect on the date of Brian\u2019s accident.\nOn 12 February 1987, Brian Hales (through a guardian ad litem) and his mother, Donna Hales, instituted a tort action against William and Robert Hales seeking damages and medical expenses. Interstate was notified of the action but declined to defend William and Robert Hales. The trial court entered a default judgment (1) concluding that Robert Hales had been negligent and that his negligence had proximately caused Brian\u2019s injuries, (2) imputing Robert\u2019s negligence to William Hales under the family purpose doctrine and (3) awarding Brian $75,000 in damages for his personal injuries and Brian\u2019s mother $17,758 for Brian\u2019s medical expenses.\nOn 25 February 1988, Brian Hales (through a guardian ad litem) and his mother brought a declaratory judgment action against Interstate and Cotton seeking a declaration that, inter alia, the Interstate policy issued to William Hales was in effect on the date of Brian\u2019s accident. While this action was pending, Interstate was declared insolvent. Pursuant to the provisions of the Insurance Guaranty Association Act, N.C.G.S. \u00a7\u00a7 58-48-1 to 58-48-130, the North Carolina Insurance Guaranty Association (hereinafter \u201cAssociation\u201d) assumed \u201call rights, duties, and obligations of the insolvent insurer as if the insurer had not become insolvent.\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 58-48-35(a)(2) (1991 & Supp. 1993); see also N.C.G.S. \u00a7 58-48-5 (1991).\nBrian Hales and his mother (hereinafter \u201cplaintiffs\u201d) therefore instituted the present declaratory judgment action against the Association on 21 November 1991 seeking a declaration that, inter alia, (1) Interstate\u2019s policy was in effect on the date of the accident and (2) the Association is obligated to pay the limits of the liability coverage under the policy pursuant to the Insurance Guaranty Association Act. Both parties moved for summary judgment. The trial court denied the plaintiffs\u2019 motion and granted the Association\u2019s motion on the ground that the plaintiffs\u2019 claims had been adjudicated in the 1985 declaratory judgment action between William Hales and Interstate.\nThe Court of Appeals affirmed, agreeing with the trial court that the doctrine of res judicata bars the plaintiffs\u2019 claims against the Association. Hales v. N.C. Insurance Guaranty Assn., 111 N.C. App. 892, 896, 433 S.E.2d 468, 471 (1993). We allowed the plaintiffs\u2019 petition for discretionary review on 3 December 1993. Hales v. N. C. Insurance Guaranty Assn., 335 N.C. 237, 439 S.E.2d 146 (1993).\nBy their first assignment of error, the plaintiffs contend that their cause of action against the Association is not barred by the doctrine of res judicata. The plaintiffs therefore insist that the Court of Appeals erred in affirming the trial court\u2019s grant of the Association\u2019s motion for summary judgment. We agree.\nUnder the doctrine of res judicata (or \u201cclaim preclusion\u201d), \u201ca final judgment on the merits in a prior action will prevent a second suit based on the same cause of action between the same parties or those in privity with them.\u201d Thomas M. McInnis & Assoc., Inc. v. Hall, 318 N.C. 421, 428, 349 S.E.2d 552, 556 (1986). Under the companion doctrine of collateral estoppel (or \u201cissue preclusion\u201d), \u201cparties and parties in privity with them \u2014 even in unrelated causes of action\u2014 are precluded from retrying fully litigated issues that were decided in any prior determination [between the parties or their privies] and were necessary to the prior determination.\u201d King v. Grindstaff, 284 N.C. 348, 356, 200 S.E.2d 799, 805 (1973). Thus, while res judicata precludes a subsequent action between the same parties or their privies based on the same claim, collateral estoppel precludes the subsequent adjudication of a previously determined issue, even if the subsequent action is premised upon a different claim. Hall, 318 N.C. at 427, 349 S.E.2d at 556; King, 284 N.C. at 356, 200 S.E.2d at 805.\nAs this Court has recognized, the meaning of \u201cprivity\u201d for purposes of res judicata and collateral estoppel is somewhat elusive. Settle v. Beasley, 309 N.C. 616, 620, 308 S.E.2d 288, 290 (1983). Indeed, \u201c[t]here is no definition of the word \u2018privity\u2019 which can be applied in all cases.\u2019\u2019 Masters v. Dunstan, 256 N.C. 520, 524, 124 S.E.2d 574, 577 (1962). The prevailing definition that has emerged from our cases is that \u201cprivity\u201d for purposes of res judicata and collateral estoppel \u201cdenotes a mutual or successive relationship to the same rights of property.\u201d Settle, 309 N.C. at 620, 308 S.E.2d at 290; see also Bank v. Casualty Co., 268 N.C. 234, 239, 150 S.E.2d 396, 401 (1966); Masters, 256 N.C. at 525, 124 S.E.2d at 577; Hayes v. Ricard, 251 N.C. 485, 492, 112 S.E.2d 123, 128 (1960); Light Co. v. Insurance Co., 238 N.C. 679, 689, 79 S.E.2d 167, 174 (1953), reh\u2019g denied, 240 N.C. 196, 81 S.E.2d 404 (1954); Rabil v. Farris, 213 N.C. 414, 416, 196 S.E. 321, 322 (1938). The Association argues that the plaintiffs and William Hales have such a \u201cmutual or successive relationship to the same rights of property\u201d and therefore the plaintiffs are bound by the result of William Hales\u2019 1985 declaratory judgment action against Interstate. We do not agree.\nWe long have recognized that a minor is not bound by a proceeding in which he or she was not a party and in which he or she was not represented by a general guardian, a guardian ad litem or a next friend. Bank v. Casualty Co., 268 N.C. 234, 241, 150 S.E.2d 396, 402-03. In such a situation, neither the doctrine of res judicata nor the doctrine of collateral estoppel operates to bar a subsequent action brought by the minor.\nIn Bank v. Casualty Co., a minor, through her present guardian, brought an action against her former guardian and the surety on the bond of her former guardian, alleging that the former guardian had mismanaged and misappropriated funds. In a prior action by the surety against the former guardian, however, the trial court had concluded that the former guardian was innocent of any wrongdoing and that the surety and the former guardian therefore were \u201c \u2018forever discharged and acquitted from any liability\u2019 by virtue of the guardianship and bond.\u201d Id. at 236, 150 S.E.2d at 399. The surety and the former guardian maintained, and the trial court agreed, that the minor and her present guardian were bound by this prior judgment.\nThis Court reversed, emphasizing that neither the present guardian nor the minor had been parties to the prior action. Id. at 241, 150 S.E.2d at 402-03. While the present guardian had been named as a defendant in the prior action, the trial court had sustained the present guardian\u2019s demurrer and had dismissed it from the proceeding. Similarly, while the minor had participated in the prior action as a witness, she had not been a party to the prior action and had not been represented by a guardian. This Court held that since the present guardian \u201cwas not a party to the proceeding instituted by [the surety] at the time of the entry of the judgment [in that prior action] . . . that judgment is not binding upon the [present guardian] and the doctrine of res judicata has no application.\u201d Id. at 241, 150 S.E.2d at 402. This Court further held that \u201ca minor, called as a witness in a proceeding to which she was not a party and in which she was not represented by a general guardian, a guardian ad litem, or a next friend, should not be precluded by a judgment entered therein.\u201d Id. Therefore, we concluded that the present guardian, \u201con behalf of its ward, [was] entitled to its day in court and to an opportunity to establish its right, if any, to recover of [the former guardian] and the surety on [the] bond.\u201d Id. at 241, 150 S.E.2d at 402-03.\nWe likewise conclude in the present case that the plaintiff Brian Hales is entitled to an opportunity to establish his right to recover from the Association. Brian Hales, a minor in 1985, was not a party to the declaratory judgment action instituted by his father and was not represented in that action by a general guardian, a guardian ad litem or a next friend. Therefore, he is not bound by the result in that action and is not precluded from bringing this action by the doctrine of res judicata or the doctrine of collateral estoppel.\nWe also conclude that the plaintiff Donna Hales is entitled to an opportunity to establish her right to recover from the Association. Donna Hales, like the guardian in Bank v. Casualty Co., was not a party to the declaratory judgment action instituted by William Hales at the time of the entry of the judgment in that action. Further, Donna Hales was not in privity with William Hales. At the time of his 1985 declaratory judgment action, William Hales was a potential tortfeasor by operation of the family purpose doctrine. His interest was to establish that the Interstate policy was in effect on the date of the accident which in turn would obligate Interstate to defend him in any subsequent tort action and to pay the liability limits of the policy should the injured parties prevail. The interest of Donna Hales, however, is simply to recover for her losses resulting from Brian\u2019s medical expenses. She is unconcerned with whether this recovery ultimately will come from the tortfeasor or the tortfeasor\u2019s insurance carrier. She thus \u201chad a personal, but not a legal, interest in the outcome\u201d of the 1985 declaratory judgment action. Masters, 256 N.C. at 526, 124 S.E.2d at 578 (emphasis added). Therefore, Donna Hales and William Hales did not have a \u201cmutual or successive relationship to the same rights of property.\u201d Accordingly, Donna Hales was not in privity with William Hales at the time of the 1985 declaratory judgment action and is not precluded from bringing the present action by the doctrine of res judicata or the doctrine of collateral estoppel.\nThe Association, however, would have us abandon these traditional principles and preclude the plaintiffs\u2019 action through use of the doctrine of \u201cvirtual representation.\u201d Under this doctrine, \u201ca person may be bound by a judgment even though not a party if one of the parties to the suit is so closely aligned with his interests as to be his virtual representative.\u201d Aerojet-General Corporation v. Askew, 511 F.2d 710, 719 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 908, 46 L. Ed. 2d 137 (1975); see also generally Robert G. Bone, Rethinking the \u201cDay in Court\u201d Ideal and Nonparty Preclusion, 67 N.Y.U. L. Rev. 193, 203-32 (1992) [hereinafter Bone] (analyzing the historical development of the virtual representation doctrine). We decline to adopt this doctrine.\nThe doctrine of virtual representation apparently originated in the eighteenth century as a means by which courts of equity could \u201cbind persons holding remainder and reversionary interests in real property to a decree adjudicating property rights as long as the owner of the first vested estate of inheritance . . . was made a party to the suit.\u201d Bone, 67 N.Y.U. L. Rev. at 206. The nineteenth century saw an expansion of the doctrine beyond its real property origins. Id. at 209-11. Taxpayers, for example, were held to be bound by prior judgments entered in \u201cpublic rights suits\u201d challenging the legitimacy of government action. Id. at 210 (citing Harmon v. Auditor of Public Accounts, 123 Ill. 122, 132, 13 N.E. 161, 163-64 (1887) (holding that a challenge by taxpayers and property owners to the issuance of municipal bonds was barred by a judgment entered in a prior action)).\nThe doctrine of virtual representation fell into disfavor in the early part of this century, however, due primarily to the desire of the courts to afford nonparties their own \u201cday in court.\u201d Id. at 213. Indeed, \u201c[b]y the end of the 1930s, references to \u2018virtual representation\u2019 all but disappeared from the res judicata and class action literature.\u201d Id. at 212.\nThe \u201cmodern revival\u201d of the virtual representation doctrine seems to have been triggered by the opinion of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Aerojet-General Corporation v. Askew, 511 F.2d 710 (5th Cir. 1975). See Bone, 67 N.Y.U. L. Rev. at 218-221. In holding that the defendants were bound by a judgment entered in a prior action to which they were not a party, the court set forth what has become the paradigmatic statement of the virtual representation doctrine: \u201ca person may be bound by a judgment even though not a party if one of the parties to the suit is so closely aligned with his interests as to be his virtual representative.\u201d Askew, 511 F.2d at 719; see also Bone, 67 N.Y.U. L. Rev. at 219.\nThe \u201cpromise of broader preclusion\u201d offered by Askew \u201chas never been realized,\u201d however. Bone, 67 N.Y.U. L. Rev. at 220. Indeed, just two years later, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit retreated somewhat from its opinion in Askew, explaining that the doctrine of virtual representation \u201coffers little analytical assistance ... because of its wide and inconsistent application.\u201d Southwest Airlines Co. v. Texas Intern. Airlines, 546 F.2d 84, 97 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 832, 54 L. Ed. 2d 93 (1977); see also Bone, 67 N.Y.U. L. Rev. at 223. The Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit eventually restricted its use of the doctrine by requiring \u201cthe existence of an express or implied legal relationship in which parties to the first suit are accountable to non-parties who file a subsequent suit raising identical issues.\u201d Pollard v. Cockrell, 578 F.2d 1002, 1008 (5th Cir. 1978) (emphasis added); see also Bone, 67 N.Y.U. L. Rev. at 223-31. Other courts have experienced similar difficulties when attempting to apply the virtual representation doctrine. See, e.g., Colby v. J.C. Penney Co., Inc., 811 F.2d 1119, 1125 (7th Cir. 1987) (noting that \u201cno uniform pattern has emerged from the cases [applying the doctrine of virtual representation]\u201d); General Foods v. Mass. Dept. of Public Health, 648 F.2d 784, 790 (1st Cir. 1981) (\u201cdoubling the] soundness\u201d of the doctrine of virtual representation).\nThe revival of the virtual representation doctrine thus has resulted in \u201ca collection of seemingly ad hoc decisions with no clear organizational framework.\u201d Bone, 67 N.Y.U. L. Rev. at 220; see also Marjorie A. Silver, Fairness and Finality: Third-Party Challenges to Employment Discrimination Consent Decrees After the 1991 Civil Rights Act, 62 Fordham L. Rev 321, 356 (1993) (\u201cThe cases [applying the doctrine of virtual representation] are sporadic, and the doctrine often idiosyncratic.\u201d). Accordingly, it seems clear that courts have been unable to apply the doctrine with sufficient precision to be said to be \u201cclose enough\u201d even for government work. It is for this reason, in part, that we choose not to adopt it in the present case.\nIn addition, we decline to adopt the doctrine of virtual representation because it would amount to no less than an abandonment of our traditional concepts of res judicata, collateral estoppel and privity. Though perhaps imperfect, these doctrines have provided the courts of this state with a fair and workable approach to analyzing the effects of prior adjudication for many years and we find no compelling reason to abandon them.\nFor the foregoing reasons, we have concluded that the plaintiffs are not barred by our traditional doctrines of res judicata or collateral estoppel. Further, we have declined to adopt the doctrine of virtual representation and therefore need not consider whether its application would preclude the plaintiffs from bringing this action.\nBy another assignment of error, the plaintiffs contend that the Court of Appeals erred in affirming the trial court\u2019s grant of the Association\u2019s motion for summary judgment because the plaintiffs are entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Specifically, the plaintiffs argue that they are entitled to recover from the Association because (1) the Interstate policy was in effect on the date of Brian Hales\u2019 accident and (2) there are no other genuine issues of material fact with regard to their right to recover from the Association. While we agree that the policy was in effect on the date of the accident, we believe that genuine issues of material fact remain with regard to whether the plaintiffs have a \u201ccovered claim\u201d within the meaning of the Insurance Guaranty Association Act.\nThe question of whether the Interstate policy was in effect on 29 May 1985, the date of Brian Hales\u2019 accident, is governed by the provisions of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310 as they appeared at the time of the accident. At that time N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(f) provided, in pertinent part, as follows:\n(f) No cancellation or refusal to renew by an insurer of a policy of automobile insurance shall be effective unless the insurer shall have given the policyholder notice at his last known post-office address by certificate of mailing a written notice of the cancellation or refusal to renew.\nSubsection (f) further provided that this notice must: (1) have received the prior approval of the Commissioner of Insurance, (2) state the date on which the cancellation or refusal to renew would become effective, (3) state the specific reason or reasons for the cancellation or refusal to renew, (4) advise the insured of his right to request a review by the Commissioner of Insurance of the insurer\u2019s actions in cancelling or refusing to renew and (5) advise the insured \u201cthat operation of a motor vehicle without complying with the provisions of this Article is a misdemeanor and specify[] the penalties for such violation.\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(f) (1983) (amended 1985, 1987, 1991, 1993 and 1994). N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(g) provided at that time, however, that\n(g) Nothing in this section shall apply:\n(1) If the insurer has manifested its willingness to renew by issuing or offering to issue a renewal policy, certificate or other evidence of renewal, or has manifested such intention by any other means;\n(2) If the named insured has notified in writing the insurer or its agent that he wishes the policy to be canceled or that he does not wish the policy to be renewed[.]\nIn the present case, Interstate failed to satisfy the requirements of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(f). Uncontroverted evidence before the trial court tended to show that the policyholder, William Hales, received a premium notice which merely stated that the Interstate policy was \u201cup for renewal on April 5, 1985\u201d and requested that he pay the premium amount of $313.00 \u201cbefore the renewal date to avoid a lapse in coverage.\u201d In addition, the notice indicated that upon renewal, the policy would remain in effect until 5 October 1985 and that \u201c[a]ll premiums are due and payable upon effective date of policy.\u201d There was no forecast of evidence tending to show that the Commissioner of Insurance had previously approved the form of the notice. Further, the notice did not state the date on which any cancellation or refusal to renew would become effective, a date which \u201cmust be expressly and carefully specified with certainty\u201d in order to comply with the requirements of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(f). Pearson v. Nationwide Mutual Ins. Co., 325 N.C. 246, 253, 382 S.E.2d 745, 748 (1989). Finally, the notice failed to apprise William Hales of his right to request a review by the Commissioner of Insurance or of the possible penalties for failing to maintain liability insurance on his automobiles. The premium notice therefore failed to satisfy the requirements of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(f).\nInterstate still could have complied with the statute, however, by satisfying the requirements of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(g). While we have indicated in the past that a premium notice alone could satisfy the requirements of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(g), see Smith v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 315 N.C. 262, 269, 337 S.E.2d 569, 573 (1985), the premium notice in the present case was insufficient to accomplish this task. In Smith, we emphasized that the premium notice in question\nspecifically tells [the insured] that his policy is going to expire and states in two places the date on which the policy will expire. It also states, in a prominent location, \u201cThis is renewal notice for your policy which expires on the above date,\u201d and is subtitled, \u201cSemi-annual renewal for policy term beginning 6-22-79.\u201d On the back side of the form, the expiration date appears again, as well as an itemized list of the coverage type, policy limits, and premium, at the bottom of which the total \u201cRenewal Prem\u201d amount appears.\nId. at 269, 337 S.E.2d at 574. As such, the premium notice in Smith was \u201cmore than \u2018simply a statement of an account that will be due on the date indicated.\u2019 \u201d Id. (quoting Insurance Co. v. Davis, 7 N.C. App. 152, 160, 171 S.E.2d 601, 605 (1970)). The same cannot be said of the premium notice in the present case.\nUnlike the notice in Smith, the premium notice in the present case neither expressly informed William Hales that his policy was about to expire nor apprised him of the date of expiration. The notice in the case at bar was \u201csimply a statement of an account that will be due on the date indicated\u201d and therefore failed to constitute a manifestation of Interstate\u2019s willingness to renew within the meaning of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(g). Id.\nEven had the premium notice in question constituted a manifestation of Interstate\u2019s willingness to renew, it nevertheless would have failed to satisfy the statute since N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(g)(l) requires that the insurer have manifested its willingness to renew. The premium notice in the present case was sent not by Interstate, the insurer, but by Cotton.\nThe Association contends, however, that Cotton was an \u201cinsurance broker\u201d for Interstate and therefore \u201chad authority to act on Interstate\u2019s behalf with respect to the renewal of the Interstate policy.\u201d To adopt the Association\u2019s position in this regard would be to contravene the plain language of the statute. At all pertinent times, N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(g)(2) provided that the other requirements of the statute did not apply if the insured had notified either \u201cthe insurer or its agent\u201d that the insured did \u201cnot wish the policy to be renewed.\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(g)(l), however, provided that the requirements of the statute would not apply if \u201cthe insurer [had] manifested its willingness to renew.\u201d If the General Assembly had intended to allow for such a manifestation by an agent or broker of the insurer, it easily could have and would have done so. This is apparent from the fact that the General Assembly expressly included an agent of the insured within the language of subsection (g)(2). Cf. In re Appeal of Philip Morris U.S.A., 335 N.C. 227, 230, 436 S.E.2d 828, 831 (1993) (having expressly prohibited contingent fees in a number of other settings where it deemed them to be inappropriate, the General Assembly would have expressly prohibited them in N.C.G.S. \u00a7 105-299 had it intended such a prohibition), reh\u2019g denied, 335 N.C. 566, 441 S.E.2d 118, cert. denied, - U.S. -, - L. Ed. 2d - (1994). In addition, the statutory definition of \u201cinsurer\u201d contained in N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(a)(3) does not include agents or brokers of the insured. See In re Clayton-Marcus Co., 286 N.C. 215, 219, 210 S.E.2d 199, 203 (1974) (where the statute itself contains a definition of a word used in the statute, the statutory definition controls even if contrary to the ordinary meaning of the word).\nThe Association argues, however, that the phrase \u201cby any other means\u201d appearing in the 1985 version of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(g)(l) contemplated a manifestation of the insurer\u2019s willingness to renew by persons other than the insurer. We disagree. Instead, we interpret this phrase to refer to other methods of manifestation by the insurer itself. This interpretation is supported by the present version of the statute. Subsequent to the date of Brian Hales\u2019 accident, the General Assembly amended N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(g)(l) to read: \u201cby any other means, including the mailing by first-class mail of a premium notice or expiration notice.\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(g)(l) (1993). This indicates that through its use of the phrase \u201cby any other means,\u201d the General Assembly contemplated other methods of notice by the insurer, not notice by persons or entities other than the insurer. See Cooke v. Outland, 265 N.C. 601, 609, 144 S.E.2d 835, 840 (1965) (this Court deemed an amendment to the former N.C.G.S. \u00a7 55-38 to be pertinent in an action instituted prior to the amendment\u2019s effective date for the purpose of showing that prior to the amendment, the General Assembly considered the statute to be applicable to banking corporations).\nFor the foregoing reasons, we conclude that Interstate failed to satisfy the requirements of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310. As we explained in Pearson, \u201c[i]n order to cancel a policy the carrier must comply with the procedural requirements of the statute or the attempt at cancellation fails and the policy will continue in effect despite the insured\u2019s failure to pay in full the required premium.\u201d Pearson, 325 N.C. at 254, 382 S.E.2d at 748. Therefore, we conclude as a matter of law that the Interstate automobile liability insurance policy issued to William Hales was in effect on 29 May 1985, the date of Brian Hales\u2019 accident.\nWe further conclude, however, that the plaintiffs are not entitled to summary judgment in their favor because genuine issues of material fact remain with regard to whether the plaintiffs are entitled to recover from the Association. The Association is \u201ca nonprofit, unincorporated legal entity\u201d composed of all insurers that (1) are \u201clicensed and authorized to transact insurance in this State\u201d and (2) \u201cwrite[] any kind of insurance to which [the Insurance Guaranty Association Act] applies.\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7\u00a7 58-48-25, -20(6) (1991 & Supp. 1993). The purpose of the Association is, in, part, \u201cto provide a mechanism for the payment of covered claims under certain insurance policies . . . and to avoid financial loss to claimants or policyholders because of the insolvency of an insurer.\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 58-48-5 (1991).\nUnder the Act, the Association is \u201cobligated [only] to the extent of... covered claims.\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 58-48-35(a)(l) (Supp. 1993). The Act defines a \u201ccovered claim\u201d as\nan unpaid claim ... which is in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00) and arises out of and is within the coverage and not in excess of the applicable limits of an insurance policy to which this Article applies as issued by an insurer, if such insurer becomes an insolvent insurer after the effective date of this Article and (i) the claimant or insured is a resident of this State at the time of the insured event; or (ii) the property from which the claim arises is permanently located in this State.\nN.C.G.S. \u00a7 58-48-20(4) (Supp. 1993). A \u201ccovered claim\u201d does not include, however, \u201cany amount awarded as punitive or exemplary damages; sought as a return of premium under any retrospective rating plan; or due any reinsurer, insurer, insurance pool, or underwriting association, as subrogation or contribution recoveries or otherwise.\u201d Id.\nThe Association is obligated to pay \u201conly the amount of each covered claim that is in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00) and is less than three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000).\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 58-48(a)(l). Further, the Association\nhas no obligation to pay a claimant\u2019s covered claim, except a claimant\u2019s worker\u2019s compensation claim, if: a. The insured had primary coverage at the time of the loss with a solvent insurer equal to or in excess of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) and applicable to the claimant\u2019s loss; or\nb. The insured\u2019s coverage is written subject to a self-insured retention equal to or in excess of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000).\nIf the primary coverage or self-insured retention is less than three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000), the Association\u2019s obligation to the claimant is reduced by the coverage and the retention.\nId. Finally, the Act provides that \u201c[i]n no event shall the Association be obligated to a policyholder or claimant in an amount in excess of the obligation of the insolvent insurer under the policy from which the claim arises.\u201d Id.\nSummary judgment is appropriate only where there is no genuine issue as to any material fact. Mozingo v. Pitt County Memorial Hospital, 331 N.C. 182, 187, 415 S.E.2d 341, 344 (1992); see also N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 56 (1990). In the present case, a number of genuine issues of material fact remain with regard to whether the plaintiffs possess a \u201ccovered claim\u201d within the meaning of the foregoing provisions of the Act and to what extent, if any, the Association is obligated under the Act to pay that covered claim. An entry of summary judgment in favor of the plaintiffs therefore would be inappropriate.\nFor the foregoing reasons we hold that the Court of Appeals erred in affirming the trial court\u2019s grant of summary judgment in favor of the Association. Accordingly, we reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals and remand this case to that court for its further remand to the Superior Court, Wake County, for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.\nREVERSED AND REMANDED.\n. The Court of Appeals did not consider this issue since it determined that the plaintiffs\u2019 claims were barred by the doctrine of res judicata.\n. Since the date of Brian Hales\u2019 accident, the General Assembly of North Carolina has amended N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310 on five occasions.", "type": "majority", "author": "MITCHELL, Justice." } ], "attorneys": [ "Mast, Morris, Schulz & Mast, by Bradley N. Schulz and George B. Mast, for the plaintiff-appellants.", "Moore & Van Allen, by Joseph W. Eason, Christopher J. Blake and Martin H. Brinkley, for the defendant-appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "WILLIAM BRIAN HALES and DONNA HALES v. NORTH CAROLINA INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION\nNo. 418PA93\n(Filed 29 July 1994)\n1. Judgments \u00a7 233, 223 (NCI4th)\u2014 automobile liability policy \u2014 whether policy in effect \u2014 previous action \u2014 guardian ad litem and minor \u2014 res judicata and collateral estoppel \u2014 virtual representation\nPlaintiffs were not barred by the doctrines of res judicata or collateral estoppel, and the doctrine of virtual representation was not adopted, where plaintiff Brian Hales was injured while riding in a car driven by his brother on which his father had obtained insurance; his father filed a declaratory judgment action to determine insurance coverage; summary judgment was granted for the insurance company; Brian Hales and his mother instituted a tort action against his father and brother; a default judgment was entered; Brian and his mother brought a declaratory judgment action seeking a declaration that an insurance policy was in force; the insurance company was declared insolvent; this action was brought against the Insurance Guaranty Association; and the trial court granted the Association\u2019s motion for summary judgment on the grounds that plaintiff\u2019s claims had been adjudicated in the declaratory judgment action brought by the father. A minor is not bound by a proceeding in which he or she was not a party and in which he or she was not represented by a general guardian, a guardian ad litem, or a next friend, and Brian\u2019s mother was not a party to the action and was not in privity with his father because his interest was that of a potential tortfeasor in establishing that a policy was in effect, while her interest was to recover losses resulting from medical expenses whether that recovery came from the tortfeasor or the insurance carrier. Although the Association argued for the adoption of the doctrine of virtual representation, the N.C. Supreme Court declined to adopt that doctrine because courts have been unable to apply the doctrine with precision and because the traditional doctrines of res judicata, collateral estoppel, and privity, while imperfect, have provided the courts of this state with a fair and workable approach.\nAm Jur 2d, Judgments \u00a7\u00a7 518 et seq., 567 et seq.\n2. Insurance \u00a7 635 (NCI4tli)\u2014 automobile liability insurance \u2014 notice of cancellation \u2014 not effective\nAn automobile liability insurance policy was in effect at the time an accident occurred where the insurance company failed to satisfy the requirements of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(f), as it appeared at the time of the accident, in that uncontroverted evidence before the trial court tended to show that the policyholder received a premium notice which merely stated that the policy was \u201cup for renewal on April 5, 1985\u201d and requested that he pay the premium amount of $313.00 \u201cbefore the renewal date to avoid a lapse in coverage\u201d; the notice indicated that the policy would remain in effect upon renewal until 5 October 1985 and that \u201c[a]ll premiums are due and payable upon effective date of policy\u201d; there was no forecast of evidence tending to show that the Commissioner of Insurance had previously approved the form of the notice; and the notice did not state the date on which any cancellation or refusal to renew would become effective, a date which \u201cmust be expressly and carefully specified with certainty\u201d in order to comply with the requirements of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(f). Although the insurance company still could have complied with the statute by satisfying the requirements of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 20-310(g), the premium notice in the present case was insufficient to accomplish this task in that it neither expressly informed the insured that his policy was about to expire nor apprised him of the date of expiration and failed to satisfy the requirement that the insurer manifest its willingness to renew. If the General Assembly had intended to allow for such a manifestation by an agent or broker of the insurer, it easily could have and would have done so.\nAm Jur 2d, Automobile Insurance \u00a7\u00a7 38, 39.\n3. Insurance \u00a7 43 (NCI4th)\u2014 Insurance Guaranty Association \u2014 covered claim \u2014 summary judgment\nEntry of summary judgment for plaintiffs would be inappropriate where there were a number of genuine issues of material fact remaining with regard to whether plaintiffs possessed a \u201ccovered claim\u201d within the statutory meanings. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 58-48-20(4); N.C.G.S. \u00a7 58-48-35(a)(l).\nAm Jur 2d, Insurance \u00a7 874.\nOn discretionary review pursuant to N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-31 of a decision of the Court of Appeals, 111 N.C. App. 892, 433 S.E.2d 468 (1993), affirming an order entered by Greene, J., on 20 April 1992, in the Superior Court, Wake County. Heard in the Supreme Court on 9 May 1994.\nMast, Morris, Schulz & Mast, by Bradley N. Schulz and George B. Mast, for the plaintiff-appellants.\nMoore & Van Allen, by Joseph W. Eason, Christopher J. Blake and Martin H. Brinkley, for the defendant-appellee." }, "file_name": "0329-01", "first_page_order": 357, "last_page_order": 371 }