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Mutual Services Casualty Insurance Co. v. League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust6/26/2002
Appellant insurer challenges adverse summary judgment, arguing that the district court erred by concluding that a marked police patrol car is not a "motor vehicle" for purposes of the Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 65B.41-.71 (2000). Because we conclude that applying the plain meaning of the statutory definition of "motor vehicle" to this case produces an absurd and unreasonable result that plainly departs from the first stated purpose of the no-fault act, we reverse and remand.
FACTS
On March 17, 2000, a marked police patrol car, driven by a Rochester police officer and owned by the City of Rochester, struck and injured a pedestrian. Appellant Mutual Service Casualty Insurance Company (MSI) insured the pedestrian as a resident relative under an automobile policy; respondent League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) insured the city under an automobile policy. Both policies provided $20,000 in basic economic-loss benefits, and MSI's policy provided $60,000 in optional medical-expense benefits. The pedestrian incurred medical expenses in excess of $20,000.
MSI paid the excess and brought a declaratory-judgment action against LMCIT for payment of $20,000 of basic economic-loss benefits on the ground that LMCIT's policy had a higher priority for payment. See Minn. Stat. §á65B.47 (2000) (providing priority of payment of basic economic-loss benefits). MSI moved for summary judgment. The district court denied MSI's motion and granted summary judgment to LMCIT, concluding that the pedestrian was not entitled to benefits under LMCIT's policy because a marked police patrol car is not a "motor vehicle" for purposes of the Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 65B.41-.71 (2000). This appeal follows.
ISSUE
Did the district court err by concluding that a marked police patrol car is not a "motor vehicle" for purposes of the Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 65B.41-.71 (2000)?
ANALYSIS
On appeal from summary judgment, this court determines (1) whether there are genuine issues of material fact and (2) whether the district court erred in its application of the law. Hertz Corp. v. State Farm Mut. Ins. Co., 573 N.W.2d 686, 688 (Minn. 1998). The parties agree that there are no disputed facts and that the issue on appeal involves interpretation of the Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act (no-fault act), Minn. Stat. §§ 65B.41-.71 (2000). The interpretation of a statute is a question of law, which appellate courts review de novo. Nathe Bros., Inc. v. Am. Nat. Fire Ins. Co., 615 N.W.2d 341, 344 (Minn. 2000).
LMCIT's coverage declarations limit payment for personal-injury claims to "basic Minnesota statutory coverage," and the parties do not dispute the district court's finding that the policy provides "benefits coverage for qualifying motor vehicles as required by the [no-fault act]." Thus, the scope of LMCIT's policy, and the right of a pedestrian to recover benefits under that policy, is determined by the provisions of the no-fault act.
The no-fault act provides:
Every owner of a motor vehicle of a type which is required to be registered or licensed or is principally garaged in this state shall maintain during the period in which operation or use is contemplated a plan of reparation security *á*á* [that] shall provide for basic economic loss benefits and residual liability coverage. Minn. Stat. § 65B.48, subd. 1.
" very person suffering loss from injury arising out of maintenance or use of a motor vehicle *á*á* has a right to basic economic loss benefits." Minn. Stat. § 65B.46, subd. 1.<
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