Summary
finding that "[t]he prevention of unjust enrichment would require the imposition of a `contract-in-law' or quasi-contract
Summary of this case from Wrench LLC v. Taco Bell Corp.Opinion
Docket No. 110932.
Decided December 12, 1989.
Jeffrey W. Perlman, for plaintiffs.
Klemanski Honeyman, P.C. (by John D. Honeyman), for defendant.
Plaintiffs appeal as of right from the trial court's order granting defendant's motion for summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C) (10). We affirm.
Before her death in 1983, Marcel Kendricks was the named insured on a homeowner's policy issued by defendant and covering a two-family dwelling. Kendricks lived in the downstairs flat with her son, and plaintiffs, Kendricks' daughter and son-in-law, lived in the upstairs flat. After Kendricks died, her children continued to pay the premiums on the insurance policy as part of the mortgage payments they made on the deceased's behalf. Kendricks was listed as the named insured for the policy period from September, 1985, until September, 1986. On July 17, 1986, a fire damaged the dwelling. Subsequently, plaintiffs filed a complaint to recover from defendant for the loss of their personal property, which had been in the upstairs flat and was destroyed by the fire.
The deceased's insurance policy contained the following provision:
9. Death of Named Insured: In the event of death of the Named Insured, the definition of "Insured" is modified as follows:
a. The Named Insured shall mean:
(1) the spouse, if a resident of the household at the time of such death; and
(2) the legal representative but only with respect to the premises and property of the deceased covered under this policy at the time of such death.
b. Insured shall also include:
(1) any member of the deceased's household who was covered under this policy at the time of such death, but only while a resident of the insured premises; and
(2) with respect to the property of the Named Insured, the person having proper temporary custody thereof, but only until the appointment and qualification of the legal representative.
The clause is unambiguous. See Raska v Farm Bureau Ins Co of Michigan, 412 Mich. 355, 362; 314 N.W.2d 440 (1982). As a result of Kendricks' death, recovery under the terms of the policy was limited. Unless plaintiffs were members of the deceased's household at the time of her death, they could not recover for the loss of their personal property. The record supports, and plaintiffs do not dispute on appeal, the trial court's conclusion that they were not members of the deceased's household. Therefore, there was no genuine issue of fact as to plaintiffs' personal property being covered under the deceased's policy.
On appeal, plaintiffs contend that parol evidence is admissible to explain and identify the parties entitled to receive the benefits of an insurance policy. Plaintiffs' complaint was based upon the deceased's insurance contract with defendant. Because the policy was clear, unambiguous and complete as to its terms upon the death of the named insured, parol evidence would be inadmissible. See Mid America Management Corp v Dep't of Treasury, 153 Mich. App. 446, 459; 395 N.W.2d 702 (1986); Van Pembrook v Zero Mfg Co, 146 Mich. App. 87, 97-98; 380 N.W.2d 60 (1985), lv den 425 Mich. 857 (1986).
Plaintiffs also argue that, because they continued to pay the insurance premiums after Kendricks' death, they are entitled to receive the benefits of the policy under an unjust enrichment theory. A person unjustly enriched at another's expense must make restitution to the other. B M Die Co v Ford Motor Co, 167 Mich. App. 176, 181; 421 N.W.2d 620 (1988). The prevention of unjust enrichment would require the imposition of a "contract-in-law" or quasi-contract. Id. However, where an express contract is in force, a contract covering the same subject cannot be implied in law. Hickman v General Motors Corp, 177 Mich. App. 246, 251; 441 N.W.2d 430 (1989).
Here, an express contract governing defendant's liability for the named insured's property losses existed. Plaintiffs continued to pay only the consideration for that contract after Kendricks died, in the face of a provision which clearly limited defendant's liability. We do not find this to be a case in which imposition of a quasi-contract to prevent unjust enrichment would be proper or just.
Affirmed.