Opinion
(AC 19206)
Argued March 28, 2000
Officially released August 1, 2000
Action to recover proceeds allegedly due under an automobile insurance policy issued by the defendants, brought to the Superior Court in the judicial district of Hartford, where the court, Hon. Jerry Wagner, judge trial referee, granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment and rendered judgment thereon, from which the plaintiff appealed to this court. Affirmed.
Brendan T. Canty, with whom, on the brief, was Seth J. Antin, for the appellant (plaintiff).
Andrew J. O'Keefe, with whom were, Joseph M. Busher, Jr., and, on the brief, Peter K. O'Keefe, for the appellees (defendants).
In this action, the plaintiff, Team Rental Group, Inc., a car rental company, seeks to recover damages from the defendant insurance carriers of Felix Velez, to whom a vehicle had been rented. The vehicle sustained damage when it was involved in an accident while being operated without permission by the grandson of Velez. The defendants allege that the policy of Velez does not afford coverage under the facts here and that they have no liability to the plaintiff. The trial court agreed and rendered a summary judgment for the defendants.
The other defendant in this action is the Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, Inc.
In its thorough analysis of the facts and applicable law, the trial court found that coverage was excluded under the provisions of the policy for damages to a nonowned vehicle rented to Velez for his sole use that was operated by his grandson with no reasonable belief that he was entitled to do so.
The court also examined and rejected the claim of the plaintiff that Velez was covered under that portion of the policy relating to damage to his own auto. We agree.
Our examination of the record and briefs, together with oral argument of the parties, persuades us that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed. The memorandum of decision of the trial court is detailed, thoughtful and comprehensive. Its analysis is consistent with our applicable law and precedents, and we therefore adopt the court's well reasoned decision. See Team Rental Group, Inc. v. ITT Hartford Group, Inc., 46 Conn. Sup. 480, 755 A.2d 382 (1998). It would serve no useful purpose to repeat the discussion contained therein. See Keyes v. Pennsylvania General Accident Ins. Co., 45 Conn. App. 140, 142, 695 A.2d 548 (1997); McCommic v. Commissioner of Correction, 44 Conn. App. 470, 471, 689 A.2d 526 (1997).