JOHN J. BOYLE AND JANET A. BOYLE, APPELLANTS,
v.
ORKIN EXTERMINATING CO., INC., APPELLEE
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Boyle v. Orkin Exterminating concerns whether a lifetime termite damage guarantee purchased with pest control treatment constitutes a contract of insurance, which would entitle the homeowners to recover attorneys' fees under Florida law. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's finding that the guarantee was merely a warranty of pest control service, not an insurance contract.
The guarantee was not a contract of insurance but rather a warranty of Orkin's pest control service. The overall purpose of the guarantee was to add service to the sale of Orkin's termite treatment program, and since Orkin was in the business of providing pest control service, not guarantees, the agreement fell outside the definition of an insurance contract.
[1] A contract's classification as insurance depends on its purpose, effect, contents, and import, not merely the terminology used.
[2] When determining if a contract provides for insurance, the principal object and purpose of the agreement should be examined to ascertain whether 'service' or 'indemnity'…
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“Whether or not a contract is one of insurance depends on its purpose, effect, contents and import, and is not determined merely by the terminology used.”
Establishes the governing legal standard for determining whether a contract constitutes an insurance contract
Previewing 1 of 3 key quotes on this case — the court’s exact language, pinpointed for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceThe Boyles purchased pest control treatment from Orkin and also bought a lifetime guarantee contract requiring Orkin to re-treat if termites reappeare…
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WARNER, Judge.
This is an appeal from a final declaratory judgment determining that a lifetime termite damage guarantee paid for by appellants after termite treatment of their home by appellee was not a contract of insurance, thus determining that appellant was not entitled to attorneys fees under section 627.428, Florida Statutes (1989) in their ongoing litigation with appellee regarding breach of the guarantee agreement. We affirm.
In connection with treatment of the appellants’ home for termites, appellants also purchased a lifetime guarantee contract in which appellee assumed responsibility for re-treatment if termites later appeared. It also provided for payment by appellee of replacement of damaged property. The guarantee required the payment of an annual renewal fee and re-inspection by appellee. Appellants discovered termite damage after the Orkin treatment. Orkin re-inspected but did not retreat. Eventually, termites caused significant damage to the appellants’ home requiring its razing. Appellants sued Orkin, alleging breach of contract, negligence, and fraud. In addition they asked the court to declare the guarantee a contract of insurance. After a non-jury trial on the declaratory action, the court found that the guarantee was not a contract of insurance and entered judgment accordingly.
Whether or not a contract is one of insurance depends on its purpose, effect, contents and import, and is not determined merely by the terminology used. State ex rel. Landis v. DeWitt C. Jones Co., 108 Fla. 613, 147 So. 230 (1933). In the instant case the overall purpose of the guarantee was to add service to the “sale” of appel-lee’s termite treatment program. Appellee was not in the business of providing guarantees but in providing pest control service. Thus, we agree with the Texas appellate court in Rayos v. Chrysler Credit Corp., 683 S.W. 2d 546 (Tex.App.1985) when it noted that in deciding whether a contract is one providing for insurance the true inquiry is “whether looking at the plan of operation as a whole, ‘service’ rather than ‘indemnity’ is the principal object and purpose of the agreement_” 683 S.W. 2d at 548. Likewise, in Transportation Guarantee Co. v. Jellins, 29 Cal.2d 242, 174 P. 2d 625, 629 (Cal.1946), the court stated:
[A] sound jurisprudence does not suggest the extension, by judicial construe tion, of the insurance laws to govern every contract involving an assumption of risk or indemnification of loss; that when the question arises each contract must be tested by its own terms as they are written, as they are understood by the parties, and as they are applied under the particular circumstances involved.
We think application of these principles supports the trial court’s conclusion that Orkin’s guarantee was no more that a warranty of its service both as to the product itself and the method of application. And since the determination of the issues depends upon questions of fact regarding the nature of the service and the overall circumstances involved, we will not disturb the trial court’s finding on the factual issues involved.
We find the remaining arguments made by each party regarding the application of certain provisions of Florida’s Pest Control Act, section 482.011, Florida Statutes, et. seq. to be without merit.
Affirmed.
GLICKSTEIN, J., and OFTEDAL, RICHARD, Associate Judge, concur.
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SUN Coast Home Care, Inc. v. State, 710 So. 2d 120 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998)…ruling that the two contracts were insurance. The Department’s statement correctly observes that whether a contract is insurance depends on its purpose, effect, contents, and import, rather than its terminology. See Boyle v. Orkin Exterminating Co., 578 So. 2d 786 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991). In determining whether a contract is insurance, courts generally examine five factual elements. See Professional Lens Plan, Inc. v. Department of Ins., 387 So. 2d 548 (Fla. 1st DCA 1980). The fundamental problem in this ease is…
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Falcon Termite & Pest Control, Inc. v. Fla. Ins. Guar. Ass'n, 589 So. 2d 331 (Fla. 5th DCA 1991)…warranty. ... The trial court agreed with FIGA and granted summary judgment followed by the final judgment from which Falcon has taken this appeal. The trial court did not have the benefit of the decision in Boyle v. Orkin Exterminatng Co., Inc., 578 So. 2d 786 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991), at the time it ruled in favor of FIGA. The fourth district in Boyle considered a warranty issued by Orkin to its customers that is very similar to the one issued in the instant case. The court held that Orkin’s guarantee was no…
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Liberty Care Plan v. Dep't OF Ins., 710 So. 2d 202 (Fla. 1st DCA 1998)…ury, disablement, or death by accident or accidental means, or the expense thereof, or against disablement or expense resulting from sickness, and every insurance appertaining thereto.” Its analysis also relied upon Boyle v. Orkin Exterminating Co., 578 So. 2d 786 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991) (“whether or not a contract is one of insurance depends on its purpose, effect, contents and import, and is not determined merely by the terminology used”), and Professional Lens Plan, Inc. v. Department of Insurance, 387 So. 2d…
Authorities Cited
- State v. DeWitt C. Jones Co., 108 Fla. 613 (Fla. 1933)