GEICO v. Barnor-Cooper

Michael Becker (Atlanta, GA) (Underinsured Motorist/Coverage Appeal) Plaintiff Charity Barnor-Cooper sued GEICO as her alleged uninsured/underinsured motorist carrier following a motor vehicle accident with an unknown driver. At the time of the accident, Plaintiff was driving a vehicle she rented through the Turo car rental marketplace. GEICO’s insurance policy included uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for the vehicle and its owner, but the policy excluded uninsured motorist coverage while anyone used the vehicle through a personal vehicle sharing program. GEICO moved for Summary Judgment arguing that its policy did not provide coverage. The trial court denied GEICO’s Motion for Summary Judgment. GEICO requested an interlocutory appeal, which the Court of Appeals granted. The Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s decision, finding that GEICO’s policy language clearly excluded coverage during the time Plaintiff rented and operated the vehicle through Turo.