ÿWPC¼ FxˆœÞ.<‚y=9 ­E€ûкu€Êºãl€õi“ˆäc¢!¢0DÂŒ€á».ÏÆZÑuÝ õh)»ÑÙkŸ‡?á»æÛܬØUƒcL¶ÖÂk@MõŽeKµ{ cÀþrf^˼“å¶â[+@šlüòrvö,®¸—]:z¼o“±ŽxJ* m Æ¢ Ý=܉EÛJ*ð4^fêm‹;hKÝQªõV>ÆŽâ–ôS£ÜÁ*HøX&c´KÜkГ‰–‰Q &ÉŽuN‰bžSe#+Aá*O0BƒïeR2¬ÅO&ýk~krs(šþøîµ“1ImPl}]’B&%ÑTÆ W¡Ñg.óê1sèîÿAz ‘OO7ˆe¾èB aé‚£Ÿ@Œa¬avqÙ6¬½Ón"A² 9e»Åp1(jƒPLJõ$Ó©O;Ãàgj3Ø;Ð5‹rÓ·<ðŽHÈd—`¯ÜŒ"ïjô‰¦gH $)]Å"\¿EÖ”ed>øŽ ¿ÊÿõOÍ;œÖ¦nVŸëç¥'šD¼¯¡CyòœÃÛhNbÝÙµ-Ïï¾Ï©ëñçh*ò„j@’tØ$•Êä’(놘rßBéRÞBL>=œÎêÊ®Y§#b %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÁÐ º‘ ÆK ÆÆ×Æ 0DcN§,© 1uÕEJ 72LL 0c~¡á/‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚b±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± 0ë¹¹¹¹ B¤¤ 0¤Á D3e D-˜ 0KÅÅ ASÆc 0¤) 0DÍ A«»m§\-s (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular¬|&-ê:i¢Ø+003|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wptÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4050ÈÈÈÈÈÈÈÈ0 °Ý ƒRôù$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô®ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` à€On€June€25,€1996,€Tennessee€Farmers€paid€Mrs.€Gaston€$15,200.25,€and€on€September€16,€1996,Ð ° ÐTennessee€Farmers,€apparently€having€collected€the€full€property€damage€claim€from€CNL,€€reimbursed€Mrs.€Gaston€herÐ tÄ Ð$200.00€deductible€for€a€total€of€$15,400.25.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó  CNLHutchison3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à —Ý ƒRôù$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô®ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àSee€Appendix. %Ý ƒRôù$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô®ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà ` àòòRutherfordóó€was€decided€December€1,€1980,€some€eight€and€one„half€years€after€òòGlover€v.€Tennessee€Ð ° ÐFarmers€Mutual€Insurance€Co.óó,€468€S.W.2d€727€(Tenn.€1971),€Ô‡X\…Xòô®Ôòòóóconstrued€our€uninsured€and€underinsuredÐ tÄ Ðautomobile€statutes€to€preclude€a€direct€action€against€the€insurer.Ð `° ÐÔ#†ô®òXX\…G#Ô- ù-(|G2ôù$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô®ò»»Ô d(|3¿`$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3¿`$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼»»»ÔÑ8€\…XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îØî»¼ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼»îîØ #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓFebruary€13,€2002€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X\…X»¼ÔÌò òÔ#†¼»XX\…ö#ÔPEGGY€GASTONòòóó€v.€TENNESSEE€FARMERS€MUTUAL€INSURANCEÐ úJ ÐCOMPANYòòóóÔ‡X\…X»¼Ôó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€McMinn€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€21,673€Lawrence€H.€Ô_ÔPuckettÔ_Ô,€JudgeÐ ú J ÐÌFILED€OCTOBER€28,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ Ò"  Ðà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2001„01487„COA„R3„CVÐ ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€of€McMinn€County€questions€whether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€Ð ŒÜ Ðgranting€a€directed€verdict€in€favor€of€Tennessee€Farmers€Mutual€Insurance€Company€because€itÐ xÈ Ðrefused€to€pay€its€policyholder,€Peggy€Gaston,€under€the€uninsured€motorist€provision€of€her€policyÐ d´ Ðwhich€covered€Peggy€Gaston.€€We€vacate€and€remand.Ð P  ÐÌÔ#†¼»XX\…–#ÔÔ‡X\…X»¼ÔÌÓäÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Vacated;€Ð P ÐCause€Remandedó óÐ ì< ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼»àX\…¹#ÔÔ‡X\…X.¼ÔHouston€M.€Goddard,€P.J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHerschel€P.€Franksóó€andÐ Ä ÐòòJ.€Michael€Swineyóó,€JJ.,€joined.Ð ° ÐÌLarry€B.€Ô_ÔNolenÔ_Ô,€Athens,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellant,€Peggy€Gaston.Ð ˆØ ÐÌH.€Chris€Ô_ÔTrewÔ_Ô,€Athens,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellee,€Tennessee€Farmers€Mutual€Insurance€Company.€Ð `!°  ÐÓzÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼»XX\…©#ÔÔ‡X\…X»¼ÔÐ 8#ˆ" ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼»XX\…Í #ÔÔ‡X\…X»¼ÔÓ  Óà  àThe€genesis€of€this€appeal€is€an€automobile€accident€occurring€on€June€10,€1996,€when€theÐ %` $ Ðautomobile€owned€and€operated€by€Peggy€Gaston€Ô#†¼»XX\…+ #ÔÔ€X\…X»¼Ôcollided€with€an€automobile€operated€by€StephanieÐ ü%L!% ÐWise€and€owned€by€her€father,€Timothy€Wise.€€According€to€Mrs.€Gastonððs€testimony,€Ms.€Wise€wasÐ è&8"& Ðdriving€on€the€wrong€side€of€the€road€and€struck€Mrs.€Gastonððs€automobile€causing€substantialÐ Ô'$#' Ðproperty€damage€to€her€1996€Honda€Civic€and€significant€bodily€injury€to€Mrs.€Gaston.€€At€the€timeÐ À($( Ðof€the€accident,€Mrs.€Gaston€was€insured€by€Tennessee€Farmers€Mutual€Insurance€CompanyÐ ¬)ü$) Ð(hereinafter€referred€to€as€ð ðTennessee€Farmersðð),€wherein€she€carried€liability€insurance€limits€ofÐ ˜*è%* Ð$50,000€per€person,€in€addition€to€insurance€for€property€damage,€medical€payments,€comprehensiveÐ „+Ô&+ Ðand€collision€coverage.€€Mrs.€Gastonððs€policy€also€provided€uninsured€and€Ô_ÔunderinsuredÔ_Ô€motorÐ p,À', Ðvehicle€coverage€with€limits€of€$50,000€per€person.€€Ms.€Wise€was€insured€by€CNL€InsuranceÐ \-¬(-ý~ ÐÔ_ÔAmerica€Company€(hereinafter€referred€to€as€ð ðCNLðð)€with€policy€limits€of€$10,000€property€damageÐ ° Ðand€$25,000€bodily€injury.€€Ð œì ÐÌà  àOn€June€11,€1996,€Mrs.€Gastonððs€daughter,€Dana€Watson,€notified€Tennessee€Farmers€of€theÐ tÄ Ðaccident€and€of€the€seriousness€of€her€motherððs€injuries.€€Shortly€after€the€accident,€Mr.€GastonÐ `° Ðvisited€David€Brown,€Senior€Claims€Adjustor€for€Tennessee€Farmers,€to€inquire€as€to€the€insuranceÐ L œ Ðcoverage€available€to€Mrs.€Gaston.€€According€to€testimony€by€Mr.€Gaston,€he€was€informed€thatÐ 8 ˆ ÐMrs.€Gaston€had€$25,000€available€to€her€€through€her€Ô_ÔunderinsuredÔ_Ô€coverage€in€addition€to€theÐ $ t Ð$25,000€available€from€Ms.€Wiseððs€bodily€injury€coverage€through€CNL€for€a€total€of€$50,000.Ð  ` ÐÌà  àAn€appraisal€of€Mrs.€Gastonððs€automobile€was€made€on€June€17,€1996.€€It€was€determinedÐ è 8  Ðthat€Mrs.€Gastonððs€automobile€was€a€total€€loss€and€€Tennessee€Farmers€paid€Mrs.€GastonÐ Ô$  Ð$15,221.25׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€for€property€damage€to€her€car.€€Mrs.€Gaston€testified€that€her€medical€bills€exceededÐ À  Ð$30,000.€€On€August€19,€1996,€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Gaston€wrote€the€following€letter€to€CNL,€forwardingÐ ¬ü  Ðcopies€of€Mrs.€Gastonððs€medical€bills€and€requesting€payment€of€the€$25,000€insurance€coverage.€Ð ˜è  ÐThe€Ô_ÔGastonsÔ_Ô€mailed€a€copy€of€the€correspondence€to€Mr.€Brown.€€Mr.€Brown€testified€that€heÐ „Ô  Ðreceived€the€letter€and€that€he€did€not€contact€CNL€nor€the€Ô_ÔGastonsÔ_Ô€regarding€the€correspondence€asÐ pÀ Ðhe€was€waiting€for€the€Ô_ÔGastonsÔ_Ô€to€notify€him€of€any€response€they€received€from€CNL:Ð \¬ ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°ÒAugust€19,€1996Ð 4„ ÐÌÌBetty€Ô_ÔKinnasÔ_ÔÐ øH ÐCNL€Insurance€AmericaÐ ä4 ÐP€O€Box€6097Ð Ð  ÐMacon,€GA€31208Ð ¼  ÐÌREF:€Claim€Number€10638DÐ ”ä ÐÌÌEnclosed€you€will€find€copies€of€the€bills€received€to€date€for€the€injuries€receivedÐ X ¨ Ðby€Peggy€Gaston€in€the€automobile€accident€on€June€10,€1996,€involving€the€liableÐ D!” Ðparty€which€you€insure,€Stephanie€Wise€(Tim€Wise).Ð 0"€  ÐÌPlease€let€us€know,€as€soon€as€possible,€the€status€of€this€claim€and€when€weÐ $X" Ðmight€expect€payment€of€your€clients€$25,000.00€insurance€coverage.Ð ô$D # ÐÌSincerely,Ð Ì&"% ÐÐ ¸'#& Ð/s/€Peggy€&€Dane€GastonÐ ° ÐPeggy€&€Dane€GastonÐ œì ÐÌEnclosuresÐ tÄ ÐÌcc:€David€Brown€„€Tennessee€Farmers€Mutual€Insurance€Co.Ð L œ ÐÌÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àOn€September€30,€1996,€following€their€receipt€of€$25,000€from€CNL,€€Mr.€and€Mrs.€GastonÐ $ t Ðsigned€a€ð ðRELEASE€AND€SETTLEMENT€OF€CLAIM,ðð€which€did€not€release€Stephanie€Wise,€butÐ  ` Ðdid€release€her€father,€Timothy€Wise€and€CNL.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€November€1996,€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Gaston€met€withÐ ü L  ÐMr.€Brown€in€his€office€at€which€time€they€became€aware€that€Tennessee€Farmers€was€denying€theirÐ è 8  ÐÔ_ÔunderinsuredÔ_Ô€claim.€€On€May€8,€1997,€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Gaston€filed€suit€against€Tennessee€Farmers.€Ð Ô$  ÐFollowing€the€close€of€proof€by€the€Ô_ÔGastonsÔ_Ô€at€trial,€Tennessee€Farmers€moved€for€a€directed€verdictÐ À  Ðwhich€was€granted€by€the€Trial€Court€on€the€grounds€that€the€Ô_ÔGastonsÔ_Ô€had€violated€certain€policyÐ ¬ü  Ðprovisions€by€a€release€they€signed€without€the€written€consent€of€Tennessee€Farmers.Ð ˜è  ÐÌÌà  àMr.€and€Mrs.€Gaston€raise€for€our€review€the€following€three€issues:€à x àà Ð àÐ \¬ ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°Òà@..%ìàòòò òFirst€Issueó óóóˆÐ 4„ ÐÌà Ø àWhether€the€trial€court€properly€dismissed€with€full€prejudice€insuredÐ  \ ÐPeggy€Gastonððs€suit€against€her€insurance€carrier,€Tennessee€Farmers€of€whichÐ øH Ðclaim€was€based€upon€the€failure€of€Tennessee€Farmers€to€pay€Peggy€GastonÐ ä4 Ðpursuant€to€her€Ô_ÔunderinsuredÔ_Ô€and€medical€payment€provisions€of€her€policy.Ð Ð  ÐÌà@ÈÈ$ìàòòò òSecond€Issueóóó óˆÐ ¨ø ÐÌà Ø àWhether€the€Trial€Judge€should€have€Ô_ÔrecusedÔ_Ô€himself€from€presiding€overÐ €Ð Ðthis€case€as€he€was€personally€insured€by€Tennessee€Farmers.Ð l¼ ÐÌà@ÿÿ%ìàò òòòThird€Issueóóó óˆÐ D!” ÐÌà Ø àWhether€the€Trial€Court€erred€in€refusing€to€allow€Ness€Judson,€PeggyÐ #l! ÐGastonððs€expert,€to€testify.Ð $X" ÐÌÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àThe€standard€for€our€review€of€the€propriety€of€the€Trial€Courtððs€granting€a€directed€verdictÐ à%0!$ Ðis€enunciated€by€our€Supreme€Court€in€the€case€of€òòCity€of€Columbia€v.€Ô_ÔC.F.W.Ô_Ô€Const.€Co.óó,€557Ð Ì&"% ÐS.W.2d€734,€740,€(Tenn.1977),€as€follows:Ð ¸'#& Ðâ âÐ ¤(ô#' ÐÒ€°ÒÒ€°ÒMotions€for€dismissal€in€non„jury€cases€under€Rule€41.„02(2),€Tennessee€RulesÐ ° Ðâ âof€Civil€Procedure,€and€motions€for€directed€verdicts€in€jury€cases€under€Rule€50,Ð œì ÐTennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure,€are€somewhat€similar,€but,€there€is€aÐ ˆØ Ðfundamental€difference€between€the€two€motions,€in€that,€in€the€jury€case,€theÐ tÄ Ðjudge€is€not€the€trier€of€facts€while€in€the€non„jury€case€he€is€the€trier€of€the€facts.€Ð `° ÐIn€the€jury€case€he€must€consider€the€evidence€most€favorably€for€the€plaintiff,Ð L œ Ðallow€all€reasonable€inferences€in€plaintiffððs€favor€and€disregard€all€counteractingÐ 8 ˆ Ðevidence,€and,€so€considered,€if€there€is€any€material€evidence€to€support€a€verdictÐ $ t Ðfor€plaintiff,€he€must€deny€the€motion.Ð  ` ÐÌÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àThe€automobile€policy€issued€to€Mrs.€Gaston€contains€relevant€provisions€as€follows:Ð è 8  ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°Òð ðTennessee€Farmers€Mutual€Insurance€Company,€Columbia,€Tennessee,€agreesÐ À  Ðto€insure€you€according€to€the€terms€and€conditions€of€this€policy....ððÐ ¬ü  ÐÌBy€accepting€this€policy,€you€agree€that:Ð „Ô  ÐÌ1....Ð \¬ Ð2....Ð H˜ Ð3...Ð 4„ Ð4.€€This€policy€contains€all€of€the€agreements€and€understandings€between€you€andÐ  p Ðus€or€any€of€our€agents.ððÐ  \ ÐÌòòð ðAdditional€Duties€under€Uninsured€Motorist€CoverageóóÐ ä4 ÐÌIn€addition,€persons€and€entities€seeking€coverage€under€Uninsured€MotoristÐ ¼  ÐCoverage€must:Ð ¨ø ÐÌ1...Ð €Ð Ð2...Ð l¼ Ð3.€€serve€upon€ò òusó ó€in€the€manner€prescribed€by€law€copies€of€all€suit€papers,€if€suitÐ X ¨ Ðis€brought.ððÐ H!˜ ÐÌòòð ðWHAT€IS€COVEREDóóà0 à àÐ #p!àX àX  ÐÌWe€will€pay€only€compensatory€damages€which€a€covered€person€is€legallyÐ ø$H # Ðentitled€to€recover€from€the€owner€or€operator€of€an€uninsured€motor€vehicleÐ ä%4!$ Ðbecause€ofÐ Ð& "% ÐÌ1.€€Bodily€injury€sustained€by€a€covered€person;ððÐ ¨(ø#' ÐÌòòò òð ðWHAT€IS€NOT€COVEREDóóó óÐ €*Ð%) ÐÐ l+¼&* ÐÔ_ÔWe€do€not€provide€uninsured€coverage€for€property€damage€or€bodily€injuryÐ ° Ðsustained€by€any€person€or€entity:Ð œì ÐÌ1...Ð tÄ Ð2.€€If€that€person€or€entity€or€the€legal€representative€of€that€person€settles€theÐ `° Ðbodily€injury€or€property€damage€claim€without€our€written€consent.ððÐ L œ ÐÌð ðWhen€we€make€payments€to€any€person€or€entity€under€this€uninsured€motoristÐ $ t Ðcoverage,€that€personððs€or€entityððs€rights€of€recovery€from€any€other€person€orÐ  ` Ðentity€become€ours€up€to€the€amount€paid.€€This€includes€the€proceeds€recoverableÐ ü L  Ðfrom€the€assets€of€an€insolvent€insurer.ððÐ è 8  ÐÌòòò òð ðLEGAL€ACTION€AGAINST€USóóó óÐ À  ÐÌNo€legal€action€may€be€brought€against€us€until€there€has€been€full€complianceÐ ˜è  Ðwith€all€the€terms€of€this€policy.Ð „Ô  ÐÌòòò òð ðOUR€RIGHT€TO€RECOVER€PAYMENTóóó óÐ \¬ ÐÌIf€we€make€a€payment€under€this€policy€and€the€person€or€entity€to€or€for€whomÐ 4„ Ðpayment€was€made€has€a€right€to€recover€damages€from€another,€we€shall€beÐ  p Ðsubrogated€to€that€right.€€That€person€or€entity€shall€do€whatever€is€necessary€toÐ  \ Ðenable€us€to€exercise€our€rights,€including€but€not€limited€to€(1)€cooperating€fullyÐ øH Ðwith€us€in€the€prosecution€of€claims€and€suits€(2)€procuring€and€furnishing€allÐ ä4 Ðpapers€and€documents€necessary€in€each€proceeding€and€(3)€attending€Court€andÐ Ð  Ðtestify€if€we€deem€necessary,€and€shall€do€nothing€after€loss€to€prejudice€ourÐ ¼  Ðrights.Ð ¨ø ÐÌIf€we€make€a€payment€under€this€policy€and€the€person€or€entity€to€or€for€whomÐ €Ð Ðpayment€is€made€recovers€damages€from€another,€that€person€or€entity€shall€holdÐ l¼ Ðin€trust€for€us€the€proceeds€of€the€recovery€and€shall€reimburse€us€for€ourÐ X ¨ Ðpayment.ððÐ D!” ÐÌÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àWe€believe€the€case€of€òòRutherford€v.€Tennessee€Farmers€Mut.€Ins.€Co.óó,€608€S.W.2d€843Ð #l! Ð(Tenn.€1980),€is€dispositive€of€the€major€question€raised€in€this€appeal.€€In€that€case,€wherein€theÐ $X" Ðfacts€are€strikingly€similar,€to€the€ones€in€the€case€at€bar,€our€Supreme€Court€found€that€the€insuranceÐ ô$D # Ðcarrier€had€ð ðwaived€the€provisions€requiring€its€written€consent€to€a€third„party€settlement.ððÐ à%0!$ ÐÌà  àòòRutherfordóó€did€find€that€the€tort„feasor€was€judgment€proof„„or€more€accurately€executionÐ ¸'#& Ðproof„„and,€consequently,€the€insurance€carrier€had€not€been€prejudiced.€€òòRutherfordóó€suggests€thatÐ ¤(ô#' Ðif€the€insurer€could€show€that€the€released€tort„feasor€was€financially€able€to€respond€to€a€judgmentÐ )à$( Ðthe€result€might€well€have€been€different.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àIt€would€appear€that€in€the€case€at€bar€that€neither€Mr.€Wise€nor€his€daughter€had€resourcesÐ ° Ðto€pay€any€judgment€rendered€in€that€Tennessee€Farmers,€which€was€subrogated€to€the€propertyÐ œì Ðdamage€claim€on€June€25,€1996,€made€no€effort€to€bring€suit€against€them€prior€to€the€release€beingÐ ˆØ Ðsigned€on€September€30,€1996.Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àAs€to€Tennessee€Farmersðð€insistence€that€it€was€prejudiced,€we€again€point€out€that€only€Mr.Ð L œ ÐWise€and€CNL€were€released€and€the€party€operating€the€car,€Mr.€Wiseððs€daughter,€was€not.€€Thus,Ð 8 ˆ ÐTennessee€Farmers€was€free€to€pursue€its€subrogation€claim€against€the€daughter.€€Additionally,€thereÐ $ t Ðis€no€concrete€proof€that€the€vehicle€driven€by€the€daughter€was€a€family€purpose€vehicle,€or€that€theÐ  ` Ðdoctrine€of€òòrespondeat€superioróó€obtained.€€However,€we€note€that€under€T.C.A.€55„10„311,€proof€ofÐ ü L  Ðownership€of€a€vehicle€€is€ð ðprima€facie€evidence€that€the€vehicle€was€then€and€there€being€operatedÐ è 8  Ðby€the€owner,€or€by€the€ownerððs€servant€for€the€ownerððs€use€and€benefit€and€within€the€scope€of€theÐ Ô$  Ðservantððs€employment.ððÐ À  ÐÌà  àNotwithstanding€the€foregoing€code€section,€we€believe€it€may€be€inferred€that€Mr.€Wise€wasÐ ˜è  Ðnot€financially€able€to€pay€any€judgment€rendered€against€him.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àFinally,€as€to€prejudice,€as€noted€in€the€case€of€òòAmerican€Justice€Ins.€v.€Hutchisonóó,€15€S.W.3dÐ \¬ Ð811€(Tenn.€2000),€involving€failure€to€give€notice€of€an€accident,€our€Supreme€Court€held€thatÐ H˜ Ðalthough€prejudice€must€be€shown,€a€rebuttable€presumption€arises€that€an€insurer€has€beenÐ 4„ Ðprejudiced.€€Assuming€that€the€rule€of€òòHutchisonóó€obtains€in€this€case,€given€the€fact€that€no€releaseÐ  p Ðwas€given€as€far€as€his€daughter€was€concerned,€and€the€further€fact€that,€as€already€noted,€no€effortÐ  \ Ðwas€made€by€Tennessee€Farmers€to€collect€approximately€$5000€it€paid€for€property€damage€overÐ øH Ðand€above€the€amount€paid€by€CNL,€any€presumption€that€might€have€arisen€has€been€rebutted€givenÐ ä4 Ðour€standard€of€review€as€to€directed€verdicts.€€Moreover,€as€to€this€point,€the€question€of€prejudiceÐ Ð  Ðmay€be€fully€explored€at€trial€upon€remand.€€Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àWe€also€believe€that€òòRutherfordóó€answers€the€contention€of€Tennessee€Farmers€that€noÐ ”ä Ðjudgment€could€be€rendered€against€it€because€the€tort„feasor€had€not€been€sued.€€It€is€true€thatÐ €Ð ÐòòRutherfordóó€did€not€speak€to€this€point,€but€does€affirm€a€judgment€against€Tennessee€Farmers€underÐ l¼ Ðthe€underinsured€motorist€coverage€when€the€tort„feasor€was€the€only€defendant€sued.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Moreover,Ð X ¨ Ðit€appears€that€this€is€a€suit€for€breach€of€contract€rather€than€one€under€the€provisions€of€ourÐ D!” Ðunderinsured€motorist€statutes.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àAs€to€the€testimony€excluded,€which€was€that€of€an€independent€insurance€adjustor€regardingÐ $X" Ðthe€duty€and€responsibilities€of€Mr.€Brown,€under€the€circumstances€of€this€case€we€do€not€believeÐ ô$D # Ðthat€the€Trial€Court,€given€the€wide€discretion€accorded€it€as€to€admission€of€evidence,€especiallyÐ à%0!$ Ðexpert€testimony,€was€in€error€in€excluding€this€testimony.€€We€also€suggest€that€for€the€same€reasonÐ Ì&"% Ðwe€would€not€have€found€error€had€the€testimony€been€admitted.€€òòOtis€v.€Cambridge€Mut.€Fire€Ins.Ð ° ÐCo.óó,€850€S.W.2d€439€(Tenn.€1992).Ð œì ÐÌà  àWe€also€note€that€under€Tennessee€law€there€is€in€every€contract€an€implied€duty€of€goodÐ tÄ Ðfaith€and€fair€dealing.€€òòWallace€v.€National€Bank€of€Commerceóó,€938€S.W.2d€684€(Tenn.€1996);Ð `° ÐòòBrooks€v.€Networks€of€Chattanooga,€Inc.óó,€946€S.W.2d€321€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).Ð L œ ÐÌà  àGiven€the€letter€above€set€out,€copy€of€which€went€to€Mr.€Brown,€the€representative€ofÐ $ t ÐTennessee€Farmers,€a€reasonable€inference€can€be€drawn€that€the€settlement€with€the€tort„feasor€wasÐ  ` Ðimminent,€and€if€accomplished€without€the€written€consent€of€Tennessee€Farmers,€TennesseeÐ ü L  ÐFarmers€would€not€be€liable€for€payment€of€any€underinsured€motorist€coverage.Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àWe€believe€a€jury€could€find,€under€proper€instructions€from€the€Court,€that€the€impliedÐ À  Ðcovenants€above€mentioned€were€breached€by€Mr.€Brown€remaining€silent€with€the€expectation€thatÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€case€would€be€settled€without€the€written€consent€required€in€the€policy.€€We€accordingly€findÐ ˜è  Ðthat€granting€a€directed€verdict€under€the€record€presented€was€error.Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àAs€to€the€question€of€the€Trial€Judge€recusing€himself,€the€record€discloses€that€during€theÐ \¬ Ðselection€of€the€jury€the€Court€excused€any€prospective€juror€who€carried€insurance€with€TennesseeÐ H˜ ÐFarmers.€€During€the€course€of€the€trial€the€Trial€Judge€apparently€reflected€upon€his€actions€as€toÐ 4„ ÐTennessee€Farmers€and€felt€it€necessary€to€advise€counsel€for€the€parties€that€he€likewise€was€insuredÐ  p Ðby€Tennessee€Farmers.€€He€then€asked€whether€there€was€any€problem€with€his€continuing€the€trial.€Ð  \ ÐBoth€counsel€answered€in€the€negative.€€In€light€of€this€we€find€that€error€incident€thereto,€if€any,€wasÐ øH Ðwaived€by€Mrs.€Gastonððs€counsel.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àWith€regard€to€the€allegation€in€the€complaint€that€Tennessee€€Farmers€violated€the€TennesseeÐ ¼  ÐConsumer€Protection€Act,€counsel€for€Tennessee€Farmers€argues€that€the€circumstances€of€this€caseÐ ¨ø Ðdo€not€bring€it€within€the€protection€of€this€Act,€which€provides€in€part€the€following:Ð ”ä ÐÌÒ€°ÒÒ€°Òò òà Ø à47-18-102.€Purposes.€ó ó„„€€The€provisions€of€this€part€shall€be€liberallyÐ l¼ Ðconstrued€to€promote€the€following€policies:€€Ð \ ¬ Ѐ€€€€(1)€To€simplify,€clarify,€and€modernize€state€law€governing€the€protection€ofÐ H!˜ Ðthe€consuming€public€and€to€conform€these€laws€with€existing€consumerÐ 4"„  Ðprotection€policies;€€Ð  #p! Ѐ€€€€(2)€To€protect€consumers€and€legitimate€business€enterprises€from€those€whoÐ  $\" Ðengage€in€unfair€or€deceptive€acts€or€practices€in€the€conduct€of€any€trade€orÐ ø$H # Ðcommerce€in€part€or€wholly€within€this€state;€€Ð ä%4!$ Ѐ€€€€(3)€To€encourage€and€promote€the€development€of€fair€consumer€practices.Ð Ð& "% Ѐ€€€€Ð ¼' #& Ðà Ø àò ò47-18-103.€Definitions.€ó ó„„€As€used€in€this€part,€unless€the€contextÐ ¨(ø#' Ðotherwise€requires:€€Ð ˜)è$( ÐÌà Ø à.€.€.€Ô_Ô.Ð p+À&* Ѐ€€€Ð ° Ðà Ø à(2)€"Consumer"€means€any€natural€person€who€seeks€or€acquires€byÐ œì Ðpurchase,€rent,€lease,€assignment,€award€by€chance,€or€other€disposition,€anyÐ ˆØ Ðgoods,€services,€or€property,€tangible€or€intangible,€real,€personal€or€mixed,€andÐ tÄ Ðany€other€article,€commodity,€or€thing€of€value€wherever€situated€or€any€personÐ `° Ðwho€purchases€or€to€whom€is€offered€for€sale€a€franchise€or€distributorshipÐ L œ Ðagreement€or€any€similar€type€of€business€opportunity.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌÒ°€ÒÒ°€Òà  àWhile€this€argument€is€appealing,€our€Supreme€Court,€in€dealing€with€a€similar€factualÐ  ` Ðsituation€wherein€the€insurance€company€refused€to€pay€a€fire€loss€as€to€the€policyholderððs€rentalÐ ü L  Ðproperty,€held€that€such€an€action€was€appropriate€under€the€Tennessee€Consumer€Protection€Act.€Ð è 8  ÐòòÔ_ÔMyintÔ_Ô€v.€Allstate€Ins.€Co.óó,€970€S.W.2d€920€(Tenn.€1998).€€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àFor€the€foregoing€reasons€the€judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€is€vacated€and€the€cause€remandedÐ ¬ü  Ðfor€further€proceedings€not€inconsistent€with€this€opinion.€€Costs€of€appeal€are€adjudged€againstÐ ˜è  ÐTennessee€Farmers€Mutual€Insurance€Company.Ð „Ô  ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à_________________________________________Ð 4„ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àHOUSTON€M.€GODDARD,€PRESIDING€JUDGEÐ  p Ð