Kathy Marie Cooper v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company

ANDERSON, Circuit Judge:

The only issue we address on this appeal involves the meaning of a relatively new clause in an automobile insurance policy. Because we find that the district court misinterpreted that clause, we reverse the grant of summary judgment for the defendant and remand for proceedings consistent with this opinion.

I. The Facts

The events leading to this lawsuit began in Havelock, North Carolina in late 1981. At some time in November or December, David Carlton started dating Kathy Cooper. David was sixteen years old, and Kathy was fourteen years old. On February 12, 1982, David…