American Family Mutual Insurance v. Reciprocal Insurance Service Exchange Management

American Family Mutual Insurance Company (American Family) appeals from an order *309of the circuit court granting summary judgment against it and in favor of the defendant, Adjusters Auto Rental (Adjusters). We affirm the order of the trial court, because we determine that the phrase, “directly liable,” found in sec. 344,51(2), Stats., does not make a lessor (in this case, Adjusters) liable to an insurer (American Family) of the lessee for monies the insurer paid to those injured as a result of the negligence of the lessee.

Robert Lippe had an automobile liability insurance policy with American…