Union Standard Insurance v. Hobbs Rental Corp.

TYMKOVICH, Circuit Judge.

Union Standard Insurance Company brought this declaratory judgment action seeking determination that it had no duty to defend or indemnify its insured, Hobbs Rental Corporation (HRC), against a claim pending in New Mexico state court. The claim arose from an accident on HRC’s premises involving a vehicle owned and operated by an independent contractor hauling equipment. The question presented here is whether the business automobile policy Union Standard issued to HRC extends coverage to the independent contractor’s vehicle.

The district court granted summary judgment…