Sorensen

This is an appeal by plaintiff-appellant Paul W. Sorensen (Sorensen) a judgment Farmers Insurance Exchange (Farmers) after a trial in which the jury was waived. The judgment held that the insurance policy issued by Farmers to Sorensen did not extend uninsured motorist coverage benefits to Sorensen for injuries sustained by him in a motorcycle accident.

Statement of Facts

In May 1967 Sorensen was issued a family automobile policy on a 1959 Ford station wagon by Farmers. At the time of the policy purchase Sorensen requested the agent for Farmers, Jim Mooney (Mooney), to provide him with every kind of coverage that was available under California law, Sorensen testified that he was specifically informed by Mooney that he had coverage while riding a motorcycle. The policy (edition No. 35) provided uninsured motorist benefits for Sorensen “while occupying a motor vehicle or otherwise.” Sorensen did not own a motorcycle in 1967, but he rented motorcycles on occasions.

In February 1970 Sorensen purchased a new 1970 Ford automobile, and informed Farmers of the change of vehicles. Thereafter, he received a new edition of his policy, being edition No. 36. This policy had changes…