Pasqualino Germanotta v. National

National Indemnity Company appeals from a judgment entered against it and in favor of Germanotta. Specifically, National contends that the trial court erred in denying its motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal of Germanottas complaint on the ground that its liability policy did not afford coverage. The trial court found that sec. 344.51(1), Stats., mandated that Nationals insurance policy, issued to defendant Arthur Peters, Inc., an automobile rental agency, and filed by Peters pursuant to that statute, must provide coverage for damages caused by the negligent operation of a leased motor vehicle. Because we conclude the trial court properly decided that sec. 344.51(1) requires that an insurance policy filed under the statute affords coverage for the negligent operation of rental vehicles, we affirm.