ÿWPCî z¼¾TîL6ì¦I:-*r+_Ëlý±™ß%‘™W[Ÿ7ì¦,¨Š0‹¹|¬GwúBÖ/×Ïó9«a5Ä>w"°ëU€g¢‡„ÑSóøJ\s_0yˆˆ·xpÌV—©0dôK‰/ážš/J8Áà¸Ån‚Z"Ñ[„wF*¢ïÌßø»Ü+¨Ž*Ä®vaбÕ?ôŸ&S¢ÀŸŒ¼Œ¾1ÕgE¦¥Òȸ-L3ÏqW)×{¨O‘Y;ShÂæ1s{ËÑèss›úÈ>%Áöng 2m9]ctcÅùÛ¿TÍÚS~²Km‹íñy/BÜá=æ=nöPº„ØœÝÂÕ—¯iã BÄa…Þ ‰ìE¦'Ü Ç½C)Ìòµ½ø”+€=n|8Ëìùy a=mDË¥¡E}FÔ­„ÞB»±üi5~ÅDx„@´Ð9FœîdAZÉÀš‹|Œ½GsÒ(pĵ謭Kz~ Û—Gb`hâkëí°:5î_‹?«u²¼æ”‹öÊ,7…³Y/Ã`ìpÔ¹‰$ñVo¬F;“ºM·£ÇÏ-B¥Å˜„k¨O߀º+ryV°}¯–2oI;Eb¨Ã¶Àm»Gž/“oÅãÇC뺚áb %\UNb 0ˆ°UN8 0D†^ ÊwÖ zÚÒT 4& N: š< Ö Æå Æ« ÆqÆ7ýNÿ m#ÉEáááááááááááááááááááááááábãããããããããããããããããããããããããããããããããããã 0ëëëëë BÖÖ 0¤ó D3— D-Ê 0K÷÷ ASBÆ• 0¤[ 0Dÿ A«C»(@øÐ Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó…–3   ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt=€M3ê:i¢×+00 Ý ƒRht$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¸1ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€record€supports€a€finding€that€the€tolling€agreement€was€discussed€with€National€Union€(and€likelyÐ ° Ðapproved€by€them).€€Even€if€we€assume,€òòÔ_ÔarguendoÔ_Ôóó,€that€the€tolling€agreement€functioned€to€extend€the€policy€period,€theÐ tÄ Ðtolling€agreement€specifically€states€that€it€expires€on€December€31,€1997.€€As€discussed,€òòinfraóó,€the€record€indicates€thatÐ 8ˆ Ðno€written€notice€of€the€claim€was€given€to€National€Union€until€January€1998.3|xLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4250 PCL 6ÈÈÈÈ0- ù-(|G2ht$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô¸1ò»»Ô d(|3?d$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3?d$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼A»»»ÔÑ8€]XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îHAÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼A»îîH #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓNovember€16,€2005€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X]X»¼AÔÌò òÔ#†¼A»XX]ö#ÔMARLIN€&€Ô_ÔEDMONDSONÔ_Ô,€P.C.òòóó€v.€NATIONAL€UNION€FIREÐ úJ ÐINSURANCE€COMPANY€OF€PITTSBURGH,€PA.,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡X]X»¼AÔó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€02„1794„IV€€€€€€The€Honorable€Richard€H.€Dinkins,€ChancellorÐ ú J ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2004„02280„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€December€22,€Ô_Ô2005Ô_ÔÐ ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X]XXX]Ôà  àThis€case€involves€a€denial€of€coverage€under€a€professional€liability€insurance€policy.€€TheÐ ŒÜ Ðgravamen€of€this€case€is€whether€the€Appellant/insurance€company€received€proper€notice€under€theÐ xÈ Ðpolicy,€€of€a€claim€by€Appellee/accounting€firm.€€Appellee/accounting€firm€purchased€the€PolicyÐ d´ Ðthrough€its€usual€insurance€broker,€also€an€Appellee€in€this€appeal.€€Appellee/accounting€firmÐ P  Ðnotified€Appellee/insurance€broker€of€its€claim,€but€no€written€notice€was€forwarded€toÐ <Œ ÐAppellant/insurance€company.€€The€trial€court€found,€òòinter€aliaóó,€€that€notice€to€theÐ (x ÐAppellee/insurance€broker€constituted€notice€to€the€Appellant/insurance€company.€€Consequently,Ð d Ðthe€trial€court€entered€judgment€against€Appellant/insurance€company€and€dismissedÐ P ÐAppellee/accounting€firmððs€cause€of€action€against€Appellee/insurance€broker.€€We€reverse€andÐ ì< Ðremand.€Ð Ø( ÐÔ#†X]XXX]@#ÔÔ#†¼A»XX]Ø#ÔÔ‡X]X»¼AÔÌÓ4ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Reversed€andÐ œì ÐRemandedó óÐ ˆØ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼A»àX]È #ÔÔ‡X]X.¼AÔW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòAlan€E.€Ô_ÔHighersÔ_Ô,Ð `!°  ÐJ.óó€and€òòHolly€M.€Kirby,€J.óó,€joined.Ð L"œ! ÐÌRichard€Ô_ÔGlassmanÔ_Ô€and€R.€Douglas€Hanson€of€Memphis,€Tennessee€for€Appellant,€National€UnionÐ $$t# ÐFire€Insurance€Company€of€Pittsburgh,€P.A.Ð %` $ ÐÌGrant€C.€Ô_ÔGlassfordÔ_Ô€of€Franklin,€Tennessee€for€€Cross„Appellant,€Marlin€&€Ô_ÔEdmondsonÔ_ÔÐ è&8"& ÐBarry€L.€Howard€and€M.€Ô_ÔKristinÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔSelphÔ_Ô€of€Nashville,€Tennessee€for€Appellees,€Maurice€Ô_ÔPinsonÔ_Ô€andÐ Ô'$#' ÐCooper,€Love€&€Jackson,€Inc.Ð À($( ÐÓˆ ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼A»XX]· #ÔÔ‡X]X»¼AÔÐ ˜*è%* ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼A»XX]i#ÔÔ‡X]X»¼AÔÓ  ÓÑ8€]XXdìXXdì8Ñà  àMarlin€&€Ô_ÔEdmondsonÔ_Ô,€P.C.€(ð ðM&E,ðð€€ð ðAppellee,ðð€or€ð ðCross„Appellantðð)€is€an€accountingÐ p,À', Ðfirm€located€in€Nashville,€Tennessee.€€M&E€purchased€a€professional€liability€insurance€policy€(theÐ \-¬(-ý Ðð ðPolicyðð)€through€Maurice€Ô_ÔPinsonÔ_Ô€(ð ðÔ_ÔPinsonÔ_Ôðð),€an€independent€contractor€with€Cooper,€Love€&Ð ° ÐJackson€(ð ðÔ_ÔCLJÔ_Ô,ðð€and€together€with€Ô_ÔPinsonÔ_Ô€and€M&E,€ð ðAppelleesðð).€€The€Policy€was€drafted€andÐ œì Ðissued€by€National€Union€Fire€Insurance€Company€of€Pittsburgh,€P.A.€(ð ðNational€Union,ðð€or€Ð ˆØ Ðð ðAppellantðð),€part€of€the€Ô_ÔAIGÔ_Ô€group.€€The€term€of€the€Policy€was€from€August€1,€1996€to€August€1,Ð tÄ Ð1997.€€CL&J€did€not€have€a€direct€agency€contract€with€Ô_ÔAIGÔ_Ô;€consequently,€when€it€was€necessaryÐ `° Ðto€procure€this€type€of€coverage€for€M&E,€Ô_ÔPinsonÔ_Ô€went€to€Mid„South€Benefits,€which€did€have€aÐ L œ Ðwritten€agency€agreement€with€National€Union.€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àThe€Policy€at€issue€in€this€case€is€a€ð ðclaims€madeðð€policy€and€consists€of€the€ð ðAccountantsÐ  ` ÐProfessional€Liability€Insurance€Declarations,ðð€which€provides,€in€relevant€part,€as€follows:Ð ü L  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò òNOTICE:€EXCEPT€TO€SUCH€EXTENT€AS€MAYÐ Ô$  ÐOTHERWISE€BE€PROVIDED€HEREIN,€THE€COVERAGE€OFÐ À  ÐTHIS€POLICY€IS€LIMITED€TO€LIABILITY€FOR€ONLYÐ ¬ü  ÐTHOSE€CLAIMS€THAT€ARE€FIRST€MADE€AGAINST€THEÐ ˜è  ÐINSURED€AND€REPORTED€TO€THE€INSURER€DURINGÐ „Ô  ÐTHE€POLICY€PERIOD.€€PLEASE€READ€THE€POLICYÐ pÀ ÐCAREFULLY€AND€DISCUSS€THE€COVERAGEÐ \¬ ÐTHEREUNDER€WITH€YOUR€INSURANCE€AGENT€ORÐ H˜ ÐBROKER.ó óÐ4„` x` x ÐÌThis€portion€of€the€declarations€page€is€written€in€bold,€red€type.€€The€Policy€itself€isÐ  \ Ðentitledð ðAccountants€Professional€Liability€Insurance€Policyðð€and€reads,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:€Ð øH ÐÌÓ  ÓÌà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð àò òINSURING€AGREEMENTSó óÐ ¼  ÐÓ  Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI.€€CoverageШø` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàTo€pay€on€behalf€of€the€ò òInsured€ó óall€sums€which€theÐ €Ð Ðò òInsuredó ó€shall€become€legally€obligated€to€pay€asÐ pÀ Ðò òDamagesó ó€and€ò òClaims€Expenses€ó óbecause€of€anyÐ ` ° Ðò òClaim€or€Claimsó ó,€first€made€against€the€ò òInsuredó ó€andÐ P!  Ðreported€in€writing€to€the€Company€during€the€ò òPolicyÐ @"  ÐPeriod€ó óor€ò òExtended€Reporting€Periodó ó,€arising€out€ofÐ 0#€! Ðany€ò òAct,€Error€or€Omission€ó óof€the€ò òInsuredó ó....Ð $p"¸ ¸  ÐÓÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àII.€€Claims€Made€and€Reported€BasisÐü%L!$` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàThis€policy€applies€only€to€ò òClaimsó ó€first€made€againstÐ Ô'$#& Ðthe€ò òInsuredó ó€and€reported€to€the€Company€or€itsÐ Ä($' Ðauthorized€agent€during€the€ò òPolicy€Period€ó óor€anÐ ´)%( Ðò òExtended€Reporting€Periodó ó....Ф*ô%)¸ ¸  ÐÐ ”+ä&* Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*а` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA€ò òClaimó ó€shall€be€deemed€to€have€been€reported€when€written€noticeÐ ˆØ Ðof€such€ò òClaimó ó€is€received€by€the€Company€or€its€authorized€agent.€€Ô_ÔItÐ xÈ Ðis€a€condition€precedent€to€coverage€hereunder€that€all€ò òClaimsó ó€beÐ h¸ Ðreported€in€compliance€with€Condition€I€Notice€of€Claim.ÐX ¨` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*Ð0 €` x` x ÐÓûÓÌÓ  Óà8 @ àà8@` Ð Ð àò òCONDITIONSó óÐ  X  ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI.€€Notice€of€ClaimÐà0 ` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àUpon€the€ò òInsuredó ó€becoming€aware€of€any€ò òAct,€Error€or€OmissionÐ ¸  Ðó ówhich€could€reasonably€be€expected€to€be€the€basis€of€a€ò òClaimó óÐ ¨ø  Ðcovered€hereby,€written€notice€shall€be€given€by€or€on€behalf€of€theÐ ˜è  Ðò òInsuredó ó€to€the€Company€or€any€of€its€authorized€agents€as€soon€asÐ „Ô Ðpracticable€during€the€ò òPolicy€Period€ó óor€ò òExtended€Reporting€Periodó ó,Ð tÄ Ðtogether€with€the€fullest€information€obtainable.€€If€a€ò òClaimó ó€is€madeÐ d´ Ðagainst€the€ò òInsuredó ó,€the€ò òInsuredó ó€shall€immediately€forward€to€theÐ T¤ ÐCompany€every€demand,€notice,€summons€or€other€process€receivedÐ D” Ðby€the€ò òInsured€ó óor€by€the€ò òInsuredððsó ó€representative(s).Ð0€` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*Ð \` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAll€notices€of€ò òClaimsó ó€or€ò òActs,€Errors€or€Omissionsó ó,€demands€orÐ ä4 Ðrequests€for€payment€provided€for€in€this€policy€shall€be€in€writingÐ Ô$ Ðand€addressed€to:€ÐÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àNational€Union€Fire€Insurance€CompanyИè` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAccountants€Professional€Liability€Claims€DepartmentЄ Ô` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à70€Pine€StreetÐp!À` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àNew€York,€New€York€10270„0150;Ð\"¬ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àOr€its€duly€authorized€agent.Ð4$„"` x` x ÐÓ!ÓÌ(Emphasis€in€original).Ð  &\!$ ÐÌà  àThe€Policy€does€not€define€the€term€ð ðagent,ðð€ð ðauthorized€agent,ðð€or€ð ðduly€Ô_ÔauthorizedÐ ä'4#& Ðagentðð.Ð Ð( $' ÐÌà  àOn€or€about€July€2,€1997,€Joe€Edmondson,€the€president€of€M&E,€was€notified€about€aÐ ¨*ø%) Ðpotential€professional€liability€lawsuit€against€M&E€to€be€filed€by€one€of€its€clients,€Ms.€Akin.€Ð ”+ä&* ÐMs.€Akin€wished€to€enter€into€a€tolling€agreement€to€extend€the€statute€of€limitations€in€theÐ ° Ðmatter€for€six€months.€€Mr.€Edmondson€then€called€Mr.€Pinson€at€CL&J€to€discuss€the€situation.€Ð œì ÐOn€July€3,€1997,€Mr.€Pinson€allegedly€advised€Mr.€Edmondson€that€National€Union€had€givenÐ ˆØ Ðpermission€for€M&E€to€enter€into€the€tolling€agreement.€€That€afternoon,€M&E€signed€the€tollingÐ tÄ Ðagreement€and€delivered€it€to€the€CL&J€offices.€Ð `° ÐÌà  àNational€Unionððs€claim€manager,€Faye€Brooks,€testified€that€she€ð ðmight€have€had€a€phoneÐ 8 ˆ Ðconversationðð€on€July€3,€1997€regarding€this€incident€but€stated€that€notice€was€not€sufficientÐ $ t Ðunder€the€Policy€because€it€was€not€in€writing.€€CL&J€claims€manager,€Regina€Harris,€testifiedÐ  ` Ðthat€she€talked€to€Mid„South€Benefits€and€provided€it€with€information€regarding€the€tollingÐ ü L  Ðagreement.€€Mid„South€Benefits€allegedly€told€Ms.€Harris€that€it€could€not€help€and€Ms.€HarrisÐ è 8  Ðneeded€to€go€directly€to€National€Union.€€Ms.€Harris€then€spoke€with€Faye€Brooks€on€July€3,Ð Ô$  Ð1997€about€the€tolling€agreement.Ð À  ÐÌà  àOn€or€about€December€27,€1997,€€Mr.€Edmondson€received€the€complaint€filed€againstÐ ˜è  ÐM&E€in€the€underlying€matter€and€immediately€forwarded€same€to€CL&J.€€Ms.€Harris€testifiedÐ „Ô  Ðthat€she€faxed€a€copy€of€this€complaint€to€National€Union€on€January€9,€1998,€along€with€a€coverÐ pÀ Ðsheet€that€read,€in€relevant€part:€ð ðYou€[National€Union]€were€notified€of€this€incident€on€July€3,Ð \¬ Ð1997€by€the€agent€Maurice€Ô_ÔPinsonÔ_Ô.ððÐ H˜ ÐÌà  àBy€letter€of€January€14,€1998,€Louis.M.€Glatt,€a€claim€analyst€for€A.I.€Management€andÐ  p ÐProfessional€Liability€Claim€Adjusters,€on€behalf€of€National€Union,€acknowledged€receipt€of€theÐ  \ Ðcomplaint€but€declined€to€indemnify€and/or€defend€M&E€in€the€action.€Specifically,€the€letterÐ øH Ðreads,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Ð ä4 ÐÓ  ÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àYour€firmððs€last€policy€term€with€National€Union€expired€on€AugustÐ ¼  Ð1,€1997€and€your€firm€did€not€purchase€an€extended€reportingÐ ¨ø Ðendorsement.€€Consequently,€you€have€no€valid€coverage€withÐ ”ä ÐNational€Union.€€Your€attention€is€directed€to€your€inspection€of€theÐ €Ð Ðð ðInsuring€Agreementsðð€to€your€Accountants€Professional€LiabilityÐ l¼ ÐPolicy€which€state:ÐX ¨` x` x ÐÓ°2ÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àð ðCoverageÐ0"€ ` x` x ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àTo€pay€on€behalf€of€the€Insured€all€sums€which€the€Insured€shallÐ $X" Ðbecome€legally€obligated€to€pay€as€Damages€and€Claims€ExpensesÐ ô$D # Ðbecause€of€any€Claim€or€Claims,€first€made€against€the€Insured€andÐ à%0!$ Ðreported€in€writing€to€the€Company€during€the€Policy€Period€orÐ Ì&"% ÐExtended€Reporting€Period....ððи'#&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAccordingly,€since€the€ð ðGeneral€Liability€Notice€ofÐ )à$( Ðâ âOccurrence/Claimðð€form€submitted€by€Cooper,€Love€and€Jackson,Ð |*Ì%) ÐInc.€is€dated€January€9,€1998€and€is€outside€the€term€of€coverage€forÐ ° Ðyour€policy,€National€Union€disclaims€coverage€for€this€law€suit.Мì` x` x Ðâ âÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àWith€respect€to€your€argument€that€you€provided€notice€to€Cooper,Ð tÄ ÐLove€and€Jackson,€Inc.€which€would€trigger€coverage€by€NationalÐ `° ÐUnion,€you€are€again€invited€to€inspect€the€ð ðConditionsðð€section€ofÐ L œ Ðyour€Accountants€Professional€Liability€Policy€with€reference€toÐ 8 ˆ Ðð ðNotice€of€Claimðð.€€It€states:Ð$ t` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àð ðUpon€the€Insured€becoming€aware€of€any€Act,€Error€or€OmissionÐ ü L  Ðwhich€could€reasonably€be€expected€to€be€the€basis€of€a€ClaimÐ è 8  Ðcovered€hereby,€written€notice€shall€be€given€by€or€on€behalf€of€theÐ Ô$  ÐInsured€to€the€Company€or€any€of€its€authorized€agents€as€soon€asÐ À  Ðpracticable€during€the€Policy€Period€or€Extended€Reporting€Period,Ð ¬ü  Ðtogether€with€fullest€information€obtainable....ððИè ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àYou€have€indicated€to€Director€Sarah€Chermak€and€myself€in€aÐ pÀ Ðtelephone€conversation€of€this€morning€that€at€no€time€did€you€speakÐ \¬ Ðto€any€employee€of€[AIG]€or€National€Union€which€is€a€memberÐ H˜ Ðcompany€of€AIG.€€Furthermore,€in€a€telephone€conversation€onÐ 4„ ÐJanuary€12,€1998€with€Director€Chermak,€Maurice€Pinson€of€Cooper,Ð  p ÐLove€and€Jackson,€your€insurance€agents,€indicated€to€her€that€noÐ  \ Ðwritten€claim€was€made€by€his€office€until€January€9,€1998€when€hisÐ øH Ðoffice€submitted€a€copy€of€the€suit€papers€served€upon€you€and€yourÐ ä4 Ðfirm.€€While€Pinsonððs€records€indicate€that€he€placed€a€telephone€callÐ Ð  Ðto€Director€Faye€Brooks€of€my€office€on€July€3,€1997€to€discuss€theÐ ¼  Ðeffects€of€a€tolling€agreement€on€your€insurance€coverage,€neitherÐ ¨ø ÐDirector€Brooks€nor€Pinson€have€any€record€that€a€copy€of€the€tollingÐ ”ä Ðagreement€was€submitted€to€National€Union€for€its€inspection,€or€thatÐ €Ð ÐPinson€submitted€a€letter€to€National€Union€in€accordance€with€theÐ l¼ Ðabove„referenced€ð ðNotice€of€Claimðð€provisions€of€your€policyÐ X ¨ Ðdescribing€any€ð ðact,€error€or€omission€which€could€reasonably€beÐ D!” Ðexpected€to€be€a€basis€of€a€claim...ðð€Ð0"€ ` x` x ÐÓ5ÓÌà  àOn€June€18,€2002,€M&E€filed€a€ð ðComplaint€for€Declaratory€Judgment€and€Breach€ofÐ $X" ÐContractðð€(the€ð ðComplaintðð)€against€National€Union€seeking€declaration€from€the€trial€court€thatÐ ô$D # ÐNational€Union€should€provide€coverage€and€indemnification€under€the€Policy€purchased€byÐ à%0!$ ÐM&E€for€the€underlying€suit€filed€by€Ms.€Akin€against€M&E.€€On€August€12,€2002,€NationalÐ Ì&"% ÐUnion€filed€its€ð ðAnswer€to€Complaint€for€Declaratory€Judgment€and€Breach€of€Contract,ðð€whichÐ ¸'#& Ðdenies€that€National€Union€has€any€obligation€under€the€Policy€to€indemnify€and/or€defend€M&EÐ ¤(ô#' Ðin€the€underlying€suit.€€On€November€1,€2002,€M&E€moved€for€leave€to€amend€its€Complaint.€Ð )à$( ÐThe€Motion€was€granted,€and,€on€November€18,€2002,€M&E€filed€its€ð ðFirst€Amended€ComplaintÐ |*Ì%) Ðfor€Declaratory€Judgment€and€Breach€of€Contractðð€(the€ð ðAmended€Complaintðð).€€The€AmendedÐ h+¸&* ÐComplaint€adds€causes€of€action€against€Pinson€and€CL&J€for€negligence€and€breach€of€contract.€Ð ° ÐPinson€and€CL&J€filed€a€joint€ð ðAnswerðð€on€December€31,€2002,€in€which€they€generally€deny€theÐ œì Ðmaterial€allegations€of€the€Amended€Complaint€and€specifically€states€that,€at€all€times€materialÐ ˆØ Ðto€the€suit,€ð ðMaurice€Pinson€was€an€agent€for€Cooper,€Love€&€Jackson€which€acted€as€agent€forÐ tÄ ÐNational€Union....ðð€€Likewise,€on€January€23,€2003,€National€Union€filed€its€Answer€to€theÐ `° ÐAmended€Complaint€reiterating€its€previous€position€that€it€is€not€liable€to€M&E€under€the€PolicyÐ L œ Ðand€again€specifically€denying€that€neither€Ô_ÔPinsonÔ_Ô€nor€CL&J€is€or€was€its€agent.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àOn€February€23,€2004,€the€case€was€heard€before€the€trial€court,€sitting€without€a€jury.€€AtÐ  ` Ðthe€close€of€proof,€the€Chancellor€made€the€following,€relevant€findings€from€the€bench:Ð ü L  ÐÓ  ÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€primary€issue€or€the€penultimate€issue,€as€I€see€it,€wasÐ Ô$  Ðwhether€notice€to€Cooper,€Love€&€Jackson€was€notice€to€NationalÐ À  ÐUnion€on€July€3òòrdóó.€€The€proof€shows€that€Mr.€Edmondson€contactedÐ ¬ü  ÐMr.€Pinson€onð!ðor€tried€to€contact€him€on€July€2òòndóó€and€contacted€himÐ ˜è  Ðon€July€3òòrdóó€and€furnished€him€a€copy€of€the€tolling€agreement€in€theÐ „Ô  Ðafternoon€of€July€3òòrdóó.€€The€evidence€also€shows€that€Ms.€Harris€had€aÐ pÀ Ðconversation€with€Faye€Brooks€of€National€Union€on€the€morning€ofÐ \¬ ÐJuly€3òòrdóó,€and€that€Mr.€Pinson€followed€that€up€a€little€later€thatÐ H˜ Ðmorning€and€made€a€note€that€Ms.€Brooks€had€agreed€to€the€nine„Ð 4„ Ðmonth€extension€of€time.Ð p` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àIn€her€testimony,€while€Ms.€Brooks€did€not€acknowledge€orÐ øH Ðrecall€that€call€from€Mr.€Pinson,€she€testified€that€she€did€not€disputeÐ ä4 Ðthat€it€occurred.€€So€€I€think€that€Cooper,€Love€&€Jackson€was€notifiedÐ Ð  Ðin€all€other€respects.€€The€notification€aspect,€written€notificationÐ ¼  Ðaspect€applicable€to€the€policy€occurred€on€July€3òòrdóó,€within€the€policyÐ ¨ø Ðperiod.Дä` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*Ðl¼` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€other€area€in€which€National€Union€might€be€bound€byÐ D!” Ðthe€actions€of€Cooper,€Love€&€Jackson€is€with€respect€to€the€policy,Ð 0"€  Ðwhere€the€policy€is,€under€the€notice€provisions€of€the€policy,€whereÐ #l! Ðnotice€is€given€to€the€company€or€any€of€its€authorized€agents.€€TheÐ $X" Ðquestion€then€becomes€whether€Cooper,€Love€&€Jackson€wasÐ ô$D # Ðauthorized€to€get€this€notice€under€the€terms€of€the€policy.€€The€proofÐ à%0!$ Ðis€clear€that€there€was€not€an€agency€agreement€between€Cooper,Ð Ì&"% ÐLove€&€Jackson€and€National€Union.и'#&` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àI€do€think€that€question,€the€fact€that€authorized€agent€is€notÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdefined€in€the€policy,€itððs€not€designated€in€the€policy€and€there€is€noÐ )à$( Ðâ âproof€before€the€Court€of,€at€least€there€was€none€to€the€policyholder,Ð |*Ì%) ÐMr.€Edmon[d]son,€about€who€the€authorized€agent€was,€that€that€mustÐ ° Ðbe€construed€against€National€Union,€that€prepared€the€policy.Мì` x` x Ðâ âÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àItððs€clear€that€Mr.€Edmon[d]son€relied€on€Cooper,€Love€&Ð tÄ ÐJackson€and€that€Cooper,€Love€&€Jackson€took€actions€which€wereÐ `° Ðconsistent€with€both€what€Mr.€Edmon[d]son€needed€and€what€I€thinkÐ L œ Ðclearly€the€company€contemplated€in€terms€of€its€notice,€I€mean,Ð 8 ˆ ÐNational€Union€contemplated€in€terms€of€its€notice€provisions.€€In€thatÐ $ t Ðregard,€I€note€that€in...the€letter€from€Mr.€Glatt€[òòsee€supraóó]...that€letterÐ  ` Ðdeclining€coverage€did€not€raise€the€authority€issue....€€In€fact,€it€talksÐ ü L  Ðabout€getting€a€claim€form€from€Cooper,€Love€&€Jackson.€€It€saysÐ è 8  Ðthat,€itððs€outside€the€term€of€coverage€of€your€policy.€€Never€saidÐ Ô$  ÐCooper,€Love€&€Jackson€is€not€our€authorized€agent....ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àSo€I€think€that€there€was€no€claim...by€National€Union€thatÐ ˜è  ÐCooper,€Love€&€Jackson€was€not€authorized€to€at€least€handle€thatÐ „Ô  Ðinitial€receipt€and€processing€of€the€claim€for€them.ÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àSo€for€those€reasons,€Iððm€going€to€hold€that€there€was€properÐ H˜ Ðnotice€of€the€claim€in€July€of€1997,€as€required€under€the€policy,€andÐ 4„ Ðthat,€therefore,€this€is€a€covered€claim€under€the€policy.Ð p` x` x ÐÓnJÓÌThese€findings€are€incorporated€by€reference€into€the€trial€courtððs€Order€of€March€1,€2004,€whichÐ øH Ðreads,€in€relevant€part,€as€follows:Ð ä4 ÐÓ  ÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€Court€declares€that€National€Union€Fire€InsuranceÐ ¼  ÐCompany€of€Pittsburgh€is€obligated€pursuant€to€[the€Policy]€toÐ ¨ø Ðprovide€coverage€to€and€a€defense€to€Marlin€&€Edmondson,€P.C....inÐ ”ä Ðthe€case€of€òòMargaret€Akins€vs.€L.€Joe€Edmondson,€et€al.óó....ЀÐ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€Court€further€finds€that€the€actions€of€National€Union€FireÐ X ¨ ÐInsurance€Company€of€Pittsburgh€in€this€case€do€not€constitute€badÐ D!” Ðfaith€and€denies€the€Plaintiffððs€claims€for€bad€faith€against€NationalÐ 0"€  ÐUnion.Ð#l!` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€Court€further€finds€that€the€Defendants,€Maurice€PinsonÐ $X" Ðand€Cooper,€Love€&€Jackson,€Inc.,€are€not€liable€to€Marlin€&Ð ô$D # ÐEdmondson,€P.C.€in€this€matter.Ðà%0!$` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àÐ ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*и'#&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àIt€is,€therefore,€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED€and€DECREED€thatÐ )à$( ÐMarlin€&€Edmondson€be€awarded€a€declaratory€judgment€againstÐ |*Ì%) ÐNational€Union€Fire€Insurance€Company€of€Pittsburgh,€that€JoeÐ h+¸&* ÐEdmondson,€Marlin€&€Edmondson,€P.C....are€entitled€to€coverage€andÐ ° Ða€defense€under€[the€Policy]....Мì` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àIt€is€further€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED€and€DECREED€that€theÐ tÄ Ðclaims€of€Marlin€&€Edmondson,€P.C.€against€Maurice€Pinson€andÐ `° ÐCooper,€Love€&€Jackson,€Inc.€are€dismissed€with€prejudice.ÐL œ` x` x ÐÓK\ÓÌà  àOn€March€29,€2004,€National€Union€filed€a€Motion€for€New€Trial€and€to€Amend.€Ð $ t ÐNational€Union€filed€a€Supplemental€Post„Trial€Motion€for€New€Trial€and/or€to€Amend€FindingsÐ  ` Ðof€Fact€and€Conclusions€of€Law€on€June€11,€2004.€€National€Unionððs€motions€were€denied€byÐ ü L  ÐOrder€of€August€16,€2004.€€In€its€Order€of€August€18,€2004,€the€trial€court€reiterates€its€denial€ofÐ è 8  ÐNational€Unionððs€motions€and,€pursuant€to€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€54.02,€declares€that€final€judgment€isÐ Ô$  Ðentered€as€to€the€findings€set€out€in€the€March€1,€2004€Order,€òòsupraóó.Ð À  ÐÌà  àNational€Union€appeals€and€raises€three€issues€as€stated€in€its€brief:Ð ˜è  ÐÓ  ÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€holding€that€Marlin€&€EdmondsonÐ pÀ Ðcomplied€with€the€written€notice€requirements€under€the€policy;Ð\¬` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€Whether€the€provision€requiring€ð ðwritten€noticeðð€was€ambiguous;Ð 4„ ÐandÐ p` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à3.€€Whether€Marlin€&€Edmondson€was€entitled€to€avail€itself€of€anÐ øH Ðargument€that€the€notice€provision€was€ambiguous€when€Marlin€&Ð ä4 ÐEdmondson€never€read€the€policy€or€attempted€to€review€the€policyÐ Ð  Ðto€ascertain€the€proper€method€or€procedure€for€providing€writtenÐ ¼  Ðnotice€as€required€by€that€policy.Шø` x` x ÐÓgÓÌM&E,€as€cross„appellant,€raises€one€additional€issue€as€stated€in€its€brief:Ð €Ð ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIf€this€Court€reverses€the€trial€courtððs€decision€that€notice€was€properÐ X ¨ Ðwhether€the€court€erred€in€dismissing€Marlin€&€Edmondsonððs€breachÐ D!” Ðof€contract€and€negligence€claims€against€Maurice€Pinson€andÐ 0"€  ÐCooper,€Love€&€Jackson,€Inc.Ð#l!` x` x ÐÓÀjÓÌà  àWe€first€note€that,€because€this€case€was€tried€by€the€court€sitting€without€a€jury,€weÐ ô$D # Ðreview€the€case€ò òòòde€novoó óóó€upon€the€record€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€factÐ à%0!$ Ðby€the€trial€court.€€Unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€findings,€we€must€affirm,€absentÐ Ì&"% Ðerror€of€law.€€ò òòòSeeó óóó€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d).Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àIt€is€well€settled€in€Tennessee€that€the€interpretation€of€a€written€contract€is€a€matter€ofÐ )à$( Ðlaw,€and€thus,€no€presumption€of€correctness€in€its€interpretation€exists.€òòò òNSA€DBA€Benefit€Plan,Ð |*Ì%) Ðv.€Connecticut€Gen.€Life€Ins.€Co.ó óóó,€968€S.W.2d€791€(Tenn.Ct.App.1997).€The€cardinal€rule€in€theÐ h+¸&* Ðconstruction€of€contracts€is€to€ascertain€the€intent€of€the€parties.€òòò òWest€v.€Laminite€Plastics€Mfg.Ð ° ÐCo.ó óóó,€674€S.W.2d€310€(Tenn.Ct.App.1984).€If€the€contract€is€plain€and€unambiguous,€the€meaningÐ œì Ðthereof€is€a€question€of€law,€and€it€is€the€Court's€function€to€interpret€the€contract€as€writtenÐ ˆØ Ðaccording€to€its€plain€terms.òòò ò€Petty€v.€Sloanó óóó,€197€Tenn.€630,€277€S.W.2d€355€(Tenn.1955).€TheÐ tÄ Ðlanguage€used€in€a€contract€must€be€taken€and€understood€in€its€plain,€ordinary,€and€popularÐ `° Ðsense.€òòò òBob€Pearsall€Motors,€Inc.€v.€Regal-Chrysler€Plymouth,€Incó óóó.,€521€S.W.2d€578Ð L œ Ð(Tenn.1975).€In€construing€contracts,€the€words€expressing€the€parties'€intentions€should€be€givenÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€usual,€natural,€and€ordinary€meaning.€òòò òBallard€v.€North€American€Life€&€Casualty€Co.ó óóó,€667Ð $ t ÐS.W.2d€79€(Tenn.Ct.App.1983).€If€the€language€of€a€written€instrument€is€unambiguous,€theÐ  ` ÐCourt€must€interpret€it€as€written€rather€than€according€to€the€unexpressed€intention€of€one€of€theÐ ü L  Ðparties.€òòò òSutton€v.€First€Nat.€Bank€of€Crossvilleó óóó,€620€S.W.2d€526€(Ô_ÔTenn.Ct.AppÔ_Ô.1981).Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àOn€the€question€of€notice,€the€Policy€at€issue€in€this€case€requires€that€any€claims€beÐ À  Ðð ðreportedðð€to€the€company€or€to€an€ð ðauthorized€agentðð€of€the€company.€€The€Policy€specifies€thatÐ ¬ü  Ðð ð[a]€claim€shall€be€deemed€to€have€been€reported€when€òòò òwrittenó óóó€notice€of€such€claim€is€receivedÐ ˜è  Ð[during€the€Policy€Period€or€Extended€Reporting€Period]€òòò òby€the€Company€or€its€authorizedÐ „Ô  Ðagentó óóóðð€(emphasis€added).€€In€short,€under€the€plain€language€of€the€Policy,€there€are€threeÐ pÀ Ðrequirements€that€must€be€met€in€order€for€a€claim€to€be€considered€ð ðreportedðð:€(1)€the€noticeÐ \¬ Ðmust€be€in€writing,€(2)€the€notice€must€be€received€during€the€policy€period€or€extended€reportingÐ H˜ Ðperiod,Ô_Ô׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€and€(3)€the€notice€must€be€received€by€National€Union€or€its€authorized€agent.Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àIn€the€instant€case,€it€is€undisputed€that€the€coverage€period€of€the€Policy€was€August€1,Ð  \ Ð1996€to€August€1,€1997.€€It€is€also€undisputed€that€M&E€never€reported€its€claim€to€NationalÐ øH ÐUnion.€€Rather,€M&E€relied€upon€its€agent,€CL&J€and€in€particular€Mr.€Pinson.€€To€that€end,Ð ä4 ÐM&E€provided€a€copy€of€the€tolling€agreement€in€the€underlying€professional€malpractice€case€toÐ Ð  ÐCL&J.€€The€fact€that€Mr.€Pinson€discussed€the€tolling€agreement,€either€before€or€after€it€wasÐ ¼  Ðsigned,€with€a€National€Union€employee€does€not€satisfy€the€plain€language€of€the€Policy€becauseÐ ¨ø Ðnotice€thereunder€must€be€in€writing€and,€consequently,€oral€notification€would€not€suffice.€Ð ”ä ÐHowever,€if€CL&J€(even€if€CL&J€is€not€an€agent€of€National€Union)€sent€that€tolling€agreementÐ €Ð Ð(which€was€in€writing)€to€National€Union,€then,€under€the€plain€language€of€the€Policy,€NationalÐ l¼ ÐUnion€(the€ð ðCompanyðð)€would€have€received€written€notice€of€a€claim.€€€Concerning€whether€theÐ X ¨ Ðtolling€agreement€was€sent€to€National€Union,€Mr.€Pinson€testified,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Ð D!” ÐÓ  ÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€What€did€you€do€with€the€tolling€agreement€when€you€received€it,Ð #l! ÐMr.€Pinson?Ð$X"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€It€was€given€to€Regina€Harris€at€Cooper,€Love€&€Jackson.Ðà%0!$` x` x ÐÐ Ì&"% Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€Sheððs€the€lady€that€handled€the€claims€during€that€period€of€time?а` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€Thatððs€correct.ЈØ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€Did€you€personally€fax€it€[the€tolling€agreement]€or€provide€it€toÐ `° ÐNational€Union?ÐL œ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€No,€sir.Ð$ t` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€And€I€think€you€assumed€that€Ms.€Harris€had€faxed€it€to€NationalÐ ü L  ÐUnion,€correct?Ðè 8 ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€I€assumed€that,€yes.ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÓã}ÓÌConcerning€whether€she€sent€the€tolling€agreement€to€National€Union,€Ms.€Harris€testified,€in€Ð ˜è  ÐÔ_ÔrelevantÔ_Ô€part,€as€follows:Ð „Ô  ÐÌÓ  Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€Now,€I€believe€you€[Ms.€Harris]€had€communication€with€Mr.Ð \¬ ÐPinson€about€the€tolling€agreement€on€July€3òòrdóó€of€1997,€correct?ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€Correct.Ð p` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€Now,€thereððs€been€testimony€in€the€case€that€the€tolling€agreementÐ øH Ðwas€never€faxed€by€Cooper,€Love€&€Jackson€to€anybody.€€Is€that€true?Ðä4` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€I€have€no€idea.м ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*Дä` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€Now,€thereððs€no€record€that€the€tolling€agreement€was€ever€faxedÐ l¼ Ðto€National€Union.€€But€itððs€true,€isnððt€it,€that€you€all€[CL&J]€had€theÐ X ¨ Ðtolling€agreement€and€did,€in€fact,€fax€it€to€CNA?ÐD!”` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€Correct.Ð#l!` x` x ÐÓÌ‚ÓÌÓ  Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€At€their€request?Ðô$D #` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€Correct.ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€Do€you€remember€National€Union€ever€making€a€request€that€youÐ ¤(ô#' Ðfax€to€it€the€tolling€agreement?Ð)à$(` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€I€think€I€might€remember€them€doing€that?Ðh+¸&*` x` x Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€And€did€you€ever€fax€it€to€them?а` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€òòò òI€think€I€may€have€in€ðð98.ó óóóЈØ` x` x ÐÌÓV‡Ó(Emphasis€added).€€From€the€relevant€testimony,€there€is€no€indication€that€CL&J€faxed,€orÐ `° Ðotherwise€sent,€the€tolling€agreement€to€National€Union€during€the€Policy€period.€€Consequently,Ð L œ Ðthe€Company€(i.e.€National€Union)€did€not€receive€notice€of€M&Eððs€claim€within€the€policyÐ 8 ˆ Ðperiod.€€Ð $ t Ðà  àThe€next€question€that€must€be€addressed€is€whether€M&Eððs€giving€the€written€tollingÐ  ` Ðagreement€to€CL&J€constitutes€notice€to€an€ð ðauthorized€agentðð€of€National€Union.€€The€trialÐ ü L  Ðcourt€specifically€found€that,€because€the€Policy€does€not€define€the€term€ð ðagent,ðð€ð ðauthorizedÐ è 8  Ðagent,ðð€or€ð ðduly€authorized€agentðð€the€term€is€ambiguous.€€We€disagree.€€The€terms€ð ðagent,ððÐ Ô$  Ðð ðauthorized€agent,ðð€and€ð ðduly€authorized€agentðð€have€been€used€in€legalese€from€timeÐ À  Ðimmemorial.€€òòóóAs€noted€above,€the€language€used€in€a€contract€must€be€taken€and€understood€inÐ ¬ü  Ðits€plain,€ordinary,€and€popular€sense.€òòò òBob€Pearsall€Motors,€Inc.€v.€Regal-Chrysler€Plymouth,Ð ˜è  ÐIncó óóó.,€521€S.W.2d€578€(Tenn.1975).€In€construing€contracts,€the€words€expressing€the€parties'Ð „Ô  Ðintentions€should€be€given€the€usual,€natural,€and€ordinary€meaning.€òòò òBallard€v.€North€AmericanÐ pÀ ÐLife€&€Casualty€Co.ó óóó,€667€S.W.2d€79€(Tenn.Ct.App.1983).€€òòBlackððs€Law€Dictionaryóó€59€(5òòthóó€ed.Ð \¬ Ð1979)€defines€ð ðagent,ðð€in€relevant€part,€as€follows:Ð H˜ ÐÓ  ÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA€person€authorized€by€another€to€act€for€him,€one€intrusted€withÐ  p Ðanotherððs€business....€€One€who€represents€and€acts€for€another€underÐ  \ Ðthe€contract€or€relation€of€agency....€€A€business€representative,€whoseÐ øH Ðfunction€is€to€bring€about,€modify,€affect,€accept€performance€of,€orÐ ä4 Ðterminate€contractual€obligations€between€principal€and€thirdÐ Ð  Ðpersons....€€One€who€undertakes€to€transact€some€business,€or€toÐ ¼  Ðmanage€some€affair,€for€another,€by€the€authority€and€on€account€ofÐ ¨ø Ðthe€latter,€and€to€render€an€account€of€it....Дä` x` x ÐÌ(Internal€citations€omitted).Ð l¼ ÐÓ‹ÓÌà  àBecause€the€term€ð ðagentðð€itself€denotes€the€giving€of€actual€or€official€power,€the€additionÐ D!” Ðof€the€adjectives€ð ðauthorizedðð€and€ð ðduly€(i.e.€properly)€authorizedðð€to€the€word€ð ðagentðð€is€usuallyÐ 0"€  Ðredundant.€òòò ò€Seeó óóó€Bryan€A.€Garner,€A€Dictionary€of€Modern€Legal€Usage€299€(2nd€ed.1995).Ð #l! ÐÌà  àTurning€to€the€record€in€this€case,€it€is€undisputed€that€CL&J€had€no€direct€authority€toÐ ô$D # Ðwrite€insurance€policies€for€National€Union.€€Rather,€CL&J€went€through€another€broker,€Mid„Ð à%0!$ ÐSouth€Benefits,€in€order€to€procure€the€Policy€for€M&E.€€David€Sciortino,€Vice€President€andÐ Ì&"% Ðarea€manager€for€CL&J,€testified,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Ð ¸'#& ÐÓ  ÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€While€representing€the€insurance€markets...there€are€certainÐ )à$( Ðinsurance€companies€with€whom€Cooper,€Love€&€Jackson€has€anÐ |*Ì%) Ðagency€relationship,€correct?Ðh+¸&*` x` x Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€Correct.а` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€*ЈØ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€Tell€me€who€they€are.Ð`°` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€Cincinnati,€Travelers,€St.€Paul.€€Weððve€got€several.Ð8 ˆ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€But€you€did€not€have€an€agency€relationship€with€National€Union,Ð  ` Ðcorrect?Ðü L ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€We€[CL&J]€did€not€have€a€contract.ÐÔ$ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ.€€And€you€had€no€agency€relationship€to€bind€National€Union,€didÐ ¬ü  Ðyou?Иè ` x` x ÐÓè–ÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA.€€No,€we€didnððt.ÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌFrom€our€review€of€the€entire€record€in€this€case,€and€applying€the€usual€and€ordinary€meaning€ofÐ H˜ Ðthe€word€ð ðagentðð€to€the€facts€of€this€case,€we€can€only€conclude€that€CL&J€was€not€an€agent€ofÐ 4„ ÐNational€Union.€€Consequently,€the€fact€that€M&E€provided€the€written€tolling€agreement€toÐ  p ÐCL&J€does€not€satisfy€the€Policy€requirement€that€written€notice€be€received€by€an€ð ðauthorizedÐ  \ Ðagentðð.€€In€addition,€as€discussed€above,€no€written€notice€was€given€to€National€Union€directly.€Ð øH ÐTherefore,€the€notice€requirement€contained€in€the€Policy€(a€condition€precedent€to€coverage)€wasÐ ä4 Ðnot€satisfied€in€this€case,€and€National€Union€is€not€bound€to€indemnify€or€defend€M&E€in€theÐ Ð  Ðunderlying€suit.€€If€any€negligence€exists€in€this€matter,€it€must€necessarily€be€on€the€part€ofÐ ¼  ÐCL&J.€€M&Eððs€complaint€alleges€and€the€proof€is€undisputed€that€Ô_ÔPinsonÔ_Ô€and€CL&J€were€agentsÐ ¨ø Ðfor€M&E€in€the€procurement€of€the€policy,€servicing€of€the€policy,€and€for€the€purpose€of€givingÐ ”ä Ðnotice€of€claims.€€M&E€relied€upon€its€agents€to€the€extent€that€M&E€did€not€even€familiarizeÐ €Ð Ðitself€with€the€terms€of€the€policy€at€issue.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€and€for€the€foregoing€reasons,€we€reverse€the€Order€of€the€trial€court.€€WeÐ D!” Ðremand€for€entry€of€a€judgment€in€favor€of€National€Union,€and€for€such€further€proceedings€asÐ 0"€  Ðmay€be€necessary€concerning€the€action€filed€by€M&E€against€CL&J€and€Pinson.€€Costs€of€thisÐ #l! Ðappeal€are€assessed€one„half€to€Appellee/Cross„Appellant€Marlin€&€Edmondson,€P.C.,€and€one„Ð $X" Ðhalf€to€Appellees,€Cooper,€Love€&€€Jackson€and€Maurice€Ô_ÔPinsonÔ_Ô.Ð ô$D # ÐÔ#†¼A»XX]Ç#ÔÔ€X]X»¼AÔÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h à__________________________________________Ð )à$( Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.