Thomas v. UNION FIDELITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Thomas v. UNION FIDELITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Opinion of the Court
We granted certiorari to consider Divisions 1, 2 and 3 of the Court of Appeals’ opinion in Thomas v. Union Fidelity Life Ins. Co., 168 Ga. App. 267 (308 SE2d 609) (1983).
After full review of the body of law upon which the Court of Appeals based its opinion we find that the principles have been correctly stated and applied to the facts in this case.
Judgment affirmed.
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting.
The insurance company’s agents testified that they had the authority to represent the insurance company, that pursuant to that authority it was their impression that they bound the insurance coverage at the time of payment of the first premium and completion of the application, and that this was the way they had conducted business in the past and the way they still did and the insurance company recognized immediate coverage.
It is apparent from the numerous cases in this area that it is common among insurance agents to tell life insurance applicants that the insurance is effective when the application is made and the premium is paid. See Peninsular Life Ins. Co. v. Downard, 99 Ga. App. 509, 511-512 (109 SE2d 279) (1959).
As noted above, the agents in this case testified that the
My reason for allowing recovery in such cases is shown by the following hypothetical: Applicant applies for insurance and pays the first monthly premium on the 10th day of the month. The policy actually is issued on the 20th day of the month but is dated the 10th to coincide with the date of the application. If applicant is alive, the policy is delivered on the 25th day of the month and applicant has been insured for 15 days and owes the next monthly premium in 15 days. But, if applicant has since died, the policy cannot be delivered to applicant and there has been no insurance. Thus, the insurance company, by the practice described above, if that is its practice, receives one-half the monthly premium without risk. Under such circumstances I would allow recovery in an action for specific performance.
In the case before us, the insurance company moved for summary judgment but failed to negative the possibility suggested by its agents that its practice is to date policies as of the date of the application. I, therefore, would reverse the grant of summary judgment.
I am authorized to state that Justice Smith and Justice Weltner join in this dissent.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Thomas v. Union Fidelity Life Insurance Company
- Cited By
- 11 cases
- Status
- Published