Otterbein v. Iowa State Ins.
Otterbein v. Iowa State Ins.
Opinion of the Court
I. The plaintiff alleges in his petition that he made application to defendant, through its general agent for
“ Incorporated 1855. Oldest Company in the State. $12.00. Cedar Rapids, Nov. 24th, 1879. Received of Philip Otterbein, Esq., twelve dollars, being the cash premium of five per cent on application for insurance in the Iowa State Insurance Company at Keokuk, Iowa, which amount is a part of the premium for the first year. Also 50 cents policy and survey fee. Curtis Wells, Gen. Agent.”
It is farther alleged that defendant accepted the plaintiff’s application and thereby became bound to issue to him a policy which it has failed and refuses to do. It is also shown that about two months and a half after the application was made, plaintiff’s property was destroyed by fire. The relief claimed is that defendant may be required to specifically perform its contract to issue the policy, and that judgment be rendered for the value of the property destroyed, which is fully covered by the amount insured thereon under the contract relied upon by plaintiff.
The answer admits that plaintiff made application for insurance, accompanied by his note for the premium, which were sent to defendant, but that the application was rejected for the reason that the premium named therein was insufficient, and thereupon the application and note for t-he premium were returned to the agent, and plaintiff’s note and money paid by plaintiff were tendered back to him.
Other allegations of the pleadings need not be here recited.
The testimony shows that the application was rejected by defendant, and together with the premium note was returned to the agent who received them from plaintiff. The part of the premium paid was not sent to defendant, hut retained by the agent. The plaintiff was informed by the agent that the risk was rejected, and that it would not be taken by defendant, except at a higher rate of premium, which plaintiff refused to pay. Thereupon conversation was had between the agent and plaintiff in regard to placing the risk in another company, and the plaintiff in his testimony declares that the agent informed him he would bring the matter again before the directors of defendant. Whatever may have been the understanding between plaintiff and the agent, certain it is that the plaintiff knew that defendant had declined the risk, except at a higher rate of premium, which plaintiff refused to pay.
Defendant having exercised its right to reject the risk, the law will not hold it bound because the agent and the assured united in an attempt to induce it to reconsider its action and issue the policy. Surely the agent and plaintiff could not, by such an arrangement or any other, annul the action of the defendant in rejecting the risk. The agent professed no power
The retention of the premium note, and of the part of the premium paid, by the agent was under the arrangement that the subject was to be again brought before the directors of defendant, to which plaintiff assented. It cannot be claimed that defendant continued to be bound by its contract on the ground.that the premium and note had not been tendered or returned to plaintiff. By the arrangement with the agent just stated, plaintiff waived the tender and return of the premium.
These views, which' are very satisfactory to our .minds, dispose of the case, and render unnecessary the consideration of tiie doctrines advocated by defendant’s counsel and supported by many authorities, in an able argument. These doctrines are not in conflict with our conclusions. They are not applicable to the case in the view we take of it.
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Otterbein v. The Iowa State Ins. Co.
- Status
- Published