Moss v. Spot Cash Insurance
Moss v. Spot Cash Insurance
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
The action was one to recover on an insurance policy issued on the life of Albert R. Moss, familiarly known as Raymond Moss, and a son of the plaintiff, Albert Moss. Plaintiff recovered, and defendant appeals. The important questions in the case were, whether a provision of the policy relating to reinstatement after lapse had been waived, and whether the insured was in good health at the time of reinstatement.
Previous to September 22, 1931, the policy had lapsed for nonpayment of monthly premiums. J. C. Towson was defendant's solicitor of insurance and collector of premiums, and had authority to solicit reinstatement of lapsed policies. Raymond lived with his father and his stepmother, Mrs. Moss, and had arranged with Tow-son to pay premiums at his home, rather than at the place where he was employed. In the forenoon of September 22 Towson called at the home for the purpose of procuring reinstatement of the policy. Raymond was not at home, and Towson had a transaction relating to the insurance with Mrs. Moss. Out of money left with her by
There was satisfactory evidence that Raymond was in good health on September 22, and attended a dance at Kansas City that night. The company did not return the money which had been received, or offer to return it, and did not indicate to Raymond’s father or stepmother, before Raymond’s death, that the policy had not been effectively reinstated. The secretary testified the intention was to keep the money and see if Raymond recovered sufficiently to sign a “revival of good health.”
The policy contained the following provision:
“If this policy lapses because of nonpayment of premiums when due, this policy may be reinstated by the payment of all defaultéd premiums with interest thereon at the rate of five per cent per annum from date of default, and upon payment of the current premium: Provided, The insured shall furnish the company, upon blanks furnished by it, satisfactory proof of good health.”
On two previous occasions when the policy had lapsed for nonpayment of premium, Raymond had signed applications for reinstatement prepared and presented by the company. If in this instance the company desired proof of good health, it was necessary that it should furnish the blanks indicating what would be satisfactory. When Towson received the money to reinstate the policy, he had blanks in his pocket. He did not mention the fact to Mrs. Moss, did not leave a blank with her to be filled out later, did not suggest proof of good health would be required, and made no inquiry or statement about Raymond’s health. He gave a receipt for the
There was conflicting testimony relating to material matters, and the findings of the jury show important testimony for defendant was not believed. The jury were instructed by the trial judge, the late George H. Whitcomb, with his customary fairness, thoroughness and perspicacity, and the instructions are not open to the objections urged by the company. The jury returned the following findings of fact:
“1. Did the insured become ill during the night of September 22, 1931, and if so, state the hour as near as you can. A. Yes, late at night or early the next morning.
“2. Was the insured seriousty ill at 8 o’clock a. m. the morning of September 23, 1931? A. Yes.
“3. If you answer question No. 2 in the affirmative, did that illness continue until the insured died? Á. Yes.
“4. Was the insured in condition to transact business from the morning of September 23, 1931, until the time of his death? A. No.
“5. Did the secretary of the defendant company attempt to see the insured on September 23, 1931, for the purpose of obtaining a revival application or health certificate? A. No.
“6. Did the defendant offer to return the premiums paid to any one within a reasonable time under the circumstances? A. No.
“7. Was the insured in good health when the premiums were paid by his stepmother on September 22, 1931? A. Yes.
"8. Did the insured or his stepmother know he was not in good health at the time the premiums were paid September 22, 1931? A. No.
“9. Do you find the agent Towson was held out by the defendant company as having authority to do what he did in connection with the policy in question? A. Yes.
“10. Did the defendant waive the making of the proof of good health by the insured? A. Yes.”
These findings were well sustained by evidence.
Whether Raymond Moss was in good health on September 22 was a question raised by the pleadings, and strenuously contested at the trial. At the trial the defendant offered in evidence the hospital record of the case, which was admitted without objection, except certain statements in the history of the case purporting to show the patient was in bad health on September 22 and previously. Those statements were properly excluded as hearsay. The company had not investigated the origin of the statements before trial, and
The judgment of the district court is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Albert Moss v. The Spot Cash Insurance Company
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published