Anderson v. Alta Friendly Society
Anderson v. Alta Friendly Society
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
The certificate of insurance having lapsed by nonpayment of dues as therein required, the question is whether it was reinstated or restored in legal effect. The defendant contends that, if reinstated, it was only on the terms embodied in the application therefor, or “ health certificate,” which provides that nothing shall be paid should the insured die within ten days thereafter. The plaintiff contends that the son of the insured, who acted for her in the matter, had no authority to bind her by this provision.
The son was undeniably acting as agent of the insured, in applying for the reinstatement of her certificate, and paying the dues in arrears. In the absence of express authority, the powers necessary to the purposes of the agency are in law implied from the relation of principal and agent. Therefore,
The argument that the defendant, by a cdurse of dealing or conduct toward the insured, on previous delinquencies in the payment of dues, led her to expect that a forfeiture would not be insisted on, does not support the plaintiff’s contention here. The only thing which the defendant’s conduct could have led the insured to expect was that, on any lapse of the certificate for nonpayment of dues, reinstatement would be permitted on the condition prescribed on previous delinquencies, — that of giving the instrument described as a “health certificate.” This is precisely what was done in the present case, and its effect was, as on former occasions, to reinstate the insurance certificate on the terms contained in the health certificate.
The judgment is reversed, and judgment is entered for the defendant.
Reference
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Insurance — Life insurance — Reinstatement of member — Health certificate. The rules of an insurance society provided that no delinquent member should be reinstated unless a certificate be given by the member, known as a health certificate, which provided that if the delinquent member died as the result of any sickness arising within ten days from the date of the certificate no death benefits should be paid. A member who had in a number of previous cases been reinstated after having become delinquent, on giving such certificate, gave money to her son to have herself reinstated. The son paid the money and signed the health certificate. The insured died within ten days thereafter. Held, (1) that the son had authority to sign the health certificate; (2) that there was nothing in the previous dealings to indicate any waiver of forfeiture; (3) that the society was not liable for death benefits.