Eyre v. Marine Insurance
Eyre v. Marine Insurance
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
The plaintiff offers to prove that the voyage insured is known by the name of a trading voyage, and that, by the usage of trade, the vessel may sail for any part of the globe to which she can get a freight, at any time during the twelve months, and continues covered by the policy during such voyage; and that such usage is well known to, and acted upon by the underwriters of this port. We are not able to distinguish this case from the numerous cases decided, in which proof of such a usage has been admitted to vary and control the language used in the policy, and to give a construction different from that which it otherwise would have received, or did receive. All the cases that have arisen seem to have been pretty much decided one way, and to have adopted and enforced the principles laid down by Lord Mansfield in Petty v. The Royal Exchange Assurance Company, (1 Burr. 341), that the assurer, in estimating the price at which he is willing to indemnify the trader against all risks, must have under his consideration the nature of the voyage to be performed, and the usual course
2. The evidence going merely to show a different contract on a former occasion, and stating reasons for the present one, but not offering to prove anything which occurred at the making of the policy, or was alleged by the parties, we think was properly rejected.’
3. The third item of evidence offered would not, if admitted, make any difference in the construction of the policy, and therefore, we think, was irrelevant and inadmissible.
New trial awarded.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Eyre against The Marine Insurance Company
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published