Kerns v. New Jersey Mutual Life Insurance

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Kerns v. New Jersey Mutual Life Insurance, 86 Pa. 171 (Pa. 1878)
1878 Pa. LEXIS 34
Agnew, Gordon, Merour, Paxson, Sharswood, Trunkey, Woodward

Kerns v. New Jersey Mutual Life Insurance

Opinion of the Court

The judgment of the Supreme Court was entered,

Per Curiam.

— The note signed by the assured for the abated premium, when the policy was delivered, is a written admission that the recital of payment in the policy was not true, and therefore could not give effect to the policy, as an actual payment would. It is not only such a written declaration of non-payment, but it is a contract of even date, qualifying the terms of the policy, and an agreement that the policy shall be without effect and surrendered, in case the note for the premium be not paid. It therefore superseded the policy to the extent of the agreement. It would be a harsh measure of justice to hold the company to the terms of the policy, upon a concession made to the assured for his benefit, and evidenced by his own writing of even date with the delivery, and intended by him to govern his rights. Clearly the company caannot be held to the letter of a policy not paid for, and so altered for the benefit of the assured.

Judgment affirmed.

Reference

Full Case Name
Kerns, Administratrix, versus The New Jersey Mutual Life Insurance Company
Cited By
4 cases
Status
Published