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Articles 271 - 300 of 428

Full-Text Articles in Insurance Law

Judgments - Declaratory Judgments - Scope Of The Federal Act, Michigan Law Review Jan 1938

Judgments - Declaratory Judgments - Scope Of The Federal Act, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

After the insured had made formal claims for total disability benefits for four years without bringing action to enforce them, the insurer, having at all times denied the total disability of the insured, brought suit in a federal district court for a declaration that it was not liable for the benefits claimed and that the policies had lapsed for non-payment of premiums. The district court granted a motion to dismiss because the insurer failed to present a "controversy" within the Federal Constitution and the Declaratory Judgments Act and because the insurer had no "rights or other legal relations" to be …

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Insurance - When Contracts For Contingent Performance Of Acts Other Than Payment Of Money Constitute Insurance, Charles W. Allen Dec 1937

Insurance - When Contracts For Contingent Performance Of Acts Other Than Payment Of Money Constitute Insurance, Charles W. Allen

Michigan Law Review

A recent case presents the many difficulties that confront the courts in determining whether a given contract is one of insurance. Plaintiff was a glazier. For a fixed payment he agreed with his customers that during a certain period he would repair and replace, if broken, their store-front glass. Penal proceedings were instituted against plaintiff for failure to comply with the insurance laws. He brought an action to enjoin prosecution of the proceedings. It was held that the contracts were not insurance contracts and that plaintiff was entitled to the injunction.

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Damages - Insurance Contract - Right To Recover Present Worth Of Future Payments On Life Policy, James W. Mehaffy Dec 1937

Damages - Insurance Contract - Right To Recover Present Worth Of Future Payments On Life Policy, James W. Mehaffy

Michigan Law Review

An insurance policy provided for the payment of 3 1/2 per cent interest on the amount due beneficiaries until they attained the age of 21, then payment of the entire amount. The policy also contained a double indemnity clause. The insured died under circumstances leaving it doubtful whether the double amount should be paid. Upon application by the guardian of the minor beneficiaries for payment of the double amount in the manner stipulated, the defendant company refused payment of more than the face value of the policy on the ground that the proofs of accidental death were not sufficient. Plaintiff …

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Insurance - Automobile Insurance - "Passengers For Consideration", Jacob L. Keidan Nov 1937

Insurance - Automobile Insurance - "Passengers For Consideration", Jacob L. Keidan

Michigan Law Review

In an action upon an automobile liability insurance policy, defendant sought to avoid liability by proof of voluntary payments made to the insured by the plaintiff subsequent to the beginning of the trip. It was held that since no agreement for payment was made prior to the trip the insured was not then carrying "passengers for consideration" within the meaning of the clause contained in the policy for the purpose of protecting the insurer against such use of the vehicle. Reed v. Bloom, (D. C. Okla. 1936) 15 F. Supp. 600.

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Insurance - Execution For A Criminal Offense, Herman J. Bloom Mar 1937

Insurance - Execution For A Criminal Offense, Herman J. Bloom

Michigan Law Review

The insured was convicted and legally executed for the crime of rape. The beneficiary sued on a life insurance policy which contained no express exemption from liability in the event of death resulting from the legal execution of the insured. The court held that the beneficiary was entitled to recover under the public policy as declared in the constitutional provision against corruption of blood and forfeiture of estate. Progressive Life Insurance Co. v. Dean, (Ark. 1936) 97 S. W. (2d) 62.

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Insurance - Life Insurance -Waiver Of Premiums During Disability, Charles W. Allen Feb 1937

Insurance - Life Insurance -Waiver Of Premiums During Disability, Charles W. Allen

Michigan Law Review

Action by guardian of the insured, who had become insane, for disability benefits under a life insurance policy and for a decree that the policy had not lapsed. The policy contained a typical provision for waiver of premiums and benefit payments during disability. No proof of disability was made until after default in premium payments. Held, that the insured's insanity did not excuse the failure to make proof before default and the policy had lapsed. Reingold v. New York Life Ins. Co., (C. C. A. 9th, 1936) 85 F. (2d) 776.

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Damages - Insurance Contract - Recovery Of Present Worth Of Unmatured Installments, Milton Rabinowitz, Jacob I. Veissman Dec 1936

Damages - Insurance Contract - Recovery Of Present Worth Of Unmatured Installments, Milton Rabinowitz, Jacob I. Veissman

Michigan Law Review

After paying the twenty-three monthly benefits according to the provisions in the plaintiff's policy relating to total and permanent disability, the defendant decided that the plaintiff was no longer totally disabled, and thereupon stopped the monthly payments, demanded payment of premiums, and, when premiums were not paid, declared the policy lapsed on its books. Plaintiff brought suit, alleging continuance of his disability and repudiation of the insurance contract by the defendant, and he claimed as damages installments already due and installments that would mature during the period of his life expectancy. Defendant demurred. Held, there has been no such …

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Insurance Beneficiary's Right To Recover When He Has Caused Death Of Insured, Michigan Law Review Dec 1936

Insurance Beneficiary's Right To Recover When He Has Caused Death Of Insured, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

The insured died from bullet wounds inflicted by a revolver in the hand of the beneficiary. After there had been an indictment for murder the beneficiary pleaded guilty to so much of the indictment as charged manslaughter. The beneficiary sued on the insurance policy. The Supreme Court of Massachusetts held that there was error in directing a verdict for the insurer because a beneficiary who is guilty of manslaughter, where there was no intentional injury of a kind likely to cause death, is not barred from recovering on the policy. Minasian v. Aetna Life Insurance Co., (Mass. 1936) 3 …

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Jury-Voir Dire-Actions For Negligence-Asking As To Interest In An Insurance Company, Michigan Law Review Dec 1936

Jury-Voir Dire-Actions For Negligence-Asking As To Interest In An Insurance Company, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

During the trial for injuries received in an automobile collision the plaintiff's attorney asked each prospective juror as to whether or not he owned stock in a named insurance company, or held a policy with it, or was an agent for it, and other questions as to whether or not the interest of an insurance company in the action would affect his decisions in the case. The company was not in fact a party to the action. The defendant assigned as error that such questions caused the jury to believe that the defendant carried insurance against loss from damages such …

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International Law - Recognition Of Soviet Russia - Extraterritorial Effect Of Decrees Of Confiscation And Nationalization Nov 1936

International Law - Recognition Of Soviet Russia - Extraterritorial Effect Of Decrees Of Confiscation And Nationalization

Michigan Law Review

The Moscow Fire Insurance Company, the Northern Insurance Company of Moscow, and the First Russian Insurance Company were incorporated in Russia under the Czarist regime, and given authority to do business in New York. Deposits were made in New York for the benefit of policy holders and creditors in this country. Subsequent to the revolution in Russia and the Soviet decrees nationalizing all Russian corporations and confiscating without compensation such corporations' assets in Russia and abroad, these deposits were turned over to the New York State Insurance Commissioner for liquidation. Large sums remained after domestic claims were satisfied and the …

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Insurance - Remainderman's Share In Proceeds Of Life Tenant's Policy Nov 1936

Insurance - Remainderman's Share In Proceeds Of Life Tenant's Policy

Michigan Law Review

Buildings insured by the life tenant for their full value were totally destroyed and the insurance money paid over to the life tenant. The remainderman brought suit under a statute requiring the giving of security for the protection of the remaindermen by those having limited interests in personal property. Held, the remainderman has no interest in the proceeds of the policy and cannot compel the life tenant to render security. In re Gorman's Estate, (Pa. 1936) 184 A. 86.

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Taxation-Federal Estate Tax-Inclusion Of Proceeds Of Insurance Policies In The Gross Estate Jun 1936

Taxation-Federal Estate Tax-Inclusion Of Proceeds Of Insurance Policies In The Gross Estate

Michigan Law Review

It was only natural that the framers of our revenue acts, always on the lookout for new sources of revenue, should have turned their attention to the proceeds of insurance policies when they were dealing with the subject of death duties. It was natural for two reasons: first, the purchase of an insurance policy is nearly always prompted by some vague contemplation of death, and the receipt of the proceeds from a policy is intimately connected with death, in view of the fact that death normally is the event that brings about the maturity of the policy; and second, if …

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Bankruptcy-Disposition Of Insurance Policy Assigned To Beneficiary May 1936

Bankruptcy-Disposition Of Insurance Policy Assigned To Beneficiary

Michigan Law Review

Mrs. Humphrey was the beneficiary in an insurance policy taken out by her husband on his own life. He assigned this policy to her at a time when it was pledged to the insurance company for loans slightly in excess of the cash surrender value. Mr. Humphrey died after Mrs. Humphrey had filed her voluntary petition in bankruptcy. Held, the policy is not an asset of the bankrupt estate, but belongs to Mrs. Humphrey rather than the trustee. Curtis v. Humphrey, (C. C. A. 5th, 1935) 78 F. (2d) 73.

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Carriers - Limitation Of Liability For Negligence -True Valuation Agreement Jan 1936

Carriers - Limitation Of Liability For Negligence -True Valuation Agreement

Michigan Law Review

Approximately one-seventh of a shipment of cherries in brine was lost owing to improper stowage. Award of damages was resisted on the ground that the bills of lading provided for adjustment of claims "on the basis of the invoice value of the entire shipment adding expenses necessarily incurred," and that because of favorable market conditions existing at destination the entire value of the sound cherries exceeded the invoice value. Held, the quoted clause was not a genuine limitation agreement, which is valid, but a "true valuation" clause, which, since it may wholly exonerate the carrier from liability for negligence, …

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Contracto-Impossibility As An Excuse For Failure To Perform Conditions In Insurance Policies Requiring Notice Of Loss Dec 1935

Contracto-Impossibility As An Excuse For Failure To Perform Conditions In Insurance Policies Requiring Notice Of Loss

Michigan Law Review

Policies of insurance invariably contain provisions to the effect that, upon occurrence of the event insured against, notice thereof shall be given to the insurer. As in the normal contract, such condition qualifies the undertaking of the promisor unless its performance is legally excused. In actions for breach of promise, impossibility of performance has been held to constitute a good defense to the suit for damages in certain instances, though the early rule was that payment of damages was never impossible and hence impossibility of performance was no defense in an action for breach. It is to be noted that …

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Insurance - Friendly Fires - Cigarette Scorch Claims Nov 1935

Insurance - Friendly Fires - Cigarette Scorch Claims

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff had insured certain household goods against fire under a standard policy with the defendant company. One day a burning cigarette was found beneath a smoking-stand and on a rug which was included among the insured articles; it had burned a small hole in the rug, for which damage the defendant company refused to pay and plaintiff brought suit. The company claimed that the fire in the cigarette was a "friendly" fire, and that in order to show a right to a recovery the plaintiff must prove that the damage was done by a secondary, or "hostile," fire set …

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Corporations-Section 77b Of The Bankruptcy Act-To What Corporations It Applies May 1935

Corporations-Section 77b Of The Bankruptcy Act-To What Corporations It Applies

Michigan Law Review

Creditors of a title and mortgage company which had gone into receiver's hands petitioned for a reorganization of the company under Section 77B of the Bankruptcy Act. Held, that the company was an insurance corporation. Insurance corporations are not amenable to Section 77B. Petition for reorganization dismissed. In re New York Title and Mortgage Co., (D. C. N. Y. 1934) 9 F. Supp. 319.

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Fraudulent Conveyances - Change Of Beneficiary Of Life Insurance Policy Formerly Payable To Insured's Estate May 1935

Fraudulent Conveyances - Change Of Beneficiary Of Life Insurance Policy Formerly Payable To Insured's Estate

Michigan Law Review

An insurance company filed a bill of interpleader to determine disposition of the proceeds of a term policy on the life of one Fitzpatrick, now deceased. Claimants are the administrator, representing creditors, and the deceased's two sons. The policy had been issued payable to insured's estate, but reserved the right to change the beneficiary. A few days before his death (by suicide) deceased sent the company an application for change of beneficiary to his two minor sons. He was then hopelessly insolvent, and the administrator claims that the change of beneficiary was a fraudulent conveyance within the terms of the …

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Contracts - Beneficiaries - Injured Party As Beneficiary Of Public Liability Insurance Policy May 1935

Contracts - Beneficiaries - Injured Party As Beneficiary Of Public Liability Insurance Policy

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff recovered judgment against the insured for injuries received in an automobile accident. The judgment being unsatisfied, plaintiff sued the insurer on its public liability policy. Held, the policy by implication intended a benefit to the injured person and he may sue as a creditor-beneficiary. Ohio Casualty Ins. Co. v. Beckwith, (C. C. A. 5th, 1935) 74 F. (2d) 75.

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Insurance-Delay In Acting On Application-Tort Liability Mar 1935

Insurance-Delay In Acting On Application-Tort Liability

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff sued for damages for alleged negligence of defendant in failing to take action within a reasonable time upon plaintiff's application for a policy of health and accident insurance, plaintiff having paid defendant's soliciting agent the premium quoted by him. Held, there is no liability, since there is no duty for defendant to accept or reject an application within a reasonable time. Schliep v. Commercial Casualty Ins. Co., 191 Minn. 479, 254 N. W. 618 (1934).

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Insurance - Sunstroke As "Accidental Means" Jan 1935

Insurance - Sunstroke As "Accidental Means"

Michigan Law Review

Insured died as a result of sunstroke suffered while playing golf. Held, Justice Cardozo dissenting, that the beneficiary could not recover because sunstroke was not an "accidental means" within a policy insuring against "death from bodily injuries effected directly and independently of all other causes through external, violent, and accidental means." Landress v. Phoenix Mutual Life Ins. Co., 291 U. S. 491, 54 Sup. Ct. 461, 90 A. L. R. 1382 (1934).

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Automobiles-- Insurance - Effect Of Delay In Giving Notice Of Accident Jan 1935

Automobiles-- Insurance - Effect Of Delay In Giving Notice Of Accident

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, a boy of six, was struck by an automobile driven by the insured's brother who, after investigation, found no apparent injury and was so informed by the boy's mother. A week later the driver reported the affair to the insured. Two weeks after the accident the insured was notified of the plaintiff's claim. A week later, three weeks after the accident, the insurer was notified. The policy of liability insurance provided that "upon the occurrence of death or personal injuries or any accident covered by this policy, the assured shall as soon as practicable after learning thereof, give written …

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Domestic Relations - Infants - Right Of Insurer To Deduct For Protection Furnished On Infants Disaffirmance Of Policy Jan 1935

Domestic Relations - Infants - Right Of Insurer To Deduct For Protection Furnished On Infants Disaffirmance Of Policy

Michigan Law Review

An infant sued by his next friend to disaffirm a contract of insurance on his own life, in which his mother and sister were named as beneficiaries, and to recover premiums paid. The insurance company claimed the right to deduct for the protection furnished insured during the continuance of the policy, but there was nothing in the record to show what this protection had cost the company. Held, the Chief Justice dissenting, the insured was entitled to recover the full amount paid. Mutual Life Ins. Co. of New York v. Schiavone, (App. D. C. 1934) 71 F. (2d) …

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Insurance - Application Of Dividends To The Purchase Of Extended Insurance Dec 1934

Insurance - Application Of Dividends To The Purchase Of Extended Insurance

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff hospital claimed a lien upon the personal effects of a deceased patient left in their possession. An Iowa statute defines a hotel, for the purposes of its operator's lien, as including "inn, rooming house, and eating house, or any structure where rooms or board are furnished, whether to permanent or transient occupants." The term "guest" is defined to include "any legal occupant of any hotel as herein defined." Held, that "structure" as used in the statute refers to one used for the entertainment of ordinary individuals, as in the case of the structures enumerated; and that a hospital, …

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Contracts --Anticipatory Breach- Denial Of Liability As A Repudiation Nov 1934

Contracts --Anticipatory Breach- Denial Of Liability As A Repudiation

Michigan Law Review

A life insurance policy provided that the insured was to be paid a certain sum per month in case of permanent disability. A dispute arose between the company and the insured as to the proper construction of the contract. The company expressed willingness to perform the contract as it construed it, but this was a refusal to pay the monthly disability income. The insured brought an action to recover total damages for anticipatory breach, of the contract to pay the permanent disability benefits. Held, that the insurer had not made such an unequivocal refusal to perform the contract as …

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Constitutional Law-Validity Of Statute Exempting Insurance Benefits From Process For Debts Jun 1934

Constitutional Law-Validity Of Statute Exempting Insurance Benefits From Process For Debts

Michigan Law Review

C, a judgment creditor of W, instituted garnishment proceedings to recover the amount of the judgment out of moneys owed by the X insurance company to W as beneficiary of H's life insurance. Subsequently the Arkansas legislature passed a statute exempting all moneys paid or payable to any resident of the State as the insured or beneficiary designated under any life, sickness, or accident insurance policy, from liability or seizure under judicial process, and provided that such benefits should not be subjected to the payment of any debt. Held, by a unanimous decision of the United …

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Torts - Contribution Between Joint Tortfeasors - Right Of Insurer To Contribution May 1934

Torts - Contribution Between Joint Tortfeasors - Right Of Insurer To Contribution

Michigan Law Review

One C negligently drove her car into an obstruction on the highway placed there by defendant. The accident occurred at night and the defendant had failed to place a light on the obstruction to indicate its presence to motorists. At the time of the accident M was a guest in C's car and suffered injuries as a result of the collision. Plaintiff, insurance carrier for C, settled with M for the injuries sustained and obtained a release covering the liability of all parties. Plaintiff as subrogee of C's rights brought the present action to recover contribution from …

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Insurance - Conditions Precedent To Existence Of Contract Apr 1934

Insurance - Conditions Precedent To Existence Of Contract

Michigan Law Review

The application for a non-medical-examination insurance policy, and the policy itself, contained the provision that the policy should not take effect if the insured should die before the date thereof or if, on such date, the insured should not be in sound health. At the time of delivery of the policy the insured was actually suffering from high blood pressure or heart disease, although this condition was unknown to him. A statute provided that the statements made in the application as to the physical condition of the insured should be valid and binding upon the insurance company "unless wilfully false …

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Insurance - Concept Of Indemnity As Limiting Recovery On Fire Insurance Policies Feb 1934

Insurance - Concept Of Indemnity As Limiting Recovery On Fire Insurance Policies

Michigan Law Review

In the case of Savarese v. Ohio Farmers' Insurance Co. the New York Court of Appeals recently held that a mortgagee, insured against fire loss under a standard mortgagee clause inserted in the policy of the owner, could recover on the policy despite the fact that the owner had gratuitously completely restored the premises after the fire. The court reasoned that to deny recovery would be to permit an act of the owner (mortgagor) to defeat the rights of the mortgagee, in contravention of the terms of the mortgagee clause; also that while a mortgagee has an insurable interest only …

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Insurance - Failure To Act Promptly On Application - Tort Liability Of Insurer Jan 1934

Insurance - Failure To Act Promptly On Application - Tort Liability Of Insurer

Michigan Law Review

Although mere delay in passing upon an application for insurance cannot, as a rule, be construed as an acceptance of the offer for a contract of insurance, in recent years some courts have held insurance companies liable in tort where there has been delay in acting upon the policy and the loss sought to be insured against has occurred in the meantime. Plaintiff, to sustain a cause of action in tort, must prove negligence on the part of the insurer, or its agents, and that the policy would have been issued to the applicant but for the negligence. The suit …

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