The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-10-29
TRYING TO HIDE
BEHIND TECHNIC AIITIES


against she Liverpool, London &
Globe Insurance Company. and also
two suits on separate policies
against the Fidelity-Phoenix Fire
Insurance Company. by attorneys
for 8 w Petteway Of DunneIlon.
Il will be remembered that last
July Mr. Petteway lost his home
near DunnelIon. together with a lot
OF valuable furniture and house.
hold property, which was covered by
insurance in the above companies.
and although Mr.. Petteway has al
tempted in every way TO get : set
Element without suit. he has been
unable TO get any satisfaction out OF
the companies and claims that they
have treated him with almost posi-
tive silence
This, We are informed. Is another
attempt on part OF our northern
insurance companies who take mil
lions Of dollars from this state an
nually. but who had rather fight 10
the END than give up what they have
50 easily obtained. TO save them
selves through some technical clause
IN the contract.
Il seems that another agent, for
another Insurance company. who.
believing he was acting within his
rights but without Mr.. Petteway's
knowledge or consent. wrote up an
other policy OF insurance on the
same property. but without notify
ing the other companies holding pol
icfes: the policy was kept BY the
agent. and Mr.. Petteway never knew
until after the fire which destroyed
his home. The companies holding
the valid policies, which had been
paid for by Mr.. Perteway. learning
Of this. have declined 10 settle.
claiming that they did not know o.
the additional insurance, and that
the same violated the contracts with
them. By which they were dis
charged.
II would appear 10 Us, althO not a
lawyer. and posing only as a simple
country editor. that this defense Is
not only absurd. but nonsensical
and We do not believe il will take
long for a jury TO decide The same
Nay.
There seems to be quite senci
ment on the part OF the big insur.
ance companies 10 fight losses Of al
kinds and our readers will remem
Der the instances OF the Painter pol
icies. some OF which are in suit now
where they are undertaking By ever!
conceivable means to build a defense
10 the performance Of their own con
tracts.
We think the state should take {
hand in some Of this and impose {
heavy penalty. sufficient to cove
several years earnings OF such com
panies who resist the payment OF
claim. which is ultimately found b,
the courts 10 be just-and then for
ever prohibit such companies from
doing business in the state. The
have their forces organized. and
costs but little to keep an homes
man out OF his money. which the
have agreed 20 pay, b. fighting Of
technical grounds and ofttimes fore
ing a poor man 10 lose entirely
Then. why not force them 20 lose on
and pay heavy fines if they fail I
.substantiate a technical objectiO
20 j just claim which the court a.
lows? If such law was passed Their
would be but few objections to pay
ing honest claims.
We are not opposed 10 contestin
an unjust claim. where the compan
has been imposed upon CT defraut
ed but we do not believe such to
the case here. nor do We see no
these companies were injured in an
way by the supposed additional il
surance. which was never accepte
nor claimed. and not even known
until the fire occurred.
We do not think the famous Ii
erpool & London & Globe Compan
nor The Fidelity-Phoenix will III
these suits very profitable. eth
from standpoint of holding the
Own or getting new business in n
section. nor will they find too mut
welcome al the hands OF an hone
jury on such iimsy defense as :
learn they will attempt 20 set up.
Our juries are composed OF goo
honest. capable. upright citizen
and Mr. Perteway being himself o.
Of that class and known favorab