The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-07-30
CHANGES IN
STANDARD fire
ms. POLICY


Montana insurance department has
approved for use in this state the 1913
New York standard fire insurance pol
icy, State Auditor John J. Holmes
commissioner of insurance, has in
formed fire insurance companies in
Montana. The New York form, re-
quired by an act of the Empire state
legislature to be used in that state,
has been approved in Is states,
Holmes said.
The New York standard form, it
was pointed out, has been generally
accepted for years. 1t originated in
1886, remained unchanged until 1918
and was not altered again until this
year. The 1943 policy, it was said, is
radically different in some respects,
covering phases that in the past have
been provided for by special endorse
ments and eliminating provisions now
considered obsolete.
Outstanding Changes
Holmes said the most outstanding
changes are:
The fallen building clause has been
dropped.
The 1943 policy covers lightning
damage in the insuring clause.
Provisions have been eliminated
that the insurance shall be void if
the interest of the insured is not I'M
conditional and does not constitute
sole ownership, or the building is not
on ground owned in fee simple by the
insured, or foreclosure proceedings
have been begun or any change takes
place in the title, ownership or pos
session Of the property.
The 1943 policy covers fire caused
by riot.
The 1913 form specifically covers
destruction by order of civil author
tiles to stop the spread of fire not
originating from an excluded cause.
There is no provision in the 1913
policy that insurance shall be sus-
pended as to personal property while
encountered by a chattel mortgage.
A number of conditions and prohi-
billions commonly waved or modified
ny lOIIlS nave Dt6H uIODptu Vi
changed to the usual provisions in
forms. Thus forms used with the
1913 policy can be shorter and sim
pier
The 1913 policy specifically pro-
vides for covering hazards other than
fire by Endorsement and for indirect
damage beverages and provisions are
re-worded to show this.
The war exclusion clause is revised.
New Provisions
Compared with the 1918 New York
standard form the 1913 policy does
not refer specifically to depreciation. |
1t covers all direct loss or damage by
fire, lightning and removal from prem
Uses endangered by perils insured |
against in the policy. The lightning |
clause is unnecessary in this policy |
Assignment shall not be valid except |
with written consent of the company. |
The policy is void in case of willful |
of misrepresentation of
material facts, fraud or false swear
ing.
1t excludes loss caused by enemy
attack by armed forces, action taken
by military, naval or air forces in re-
sisting an actual or immediate pend
ing enemy attack, invasion, insurrec-
ton, rebellion, revolution, civil war,
power, theft or neglect of
the insured to use reasonable means
to protect the property.
There is no prohibition against
other insurance, but the policy author
ICES restricting or prohibiting it by
Obsolete Phases
Eliminated are the provisions sus-
pending coverage if mechanics are
employed building, altering or repair
mating gas or vapor is generated or
various explosive substances are kept
on the premises; if manufacturing
risk is operated between 10 pm. and
am. or ceases to operate more than
10 days. The policy permits so days
Of vacancy or unoccupancy.
The policy does not cover loss from
explosion and riot, unless fire ensues,
and then fire damage only.
AS in the 1918 policy, the company
has the option to repairing, replac-
ng, rebuilding or taking property, but
of the property to the
is prohibited. Loss is pay
able 60 days after proof and ascer-
.ainment of amount, by agreement or
award. Suit must be begun within IL
months after the fire and after COM
)liance with requirements of the pol