Case Name: HOLCOMB v. SOUTHERN GUARANTEE INSURANCE COMPANY et al.
Court: Court of Appeals of Georgia
Jurisdiction: Georgia
Decision Date: 1977-10-12
Citations: 143 Ga. App. 788
Docket Number: 54051
Parties: HOLCOMB v. SOUTHERN GUARANTEE INSURANCE COMPANY et al.
Judges: Bell, C. J., concurs. McMurray, J., concurs specially.
Reporter: Georgia Appeals Reports
Volume: 143
Pages: 788–790

Head Matter:
54051.
HOLCOMB v. SOUTHERN GUARANTEE INSURANCE COMPANY et al.

Opinion:
Smith, Judge.
The appellant Holcomb, claimant in a workmen's compensation proceeding, received an award against his employer, Raider Service Company, but Raider's workmen's compensation insurance carrier, Southern Guarantee Insurance Company, was released from liability on the grounds that the policy had been canceled. The terms of the award were affirmed by the board of workmen's compensation and then by the superior court. The appellant contends — and we agree — that the administrative law judge made an error of law in concluding that the insurance policy had been cancelled. The judgment is reversed.
To cancel a policy of workmen's compensation insurance, the insurer must comply with two notice provisions: Code § 56-2430 as to the insured, and Rule 600 of the board of workmen's compensation as to the board. We find that notice to the insured did not meet the plainly stated requirements of Code § 56-2430, thus the policy was never canceled. The requirement relevant here is delivery of: "Written notice, stating the time when the cancellation will be effective, but not less than [15] days from date of notice . or such other specific longer period as may be provided in the contract or by statute." The uncontradicted evidence shows the notice was dated July 24, 1975, and it stated the cancellation date was to be August 4, 1975, or eleven days following the date of notice. The decisions dealing with the notice requirement of Code § 56-2430 have mandated strict compliance with its terms, and failure to fulfill those terms results in non-cancellation of the policy. See, e.g., Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Bridges, 140 Ga. App. 242 (230 SE2d 491); Motors Ins. Corp. v. Roper, 136 Ga. App. 224 (221 SE2d 55); and Republic Ins. Co. v. Cook, 129 Ga. App. 833 (201 SE2d 668). The superior court erred in affirming the finding that the insurance policy had been canceled.
Argued May 23, 1977
Decided October 12, 1977
Rehearing denied November 9, 1977
Greene & Greene, James E. Greene, for appellant.
Saveli, Williams, Cox & Angel, Lawson A. Cox, II, for appellees.
Judgment reversed.
Bell, C. J., concurs. McMurray, J., concurs specially.