Case Name: Helen DeCesare, Respondent, v. John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company of Boston, Massachusetts, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1939-03-22
Citations: 256 A.D. 1036
Docket Number: 
Parties: Helen DeCesare, Respondent, v. John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company of Boston, Massachusetts, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 256
Pages: 1036–1037

Head Matter:
Helen DeCesare, Respondent, v. John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company of Boston, Massachusetts, Appellant.

Opinion:
Judgment and order affirmed, with costs. Memorandum: The decision is on the authority of Lampke v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. (279 N. Y. 157) decided November 29, 1938. We construe the word " void " as meaning " void at the election of the insurer " or, in other words, " voidable " (Blinn v. Schwarz, 177 N. Y. 252; Huntley v. Perry, 38 Barb. 569; Richards on Insurance [4th ed.], 171), and, therefore, not a condition precedent. We take into consideration the fact that the policy was prepared by the defendant, that the defendant did not rest on a general denial but affirmatively pleaded breach of the condition which was controverted by avoidance in the form of a waiver or estoppel, and that while proof of the waiver was received out of order it was a mere matter of procedure which the trial court had a right to vary. The burden of proving the waiver was on the plaintiff and the court so charged. All concur. (The judgment is for plaintiff in an action under life insurance policies. The order denies a motion for a new trial.) Present — Sears, P. J., Crosby, Cunningham, Taylor and Dowling, JJ.