Opinion ID: 462473
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Excusable Delay

Text: 17 Next, Bolivar County argues that the district court erred in holding that Bolivar County's delay was not excusable under the circumstances. Bolivar County contends it relied upon Mitchell's opinion in September 1984 that coverage was not provided under the policy, and therefore, it is excused for filing a delayed notice. The district court rejected this argument, reasoning that Bolivar County's reliance upon Mitchell's opinion was negligent because Mitchell had no authority to bind Forum and because the policy expressly provided that notice of all claims must be given to the company itself at its specified address. 18 Under Mississippi law, delay in giving notice is excusable under certain circumstances, but such delay must have occurred without fault or negligence on the part of the insured. Harris v. American Motorist Insurance Co., 240 Miss. 262, 126 So.2d at 873; Aetna Life Insurance Co. v. Walley, 174 Miss. 365, 164 So.2d at 19. Here, Bolivar County has offered no other excuse except for its reliance upon Mitchell's equivocal belief that there was no coverage under the policy. See supra note 1, at 1082. Bolivar County made no attempt to notify Forum concerning the lawsuit until the trial of the civil rights action had been concluded some five months after suit was filed. These undisputed facts, along with the reasons noted by the district court, do not create circumstances which excuse a failure to comply with the notice provisions of the policy.