Court Opinion

ID: 9659264
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 21:36:37.119558+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:14:05.652333
License: Public Domain

FOSHEIM, Chief Justice,
dissenting.
The trial court correctly directed a verdict for the insurance company. I cannot agree that Cox presented “other substantial evidence,” in addition to his mere denial, that he did not receive notice. How Cox said he handled his incoming mail or that he paid premiums on other policies is irrelevant and proves nothing beyond his self-serving statement as to notice. On the other hand, the insurance company proved, pursuant to the business records statute,1 that it notified Cox not only by mail but also by telephone. True, this telephone call was taken by Steven Cox, appellant’s son, then 17 years of age. Our service of process statutes, however, allow notice of the commencement of a law suit, for an unlimited amount, by service on a 14 year old. SDCL 15-6-4(e). Can we properly demand more regarding an insurance contract which doesn’t even require the giving of notice.
The evidence does not leave room for reasonable minds to differ about whether Cox was notified. Smith v. Halverson, 273 N.W.2d 146 (S.D.1978). To hold otherwise would allow anyone who has let an insurance policy lapse for nonpayment of premi-*305nm to nevertheless seek recovery from a jury, by simply saying, “I do not recall getting a notice.” It would thus tend to encourage fraud and destabilize the insurance industry.

. SDCL 19-16-10 reads: A memorandum, report, record, or data compilation, in any form, of acts, events, conditions, opinions, or diagnoses, made at or near the time by, or from information transmitted by, a person with knowledge, if kept in the course of a regularly conducted business activity, and if it was the regular practice of that business activity to make the memorandum, report, record, or data compilation, all as shown by the testimony of the custodian or other qualified witness, is not excluded by § 19-16-4, even though the declar-ant is available as a witness, unless the source of information or the method or circumstances of preparation indicate lack of trustworthiness. The term “business” as used in this section includes business, institution, association, profession, occupation, and calling of every kind, whether or not conducted for profit.