Court Opinion

ID: 9482434
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 08:50:10.474735+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:48:59.447950
License: Public Domain

MERRITT, Chief Judge,
concurring.
I believe that the simpler contract principle of novation covers this case. The doctrines of constructive delivery and estoppel seem unnecessary. The language in the original application requires delivery, acceptance, payment and certain conditions of health before the policy can become effective. The letter from the Prudential General Manager, Valenti, on April 25, 1990, states, however, that “the effective date of the policy will be July 1, 1990, with the first premium withheld the month of June.” The first premium was withheld, and I regard this letter which was accepted by the insured without objection as a modification of the original agreement, a modification favorable to the insured. A reasonable insured, reading the language, would expect that he will be insured on the “effective date” if the premium is withheld. There is no indication in the record that the insured in any way objected to the new arrangement stated in the April 25th letter.