Court Opinion

ID: 9826211
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 15:35:02.379635+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:41:56.983073
License: Public Domain

Mr. Justice Eraser,
I dissent. I think there should have been a new trial. At the time the policy was canceled unearned premiums had been paid. This was acknowledged by a return of the surplus. The insurance companies had the right to cancel, and that right was absolute. As soon as the policies were canceled, there were no unpaid premiums. On the contrary, there was a surplus, and consequently she could not have been blacklisted for nonpayment of premiums. Ellison knew from his own books that he owed Mrs. Hall unearned premiums. By this black list he put her where she had to pay cash for insurance, and he withheld her money so that she could not use it to procure other insurance. Ellison had the right to demand the entire cash at once; or within 30 or 60 days. If not paid within that time, he had the right to cancel. He then had the right to demand of her payment for the 30 or 60 days at short-time prices, but, if she then paid that amount, the transaction was closed, and she was not subject to black list. If she did not pay this short-time premium, she may have been subject to black list.
Ellison, however, agreed to payments in installments. When he collected more money than was due up to the date of cancellation, she was not subject to black list. Ellison did know the fact. His own books showed it.