Court Opinion

ID: 9654970
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 18:56:37.559452+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:13:15.126244
License: Public Domain

SMITH, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent.
It can be acknowledged that our postal service is not perfect and further that plaintiff was less than thorough in failing to provide some evidence of the operation of the postal service. But evidence here establishes one day postal service on several occasions. While I cannot speak to the knowledge and experience of people generally, my experience is that first class mail mailed in the City of St. Louis is delivered regularly to my office in the City the next day. This letter was mailed at the Main Post Office in St. Louis for delivery at the Pierce Building, approximately 14 blocks away. It could not, of course, be delivered on Friday because defendant chose to close its office on that business day. Defendant selected the agency by which the premium was to be transmitted. Plaintiffs utilized that agency. Defendant conditioned insurance coverage upon “receipt” of the premium. That receipt triggers the effective date of the coverage. “Receipt” in this context implies that defendant will be present during normal business hours to receive premiums delivered by its agent. There was evidence that delivery by mail had been effected in the past by next day delivery. It is not unreasonable to believe that mail deposited in the main post office on one business day will be delivered 14 *369blocks away on the next business day. Plaintiffs’ evidence was sufficient to carry its burden that receipt would have been effectuated on Friday had there been someone present to receive. At this point the burden should shift to defendant to prove the contrary. Defendant did not come forward with such evidence.
I would reverse.