Court Opinion

ID: 9568649
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:06:09.369356+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:54:00.184889
License: Public Domain

Judge METZGER
specially concurring.
Although I concur in the result reached in this case, I would not adopt the bright line rule expressed by the majority concerning excusable delay in giving notice to an insurer.
The law is clear that the determination of justifiable excuse or excusable neglect in giving notice to an insurer is a question of fact to be determined by an assessment of all the surrounding facts and circumstances measured against a reasonable person standard. Massachusetts Protective Ass’n v. Daugherty, 87 Colo. 469, 288 P. 888 (1930); Barnes v. Waco Scaffolding & Equipment Co., 41 Colo.App. 423, 589 P.2d 505 (1978); Colard v. American Family Mutual Insurance Co., 709 P.2d 11 (Colo.App.1985). Thus, while a demand or notice of claim from an injured party is a factor to be considered, it is not necessarily the sole factor.
I see no purpose to depart from established law and would continue to adhere to the rule that all facts and circumstances concerning delayed notice should be considered.