Court Opinion

ID: 9586459
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:11:25.596935+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:31:45.744730
License: Public Domain

PARKER, J.
Concurring in the result. I concur only in the result affirming the judgment below overruling the demurrer to the amended *125complaint on the ground that the cause of action stated in the amended complaint has not been brought within twelve months of the loss as required by the provision of the policy, which policy, it is stipulated, is a Standard Eire Insurance Policy as set forth in G.S. 58-176, for the simple reason that the objection that the action stated in the amended complaint was not commenced within the time limited by the provision of the policy cannot be taken advantage of by demurrer, but can only be taken by answer. G.S. 1-15; Stamey v. Membership Corp., 249 N.C. 90, 105 S.E. 2d 282; Lewis v. Shaver, 236 N.C. 510, 73 S.E. 2d 320.
Defendant is not required to plead this provision of its policy as a bar to plaintiff’s action alleged in his amended complaint, nor is any person required to plead as a defense to an action the bar of the Statute of Limitations. However, if defendant does plead it as a defense, defendant will be entitled to a peremptory instruction in its favor that plaintiff’s action as stated in his amended complaint will be barred by this provision of the policy limiting the time in which action can be brought, unless plaintiff alleges a waiver by defendant of this provision of the policy, or an estoppel of defendant to rely upon it, or both, and introduces evidence in support of such allegations, because no facts constituting a waiver or an estoppel appear in the amended complaint. Miller v. Casualty Co., 245 N.C. 526, 96 S.E. 2d 860.
In Wright v. Insurance Co., 244 N.C. 361, 93 S.E. 2d 438, the Court said:
“The rule is well settled in this jurisdiction, and it seems to be ■the majority rule elsewhere, that, if the insured relies upon a waiver or an estoppel in pais or an equitable estoppel affecting the real and substantial merits of the matter in controversy and has an opportunity to plead it, and the facts constituting a waiver or estoppel do not appear in the pleadings of the parties, 'he must specially plead it, and if he does not do so, evidence to prove it is not admissible over objection.” (Citing numerous authority.)