Court Opinion

ID: 9528217
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 03:38:31.118856+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:22:02.207620
License: Public Domain

BEYANT, J., dissents: On April 1, 1958, the insured submitted an application for reinstatement of his insurance policies. In the application the insured specifically requested the company to “reinstate 4/1/58.” The intention of this offer was that the policies should take effect on April 1, 1958. On the other hand, paragraph 6 of the Application for Eeinstatement form specified that the reinstatement was to be in accordance with the terms of the policies, which would delay the effective date of the policies until acceptance by the Home Office. The official receipts of the company indicated that the policies were paid to April 1, 1959 and July 1, 1958, respectively. This would seem to support the inference that the date of reinstatement was thereby agreed to become effective on April 1, 1958. The illness in question occurred more than ten days after this date of reinstatement, on April 16, 1958, and would therefore be covered under the policies. A contrary interpretation of the policies would permit the insurance company to be paid for a period of eight days without assuming any risk whatsoever. A construction of an insurance policy which gives insurance for less period of time than that covered by the premiums paid should not be adopted. Central Mut. Ins. Co. of Chicago v. St. Paul Mercury Indemnity Co. of St. Paul, 291 Ill. App. 50, 55, 9 N.E.2d 355. It is well established law that where a policy of insurance is susceptible to two constructions, the one that is more favorable to the insured and which would not amount to a forfeiture as to the benefits should be adopted. Lentin v. Continental Assur. Co., 412 Ill. 158, 163, 105 N.E.2d 735, 343 Ill. App. 193, 98 N.E.2d 544. The decision of the trial court should be affirmed.