Court Opinion

ID: 9458227
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 20:45:56.708+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:35:40.911945
License: Public Domain

AINSWORTH, Circuit Judge
(dissenting) :
This case was tried twice in the District Court. On the first trial the verdict of the jury in favor of plaintiff was set aside by the District Court (Judge Atkins) and a new trial ordered because the Trial Judge felt he had erred in submitting to the jury the issue of whether State Farm’s policy had been cancelled as of December 21, 1965 for nonpayment of premiums. (R. 1000-1004.) 1
*782On the second trial the District Court (Judge King) again submitted the same issue to the jury, which Judge Atkins believed was erroneous and sufficient to warrant setting aside the jury verdict and granting a new trial.
I would reverse in this case and grant a new trial because of the erroneous instruction and submission; also because the evidence so strongly points to the fact that State Farm’s policy was can-celled effective December 21, 1965 and payment of delinquent premium by check was not received until January 15, 1966, one day after the accident upon which the present suit is based and as pointed out by Judge Atkins “was some 45 days after it was due and 24 hours after the policy was cancelled.” Even had the insured’s check for premium been received, as contended by plaintiff, on January 14, 1966 — a most unlikely event under the evidence herein — the policy would not have been reinstated under the uniform practice of the insurance company until 12:01 a. m. of the next succeeding day, i. e., January 15, 1966, after the accident sued on. In my view the defendant insurance company is being unjustly required to pay for *783damages on a policy which was not in effect when the accident occurred under any reasonable construction of the evidence.
I, therefore, dissent.

. The insured husband, Edward Moss, who also held a policy with the defendant, testified in effect that every premium payment on their policies was late and several were delinquent. No premium except the last, which was made 24 days after cancellation of Mrs. Moss’ policy, was ever paid in full.