Burton Foster Insurance Agency, Inc. v. McNeil

1984 Mass. App. Div. 58, 1983 Mass. App. Div. LEXIS 2
CourtMassachusetts District Court, Appellate Division
DecidedFebruary 24, 1983
StatusPublished

This text of 1984 Mass. App. Div. 58 (Burton Foster Insurance Agency, Inc. v. McNeil) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Massachusetts District Court, Appellate Division primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Burton Foster Insurance Agency, Inc. v. McNeil, 1984 Mass. App. Div. 58, 1983 Mass. App. Div. LEXIS 2 (Mass. Ct. App. 1983).

Opinion

Jodrey, J.

In this action, the plaintiff seeks to collect unpaid premiums for a fire and liability insurance policy on two buildings owned by the defendant. The defendant counterclaimed for the return of all previously paid premiums. The principal question in this case is whether, under the circumstances hereafter narrated, actual coverage would have existed had a loss occurred.

The court found in favor of the plaintiff in the case-in-chief, and against the defendant on defendant’s counterclaim.

At the trial, there was evidence that the defendant requested the plaintiff to place insurance in the amount of $325,800.00 for fire and extended coverage on two (2) buildings owned by her and located at 1411 and 1415 Beacon Street, Brookline, Massachusetts. The total premium for said coverage was $9,139.00. Thereafter, at the defendant’s request, the coverage was reduced to $187,500.00, and a credit of $3,290.00 was given the defendant toward the premium. The defendant paid a total of $2,000.00, on the premium. On December 16,1981, the plaintiff cancelled the insurance policy because of non-payment of premiums and another credit of $948.00 was given to the defendant, leaving a balance allegedly due the plaintiff of $2,901.00.

Important to a consideration of the issues presented by the appeal are two provisions of the insurance policy. The first, which limits the insurer’s liability, so far as pertinent,reads as follows:

Unless otherwise provided in writing added hereto, this company shall not be liable for loss occurring . . ,,(b) while the described premises, whether intended for occupancy by owner or tenant, are vacant or unoccupied beyond a period of sixty consecutive days.
The other provision is a general purpose endorsement in this language: Amendment to policy.
[59]*59It is hereby agreed that coverage is provided on these buildings undergoing renovation and remodeling at 1411 and 1415 Beacon Street, Brookline, Massachusetts.

At the trial, there was testimony by Burton Foster, the agent of the plaintiff, and Ignatius Theodoro, the agent of the defendant, which tended to show the following:

As of November, 1979, all the tenants who were living in the building located at 1411 Beacon Street, moved out, and the building remained vacant and empty since that time. Between December 22 and 24,1980, all the tenants moved out of the building located at 1415 Beacon Street. After December 24, 1980, no one was living in either building. Both buildings contained no furniture. They were empty. All the utilities had been disconnected, and the windows had been boarded.

Theodoro, testified that between Christmas and New Years, 1980, he telephoned Foster, the plaintiffs agent, and told him that as of that time both buildings were vacant. Foster admitted in cross-examination that Theodoro had so informed him. Theodoro also testified that he said to Foster during that conversation, “make sure there is coverage on the buildings,” and Foster replied, “don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.” Foster asked Theodoro what his plans were for the building. Theodoro replied that he was going to renovate them eventually, but first he had to obtain permission from the Town of Brookline to change the existing use of the buildings, obtain financing, and have plans prepared. Thereafter, the defendant contacted architects to obtain estimates for the work to be done on the buildings. However, no building permit was ever issued, and no work was actually done in either building. As of the date of the trial, March 2,1983, the buildings were exactly in the same condition as they were in late December, 1980; namely, no one was living in them, they were empty, the windows were boarded, and the utilities were still disconnected. Theodoro also testified that in September, 1982, a “for rent” sign was placed on the buildings, advertising spring 1983 occupancy.

On December 11,1980, a Board of Appeals hearing for a modification of a previous order to change the residential use of the buildings took place. The report is silent as to the results of said hearing.

Theodoro testified that about the end of March, 1981, he saw the general purpose endorsement to the policy for the first time; and he orally complained to Foster that the endorsement was incorrect and, as a result, the policy did not provide any coverage. Foster replied that he would take care of it. The defendant never complained in writing to the plaintiff about the alleged lack of coverage. However, each time that Foster asked for money Theodoro questioned whether there was coverage under the policy. Theodoro also testified that because of Foster’s assurances that he would correct the endorsement, the defendant paid the plaintiff the sum of $2,000.00, on account of the policy. Theodoro also testified that when no change was made on the endorsement, no further payments were made.

Foster testified that in December, 1980, Theodoro told him that he was going to renovate and remodel the property. Foster also denied that he had any conversation with Theodoro in which Theodoro asked him to make any changes in the endorsement.

At the close of the evidence and before final arguments, the defendant filed requests for rulings on law which, together with the Court’s action thereon, are as follows:

On the case-in chief (Burton Foster Insurance v. McNeil:)
[60]*601. The evidence is insufficient to warrant a finding for the plaintiff DENIED.
2. The evidence is insufficient to warrant a finding for the plaintiff in the amount of $2,901.00.
DENIED.
3. The evidence is insufficient to warrant a finding against the defendant.
DENIED.
4. The evidence is insufficient to warrant a finding against the defendant in the amount of $2,901.00.
DENIED.
5. The evidence warrants a finding for the defendant.
ALLOWED, but I do not so find.
6. The evidence warrants a finding that the buildings located at 1411 and 1415 Beacon Street, Brookline, Massachusetts, were vacant from at least December, 1980, to at least December, 1981. Request for finding of fact, not required to rule.
7. The evidence warrants a finding that the buidings located at 1411 and 1415 Beacon Street, Brookline, Massachusetts, were unoccupied from at least December, 1980, to at least December, 1981. Request for finding of fact, not required to rule.
8. The evidence requires a finding that the buildings located at 1411 and 1415 Beacon Street, Brookline, Massachusetts, were vacant from at least December, 1980, to at least December, 1981. Request for findings of fact, not required to rule.
9. The evidence requires a finding that the buildings located at 1411 and 1415 Beacon Street, Brookline, Massachusetts, were unoccupied from at least December, 1980, to at least December, 1981. Request for finding of fact, not required to rule.
10.

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Bluebook (online)
1984 Mass. App. Div. 58, 1983 Mass. App. Div. LEXIS 2, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/burton-foster-insurance-agency-inc-v-mcneil-massdistctapp-1983.