Castner v. Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance

8 N.W. 554, 46 Mich. 15, 1881 Mich. LEXIS 497

• Court: Michigan Supreme Court
• Decided: April 13, 1881
• Status: Published

Opinion

Campbell, J.

Plaintiffs sued upon a policy of insurance-issued to them jointly on a dwelling and personal property-contained in it, both of which were destroyed by fire. The house was occupied by both — being mother and son — but each occupied separate portions, and the son owned the fee subject to his mother’s life interest. The personal property was also owned in severalty, the son’s property being the largest part. The fire caught from a dry-house near the dwelling, as was shown by plaintiffs.

The defense urged on the trial was — -first, that the property was not joint; second, that the policy was destroyed or suspended by default on assessments; and third, that the dry-house increased the risk, and was not described in the application.

The circuit court ruled in favor of defendant on the question of joint interest, and did not decide the other points; but defendant claims that if any of these were well taken,, the judgment cannot be reversed.

It appears from the record that after proof of loss, which in regard to the personal property, at least, showed a separate-title in Mrs. Castner to a part of it, the company refused to-pay on two grounds: first, failure to pay assessments; and. second, the use of a stove in a room without a chimney.

The objection, therefore, that there had been an undue-concealment of the proximity of the dry-house cannot be-relied on, for the proof of loss showed its position, and the company by the notice seem to have treated it as part off the property insured, but as not properly heated. There-may be some question how far they were informed concerning the title.

We do not think the objection based on the condition of the title is valid. It is quite common to require the insured to explain the exact state of the title, and of course where this is required it may become or be made material. But in the absence of such a requirement we think the law has not required so minute accuracy. The chief reason for looking to ownership is to prevent wager policies, and to confine the insurance to an indemnity. But it has always been competent for parties to insure property in their custody for the benefit not only of other present owners, but also notwithstanding changes of ownership. Factors, agents and consignees do this without objection. Rogers v. Traders’ Ins. Co. 6 Paige 583; DeForest v. Fulton Fire Ins. Co. 1 Hall (N. Y.) 84.

Neither does it seem necessary that the precise nature of the interest should appeal’ in the application or policy, unless distinctly required. And if insurance is made for various parties, and they have several as well as joint interests, the policy is good for all. Foster v. U. S. Ins. Co. 11 Pick. 85.

There was a time when it was of very little consequence what interest an insured party had. It is no doubt against public policy to allow mere gambling in insurance. But when the entire property belongs to the persons insured, it can make no necessary difference to the insurer in what way their interests are apportioned. If they deem it material they should inform the applicant before accepting his money.

There is nothing in the record which would enable us to determine that there was anything wrong about the dry-house, even if the objection that its position was concealed had not been waived.

Our attention has not been called to any provision of the corporation agreement or rules which binds a party by notice of assessments not brought home to him. But we could not properly pass upon a question of fact not submitted to the jury, and not admitted by the plaintiffs.

Tlie judgment must be reversed with costs, and a new trial granted.

Tlie other Justices concurred.