Meyer v. Home Insurance Co.

106 N.W. 1087, 127 Wis. 293, 1906 Wisc. LEXIS 191

• Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court
• Decided: February 23, 1906
• Status: Published

Opinion

KeRWIN, J.

1. Error is assigned because the court refused to direct a verdict for defendants and in not amending the verdict and ordering judgment upon it as amended in favor of defendants. This assignment involves the question whether the evidence sustains the findings of the jury that the plaintiffs did not knowingly, and with intent to defraud, include in their proofs of loss property which, prior to the fire, had been removed from the factory or disposed of, and that the value of the property included in the proofs of loss was not wilfully overstated with intent to defraud the defendants. It is strenuously insisted by appellants that a large quantity of cigars and tobacco had been removed from the stock, disposed of, and included in the proofs of loss, and that the jury by their finding that the value of the tobacco and cigars destroyed and damaged was $3,340 less than claimed in the proofs of loss, in effect found that cigars had been taken out of stock and disposed of prior to the fire and included in the inventory and proofs of loss. There is considerable evidence on the part of the defendants which tends to support this contention, while on the part of the plaintiffs there is evidence tending to contradict it. Under the proof submitted the jury might well have found that the property damaged- and destroyed was much less than the amount stated in the proofs of loss and yet ■impute no bad conduct to tbe plaintiffs. It is very clear from the verdict that they did not intend to charge plaintiffs with ■wilfully including- in the proofs of loss property not destroyed •or overstating the value of the property included, because in their verdict they specifically so found. We have had much •difficulty in endeavoring to reconcile the evidence upon the ■material controverted issues upon the subject under discus•sion, but are unable to come to the conclusion that the findings of the jury are so far unsupported by the evidence as to warrant us in disturbing them. This court will set aside the findings of the jury and the ruling of the lower court respecting the question whether the verdict is sustained by the evidence only when there is no evidence to sustain the verdict or ■findings of the jury “or where, though there be some evidence fin its support, still the-great weight of the evidence is against fit, and that weight is so reinforced by all the reasonable probabilities and inferences that it becomes overwhelming.” Bannon v. Ins. Co. of N. A. 115 Wis. 256, 91 N. W. 666; Beyer v. St. Paul F. & M. Ins. Co. 112 Wis. 138, 88 N. W. 57; Wunderlich v. Palatine F. Ins. Co. 101 Wis. 382, 80 N. W. 471.

2. Error is assigned because of the following instruction:

“If you find that the plaintiffs wilfully included in the proofs of loss property removed by them, and such removal or disposition would secure no advantage to the plaintiffs in the •adjustment and payment of the loss under the policy of insurance, to the prejudice or injury of the defendants, and would not be liable to have that effect, then there was no legal fraud as referred to in this question, unless you find that such acts -on the part of the plaintiffs were liable to deceive the defendants and cause them to pay more than they in justice ought to •pay.”

Each policy contained the following provision:

“This entire policy shall be void ... in case of any fraud or false swearing by the assured touching any matter relating to this insurance or the subject thereof, whether before or '■■after a loss.”

The vital question litigated upon the trial was wbetber there was any fraud or false swearing within the meaning of the foregoing provision. The plaintiffs, to verify their’ claim of loss, presented to tbe adjusters tbeir boots of account and inventories for the purpose of showing the amount of property on hand at the time of the fire, and it is claimed by defendants that the amount of property so represented as being destroyed and damaged was not in fact on hand or damaged or destroyed. Plaintiffs also made and furnished to defendants-verified proofs of loss in which the amount of the loss on tobacco and cigars was stated to be $3,340 more than the amount of the loss as found by the jury, and more than the amount in fact on hand as claimed by defendants. One of the main-questions litigated upon the trial, therefore, was whether the plaintiffs, prior to the fire, had removed from the factory or disposed of tobacco or cigars which they afterwards knowingly, wilfully, and with- intent to defraud included in the-proofs of loss. And upon this issue the court submitted'to the jury the following question:

“Did the plaintiffs, prior to the fire, remove from their factory or dispose of any tobacco or cigars which they afterwards, knowingly, wilfully, and with intent to defraud the defendants included in the proofs of loss ?”

Upon the issue thus raised by this question there was a-sharp contest, and the question arises whether the instruction under consideration was a proper statement of the law under the circumstances disclosed by the evidence. It is claimed on the part of the defendants that the plaintiffs were guilty of fraud in representing the amount of property destroyed and false swearing in making their proofs of loss, and there was-evidence sufficient to go to the jury upon this question. The evidence properly raised the question submitted; hence it was necessary that th£ jury be clearly instructed upon the law respecting these controverted facts. The question submitted to the jury embraced a clear statement of the facts necessary to-constitute fraud or false swearing witbin tbe meaning of tbe policy. Whether these facts existed or not was for tbe jury, and whether, if there was false swearing, it secured any advantage to the plaintiffs in the adjustment and payment of the-loss to the prejudice or injury of the defendants was not embraced in the question, and was a matter of no concern to the-jury. An instruction respecting the same could serve no proper purpose, and was liable to mislead in view of the testimony in the case. The evidence tended to show that the property damaged and destroyed was less than that included in the proofs of loss. The main point in issue, therefore, was whether plaintiffs had removed or disposed of property which they afterwards knowingly, wilfully, and with intent to defraud included in the proofs of loss. If there was false swearing within the meaning of the policy, it was immaterial whether plaintiffs derived any advantage to the prejudice of the defendants in consequence thereof or not. This is in accordance with the plain terms of the policy. The use of the words “false swearing” in connection with the word “fraud” plainly indicates that either fraud or false swearing was designed to have the effect of defeating the policy, regardless of the ultimate effect of the false swearing upon either party to the contract. False swearing, when knowingly and wilfully done with intent to defraud the insurer, avoids the policy regardless of the ultimate effect of such false swearing, and it is very plain that the word “fraud” was used in connection with the words “false swearing” so as to cover frauds otherwise than by false swearing. It is clear that if the words “false swearing” be given their plain, ordinary meaning they cannot be held to mean that it was only “false swearing” which worked an advantage to the insured to' the prejudice or injury of the insurer in the adjustment and payment of the loss that can avoid the policy. If the plaintiffs knowingly and wilfully, with intent to defraud the defendants, swore falsely in making the proofs of loss, such act amounted to a fraud upon the defendants which avoided the policies, irrespective of the ultimate effect upon the defendants. If the false swearing must secure an advantage to the insured in the adjustment and payment of the loss to the prejudice or injury of the insurer in order to avoid the policies, the purpose of this •provision would, in many cases, be nullified, because the insured, after swearing falsely to proofs of loss in order to re■cover more than his honest loss, could escape the consequences of his act in case of discovery of such false swearing before payment by the insurer. Such a construction would defeat the object of this wholesome provision designed to prevent fraud and false swearing, and is wholly inconsistent with its purpose and policy. Beyer v. St. Paul F. & M. Ins. Co. 112 Wis. 138, 88 N. W. 57; Moore v. Va. F. & M. Ins. Co. 28 Grat. 508. The court told the jury in the instruction under consideration, in substance, that if they found that the plaintiffs wilfully included in the proofs of loss property formerly removed by them, and such removal or disposition would secure no advantage to the plaintiffs in the adjustment and payment of the loss to the prejudice or injury of the defendants, and would not be liable to have that effect, there was “no legal fraud as referred to in this question,” unless such acts were liable to deceive the defendants and cause them to pay more than they ought to pay. The court by the instruction attempted to define the legal fraud referred to or covered by this question, and injected into it an element wholly foreign to the subject and one well calculated to confuse and mislead the jury. Including in the proofs of loss property not destroyed or damaged by the fire was manifestly liable to deceive the insurer and cause it to pay more than it ought to pay, and the only question was whether such act was done wilfully and with intent to defraud the insurer. Bannon v. Ins. Co. of N. A. 115 Wis. 250, 91 N. W. 666. The distinction between actions based upon fraud and fraud or false ■swearing, within the meaning of the clause in the policy in question which forfeits it, is clearly pointed out in F. Dohmen Co. v. Niagara F. Ins. Co. 96 Wis. 38, 56, 71 N. W. 74:

“No authority can be found, we may safely say, to sustain-the contention that fraud which will avoid a policy under such-a clause must have the elements necessary to constitute a cause of action based on fraud. Where the deception or artifice practiced results in payment of the loss, in an action brought to recover back the money all the conditions which the learned judge held requisite to make out fraud would be essential to-sustain the cause of action. His difficulty grew out of a failure to distinguish between deception and artifice constituting; fraud liable to do harm, which avoids a policy of insurance under a contract which so provides, and a cause of action based' on fraud.”

We think the case at bar is ruled by F. Dohmen Co. v. Niagara F. Ins. Co. and Bannon v. Ins. Co. of N. A., supra, and that the reasoning of these eases is particularly applieable-to the facts here. In the Bannon Case, at page 260 (91 N. W. 669), the court said:

“The intentional falsification of books or statements showing a greater amount of property on hand than the fact was, and submission of such books or statements to the adjusters as-correct, fulfils every requirement of the condition avoiding the-policy, regardless of the fact whether damages actually resulted to the insurance company. Such an act is manifestly liable to deceive the insurer and cause him to pay more than-he in justice ought to pay, and the only questions left for the jury are whether it was done, and, if so, whether it was intentionally and wilfully done.”

Commercial Bank v. Firemen’s Ins. Co. 87 Wis. 297, 58 N. W. 391; Maher v. Hibernia Ins. Co. 67 N. Y. 283; Shaw v. Scottish Comm. Ins. Co. 1 Fed. 761; and Claflin v. Comm. Ins. Co. 110 U. S. 81, 3 Sup. Ct. 507, relied upon by counsel for respondents, are considered in the Dohmen Gase, and further discussion of them would seem unnecessary. Some of the other cases cited by counsel for respondents are where the action was based on fraud and where all the elements of an action for deceit were necessary to be proved; others are where-tbe overvaluation or false swearing was not wilful, or witb intent to defraud, or for tbe purpose of obtaining undue advantage over tbe insurer, and tbe circumstances were not sucb as to be liable to bave tbat effect. Sucb cases are clearly inapplicable here, as pointed out by Mr. Justice Maeshaul in tbe Dolmen Gase. It is also claimed on tbe part of tbe respondents tbat since the amount of insurance upon tbe tobacco and •cigars was more than tbe amount of loss as found by tbe jury, the appellants could not be prejudiced by tbe instruction. But this does not follow. If there was false swearing within tbe meaning of the policy, as heretofore defined, tbe entire policy would be forfeited and tbe plaintiffs could not recover any amount, regardless of the amount of insurance as compared with the actual loss, or whether they derived an advantage or •defendants sustained a loss in consequence of sucb false swearing. This is the plain purpose and policy of the provision. Moore v. Va. F. & M. Ins. Co. 28 Grat. 508; Phoenix Ins. Co. v. Munday, 5 Cold. 541; Beyer v. St. Paul F. & M. Ins. Co. 112 Wis. 138, 88 N. W. 57; F. Dohmen Co. v. Niagara F. Ins. Co. 96 Wis. 38, 56, 71 N. W. 69; Bannon v. Ins. Co. of N. A. 115 Wis. 250, 91 N. W. 666. The instruction under consideration upon the facts in this case was not a proper statement of the law, was misleading, and therefore constitutes reversible error. It clearly gave the jury to understand that false swearing was not sufficient to avoid tbe policy unless they found that the plaintiffs secured some advantage in the adjustment and payment of the loss under the policy of insurance to the prejudice or injury of the defendant, or would be liable to have that effect.

3. Error is assigned because tbe court charged tbe jury as follows:

“As to tbe third, fourth, and fifth questions, tbe burden of proof is upon the affirmative of the question, and, inasmuch as such affirmative answer will prove fraud, you will not answer,” etc.

Tbis portion, of tbe charge is excepted to because tbe court told tbe jury tbe legal effect of tbeir answer to tbe question. It is claimed, however, on tbe part of tbe respondents that tbe error, if error were committed, was cured by other portions of tbe charge in which tbe court specifically told tbe jury that they must not consider what effect tbeir answers to tbe questions would have upon tbe final result in tbe case' — that such matter was exclusively for tbe court. Tbe purpose of a special verdict is to obtain from the jury findings upon material issuable facts in tbe ease, and tbe legal effect of such findings is exclusively for tbe court. It is not necessary to consider whether tbe charge to tbe jury instructing them that they were not to consider tbe effect of tbeir answers was sufficient to prevent tbe language excepted to working reversible error, since there must be a new trial regardless of tbis assignment. It is sufficient to say that tbe practice of intimating to tbe jury, or making known to them, tbe effect of tbeir answers to questions submitted in tbe special verdict has been held error. Coats v. Stanton, 90 Wis. 130, 62 N. W. 619; Ryan v. Rockford Ins. Co. 77 Wis. 611, 46 N. W. 885; Kohler v. West Side R. Co. 99 Wis. 33, 14 N. W. 568; Ward v. C., M. & St. P. R. Co. 102 Wis. 215, 78 N. W. 442; Conway v. Mitchell, 97 Wis. 290, 72 N. W. 752; Chopin v. Badger P. Co. 83 Wis. 192, 53 N. W. 452; Reed v. Madison, 85 Wis. 667, 56 N. W. 182.

4. Error is assigned because of tbe exclusion of testimony of one W. J. Greer, who was called to testify respecting tbe government, books kept in tbe internal revenue department in Milwaukee, showing tbe transactions of plaintiffs with tbe government before tbe fire. Before Greer was sworn one Saveland, deputy internal revenue collector, was called as a witness and requested to produce tbe books of tbe department showing plaintiffs’ returns to tbe government of tbe amount and kind of tobacco destroyed. Tbe witness testified that un- ' der tbe rules of tbe department be was not permitted to disclose or produce the books, after which the appellants sought to prove by the witness Greer that he had read the entry made in the government books showing the amount and kind of tobacco which it was claimed was destroyed by fire, and that he remembered the entry as to the number of pounds and kind of tobacco destroyed, and, upon being asked to state what the entry was, the question was objected to ^nd the evidence excluded. The testimony of this witness does not appear to have been very specific regarding the identity of the book which he examined, nor whether it came from the proper custodian. It was argued on the part of the appellants that they were entitled to this evidence, it being the best evidence, since they were unable to produce the original records; but we do not deem it necessary to discuss the question as to how far secondary evidence may be admissible in cases of public records, where such records cannot be produced, because we are well satisfied that neither the original record in this case nor secondary evidence of its contents was admissible in evidence, except in the manner provided by law. Under the rules of the department the collectors are prohibited from giving out such records or copies thereof or producing such records or copies in state courts, except that, where copies of documents or records are desired on behalf of parties to a suit, such copies shall be furnished only on a rule of the court upon the secretary of the-tre'asury requesting the same. Boske v. Comingore, 177 U. S. 459, 20 Sup. Ct. 701. The records, therefore, were privileged and to a certain extent q-uasi-confidential communications. In re Comingore, 96 Fed. 552. A litigant has no right to the use of such record upon any other basis than such as may be fixed by the United States or under its authority. Under the laws of the United States and the rules and regulations made in pursuance thereof, the officers of the departments could not be compelled to produce the books in evidence or disclose their contents, and they were not admissible, except in the manner provided by the department. In re Comingore, supra; Boske v. Comingore, supra. The records themselves not being admissible, secondary evidence of tbeir contents could not be admitted. 1 Greenl. Ev. § 251; Gray v. Pentland, 2 Serg. & R. 23, 29; Yoter v. Sanno, 6 Watts, 164, 166. It does not appear tbat any effort was made on tbe part of tbe appellants to obtain tbis testimony in tbe manner provided by law. It follows tbat tbe evidence of tbe witness Greer was not admissible and tbat no error was committed in excluding it.

5. Error is assigned because tbe court erred in not bolding tbat tbe action was prematurely brought. It is claimed by appellants tbat under tbe provision of tbe policy — “tbe insured, as often as required, shall exhibit to any person designated by tbis company all tbat remains of any property herein described, and submit to examinations, all under oath, by any person named by tbis company, and subscribe tbe same,” etc.— one of tbe plaintiffs, Myrtle S. Meyer, upon examination-before a court commissioner, under advice of counsel refused' to ascertain or furnish information relating to tbe subject matter of insurance, and tbat no action could be maintained’ until tbe insured bad complied with tbis provision. It appears from tbe record tbat tbe witness was summoned before a court commissioner and submitted to an examination of considerable length, apparently answering so far as she bad knowledge. But in many instances she answered to tbe effect tbat she bad no knowledge, and referred tbe defendants to her manager and tbe books of the concern. It does not appear tbat tbe witness bad much personal knowledge of tbe facte about which she was interrogated and frankly admitted tbat she did not know, but proffered examination of her manager, whom she said knew tbe facts, and also offered all books and information under her control. Erom a careful examination of tbe record we are unable to see tbat there was any violation of tbe provision of tbe policy referred to under tbis assignment of error. We are of tbe opinion tbat no error was committed in not bolding tbat tbe action was prematurely brought.

6. It is further claimed that no exceptions were taken to the charge, and that the record is to the effect that defendants excepted to the portions of the charge printed in italics. We find, however, on examination of the record that there is a statement to the effect that defendants duly excepted to the portions of the charge underscored in the body of the charge, and also find the portions of the charge relied upon as excepted to underscored, and, in addition to this, there appears to be in the bill of exceptions particular specifications of the portions of the charge excepted to, setting out under separate heads the language complained of. It is also said that the exceptions are meaningless if taken by themselves, and if taken out of the charge would leave it meaningless. We do not regard this contention tenable. Appellants had a right to make specific objection to the particular part of the charge objected to, and were not obliged to embrace parts of the charge in the exception not objectionable, for the purpose of completing a sentence under a separate exception. The object of -exceptions is to bring to the attention of the court the particular matter objected to.

It does not seem necessary to consider other errors assigned.

By the Oourt. — The judgment of the court below is reversed, and the cause remanded for a new trial.