Tubize Chatillon Corp. v. White Transp. Co.

11 F. Supp. 91, 1935 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1534
CourtDistrict Court, D. Maryland
DecidedMay 16, 1935
DocketEquity No. 2303
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 11 F. Supp. 91 (Tubize Chatillon Corp. v. White Transp. Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Maryland primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Tubize Chatillon Corp. v. White Transp. Co., 11 F. Supp. 91, 1935 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1534 (D. Md. 1935).

Opinion

CHESNUT, District Judge.

This suit in equity is an aftermath of the suit at law in this court of Tubize Chatillon Corporation v. White Transportation Co., 6 F. Supp. 15. In the latter case the plaintiff (also the plaintiff here) on February 14, 1934, recovered a final judgment of $9,193.73 against the White Transportation Company, for the loss in transit [93]*93of certain merchandise delivered by the plaintiff as shipper to the Transportation Company, which was a common carrier of merchandise by motor truck. Shortly thereafter, on May 21, 1934, a receiver in equity was appointed by this court for the Transportation Company, the judgment not having been paid.

The plaintiff’s merchandise was stolen in transit on or about April 20, 1932, at which time there was in force a contract of insurance between the defendant, the Employers’ Fire Insurance Company, and the White Transportation Company, covering, according to the terms of the policy, liability of the Transportation Company as a common -carrier for certain losses to merchandise as specified in the policy. Claim was made by the Transportation Company on the insurer on account of the loss but the latter denied liability. It does not appear from the bill of complaint that suit was brought on the policy either by the Transportation Company or its receiver; but the plaintiff, as owner of the said lost merchandise, has now brought this suit in equity against the Transportation Company and its receiver, and also against the insurer. The latter being a Massachusetts corporation, first appeared specially, objecting to the venue jurisdiction of this court but later withdrew that objection and has now filed a motion to dismiss the suit based on a number of separately stated grounds, the most important of which are as follows: (1) That the plaintiff had no such relation to the insurance policy as justifies it in maintaining the suit against the insurer; (2) that the suit is barred by the special contract period of limitations of one year after the loss, contained in the policy; and (3) that the policy does not cover the particular loss. It will be convenient to consider these defenses in their inverse order.

1. Construction of the policy: The policy is described as a “motor truck merchandise floater—truckmen’s form.” It seems to be a novel form of policy adapted to the nature of a comparatively new form of transportation, long distance carriage of merchandise by motor truck. The whole policy contract consists of three separate parts of which (1) the first is the main insurance contract which is followed (2) by certain printed conditions and (3) was modified from time to time by numerous separate endorsements added thereto. The various clauses and conditions of the policy seem to have been adopted in part from the ordinary standard fire policy and in part from the marine policy and in part from what is generally referred to as a liability policy. Counsel are not in agreement as to whether (1) the policy should be treated as insurance against actual loss to the insured or merely liability of the insured for loss and (2) whether the policy including a particular endorsement, covers the loss of plaintiff’s merchandise in this case, or not; and (3) whether the suit now brought is barred by the special contract-period of limitations, or not. They are also in disagreement as to whether the applicable law under the circumstances stated permits or precludes a suit on the policy at law or in equity by the plaintiff. The solution of these several questions depends very largely upon the proper construction to be placed on the policy contract as a whole, and the novelty of its form requires some detailed analysis of its provisions.

The main policy contract follows somewhat the general form of the well-known standard fire insurance policy and is perhaps most like such a policy issued to a bailee to cover the latter’s legal liability for property entrusted to its care. Compare Eberhard v. Ætna Ins. Co., 134 Misc. 386, 235 N. Y. S. 445. The policy, however, also contains certain provisions or conditions which are somewhat similar to but not identical with provisions in a so-called “liability” policy, as typified by the automobile liability policy. It has also borrowed some provisions from the general marine policy although the latter are not important in the particular case. It is quite clear that the contract in the policy as originally written did not cover, this particular loss, but it is contended that the original coverage of the policy was modified and extended by an endorsement dated February 29, 1932, in such a way as to cover the loss. The effect of the endorsement in this respect depends upon its construction which I think must be determined from a consideration of the original policy as a whole in the light of certain parol testimony which was given in the law suit by the plaintiff against the Transportation Company and which affords some explanation as to the making of the endorsement in question. The bill of complaint adopts by reference the pleadings and testimony in the law suit.

Taking up now the form, structure and main provisions of the policy, we find that [94]*94the Employers’ Fire Insurance Company insures the White [Transportation Company for the term of one year from August 13, 1931, to an amount not exceeding $72,-000, “as respects goods and/or merchandise covered by this policy as against loss by reason of the perils specifically insured against, resulting from the liability imposed against the insured by law as a carrier and/or bailee and/or warehouseman under tariff and/or bill of lading and/or shipping receipt issued by the assured.” As to coverage, it is provided that the policy covers general merchandise “while loaded for shipment on and/or in transit in or on the following described motor truck and/or trucks owned and operated by the assured within the limits of the United States and Canada.” The perils resulting in loss or damage which are insured against are specified as fire, collision, overturning of motor trucks, certain perils of the sea, etc.; but not including loss by theft. The policy expressly excludes liability for loss of certain classes of property and loss from certain causes such as those due to neglect of the assured or due to rough handling or poor packing, leakage, etc., or by delay or water damage or breakage. None of these excepted perils are in point in this case.

Among the conditions that must here be considered are the following. In the event of loss or damage, the assured was required to give immediate notice thereof in writing to the Company; and failure to file sworn proof of loss within ninety days from the date of loss invalidated the claim. It was provided that loss was to be paid within thirty days after the presentation and acceptance of proofs of interest and loss. And “no suit" or action on this policy for the recovery of any claim shall be sustainable in any court of law or equity unless the assured shall have fully complied with all the requirements of this policy, nor unless commenced within twelve months next after the happening of the loss.” All these provisions are closely similar to the conditions of the standard fire policy. The policy also contained the following provision with regard to payment of loss: “The assured whenever requested shall aid in securing information and evidence and the attendance Of witnesses and shall defend any action at law or in equity through such counsel a3 this company may direct, but at this company’s expense,.

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Bluebook (online)
11 F. Supp. 91, 1935 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1534, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/tubize-chatillon-corp-v-white-transp-co-mdd-1935.