Wells v. FRANKLIN CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY

1963 OK 57, 380 P.2d 529, 1963 Okla. LEXIS 339
CourtSupreme Court of Oklahoma
DecidedMarch 12, 1963
Docket39392
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 1963 OK 57 (Wells v. FRANKLIN CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Oklahoma primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Wells v. FRANKLIN CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, 1963 OK 57, 380 P.2d 529, 1963 Okla. LEXIS 339 (Okla. 1963).

Opinion

IRWIN, Justice.

Alvah Henry Wells obtained a judgment against Paul W. Hamilton, Sr., for the death of his wife, Grace Wells, based upon an automobile collision occurring March 10, 1958. The judgment not being paid an execution was issued against the judgment debtor which was returned unsatisfied and endorsed, “no property found”. Thereafter, Alvah Henry Wells commenced garnishment proceedings against Franklin Casualty Insurance Company on the theory the Franklin Casualty Insurance Company has issued a liability insurance policy to Paul W. Hamilton, Sr., and was therefore liable to Hamilton for the amount of the judgment.

In answer to interrogatories, the insurance company admitted it issued a policy of insurance to Hamilton on August 27, 1957, but asserted the same expired by its own terms on February 27, 1958. Alvah Henry Wells elected to take issue with the answer to the interrogatories, and after trial by jury was waived, the trial court proceeded to hear the evidence of both parties and found against Alvah Henry Wells and in favor of the insurance company and entered judgment absolving the insurance company. From this action of the court Alvah Henry Wells perfected his appeal. Alvah Henry Wells will be referred to as plaintiff or by name and the Franklin Casualty Insurance Company will be referred to as defendant or as insurance company.

The contract of insurance provides for coverage from August 27, 1957 to August 27, 1958. Attached to the policy is the following endorsement:

“INSTALLMENT PAYMENT — ENDORSEMENT A-
Endorsement No._
Effective from August 27th, 1957 Amending Policy
No. AAC33230_
Issued to PAUL W. HAMILTON_
Subject to the terms, conditions and agreements of the above numbered policy, it is agreed:
That the policy is issued upon the payment of $17.50 on the effective date, and that a second payment of $17.50 will be due and payable on or before February 27th, 1958.
IT IS FURTHER AGREED THAT: An endorsement stating the second payment has been made must be attached to the policy on or before February 27th, 1958, or the policy will lapse.
SEARCY-LANCASTER AGENCY FRANKLIN CASUALTY INSUR-BY:_ ANCE CO.
Authorized Representative BEN FRANKLIN
President”

*531 With reference to cancellation by the company, the policy by Section 24, contains the following:

* * * This policy may be can-celled by the company by mailing to the insured at the address shown in policy written notice stating when not less than ten days thereafter such cancellation shall be effective. The mailing of notice as aforesaid shall be sufficient proof of notice. The time of the surrender or the effective date and hour of cancellation stated in the notice shall become the end of the policy period. Delivery of such written notice either by the named insured or by the company shall .be equivalent to mailing.”

The policy of insurance was issued by Euel Lancaster, surviving member of the Searcy-Lancaster Agency on August 27, 1957. Lancaster had authority to issue and countersign policies of insurance.

The evidence shows that at the time of issuance, the first six months premium was not paid but was shown on the books of the issuing agency as a debt due and owing by Hamilton. The premium due February 27, 1958, was not paid on or before that date but the premium was paid March 27, 1958, which was after the accident. It was admitted no notice of cancellation was given to the insured by the insurance company or its issuing agency.

Wells contends the policy was issued for a period of one year and the endorsement did not change or alter the stated period of coverage but merely prescribed how payment was to be made; that it was necessary that insurer give notice of cancellation in conformity with the express provisions of the contract; and, that credit was extended to the insured and the policy was in full force and effect when the accident occurred.'

The insurance company contends the Endorsement of Payment controlled the provisions of the policy and supersedes anything in the policy to the contrary; that the insurance policy lapsed by its own terms and notice of cancellation was not necessary; and, that the question of extension of credit to the insured was resolved against Wells by the trier of facts (the trial court) and such judgment should not.be reversed if there is any evidence supporting it.

We will consider first whether the insurance policy was in full force and effect when the accident occurred by reason of extension of credit to the insured.

During the trial it developed that the insurance company had started issuing policies to Hamilton in 1954, and the following transactions were had between the insured and the issuing agency.

1. An automobile insurance policy No. AAC19858 was issued to Paul W. Plam-ilton, for coverage from August 27, 1954 to August 27, 1955. This policy contained a rider that the same would lapse unless the endorsement was attached showing payment of the second installment on or before February 27, 1955. The premium to the first six months was charged to Hamilton’s account and this was paid some four months later, on December 2, 1954. The premium due February 27, 1955, was charged to Hamilton’s account and the same was paid nearly one year later, on February 8, 1956.

If credit was not extended to the insured under this policy, the insurance policy was in force and effect only from December 2, 1954, to February 27, 1955. However, the insured paid premium for the entire year.

2. On August 27, 1955, policy No. AAC24561 for coverage from August 27, 1955 to August 27, 1956, was issued . to Hamilton. This policy was a renewal of policy No. AAC19858. Hamilton’s account with Searcy-Lancaster Agency was debited and was paid on February 11, 1956.

If credit was not extended under this renewal policy, the policy was in force only from February 11, 1956, to August 27, 1956, even though premiums were paid for the entire year.

*532 3. Policy No. 29607, for coverage from August 27, 1956 to August 27, 1957, was a renewal of policy No. 24561. The premium was charged to Hamilton’s account. The premium due August 27, 1956 was paid May 16, 1957, and the premium due February 27, 1957, was also paid on May 16, 1957.

If credit was not extended in this instance, the policy was in force only from May 16, 1957, to August 27, 1957, even though premiums were paid for the entire year.

4. The policy under consideration is policy No. 33230, which was a renewal of policy No. 29607. The premium was charged to Hamilton’s account and was paid later.

This policy was mailed to Hamilton on July 19, 1957, and in the letter of transmittal the agent stated:

“We are enclosing herewith policy No. AAC33230 * * * for a term of one year.

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Bluebook (online)
1963 OK 57, 380 P.2d 529, 1963 Okla. LEXIS 339, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/wells-v-franklin-casualty-insurance-company-okla-1963.