Orwat v. Ætna Insurance

Noonan, J. This action is to recover for damages caused by-fire under a policy of insurance issued by defendant. At the close of the trial there was no disputed question of fact for the jury, so the case was submitted to the court for decision. On November 1, 1926, the plaintiff Mary Orwat owned, in fee, the premises known as No. 218 Orlando street in the city of Buffalo, N. Y., consisting of a lot' thirty by one hundred and ten and one-half feet and the buildings thereon. In the front was a two-flat frame building, and in the rear a frame cottage. These buildings were firmly connected with each other by a structure, called a shed, about twelve feet long, eight feet high and six feet wide and inclosed on all sides. On said day, about eleven p. m., while the plaintiff was away from home, a fire occurred in said cottage, causing a loss which said plaintiff claims was covered by the following insurance policies: One for $1,000, which specifically covered “ the frame building and additions thereto * * * situate in the rear 218 Orlando St.” One for $1,500, $1,000 on the front building and $500'on rear, and “ additions.” One for $2,000, issued by defendant, “ on the frame dwelling [142] and additions thereto, including foundations, porches, verandas, * * * and all other permanent fixtures and improvements, contained in, attached, or pertaining thereto. Situate No. 218 Orlando St., in Buffalo, N. Y.” All of said companies were notified about the fire and the resultant loss, and the defendant disclaimed liability on the sole ground that its policy did not cover the building damaged by the fire, and did not take any part in the adjustment of the loss, which was carried through by the other companies. After the usual appraisal the adjusters fixed the loss at $1,559.19, and apportioned it as follows: ten-forty-fifths to the first company; fifteen-forty-fifths to the second company which assumed liability in proportion to the whole amount of its policy and not on the proportion to the $500 specifically covering the cottage that was damaged; and twenty-forty-fifths, or $692.97, to the defendant. The others paid the losses as adjusted, and the defendant is contesting the claim against it on two grounds: 1. That proper proof of loss was not filed in time. 2. That its policy did not cover the building damaged by the fire. There is no merit in the first defense. By disclaiming liability it waived its right to proof of loss. (33 C. J. 32, § 694; Cornell v. Travelers’ Ins. Co., 120 App. Div. 459; affd., 192 N. Y. 587; Dobson v. Hartford F. Ins. Co., 86 App. Div. 115; affd., 179 N. Y. 557; Heilner v. China Mut. Ins. Co., 60 N. Y. Super. Ct. [28 J. & S.] 362; Post v. Ætna Ins. Co., 43 Barb. 351.) There is also no merit to the second defense. If the description of the insured premises is ambiguous, that meaning should be given which is most favorable to the insured. (Rickerson v. Hartford F. Ins. Co., 149 N. Y. 307; Gertner v. Glens Falls Ins. Co., 193 App. Div. 836; affd., 233 N. Y. 568.) In the former case the policy described the premises as the building and additions at a certain street number, and there were two buildings owned by the insured at that street number, one on the front and the other at the rear of the lot, and connected externally by an intervening structure. That is exactly the situation in the instant case. Any other rule of construction would enable the defendant to avoid its just obligations. If the fire had occurred in the front building the defendant might, under its theory of the contract, disclaim liability on the ground that its policy covered only the cottage in the rear. The principles of law in the Rickerson case have been followed in many subsequent cases (Bushey & Sons v. American Ins. Co., 237 N. Y. 25, and cases cited; Ayers v. Palatine Ins. Co., 234 id. 334) and judgment may be entered in favor of the plaintiff Mary Orwat against the defendant for $692.92 damages, with interest thereon from January 1, 1927, with costs.