Dull v. Royal Insurance

Brooke, J. (after stating the facts). We are of opinion that the policy in question must be held to have been void at the time of its issuance, by reason of the fact that Pfuntner was not at that time “the sole and unconditional owner in fee of said property,” or became void upon the transfer of title to plaintiff, without consent of defendant, unless it can be said that Beiderman knew of the condition of the title at the time the insurance was — 674 — written, that he knew of the transfer from Pfuntner to Dull, trustee, and that his knowledge was binding upon defendant. Jaskulski v. Insurance Co., 131 Mich. 603 (92 N. W. 98), and cases cited; Cronin v. Fire Ass’n, 123 Mich. 277 (82 N. W. 45), and cases cited; A. M. Todd Co. v. Insurance Co., 137 Mich. 188 (100 N. W. 442). It is urged for the plaintiff that, inasmuch as Beiderman was a stockholder in and an officer of the brick company, not only at the time the contract with Pfuntner was made, but also at the time Pfuntner deeded to Dull, as trustee, for the brick company, he must be held to have had knowledge of the condition of the title, and that the defendantis bound by his knowledge so gained. We cannot, agree with this view. The record fails to show in what capacity Beiderman solicited the insurance, whether as agent, or broker, or in his capacity as an officer of the company, which at that time held a contract interest in the property, and is silent as to his connection with the defendant, except that the premium passed through his hands, on its way into the hands of the Detroit agency of defendant. Even if it were clearly proven that in soliciting the insurance he acted as agent for defendant, we think the defendant company would not be bound by uncommunicated facts, coming to his knowledge in his capacity as an officer or stockholder of the brick company. An agent cannot bind two parties having opposing interests in the same transaction, nor can he be at the same time a party and. the agent of the opposite party, unless, both parties know of the dual relation and assent to it. Mechem on Agency, §§ 66-68. There is no evidence that the defendant knew of Beiderman’s connection with the brick company, or with Pfuntner, or even knew of his existence. It seems to be settled law that, if an agent is personally interested in the property insured, no policy issued by him thereon, or act done by him in connection therewith, binds the insurance company, unless known and assented to by it. 1 May. — 675 — on Insurance (4th Ed.), § 125; 3 Cooley’s Briefs on Insurance, p. 2529; 22 Cyc. p. 1435; Zimmerman v. Insurance Co., 110 Mich. 399 (68 N. W. 215, 33 L. R. A. 698); Spare v. Insurance Co., 19 Fed. 14; Ritt v. Insurance Co., 41 Barb. (N. Y.) 353; Arispe Mercantile Co. v. Insurance Co., 133 Iowa, 272 (110 N. W. 593, 9 L. R. A. [N. S.] 1084, and authorities collected in note); Greenwood Ice & Coal Co. v. Insurance Co., 72 Miss. 46 (17 South. 83); Wildberger v. Insurance Co., 72 Miss. 338 (17 South. 282, 28 L. R. A. 220, 48 Am. St. Rep. 558); New York Central Ins. Co. v. National Protection Ins. Co., 14 N. Y. 85; Rockford Ins. Co. v. Winfield, 57 Kan. 576 (47 Pac. 511); Glens Falls Ins. Co. v. Hopkins, 16 Ill. App. 220; British America Assurance Co. v. Cooper, 6 Colo. App. 25 (40 Pac. 147). Particular attention is directed to the case of Arispe Mercantile Co. v. Insurance Co., supra, where the facts are nearly identical with those in the case at bar and where the opinion is exhaustive and supported by many authorities. It is claimed by plaintiff that defendant, after receiving notice of the loss, so conducted itself that it must be held to have waived the forfeiture.' This claim is based upon the following correspondence: - “Detroit, Mich., May 1, 1908. “Law Bros., Mgrs., “ Royal Ins. Co., “Royal Ins. Bldg., “Chicago, Ill., “ Gentlemen: Referring to tornado policy No. 10742339 in favor of Charles H. Pfuntner, Detroit, Mich. Through an unfortunate and uncalled for remark made by Mr. Pfuntner who dropped into the office during my conference with Mr. Duffey, negotiations for settlement of loss were abruptly terminated and I was referred to your office for adjustment, Mr. Duffey apparently being very much angered and would have no further hand in the matter, a condition I very much regretted, when it was found he would not continue interview to a satisfactory conclusion. The situation is just this: Mr. Pfuntner and I engaged — 676 — in the proposition of a sand lime brick plant near Rochester, Mich., a year ago and, while it was a stock company, all the property consisting of a farm of 150 acres, buildings, etc., were in his name and were to be turned over to the company when he had fulfilled certain requirements which he failed to do, and I purchased Mr. Pfuntner’s interest in the property Feb. 1, ’08, paying him what he actually put into the deal, part cash and the balance notes coming due 3 and 6 months from date of contract, Feb. 1, ’08, for him to sell and I to buy; at the fulfillment of this contract he is to turn over all his rights, title and interest, etc., to me. In the meantime he deeded the property to me turning over to me all insurance policies but still retaining a few shares of stock to keep the organization intact until such time as I made my final settlement with him when he would under the contract be obliged to sever his connection with the brick company. Now then, during this time a technical violation of the provisions of the above named policy took place, that is to say, I failed to present the matter to your company for a transfer of the policy from Mr. Pfuntner to me, an oversight for which I may be responsible personally, notwithstanding the fact it was known to the representative of the Royal Ins. Co. that change of ownership of the property had taken place a month or six weeks prior to the loss by windstorm which occurred between 11 and 12 o’clock a. m. Saturday, April the 25th, ’08. The question of the transfer of the policy was not referred to and it did not occur to me till the accident to the building happened when the thought came to me that we had a tornado insurance policy on the property and on looking it up found the stipulations in the same had not been carried out. The adjustment was taken up with your representatives here, and was cut off, as said before, very suddenly through no fault of mine at all, but much to my discomfort and regret. Will you kindly take the case up with Mr. Duffey and have him continue the investigation and settlement of my claim. Please understand I am not criticising Mr. Duffey’s attitude in the way he took offense at Mr. Pfuntner’s remark as any person with a spark of manhood in him would no doubt have resented the insult. But bear in mind as you go along that I am not responsible for it, and do not under any circumstances approve or resort to any such tactics. “ Yours truly, “ J. H. Dull.” — 677 — “ Chicago, 5th May, 1908. “ Mr. J. H. Dull, “ President and Manager, The Rochester Sandstone Brick Co., “ Detroit, Mich. “ Dear Sir: We are in receipt of your favor of the 1st instant, having reference to a conversation had with our State agent, Mr. B. T. Duffey, and have carefully noted contents. We will take up the matter with that gentleman. We are, dear sir, “Yours very truly, “Law Bros., Managers.” “Detroit, Mich., May 9, 1908. “Messrs. Law Bros., Mgrs., “ Royal Ins. Bldg., “ Chicago, Ill; “ Gentlemen: Referring to yours of the 5th inst., Mr. Duffey has been absent since receipt of yours till today, when I fully expected to have him meet me, but he declined to do so pleading other business would prevent. I have power of attorney from Mr. Pfuntner, the assured, to settle this claim and to receive full benefits of policy No. 10742339. The damage has been carefully estimated by the parties who erected the building, and furnished the material, I hereby give you this formal notice that the damage amounts to $1,043.92 an excess of $43.92 over and above the amount of the policy. I trust you will promptly adjust my claim. An early reply will greatly oblige, “Yours truly, “ J. H. Dull.” “ Chicago, May 15, 1908. “Mr. John H. Dull, “ Majestic Building, “Detroit, Mich. “ Dear Sir: We beg to own your letter of the 9th inst. with reference to policy 10742339 of this company issued at its Detroit, Mich, agency, to Charles H. Pfuntner, and in reply thereto have to say that if in the opinion of yourself or your attorney, a valid claim exists against this company by reason of said policy contract, you are referred to the contract itself for instructions as to such action as you may see fit to take. “You are hereby notified that this company has not waived, does not waive, and does not intend to waive any — 678 — of its rights under' said contract, nor any of the terms or conditions thereof. We are, dear sir, “Yours very truly, “L. C. Stark, Loss Supt.” Plaintiff urges that, because defendant did not in its first letter claim a forfeiture, it therefore waived its right to insist on it later, citing Walter v. Insurance Co., 120 Mich. 35 (78 N. W. 1011); Burnham v. Casualty Co., 117 Mich. 147 (75 N. W. 445); Rauch v. Insurance Co., 131 Mich. 281 (91 N. W. 160); Granger v. Assurance Co., 119 Mich. 177 (77 N. W. 693); Cleaver v. Insurance Co., 71 Mich. 414 (39 N. W. 571, 15 Am. St. Rep. 275); Marthinson v. Insurance Co., 64 Mich. 372 (31 N. W. 291). An examination of these cases shows that in each one of them the defendant company did some act which induced the plaintiff to go to trouble or expense, without disclosing the fact that it intended to claim a forfeiture. The letters, written by defendant herein, cannot be construed as an invitation to plaintiff to act or refrain from acting to his detriment; on the contrary, we think they fully advise plaintiff that defendant intended to rely upon its legal rights. The other errors assigned have been considered, but require no discussion. The judgment is affirmed. Hooker, Moore, McAlvay, and Blair, JJ., concurred.