{ "id": 8719120, "name": "Jenkins v. International Life Insurance Company", "name_abbreviation": "Jenkins v. International Life Insurance", "decision_date": "1921-06-20", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "257", "last_page": "270", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "149 Ark. 257" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ark.", "id": 8808, "name": "Arkansas Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 34, "name_long": "Arkansas", "name": "Ark." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "44 S. W. 28", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "52 S. W. 356", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "151 Mo. 620", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mo.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "50 S. W. 519", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "140 Mo. 599", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mo.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "18 Minn. 448", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Minn.", "case_ids": [ 736614 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/minn/18/0448-01" ] }, { "cite": "51 Iowa 679", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Iowa", "case_ids": [ 2324149 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/iowa/51/0679-01" ] }, { "cite": "30 Fed. 545", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 6744109 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/f/30/0545-01" ] }, { "cite": "103 Mass. 78", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "case_ids": [ 2146240 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/mass/103/0078-01" ] }, { "cite": "8 Yt. 252", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Vt.", "case_ids": [ 8545815 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/vt/8/0252-01" ] }, { "cite": "48 Neb. 870", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Neb.", "case_ids": [ 8551161 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/neb/48/0870-01" ] }, { "cite": "67 N. W. 876", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "140 N. Y. 79", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.", "case_ids": [ 2256584 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ny/140/0079-01" ] }, { "cite": "158 Mass. 132", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "case_ids": [ 801968 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/mass/158/0132-01" ] }, { "cite": "59 N. H. 298", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.H.", "case_ids": [ 4472304 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/nh/59/0298-01" ] }, { "cite": "46 C. C. A. 393", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "C.C.A.", "weight": 3, "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "187 S. W. 265", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "129 Ark. 137", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1580431 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/129/0137-01" ] }, { "cite": "66 Ark. 612", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1909804 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/66/0612-01" ] }, { "cite": "116 Ark. 420", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1532299 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/116/0420-01" ] }, { "cite": "115 Pac. 779", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "case_ids": [ 8881958 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/okla/28/0598-01" ] }, { "cite": "94 N. W. 211", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "72 Am. Dec. 379", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "Am. Dec.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "41 S'. W. 319", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "90 U. S. 85", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 5649481 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/us/90/0085-01" ] }, { "cite": "115 Fed. 81", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 3706780 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/f/115/0081-01" ] }, { "cite": "109 Ark. 17", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1341158 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/109/0017-01" ] }, { "cite": "81 Ark. 205", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1530604 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/81/0205-01" ] }, { "cite": "83 Fed. 631", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 7853197 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/f/83/0631-01" ] }, { "cite": "23 C. C. A. 365", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "C.C.A.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "124 Ark. 505", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1554994 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/124/0505-01" ] }, { "cite": "94 Ark. 578", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1545347 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/94/0578-01" ] }, { "cite": "44 S. E. 28", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "70 Am. St. Rep. 592", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Am. St. Rep.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "32 S. E. 728", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "124 N. C. 315", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8659194 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/124/0315-01" ] }, { "cite": "107 Fed. 418", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 7852756 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f/107/0418-01" ] }, { "cite": "92 U. S. 161", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 8729 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/92/0161-01" ] }, { "cite": "167 N. W. 876", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "30 Pa. 1064", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Pa.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "8 N. J. Law, 172", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.J.L.", "case_ids": [ 16552 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/njl/8/0172-01" ] }, { "cite": "132 N. C. 542", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8660366 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/132/0542-01" ] }, { "cite": "111 Ark. 173", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1540411 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/111/0173-01" ] }, { "cite": "28 Fed. 705", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 6736554 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f/28/0705-01" ] }, { "cite": "18 W. Va. 782", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "W. Va.", "case_ids": [ 8641199 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/w-va/18/0782-01" ] }, { "cite": "103 Ark. 79", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1352015 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/103/0079-01" ] }, { "cite": "97 Ark. 567", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "91 Ark. 292", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1511742 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/91/0292-01" ] }, { "cite": "85 Ark. 217", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1523341 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/85/0217-01" ] }, { "cite": "67 Ark. 426", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1152529 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/67/0426-01" ] }, { "cite": "158 Mass. 132", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "case_ids": [ 801968 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/mass/158/0132-01" ] }, { "cite": "66 Ark. 612", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1909804 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/66/0612-01" ] }, { "cite": "124 Ark. 505", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1554994 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/124/0505-01" ] }, { "cite": "94 Ark. 578", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1545347 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/94/0578-01" ] }, { "cite": "44 S. E. 28", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1005, "char_count": 27244, "ocr_confidence": 0.502, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.2907564689206516e-07, "percentile": 0.7862188104402998 }, "sha256": "ab2ca2e9bb99fd2f3d79af0eb643c79a74a2995de2e21975c1cee596a5a4b5b6", "simhash": "1:bb7bb6569e05c60d", "word_count": 4711 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:38:49.179900+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "Jenkins v. International Life Insurance Company." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Wood, J.\nThis is an action brought by the appellant as administrator of the estate of M. E. Jenkins against the appellee on a contract of insurance on the life of M. E. Jenkins made payable to his estate. The appellant set up the policy and alleged that it insured the life of M. E. Jenkins for the sum of $3,000. He alleged the death of M. E. Jenkins, the compliance with the terms of the policy on his part, the refusal of the appellee to pay, and prayed judgment for the sum mentioned, and for penalty, attorneys\u2019 fees and costs.\nThe appellee answered, denying all the material allegations of the complaint. It tendered to appellant a note executed by M. E. Jenkins and the cash paid by him. The policy and application were introduced in evidence by the appellant. The application signed by appellant was dated February 21,1920. It contained among others the following provisions: \u201c (3) Th\u00a9 insurance herein ap-. plied for shall not be in effect until the premium has been paid in full in cash and the policy delivered to me during my good health. (4) If the premium be paid with this application, such payment is made subject to the conditions in the receipt hereto attached.\u201d The receipt attached to the application is as follows:\n\u2018 \u2018 Receipt.\n\u201cThis receipt not valid for more than first year\u2019s pre7\nmiran, nor in excess of a premium on $50,000 insurance. ..19.\n\u201cReceived from.an application for insurance on h,..life for $.on the.plan; also.dollars in cash, and note for $... due...to he applied in payment of premium on said insurance, provided a policy of insurance upon such application is issued by the company. If full cash settlement required has been made with the application, the insurance will be in force from date of approval of the completed application by the company\u2019s medical director. If said application is not approved by the company, the settlement herein acknowledged will be returned by me forthwith, upon surrender of this receipt. \u25a0\n\u201cNo conditions or agreements other than those printed herein and in the application shall be binding. Conditions on back of this receipt a part thereof same as if printed herein. \u201c.51829.\u201d\nOn the back of the receipt is the following: \u201cThe agent is not authorized to give this receipt to persons exceeding the limits of height and weight indicated in the table below, or to those who have been rejected by another company, or who are not in good health. \u2019 \u2019\nThe application contained blanks to be filled out by the soliciting agent of the appellee, one of which required him to show how, if at all, the first premium had been settled. This was filled out, and showed that the premium had been settled by note. The application was approved by the appellee\u2019s medical director on March 4.\nAmong the provisions of the policy are the following : \u201cAfter the delivery of this policy to the insured, it takes effect as of the 4th day of March, 1920. This contract of insurance shall not be deemed to have been made until the first premium is paid, and the policy delivered during the lifetime and good health of the insured.\u201d\nE. R. Winton testified that he was the soliciting agent of the appellee, and took the application of M. E. Jenkins. 'YVlien an applicant made settlement of the premium, witness signed the receipt and gave it to the applicant. In this case Jenkins made settlement by paying seventy-one cents in cash and executing his note payable to witness for the sum of $100. Witness accepted that in full settlement. Witness did not detach the receipt from the application and give it to Jenkins because they were in a hurry. The witness accepted the note unconditionally, just like he would have accepted the cash. After witness received the policy, he did not see Jenkins again before his death. When witness received the policy for delivery, it was accompained by'a letter which instructed witness to deliver the policy only during the lifetime and continued good health of the applicant, and that the signature of the applicant must he obtained showing that he was in good health. Witness never delivered the policy nor collected the note. Witness offered to return the note and the seventy-one cents to the .administrator, and he refused it. Witness returned the policy to the company on March 19. The policy sent witness for delivery was the kind of policy applied for by Jenkins.\nOn behalf of the appellee, Anthony Gazert testified that he was the manager of the policy department which has jurisdiction over applications and the writing of policies. Appellee had a form letter, \u201c7-B,\u201d one of which was sent to appellee\u2019s agent, Winton, on or about the 6th of March, 1920, together with the policy on the life of Jenkins. The records would usually show if this letter had been returned. Witness had made a careful search for it and could not find it. Winton was recalled by the appellant, and stated in addition to his former testimony that form \u201cB\u201d referred to and which he received with the policy was a kind or receipt showing that the applicant for insurance had received the policy, and that he was in good health and had had no sickness since his examination. The applicant had to state in this form letter that neither he, nor any of his family, had had influenza since his examination. It instructed witness not to deliver the policy unless witness first obtained the signature of Jenkins to the receipt form 7-B.\nAt the conclusion of the testimony the court, at the request of the appellee, instructed a verdict in its favor. Judgment was rendered in favor of the appellee dismissing appellant\u2019s complaint, and for costs, and from that judgment is this appeal.\nThe appellant contends that the contract of insurance upon which he bases his action was consummated upon the approval of the application by the company\u2019s medical director and became a complete and binding contract without the issuance and delivery of the policy. As there was no objection on the part of the appellee to the testimony adduced by the appellant, we will treat the complaint as amended to declare upon an oral contract of insurance, such as appellant 'contends was evidenced by the documentary and oral testimony in the case. Bank of Malvern v. Burton, 67 Ark. 426; Wrought Iron Range Co. v. Young, 85 Ark. 217; Griffin v. Anderson-Tulley Co., 91 Ark. 292; Pulaski Gas Light Co. v. McClintock, 97 Ark. 567; Oakleaf Mill Co. v. Cooper, 103 Ark. 79; Aetna Ins. Co. v. Short, 124 Ark. 505.\nThere was no completed contract of insurance' under those provisions of the application and the policy to the effect that the insurance shall not be in force until the payment of the premium and the delivery of the policy while the assured was in good health. The general doctrine is that contracts of insurance may be made by parol, and, such being the case, of course delivery of the policy is not essential to the completion of the contract of insurance; and where the minds of the insured and the insurer for a valuable consideration have met upon all the terms of the contract, the contract is complete and enforceable, even though it was intended by the parties to be evidenced by a policy, but which because of some fortuity was not delivered before the death of the insured. Mutual Life Ins. Co. v. Parrish, 66 Ark. 612; 1 Cooley\u2019s Briefs, 442 (a), 395 (d), 396, and cases cited in note: Aetna Ins. Co. v. Short, 124 Ark., supra; 25 Cyc. 716 (a). But of course the parties may agree, as a condition precedent to a complete and enforceable contract of insurance; not only that there shall be a delivery of the policy, hut also a delivery while the insured is in good health. McGully v. Phoenix Life Ins. Co., 18 W. Va. 782; Kohen v. Mutual Reserve Fund Life Assn., 28 Fed. 705; 1 Cooley\u2019s Briefs, 444, 445, and other cases there cited. See Nat. Life Ins. Co. v. Speer, 111 Ark. 173.\nThe liability or nonliability of the appellee turns upon the meaning of the following clause in the receipt, towit: \u201cIf full cash settlement required has been made with the application, the insurance will be in force from date of approval of the completed application by the company\u2019s medical director.\u201d It is the usual, and so far as we know the universal, practice of life insurance companies not to issue policies of insurance except upon approval of the application therefor by a medical examiner or director as the case may be. The issuance of the policy on the 5th of March upon precisely the terms called for in the application, and, as .shown by the recitals in the policy, for the premium mentioned therein, and which policy was to take effect when delivered as of the 4th day of March, were facts tending to prove that the completed application was approved by the company\u2019s medical director. The policy was registered and secured as required by the insurance department of Missouri. It occurs to us that these facts raised a presumption, and were sufficient to constitute, at least, a prima facie showing, that the completed application had been approved by the company\u2019s medical director. These facts made a case for the jury on that issue and shifted the burden to the appellee to show to the contrary.\nIn O\u2019Grier v. Mutual Life Ins. Co., 132 N. C. 542, 44 S. E. 28. it is held: \u201cThe issuance of the policy is acceptance of the application and should be based upon the status at the time the application is made.\u201d\nThe undisputed testimony shows that the appellee\u2019s agent accepted a promissory note of $100.71 in cash in settlement of the first premium \u201cjust like he would have accepted the cash,\u201d\nThe only remaining inquiry, therefore, is, was ap-pellee\u2019s agent authorized to accept part cash and a promissory note for the balance in full cash settlement of the premium as required by the above clause of the receipt? The application and the receipt each contain provisions which show that the receipt must be considered in connection with and as a part of the application. The application contained the following provision: \u201cIf the premium be paid with this application, such payment is made subject to the conditions in the receipt hereto attached.\u201d The receipt contained the following provision: \u201cNo conditions or agreements other than those printed herein and in the application shall be binding.\u201d\nThe policy, having been issued and sent to the ap-pellee\u2019s agent to be delivered on certain conditions, was also competent evidence, and its provisions in regard to the payment of the first premium should also be considered in connection with the above provisions of the application and receipt to determine the meaning of the clause in the receipt quoted. After considering the various provisions of the application, the policy, the receipt and the oral testimony of the appellee\u2019s agent who conducted the negotiations for the appellee, we have reached the conclusion that the agent had no authority to accept a promissory note as \u201ccash\u201d in compliance with the \u201cfull cash settlement\u201d required by the above clause to make a complete and binding oral contract of insurance. '\n\u201cThe fact that an agent has authority to collect premiums does not imply that he has authority to accept property or anything but cash in the payment of premiums.\u201d 2 Cooley\u2019s Briefs on the Law of Insurance, page 96, and cases cited. To so construe the words \u201cfull cash settlement\u201d would obliterate all distinction between the word \u201ccash\u201d as it is defined by lexicographers and commonly understood, and the word \u201cnote,\u201d or any other property that the agent might see proper to accept as cash in settlement .of the premium. Such interpretation would also destroy the difference in meaning between the words \u201ccash\u201d and \u201cnote\u201d appearing in the receipt. These words have an entirely different meaning and as nsed in the receipt were intended to perform an entirely different function. \u2018 \u2018 Cash \u201d is \u201c current money in hand \u2014 money paid down. \u201d \u201c Note \u201d is \u201c a written promise to pay money.\u201d Webster\u2019s New International and Funk & Wagnall\u2019s Diets. If the words \u201ccash\u201d and \u201cnote\u201d do not have a different signification as used in the receipt, then it was wholly unnecessary to use the word \u201c cash\u201d at all in the clause under review, because \u201cfull settlement\u201d would have embraced either a \u201ccash\u201d settlement or a settlement by \u201cnote,\u201d or both. \u201cA note is an agreement to pay money; it can not be treated as cash.\u201d Pierce v. Bryant, 5 Allen (Mass.), 91-93; Cox v. State Bank of Trenton, 8 N. J. Law, 172; Dazet v. Laundry, 30 Pa. 1064.\nIn insurance terminology, the words \u201ccash\u201d and \u201cnote\u201d are not used synonymously, and where these words are used in insurance contracts or negotiations, they should be given effect according to their ordinary meaning. The authority of the agent in this case must be determined by the terms of the receipt, as he had no authority to bind the company to a contract of insurance contrary to the express terms of the receipt. Therefore, if the word \u2018 \u2018 cash\u2019 \u2019 in the clause under review means \u201ccash\u201d and not \u201cnote,\u201d the settlement of the premium in the manner disclosed by this record was ultra vires. State v. Moore, 167 N. W. 876, Hoffman v. Hancock Mutual Life Ins. Co., 92 U. S. 161-164.\nIn Dunham v. Morse, 158 Mass. 132, A, in order to obtain insurance upon his life at once, instead of waiting for the action of the insurance company on his application, gave a promissory note for the amount of the premium payable to B, an agent of the company, who signed and delivered 'to A a contract purporting to give such insurance, which was expressed to be subject to certain conditions printed on the back, one of which was that the contract was not valid unless the premium was \u201cactually paid in cash.\u201d B tendered the poliev to A, but the latter would not receive it and repudiated the contract. In an action by B against A upon the note, the court held that the note was without consideration. Among other things the court said: \u201cIf this premium was not paid in cash, the contract of insurance was not binding on the company. * # * \u201d The insurance company had no knowledge that the defendant had not paid his premium in cash, and did not waive the condition printed on the back of the contract. They might be willing to allow their agent to bind them by a contract if he received the premium in cash, even though he was permitted to deposit it in his own bank account, when they would not be willing to be bound on his promise to pay them if he had no cash, but only a promissory note, as his reliance for the means of performing his promise.\u201d\nIn Mutual Reserve Fund Life Assn. v. Simmons, 107 Fed. 418-424, it is said: \u201cAside from any statutory regulations a life' insurance company has a direct interest in maintaining the solvency of its agents, through whom large sums are often transmitted to or from it. It has therefore a direct interest in prohibiting them from involving themselves by incautious credits for amounts for which they, the agents, are kolden responsible in cash and from loading themselves with unavailable assets with reference to any sum for which they must account.\u201d\nWhere an insurance agent has authority to solicit applications for insurance and to conduct the negotiations on the part of the company in closing up an insurance contract, unless such agent\u2019s authority is limited as to the time and mode of payment of premiums, he may accept notes or cash or both. \u201cWhen no special mode of payment is stipulated for, any mode of payment which is accepted without objection on the part of the insurers \u2022or their agent will suffice.\u201d 2 May on Insurance, \u00a7 345; 1 Joyce on the Law of Insurance, \u00a7 80 (a), p. 293, and cases cited in notes. Now, when the provisions of the application, the policy, and the receipt in regard to the payment of premiums are considered, it is clear that two modes were specified for the payment of premiums. By the one method there is no completed contract of insurance until the premium is paid in cash in full, or by cash and note, and until the policy has been issued and delivered while the applicant is in good health. By the other method, the one adopted by the agent and the applicant in this case, the insurance took effect immediately upon the approval of the completed application by the company\u2019s medical director, regardless of whether the policy had been issued and delivered or not.\nBy the one method which we will call the \u201cfirst,\u201d the premium must be paid \u201cin full in cash\u201d and the policy must be delivered while the applicant is in good health. But the first part of the receipt shows that the agent is authorized to waive the full payment in cash and to accept in payment of the premium part cash and a note for the residue. Where the agent and the applicant adopt this, the first method, if the company issues the policy and same is delivered to the assured, it will be conclusively presumed, in the absence of fraud, that the requirement of full \u201ccash\u201d payment was waived, and that the policy was delivered during the good health of the applicant. The insurance will then be in full force and effect from the date of the policy. O'Grier v. Mutual Life Ins. Co., supra.; Kendrick v. Ins. Co., 124 N. C. 315, 32 S. E. 728, 70 Am. St. Rep. 592. See Home Fire Ins. Co. v. Stancill, 94 Ark. 578; American Trust Co. v. Life Ins. Co., 92 S. E. (Va.) 706.\nBy the other, the \u201csecond\u201d, method, there must be a full \u201ccash\u201d settlement of the premium with the application. If there is, and the company\u2019s medical director approves the completed application, then the' insurance takes effect and becomes a completed contract as of the date of such approval. It will be observed that the word \u201ccash\u201d has the same signification, whether the \u201cfirst\u201d or \u201csecond\u201d method be adopted, and there is no conflict between the provisions of the application, the policy, and the receipt concerning the payment of the premium.\n' \"We are not confronted \"with any, issue'of Waiver) nr estoppel1 hy course of conduct on' the part of' appellee,; because there is ho evidence upon which'to predicate such* issue'?. Under the first method above outlined) while the premium was paid, there was no delivery of the policy\" and\u2019hence no completed contract of insurance! \u2018 'Under' the secbnd method, while there was \"evidence tending to prove that the completed, application was approved by- the! appellee\u2019s medical director, there was no. payment iof the premium, and hence no completed contract. Therefore, the appellee is not,liable, either under, thelalle-g\u00e1tions of , the original complaint, or ) the' complaint treated as amended to conform to the proof. . , ')/ j\n)The judgment of the trial court so holding was correct) and it is afiirmed.^ ,, '/)", "type": "majority", "author": "Wood, J." } ], "attorneys": [ ".W. E. Spence and Oliver & Oliver, for.appellant.", "M. P. Huddleston and Chas. G. Revelle, for ap-pellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "Jenkins v. International Life Insurance Company.\nOpinion delivered June 20, 1921.\n1. Appeal and error \u2014 amendment of complaint to conform to proof. \u2014 In an action on a written policy of life insurance, where testimony tending to prove an oral, instead of a written, contract of insurance was introduced without objection, the complaint will be treated as amended to declare on such oral contract. .\n2. Insurance \u2014 delivery of policy. \u2014 Since contracts of insurance may be made by parol, delivery of the policy is not essential to the completion of the contract.\n3. Insurance \u2014 when contract complete. \u2014 -Where the minds of the insured and the insurer for a valuable consideration have met upon all the terms of the contract,. it is complete and enforceable, even though it was intended by the parties to be evidenced by a policy which by some fortuity was not delivered before the death of the insured.\n4. INSURANCE \u2014 DELIVERY OF POLICY DURING GOOD HEALTH. \u2014 The parties to a contract of life insurance may .agree, as a condition precedent to a complete and enforceable contract of insurance, not only that there shall he a delivery of the policy, hut also a delivery while the insured is in good health.\n5. Insurance \u2014 approval of application by medical director. \u2014 In view of the practice of life insurance companies not to issue policies except upon approval of the application therefor by a medical examiner or director, the issuance of a policy on the terms called for in the application and for the premium therein mentioned, and providing that it was to take effect as of the day previous, and the fact that the policy was registered and secured as required by the insurance department of another State, \u25a0 , made a prima facie showing that the application had been approved by the medical director, and made a ease for the jury on that issue. (i!\n6. Insurance \u2014 premium receipt as part of application. \u2014 Where , an application for life insurance provided that, if the premium ,, \u2019 be paid with the application, such payment is made .subject to 1:1 the conditions in the attached receipt, and the receipt provided \u25a0 \u25a0 > that no conditions or agreements other than those printed therein \u2019 ',i,\u2018and in the application should be binding, the receipt must be considered in connection with, and as a part of, the application.\n7. Insurance \u2014 undelivered policy as evidence. \u2014 A policy of insurance which has been issued and sent to the insurer\u2019s agent to delivered on certain conditions, among which was that it should not take effect until the first premium was paid and the policy delivered to the insured while in good health, was com- : v petent evidence to be considered, in connection with the appli- . . 'patiop and receipt, in determining when the insurance was to take ,, effect.\n8,i- Insurance \u2014 payment by note in lieu of cash. \u2014 Where an ap-plicatibn for life insurance provided that the insurance should not take effect until the premiums had been paid in full in cash ,, - and the policy delivered to insured while in good health, and that (.if.the .premium was paid with the application the payment was to be subject to the conditions in an attached receipt, and the ..receipt provided that, if a full settlement has been made with ,the application, the insurance would be in force from the date of approval of the application by the medical director, payment i \u2019 partly by cash and partly by note was not such a full cash set- \" (tlemej}tt as was required to make the insurance effective from the approval of the application.\n-:9., {\u2022) InSpRANCE-rATJTHORITY OF, AGENT, IN .AGOEETilNG (?AY,T\u00cdIENTi CRtPRE-0(li Miujffl. \u2014 Where an insurance agenj;. has, aj^th.ori^,\u00a3o, solicit applications for insurance and'to conduct the ..negotiations,inuclos-mg up an insurance contract, he may accept notes or cash or ,\" ' !bo\u201cth, unless-,'his authority* is limited-as to the \"tim\u00e9\u00a1 and \u00bflode of .payrpent of the premiums. , ... ai>.\n.10/) I\u00f1suRa\u00f1Ge-^when. contract 'COMP\u00bfETEn.-HWher\u00e9 an application for.-life.{insurance:provided,that.,the. insurance shpuld;iiot\u00a1 he.?i]n eifect until the premium had been paid in full in. cash, and \u00a1the policy delivered to the insured during good health, and that such paynient was made subject to the conditions -in an1 attached re--\u2022niri'ceipt/which provided ,for payment by cash, or-notes,\" arid'that, If a .full cash settlement had been made-with the, \u00abapplication,,1: the insurance,-\u00a1should, bp in force, .from, .the, date of, japprpvab of the , application' by the medical director, the policy wpul&become, ef-fe'ctive either (1)' when th\u00e9 premium was,.paid in full in\u2019cash i; with the 'application on the approval of!the application 'by'*the ' \u2022 medical. \u25a0 director, or (2) \u25a0 when \u2022 payment of -the premium - was j,partly\u00a1 or. wholly, by note'-on delivery..of. the policy*while th'e i, , {applicant was, in good health., ... , - , \u25a0 i;\n. -. Appeal from. Clay Circuit Court, Eastern: District ; 11. H. Dudley, Judge:\naffirmed:\n.W. E. Spence and Oliver & Oliver, for.appellant.\n:iu! 1. The contract of insurance,,(according; to its .express terms, wa\u00ae complete and in force from the- date (if its approval by the company\u2019s medical director and- binding, and the company was .without, power or right to modify, ..cliange or attach further .conditions- to. the contractor,to the delivp\u2014 of the policy, The contract ;was consummated., 66 Arki 612; 40 N- J. L. ,103 ,1 Bacon on Ben. Scjc., \u00a7 2-72, .p. 538y Cooley\u2019s Bjriefs on .Ins.,, p. 442 (a) and cases cited; lb. 451 (f), 453-,(g)...; - - >,,\n2. The issuance of.a policy,of, insurance is,acceptance and an approval -of the application for insurance. 44 S. E. 28, , , , - . ; . .. , \u201e '! \" '\n3. If policies of insurance contain inconsistent .provisions or are,^o.framed as to be fairly open fo construction, that view- should bo adopted, .if tpossib'le,, which would sustain rather than forfeit the contract. 102.-Ark. 1. It should be most strongly construed against, the inr surance company. 113 Ark,-174,;- 58, J1-- 528, ,;,The acceptance by an insurer of the insured\u2019s note for the first premium hinds the company. Cooley\u2019s Briefs on Ins., p. 586 (e); 94 Ark. 578.\nA contract of insurance may he by parol. 25' Cyc. 716 A; Cooley\u2019s Briefs on Ins. 395 (d)-396-7; 124 Ark. 505; 49 U. S. App. 548; 23 C. C. A. 365; 83 Fed. 631. Signature is not always essential to bind an agreement. 13 C. J., \u00a7 128.\n4. Where correct answers are given by an applicant for insurance \u00e1nd the agent, through fraud, mistake or negligence, writes them incorrectly, the company is estopped to take advantage of the wrongful act of its agent. Cooley\u2019s Briefs on Ins. 2555 et seq.; 81 Ark. 205. The authority of the agent to take and fill out applications for insurance requires him to do everything needed to perfect the policy. A practical construction given to the construction of a contract by an insurer in his dealings with the insured will be accepted by the courts. Cooley\u2019s'Briefs on Ins. 643 (k); 109 Ark. 17-23.\nThe application, receipt and note for the first premium make a complete contract. Cooley\u2019s Briefs on Ins. 413 (c); 115 Fed. 81. See, also, 90 \u00da. S. 85; 41 S'. W. 319; 72 Am. Dec. 379; 94 N. W. 211; 99 Id. 130; 115 Pac. 779; Cooley\u2019s Briefs on Ins., p. 42S (i).\nHere the terms of the proposition expressly provide that the insurance shall be in force from the date of the approval of the application. The judgment should be reversed, and, as the case is fully developed, judgment should be entered here for appellant. 116 Ark. 420.\nM. P. Huddleston and Chas. G. Revelle, for ap-pellee.\nIt is permissible and perfectly lawful for parties to agree to the payment of the first premium and delivery and acceptance of the policy conditions of the contract. Until this is done, there is no contract. 66 Ark. 612; Cooley\u2019s Briefs on Ins. 2555, 643 (k), 413 (c). Without assent or mutual meeting of minds, there can be no con-traqt, 9Q U. g. 85; 129 Ark. 137; 187 S. W. 265, Anote is not cash, and the first payment was not made. 46 C. C. A. 393; 92 U. S.161; 104 Id. 18 ; 59 N. H. 298; 158 Mass. 132; 140 N. Y. 79; 67 N. W. 876; 48 Neb. 870; 8 N. J. L. (3 Halst.) 172; 30 Pao. 1064; 136 IT. S. 257; 36 Pa. (12 Casey) 204. See, also, 8 Yt. 252. See, also, 46 C. C. A. 393; 103 Mass. 78; 30 Fed. 545; 28 Id. 705; 51 Iowa 679; 18 Minn. 448; 140 Mo. 599; 50 S. W. 519; 151 Mo. 620; 52 S. W. 356.\nTo be effective, an acceptance of an application for insurance must be in the very terms offered. 14 R. C. L., p. 71; 44 S. W. 28. Under the evidence there was no approved of the application, and the policy was not binding on appellee." }, "file_name": "0257-01", "first_page_order": 283, "last_page_order": 296 }