{ "id": 8576017, "name": "AMERICAN NATIONAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY v. JOHN M. GIBBS, trading and doing business as GIBBS-WOOD TRANSPORT COMPANY, and THE FIDELITY & CASUALTY COMPANY OF NEW YORK", "name_abbreviation": "American National Fire Insurance v. Gibbs", "decision_date": "1963-12-19", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "681", "last_page": "688", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "260 N.C. 681" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "115 N.C. 38", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8651197 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/115/0038-01" ] }, { "cite": "128 N.C. 150", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8658992 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/128/0150-01" ] }, { "cite": "84 S.E. 852", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "168 N.C. 537", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8661305 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/168/0537-01" ] }, { "cite": "193 S.E. 661", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "212 N.C. 337", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8609042 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/212/0337-01" ] }, { "cite": "15 N.C. 360", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11276616 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/15/0360-01" ] }, { "cite": "34 N.C. 267", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8690359 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/34/0267-01" ] }, { "cite": "82 S.E. 875", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "166 N.C. 532", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11270420 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/166/0532-01" ] }, { "cite": "9 S.E. 2d 399", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "217 N.C. 644", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8614933 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/217/0644-01" ] }, { "cite": "96 S.E. 2d 703", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "245 N.C. 503", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8614020 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/245/0503-01" ] }, { "cite": "116 S.E. 2d 474", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "253 N.C. 74", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8622560 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/253/0074-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 854, "char_count": 18568, "ocr_confidence": 0.386, "pagerank": { "raw": 3.817818900402608e-07, "percentile": 0.8981699319149494 }, "sha256": "3095078dc64b2adcc63ec1fe24049366053e164b3b422123fadb724eb41093d5", "simhash": "1:b05f8930c329dafa", "word_count": 3047 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:49:29.885963+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "AMERICAN NATIONAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY v. JOHN M. GIBBS, trading and doing business as GIBBS-WOOD TRANSPORT COMPANY, and THE FIDELITY & CASUALTY COMPANY OF NEW YORK." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "RodmaN, J.\nDefendant Gibbs was, on and prior to 1 April 1951, a motor .carrier holding motor carrier certificate C-422, issued by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. He did busineiss under the name of \u201cGibbs-Wood Transport Company.\u201d\nOn 1 April 1951 plaintiff issued to Gibbs-Wood Transport Company its policy of insurance 9567. The policy 'declares its purpose is \u201cto. indemnify the Assured, for loss or damage from perils hereinafter defined, arising from its legal liability as a carrier and/or bailee under bills of lading and/or shipping receipts issued by the Assured on shipments of lawful goods \u2018and/or merchandise consisting principally of General Commodities .and Unmanufactured Tobacco.\u201d The perils against which plaintiff assured Gibbs protection were for loiss or damage to shipments caused by (a) fire, (b) perils of the .sea, (c) collision, meaning .thereby the violent and accidental contact o.f the conveyance with any other automobile, vehicle, or object, (d) overturning of the transporting conveyance, (e) collapse of bridges and culverts, (f) flood, (g) cyclone .and tornado, (h) theft of an entire shipping package.\nThe policy contains these additional pertinent provisions: \u201cSUB-ROGATION \u2014 In all .cases of loss, the assured shall, at the request of said Company or -its agents, assign and subrogate .all their rights and claims .against others to said Company at time of payment to an amount not exceeding the sum paid by this Company. This Company is not \u00a1liable for any loss which, without \u2018their consent, has been settled or compromised with others, -who may -be liable 'therefor.\u201d\n\u201cNOTICE AND PROOF OF LOSS \u2014 Loss, if any, under this policy to be reported as -soon as practicable with full particulars to the Company \u00a1or its Agent. The .assured \u00a9hall file with the Company or its Agent, a detailed \u00a1sworn proof of loss within ninety days from date of loss. Failure by the assured either to report \u00a1said loss or damage or to file such written proofs of loss as above provided, or as required by law, shall invalidate any claim under this policy.\u201d\n\u201cSUIT AGAINST COMPANY \u2014 It is a condition of this policy that no suit, \u00a1action or proceeding for the recovery of any claim under this policy shall be maintainable in .any court of law or equity unless the same be commenced within twelve (12) months next .after the time a cause of action for the loss accrues. Provided, 'however, that if by the law\u00a9 of the \u00a1state within which this policy is issued such limitation is invalid, than (sic) any such claim .shall be void unless such notion, suit or proceeding -be commenced within, .the shortest limit of time permitted by tiie laws of such istate, to. 'be fixed .herein.\n\u201cSUIT AGAINST OTHERS BY ASSURED \u2014 It is expressly agreed that upon the payment of any loss or advancement or loan of moneys concerning the same, that the assured will at the request and expense oif the Company .and through such counsel ais the Company may designate, make claim upon and institute legal proceedings against any carrier, bailee, or 'Other parties believed to. be liable for such loss, and will use all .proper and reasonable means to recover the same.\u201d\nAttached to .the policy issued by plaintiff are two endorsement\u00ae. These bear the same date als the policy. One is captioned: \u201cENDORSEMENT FOR MOTOR COMMON CARRIER POLICIES OF INSURANCE FOR CARGO LIABILITY UNDER SECTION 215 OF THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT.\u201d The other is entitled: \u201cENDORSEMENT FOR MOTOR COMMON CARRIER POLICIES OF INSURANCE FOR CARGO LIABILITY UNDER SECTION 19 OF THE NORTH CAROLINA TRUCK ACT OF 1947.\u201d The language of the endorsements -is substantially identical. Each recites that .it is intended to. aslsure .compliance with the provisions of a designated .statute. The endorsements obligated plaintiff to- pay within the limits of liability to any shipper or consignee \u201cfor all loss of or damage to -all property belonging to sudh shipper or consignee, and coming into the possession of the insured .in connection with its transportation) service, for which loss or damage the insured may foe held legally liable . . .\u201d The endorsement with respect to. the North Carolina statute limited plaintiff\u2019s liability for losses occurring \u201con the route or in the territory authorized to. be served by the insured or elsewhere within the borders of the State of North Carolina.\u201d The endorsement conforming to. the federal statute contains no provision with respect to the aa-ea in which liability may be incurred. Each endorsement contains this language: \u201cThe insured agrees to. reimburse the Company for any payment made by the- Company on. account of any loss or damage involving a breach off the -terms, oif the policy and for any payment that the Company would not have been obligated to make under the provisions oif the policy, except for the agreement contained in this endorsement.\u201d\nPrior to 25 January 1952 defendant -Gibbs, doing business as Gibbs-Wood Transpo.rt Company, and New Dixie Lines, Inc., filed a petition with \u00a1the North Carolina Utilities Commission seeking Commission approval for the sale of Gibbs\u2019 franchise rights, his motor equipment, and certain real estate owned by him. A bearing wia\u00ae had on this petition on 25 January 1952. The Commission gave its approval to the sale by oirder -dated 29 January 1952. It recites in its order ith-att Gibbs-testified: \u201c. . . ihe wais familiar with the p-ro-visionis of Section 22 o-f the North Carolina Truck Act wherein -a Vendor -must satisfy all debts aod claims of \u00a1which su-ch -seller has any knowledge or notice- and to the effect that -the list of debts and claims offered -in evidence as Petitioner\u2019s Exhibit 42 was a true and -accurate -statement, such list 'being .claims in the amount of $2,988.95 for Loss or Damage -o.f goods transported -or received -for transportation, and that Vendor wais in a position to furnish -bond in double the aggregate of such -debts and claims as required by Section 22 of the Act.\u201d The Cam-mission, in -approving the sale, sai-d: \u201cUpon full -consideration -of the petition, the contract, and representations made to- the Commission and the -bond filed with the Commission in amount -double the aggregate of -all the Loss or Damage Claims -o-f which the Vendor -hais knowledge, the- Commission finds no reason why the proposed .sale -and transfer should not be -approved insofar -as the Commission is authorized to do so- under the provisions -o-f General Statute 62-107.\u201d\nOn the date the -Commission authorized Gibb-s -to- sell to New Dixie, Fidelity and Gibbs executed the bond to the State -of North Carolina in the sum of $6,000, conditioned in this language: \u201cWhereas John M. Gibbs, the principal herein, \u00a1applied -to the Utilities Commission of the State of North Carolina for permission to -sell or transfer to New Dixie Lines, Incorporated, of Richmond, Virginia, the franchise granted it by said Utilities -Commission, and\n\u201cWHEREAS, There are still -certain -outstanding claims for 1-oiss -and damage to property previously transported by the principal.\n\u201cNOW THEREFORE, if the said John -Gibbis sh-a-ll pay all -sum-s as .specified by Section 22 of the North Carolina Truck Act of 1947, then this obligation shall -be null -and void; otherwise -to ,be and remain in full force -and effect.\u201d\nThe court found: \u201cFrom April 1951 to January 1952, the 'defendant -Gibbs had various claims made -against him .by shippers or consignees f-or loss or damage to- goods. Beginning in late February 1952, until January 20, 1953, the -defendant Gibbis .sent these various claims to the p-lain-tiff for payment. Commencing -on March 19, 1952, and ending on July 6, 1953, the -plaintiff paid .to- the various shippers on -account off the claims referred to -in this paragraph a -total o-f $2,958.93.\u201d He found as a fact that none of -the losses for .which payment was made by plaintiff were caused by the perils .specifically enumerated in the policy but were made pursuant to- the provisions o-f the -endorsements as required by sec. 19 of the Truck Act of 1947 .-and by the Interstate Commerce Act.\nBefore considering plaintiff's claim against Fidelity, it is necessary to ascertain if there i\u00a9 error in the judgment as it relates to tire defendant Gibbs.\nThie rights and obligations of Gibbs and plaintiff were fixed by contract. It is not suggested that this contract is1 contrary to public policy or contravenes 'any statute.\nWhen we look at the contract -to determine the rights of the parties, it is immediately apparent -that it is divided into two separate and distinct parts: The first by express language \u201cinsures\u201d Gibbs, i.e., \u201cassures\u201d him against loss resulting from the perils there expressly enumerated. That portion of the contract is a clear contract of insurance. G.S. 58-3; 44 C.J.S. 471; 29 Am. Jur. 433; Webster's 3rd Int. Dic. 1173.\nThe second portion of the agreement is not a contract insuring Gibbs. It does not purport to afford him protection. It agrees to1 pay shippers\u2019 or consignees\u2019 claims which they could asisart against Gibbs \u25a0by reason of his contract of carriage. Not only does plaintiff not obligate itself to save Giblbs -from loss with respect to these claims, but Giblbs expressly agrees to reimburse plaintiff for any payments made by it pursuant to the endorsements, i.e., the second portion of the contract. Plaintiff became a surety on Gibbs\u2019 obligations arising from hi\u00a9 contracts of carriage.\nThe insuring portion of the contract, by express language, required tire \u201cassured,\u201d Gibbs, to file proof of loss with the \u201ccompany,\u201d plaintiff, within ninety days of the loss to impose any obligation on the company. This provision is valid. Giblbs couid'oot recover for losses sustained ais provided in the policy of insurance unless he complied with this provision. Muncie v. Ins. Co., 253 N.C. 74, 116 S.E. 2d 474; Boyd v. Ins. Co., 245 N.C. 503, 96 S.E. 2d 703; 29 A Am. Jur. 491.\nPlaintiff alleged and defendant Gibb\u00a9 'admitted that in February 1952 he began to send claims to plaintiff for lost or damaged goods transported by him. These claims' were forwarded1 without any information with respect to the cause of loss or damage and without any assertion that plaintiff was obligated to pay because of the insuring provisions oif the contract. Plaintiff, in acknowledging receipt of the first batch of these claims which Gibbs requested it to pay, called attention to the provision of the endorsement obligating Gibbs to> reimburse it for payments made pursuant to that portion of the contract. It expressly denied that 'any of the claims filed represented losses resulting from the perils enumerated in the insuring part of the contract. The letter concluded with the statement that plaintiff would \u201clook to you for reimbursement of the full amount paid to> claimants' by virtue of the common earner endorsement, including all expenses incurred in so doing.\u201d Thereafter -and -without protest so- far as the record discloses, Gibbs continued to sand -claims -o-f shipper\u00a9 or consignees to plaintiff for payment.\nThe evidence is sufficient to sustain the -court's findings that the claims paid for which plaintiff -seeks reimbursement were not within \u00a1the insuring portion -of the contract and that no- proof of loss had been filed as required- by the insuring portion of the contract.\nWas Plaintiff\u2019s right to recover from Gibbs the payments- mad-e at his request barred by the contractual provisions of the policy? If not, was it barred \u00a1by the three-year- statute of limitations? Each question must be answered in- the negative. The 'contractual provision limiting to twelve months the time in which suits must 'be 'brought -is by express language limited to \u201csuits against Company.\u201d It applies -only to- insured losses, i.e., losses arising from the enumerated perils. It has no \u00a1application to suits iby plaintiff -against Gibib-s for payments mad-e at his request, -and which he promised to- repay.\nDefendants -contend plaintiff stands in the shoes of the claimants it paid, and for that reason the lapse of time which would h-ave barred claimants\u2019 right of action against Gibbs likewise bars plaintiff\u2019\u00a9 claim against Gibbs.\nDefendants misapprehend the law. A surety who, pursuant to- his contractual -obEgati-on, pay\u00a9 the debt of his -principal has a right of action to recover the sum so paid. The principal is not obligated to- his surety -until his surety has mad-e a payment. The surety\u2019s right of action accrues at the time of payment, not ibef-ore. Plaintiff\u2019s cause o-f action was not -barred, because all -payments were made by it within three years of the institution of this action. Saieed v. Abeyounis, 217 N.C. 644, 9 S.E. 2d 399; Pritchard v. R.R., 166 N.C. 532, 82 S.E. 875; Deaver v. Carter, 34 N.C. 267; Sherrod v. Woodard, 15 N.C. 360; 54 C.J.S. 107.\nThe bond given by -defendant Fidelity wias conditioned on Gibb-s\u2019 payment of \u201call sums as specified \u00a1by section 22 of the North Carolina Truck Act of 1947.\u201d The -statute referred to- is now codified as G.S. 62-121.26. It requires- as -a condition precedent to Commission\u2019\u00a9 approval of the sale of a motor carrier\u2019s franchise a bond from the seller -conditioned for the payment of (1) taxes, (2) wages due employees of tihe-seller, (3) unxemitted G.O.D. \u00a9o-l-lactio-ns due seller, (4) \u201cfor loss or damage of goods transported or received for -transportation-,\u201d (5) overcharge on property -transported, -and (6) for interline- accounts to -other carriers.\nPlaintiff as surety was -obligated to only one -class of Gibbs\u2019 creditors \u2014those -having -claims originating from a contract o-f -carriage. Fidelity ais surety was 'obligated for six .classes. The fourth class, for which Fidelity obligated itself, was the identical .class for which plaintiff was obligated. Amy claimant asserting a loss resulting from Gibbs\u2019 'breach of his contract of .carriage could have required plaintiff or Fidelity to pay the loss. Plaintiff and Fidelity were, as to such claimants, co-sureties.\nEquity and law (G.S. 26-5) afford a right to one surety, who has paid- a debt for which he and another are equally .liable, to call on the other for contribution. Adams v. Adams, 212 N.C. 337, 193 S.E. 661; Fowle v. McLean, 168 N.C. 537, 84 S.E. 852; Smith v. Carr, 128 N.C. 150; Peebles v. Gay, 115 N.C. 38.\nBut plaintiff 'does not seek toi hold Fidelity obligated ten 'contribute its share of the .monies expended by plaintiff in discharging obligations for which both were liable. What it seeks is in effect the right to make Fidelity pay the sum\u00a9 loaned or advanced for Gibbs to. 'discharge hi:s debts. Plaintiff\u2019s contention .that when it .paid 'claimants, it became an assignee of their rights which it could enforce is, for the reason given in denying defendant's plea of the statute of limitations, not well founded. Fidelity did not, by statutory requirement or (the language of its bond, obligate itself to indemnify Gibbs or his other surety.\nTire case was not tried or .argued on .the theory that Fidelity was a cosurety and hence required .to- contribute. Plaintiff has failed to establish the asserted liability of Fidelity.\nA\u00a9 to defendant Gibbs. \u2014 Affirmed.\nAs to defendant Fidelity \u2014 -Reversed.", "type": "majority", "author": "RodmaN, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Joyner & Howison by W. T. Joyner, Jr., for plaintiff appellee.", "Vaughan S. Winborne for defendant appellant Gibbs.", "Vaughan S. Winborne for defendant appellant Fidelity \u2022& Casualty Company of New York." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "AMERICAN NATIONAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY v. JOHN M. GIBBS, trading and doing business as GIBBS-WOOD TRANSPORT COMPANY, and THE FIDELITY & CASUALTY COMPANY OF NEW YORK.\n(Filed 19 December 1963.)\n1. Insurance \u00a7 3; Principal and Surety \u00a7 1\u2014\nThat part of a contract under which a company agrees to indemnify the assured for loss or damage from perils therein defined, with provision for subrogaitian of tibe company to ifche light of assured against third persons, ecmatitutes a contract of insuranoe, GjS. 58-3; while that pant of the contract under which the company obligates itself to pay to any sMpp\u2018er or consignee, claims for Which the assured would he Bable by provision of statute (G.S. 62-121.26), with stipulation that the assured should reimburse the company for any such payment, is ia surety contract.\n2. Insurance \u00a7 87; Principal and Surety \u00a7 2\u2014\nTthe agreement in this case contained a contract insuring a carrier from loss by fire and theft, etc., and also a contract of suretyship in regard to claims of third person\u00ae under statutory provision (G.S. 62-121.26). Held: Provision\u00ae of thie \u00e1nsiurance contract that action be commenced within a specified time are not applicable to claims under the surety contract, and the surety\u2019s right of 'action for reimbursement of claims of third person\u00ae paid by it doe\u00ae not arise until such payment, and action brought within three years of such payment is not barred either under the contract or by the three year statute of limitations.\n8. Principal and Surety \u00a7 10\u2014\nWhere two sureties are liable for claims of third persons under provision of statute (GjS. 62-121.26) against the principal, the surety paying the entire claim may sue the other for contribution, but the cosurety is not liable, either under the 'bond or under the statute, for the entire amount, there being neither contractual nor statutory liability for indemnity.\nAppeals by defendants from Bickett, J., March Assigned 1961 Civil Session oi WaKe.\nThis \u00abotion was begun by the issuance of summons on 14 March 1955.\nPlaintiff seeks to recover from defendants the sum of $2,958.93 with interest from 30 May 1953. It 'alleges it disbursed that sum to creditors of defendant Gibbs at his request and to 'comply with the terms of its contract with -Gibbs.\nLiability of The Fidelity & Casualty Company oif New York, hereafter Fidelity, is asserted by reason of a bond dated 29 January 1952 for the sum of $6,000, payable to the State of North Carolina.\nDefendants denied \u2018liability in -any sum and as additional defenses pleaded the three-year statute of limitations and ,a contractual provision fixing one year as the time in which an action could be maintained for the recovery of the amounts expended.\nThe parties waived jury .trial. The court made findings of fact which, so far as necessary for a decision, are set out 'in the opinion. Based on the admissions in the pleadings, 'stipulations, and findings, the court concluded 'defendants were liable to' plaintiff in the sum sued ifor; the action was not barred by contract stipulations or by the pleaded statute of limitations. It rendered judgment for the amount Claimed. Each defendant excepted and appealed.\nJoyner & Howison by W. T. Joyner, Jr., for plaintiff appellee.\nVaughan S. Winborne for defendant appellant Gibbs.\nVaughan S. Winborne for defendant appellant Fidelity \u2022& Casualty Company of New York." }, "file_name": "0681-01", "first_page_order": 721, "last_page_order": 728 }