237 Mass. 130 | Mass. | 1921
The word “subscriber” as used in St. 1911, c. 751, and acts in amendment thereof is practically the equivalent to “employer who has accepted the provisions of the act by insuring the compensation of his employees.” We assume on the record that Warren H. Davis, the employer, was a subscriber at the date of the employment of Altinovitch. But even if at that time there was a valid outstanding policy, the insurer contends that it had been cancelled before the injury was received. The accident occurred at three o’clock in the afternoon of August 29, 1919, and the notice of cancellation, dated August 25, was received by the subscriber on August 26,1919. The portions of the policy material to the issue read as follows:
“Cancellation. H. This Policy shall be cancelled at any time by either of the parties hereto upon written notice to the other party stating when thereafter, cancellation shall be effective. Notice of cancellation sent by registered mail to the address of the Assured stated in the warranties hereof shall be a sufficient notice and the check of the Company similarly mailed, a sufficient tender of any unearned premium. If cancelled by the Assured on any date other than an anniversary of the date of issue of the Policy, unless the Assured has retired from business, the Company shall receive or retain the short rate premium in accordance with the table printed hereon which shall not be less than the minimum premium stated in the Warranties hereof. If cancelled by the Company at any time, or by the Assured on any anniversary of the date of issue of the Policy, the Company shall be entitled to the earned premium prorate when determined. In either case the earned premium shall be computed on the basis of the entire wages of compensation for a twelve months’ period as indicated by the actual wages or compensation earned during the*133 period the Policy shall have been in force, such period to begin at the date of issue of the Policy or, in event of the Policy having been in force for a longer period than twelve months, at the last anniversary thereof. In any event where cancellation is at the request of the Assured, the Company shall retain not less than the •minimum premium stated in the Warranties hereof.”
"Endorsement.
(Quarterly Adjustment of Premium $150.00 Deposit.)
"1. The advance premium stated in this Policy is not based1 upon the estimated wages for the full policy period, but is the sum hereby agreed to be paid in cash upon delivery of the policy.
“2. On or before the Twentieth day of each month succeeding each three month period under this Policy the Assured shall state to the Company in writing the full amount of compensation earned by his employees during the preceding three calendar months, or such part thereof as is within the policy period, and pay to the Company in money the entire premium earned upon such compensation at the rates named in the Policy; the advance premium to be applied to the last quarterly settlement in the policy period.
“3. If the Assured shall fail to make such statement or pay such earned premium as provided in the foregoing paragraph, such neglect or failure shall entitle the Company — at its option — to cancel the Policy upon ten days notice to the Assured, and calculate the earned premium to date of cancellation at customary short rates.”
The notice of cancellation reads, "We have been advised by our Home Office that they are no longer willing to carry your insurance and have requested that we effect cancellation of your policy . . . dated May 1, 1919. We, therefore, notify you that your policy ... is cancelled effective at 12 o’clock noon, Standard Time, August 28, 1919, and the Aetna will not be liable for any accidents occurring subsequent to that time.”
It is contended by the employee that because the policy could be terminated in either way the burden of proof was on the insurer, to show that the notice was sent under the cancellation clause and not under the “ Endorsement,” and being equivocal the insurer’s intention was a question of fact, and the notice being insufficient
Ordered accordingly.