110 Mich. 183 | Mich. | 1896
The defendants are insurance agents for fire, life, and accident insurance companies. They are soliciting agents for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee. Their Calumet office was in* charge of E. S. Skinner, who had the same authority to solicit insurance that the defendants had, and who was authorized to sign receipts for premiums, the same as they were. The plaintiff, who did not speak English very well, wanted to get some life insurance, and for that purpose visited the Calumet office, with an interpreter selected by himself, and applied to Mr. Skinner for a
“Agent’s receipt for advance payment of premium.
“The Northwestern Mutual Lire Insurance Co.
‘ In consideration of the application-for a two thousand dollar policy, payable at death or in ten years, made by Vital Bleau to the Northwestern Mutual (Life Insurance Company, there has been collected of him one hundred twenty-eight dollars, four cents, being the first annual cash premium on said policy. If the risk is accepted, the policy will be issued, and will be in force from this date. If the risk is not accepted, the sum collected will be returned within 30 days.
“Calumet, Mich., Aug. 31, 1891.
“Wright & Stringer, Agents,
“per Ed. S. S.”
This receipt was interpreted to the plaintiff by his interpreter. A little later, and in the usual course of business, the insurance company issued a policy on the application, and according to its terms, which policy was forwarded to Mr. Skinner, who presented it to the plaintiff. The plaintiff, claiming that the policy was not such a one as he had orally agreed for, refused to receive it, demanding a return of the money paid as premium; payment of which was refused. He then sued defendants, declaring on the common counts in assumpsit, and also for the breach of a contract'made with the defendants “acting as solicitors for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.” After the testimony was all in, Judge Hubbell charged the jury that, under the law, the action should have been brought against the principal, instead of the agents, and directed a verdict in favor of the defendants.
The judgment is affirmed.