74 Colo. 65 | Colo. | 1923
delivered the opinion of the court.
This is a companion case to No. 10682 (same title, this day decided) and the statement of facts therein should be read in connection herewith. The two cases were tried together below, and came here on the same bill of exceptions. The parties are herein referred to as below.
Defendant’s policy here in question was directed by plaintiff to be written on the property known as numbers 611 and 615 Carson avenue, which was on lot 3. By an error of the company’s agent the property was described as being situate on lots 4 and 4%. This action was brought to reform the contract and recover thereunder, as reformed,
It is, however, contended that plaintiff’s right to reformation has been lost by his own negligence. The policy in question was ordered written on the property described in one of a different company, which was about to expire. The old policy, containing the correct description, was handed defendant’s agent as a guide. The new one was written under date of March 26, 1920, with the erroneous description, and both were shortly thereafter returned to plaintiff. He never read his new policy until after the fire, which occurred January 2, 1921. He thereupon discovered the error, and immediately called it to the attention of the agent. It is this neglect to read the policy and the delay of approximately nine months which constitute the laches it is now alleged prohibits recovery. We think there is no merit in the contention. It seems to us completely disposed of in the exhaustive and well reasoned opinion of Mr. Justice Bailey in Merchants Ins. Co. v. Harris, supra.
Other questions raised require no examination. The judgment is affirmed.
Mr. Chief Justice Teller and Mr. Justice Allen concur.