122 Ga. 608 | Ga. | 1905
The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company issued a policy on the life of William A. Caudle. The insured died on the 6th day of March, 1902. Delaney A. Caudle, his administratrix, brought suit to recover the amount alleged to be due' upon the policy of insurance. This suit was instituted in the city court of Richmond county, and was filed on July 13, 1903. A copy of the policy of insurance was attached to the petition, and in the copy the following stipulation appeared: “No suit shall be brought against the company after one year from the date of the death of the insured. If any suit be commenced after one year, the lapse of time shall be conclusive evidence against any claim, the provisions of any and all statutes of limitation to the contrary notwithstanding.” The defendant demurred to the declaration, on the ground that the suit was not brought within the time limited by the contract. To meet this demurrer the plaintiff amended, alleging that immediately after the death of the insured she delivered the policy to the defendant’s agent and entered into negotiations looking to a settlement of her claim-; that, by conversations had with the agent from time to time, her hopes were raised and she was flattered into believing that the amount of the policy would be paid, if she would remain quiescent, and the representations of the company’s agent induced her to postpone bringing suit; that these negotiations were not finally concluded till July 21, 1902, when they were broken off, and the policy returned to her by the company upon the demand of her attorney. A special demurrer to this amendment was filed by the defendant, but was dismissed by the court on the ground that it was filed too late. After the allowance of the amendment, the court overruled the general demurrer to the petition; and to the disposition thus made of the company’s demurrers it excepts.
A party may contract that the time for bringing an action shall be limited, and if such time is reasonable, he will be bound by his contract. Brooks v. Ga. Home Ins. Co., 99 Ga. 116; Melson v. Insurance Co., 97 Ga. 722, and cit. “A stipulation in a policy of insurance, that no action for loss or damage shall be sustained
Judgment reversed.