216 A.D. 252 | N.Y. App. Div. | 1926
We are of opinion that the books and accounts kept by the assured, the Star Fur Dressers Company, the plaintiff’s assignor, complied with the provisions of the policy. As indicated by its name, the assured was not the owner of the stolen skins. These skins were delivered to the assured by the owners and taken to the fur dressing factory in Greenpoint where they were treated by the assured and then returned to the owners. The Fur Dressers Company kept books showing the dat.e of receipt of the skins, the number and description of the skins received, and the name and address of the owner. The books also showed the date of redelivery of the skins to the owner and the value of the work done thereon by the fur dressing company. The books did not state the value of the skins, and from the very nature of the business of the assured,
While I am inclined to think that this evidence was competent despite defendant’s objection that it had no right to use the customers’ books, and that it had “ no relation with the customers,” there can be no doubt that defendant, appellant, is here asserting
“ Where there is evident merit in the claim, and the insured has made a bona fide effort to comply with the provisions of the policy in keeping honest books and accounts, however crude and unscientific they may be, the courts will adopt a liberal interpretation of what constitutes books of account, to the end that the insurer will be held to perform its contract.” (Garten v. General Accident, F. & L. Assur. Corp., Ltd., 206 App. Div. 154, 156.) We have recently held that the courts should not take a narrow and restricted view of the clause relative to the keeping of books and accounts to defeat a claim otherwise unassailable. (Lenzner v. National Surety Co., 209 App. Div. 464, opinion by Rich, J., citing Harris v. General Acc. F. & L. Assur. Corp., 187 N. Y. Supp. 291, opinion by McCook, J., not officially reported.)
I think the learned trial justice might have held as matter of law that the books of the assured in this case complied with the policy, but at defendant’s request the question was submitted to the jury and they found in favor of the plaintiff.
The judgment should be affirmed, with costs.
Rich, Manning and Lazansky, JJ., concur; Young, J., dissents, being of opinion that plaintiff cannot recover under the terms of the policy because of the failure of the assured to keep books and accounts so that the amount of loss could be accurately determined therefrom.
Judgment affirmed, with costs.