138 Minn. 424 | Minn. | 1917
This is an action on a health and accident policy issued by the defendant to Bert Olsson. The plaintiff, his wife, was the beneficiary. There was a verdict for the-plaintiff. Dpon the defendant’s, alternative motion for judgment or a new trial judgment notwithstanding the verdict was ordered. From the judgment the plaintiff appeals.
The policy was issued on August 4, 1914. On.December 25, 1915, Olsson came to his death from a gunshot wound. The defendant claimed that Olsson in his application made false representations, with intent to deceive, and of a character avoiding his policy, in these respects: (a) That he had ,n,ever had hernia; (b) that he had never had fits; (c) that he had not received medical or surgical attention
“The falsity of any statement in the application for any policy covered by this act shall not bar the right to recovery thereunder unless such false statement was made with actual intent to deceive or unless it materially affected either the acceptance of the risk or the hazard assumed by the insurer.” G. S. 1913, § 3527.
If Olsson made any of the representations charged falsely, with intent to deceive, or, regardless of such intent, if such false representation affected either the acceptance of the risk or the hazard assumed,'the plaintiff cannot recover. See Johnson v. National Life Ins. Co. 123 Minn. 453, 144 N. W. 218, Ann. Cas. 1915A, 458, and cases cited. The question of fraudulent intent is not material for consideration upon this appeal. Evidence of it is very slight, in fact there is none at all except by way of inference, and it is not claimed to be conclusive or at most more than a question for the jury. Besides if the representations were material in fact, as we hold, the question of intent to deceive becomes unimportant. The representation that the insured never had fits was material. See Rey
The doctrine in this state, in harmony with the holdings elsewhere, is that uncontradicted testimony which is unimpeached and not improbable cannot be arbitrarily disregarded but must be given effect. Second Nat. Bank of Winona v. Donald, 56 Minn. 491, 58 N. W. 269; 1 Moore, Facts, § 66, et seq., and cases cited. But a jury is not bound to accept testimony as true, merely because uncontradicted, if im
There is no suicide provision in the policy. In the ease of an ordinary life policy, payable to a beneficiary, without a provision as to the effect of suicide, the law of this state permits a recovery even in the event of suicide when sane. Mills v. Rebstock, 29 Minn. 380, 13 N. W. 162; Kerr v. Minnesota M. B. Assn. 39 Minn. 174, 39 N. W. 312, 12 Am. St. 631; Vance, Ins. 516; 2 Bacon, Life & Acc. Ins. (4th ed.) § 440. We assume without deciding that this rule does not apply to an accident policy. The rule is universal, in any event, that a suicide when insane does not prevent recovery unless expressly so provided in the policy. Scheffer v. National Life Ins. Co. of U. S. 25 Minn. 534; Cotter v. Royal Neighbors, 76 Minn. 518, 79 N. W. 542; Robson v. United Order of Foresters, 93 Minn. 34, 100 N. W. 381; Blackstone v. Standard Life & A. Ins. Co. 74 Mich. 592, 42 N. W. 156, 3 L.R.A. 486; Accident Ins. Co. v. Crandal, 120 U. S. 527, 7 Sup. Ct. 185, 30 L. ed. 740; Mutual Life Ins. Co. v. Durden, 9 Ga. App. 797, 73 S. E. 295; Tuttle v. Iowa State Traveling Men’s Assn. 132 Iowa, 652, 104 N. W. 1131, 7 L.R.A. (N. S.) 223; 23 Bacon, Life & Acc. Ins. (4th ed.) § 530, et seq.; Richards, Ins. (3d ed.) § 367; 1 May, Ins. (4th ed.) § 323; Vance, Ins. 568; Kerr, Ins. 394; 1 Am. & Eng. Enc. (3d ed.) 313; 1 C. J. 443. Conceding that Olsson came to his death by suicide, the evidence, which it is unnecessary'to review, sustains a finding that he was insane at the time. The court submitted the question of suicide and insanity along the lines stated and the defendant cannot complain.
Judgment reversed.