3 Cai. Cas. 245 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1805
Per Curiam, delivered by
It is -hot made a question, whether profits are an insurable interest. Whatever objections lie to, the practice, we 'hávc heretofore considered them as such', and the counsel of both parties have reasoned on that supposition. In 'France nothing but ship and cargó are regarded as proper subjects of insurance. In England and ill this country, it is not' unusual to' insure profits, eo nominé, arid •yet no decisions are to be found on the construction or effect of such policies. We are at liberty then to' adopt Such rules, not inconsistent with the written contract, as shall render them as little as possible of the gambling hind.' Under no pretext indeed can they be called wagering policies, which exclude all idea of interest in the assured. It would be hard therefore on the underwriter, to rank them in this class, and thus deprive him of the benefit of salvage. A premium on profits is not greater than on goods, and yet it. certainly ought to. be muds higher, if a total loss may be demanded, without any part of the profits-, however considerable, going to the underwriters. It is more, equitable to consider these-insurances as a species of valued, policies on cargo, which they are- in substance, although not • in form. It is sur--prising, that in a country where merchants- may insure’ their adventures at almost any valúe, this practice should-ever have been introduced. The more the subjects of insurance, on any ene' voyage-are-multiplied, the-more-confusion and embarrassment will, in -cases of disaster, be experienced. - It will-often. perplex the most skillful broker so to adjust a loss,- -as-to-do.justice to -the -different-' classes of underwriters. T am-disposed,, therefore, to re-'-gard these-insurances as another-why.cf valuing the goods, and that ⅛ -total -losses- like -the present, the underwriter has such-an-interest in. - ■ th s ■ prop er ty, as tobe-e».t¡íled to an .-sfer.dc-nmeat'. -Whatwould •■be’v-the 'effect: