The opinion was delivered at March term 1857.
Though the defendants bear the title of “ Mu tual Insurance Company,” the present insurance made by them to the plaintiff was in the nature of a stock policy. The execution of the policy being admitted, the loss within the time, and the proof of loss, the defence relied on was that of misrepresentation as to the use to which the insured buildings were put, and the nature and position of other neighboring buildings. Also, that the action should have been brought in the county of Worcester, and could not be brought in this county.
The insurance is for $2,000 ; to wit, $1,500 on the plaintiff’s hotel building, $500 on stable and shed adjoining, situated No. 248 Purchase Street in New Bedford, Mass. This corresponds to the description in the application. The defendants insisted
The evidence is not stated; but the court instructed the jury, that if they found the house was occupied as a house of ill fame, and that this fact was known to the plaintiff, or his agent who made the representation, the plaintiff could not recover; but that if the building was leased as a hotel, and apparently used as such, but was in fact used by the tenant as a house of ill fame without the knowledge or consent of the plaintiff, such use would not prevent a recovery.
This, it seems to us, was sufficiently favorable to the defendants. The inquiry, it must be considered, was as to the then description of the building, not what it was intended to be used for, nor whether it was let on a lease at will or for a term of years. It was truly described as a hotel, occupied by Mr. Holmes as a hotel, and certainly there was no suppression of a material fact, if not known to the assured, which could be deemed false. If it was a hotel, and used as a hotel at the time, there would be no false representation if it was used otherwise by the tenant, without the lessor’s knowledge or consent.
We think the other part of the instruction correct, as to the proximity of other buildings. If the insurers desired more exact information, other questions should have been put accordingly. *
The fact, that one question was unanswered, is immaterial; in fact, many questions were not answered. The company, by consenting to make the policy upon the application as it was, waived all claim to further answers.
Judgment on the verdict for the plaintiff.
