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Gonzalez v. American Heritage Life Insurance Co.

Citations: 747 So. 2d 991; 1999 Fla. App. LEXIS 15641; 1999 WL 1062666Docket: No. 99-0939

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida; November 23, 1999; Florida; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The decedent was bound by the insurance application he signed, allowing the insurer to rescind the policy. The court referenced prior cases to support this conclusion. The widow’s claim regarding the improper refund of the premium of $3,141.85 was affirmed; however, it noted that the premium was credited to her loan account by First Union National Bank, which acted as the insurer's agent. The court did not address whether this action was permissible under the loan documents, as First Union was not a party to the appeal. The affirmance of the summary judgment allows the appellant to pursue the matter with First Union separately.

Legal Issues Addressed

Agency and Loan Account Crediting

Application: The court acknowledged that the premium was credited to the widow's loan account by the bank acting as the insurer's agent, but did not evaluate the permissibility under the loan documents.

Reasoning: The court did not address whether this action was permissible under the loan documents, as First Union was not a party to the appeal.

Insurance Policy Rescission

Application: The court held that the decedent was bound by the insurance application he signed, which permitted the insurer to rescind the policy.

Reasoning: The decedent was bound by the insurance application he signed, allowing the insurer to rescind the policy.

Pursuit of Separate Legal Action

Application: The court's decision allows the appellant to pursue further legal action separately with the bank regarding the premium crediting issue.

Reasoning: The affirmance of the summary judgment allows the appellant to pursue the matter with First Union separately.

Refund of Insurance Premiums

Application: The court affirmed the widow’s claim concerning the improper refund of the insurance premium, recognizing the credit to her loan account.

Reasoning: The widow’s claim regarding the improper refund of the premium of $3,141.85 was affirmed; however, it noted that the premium was credited to her loan account by First Union National Bank, which acted as the insurer's agent.