Steinbach v. Insurance Co.
Supreme Court of the United States
Error to the Circuit Court of the United States for Maryland. Steinbach sued the Relief Eire Insurance Company or a policy of insurance against fire. The subject insured was described in writing, as follows, in the body of the policy: “ On his stock of fancy goods, toys, and other articles in his line of business, contained in the brick building situated, &c., and now in his occupancy as a German jobber and importer. Privileged to keep fire-crackers on sale.”
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Error to the Circuit Court of the United States for Maryland. Steinbach sued the Relief Eire Insurance Company or a policy of insurance against fire. The subject insured was described in writing, as follows, in the body of the policy: “ On his stock of fancy goods, toys, and other articles in his line of business, contained in the brick building situated, &c., and now in his occupancy as a German jobber and importer. Privileged to keep fire-crackers on sale.” The premium paid was 40 cents on the $100. It was provided in the printed part of the policy that “ If the premises should be used for…
1Opinion of the Court
The CHIEF JUSTICE
delivered the opinion of the court.
The only question in this case arises upon the construction of the policy sued upon.
It contained a clause providing that fireworks, among other things, should be specially written in the policy. Otherwise they were not to be covered by the insurance. It is not pretended that fireworks are included under the name of fire-crackers. But the plaintiff contends that they are included in the description of “other articles in his line of business.” The answer to this is, that the policy itself requires that fireworks shall be specially written in…
2Cited by5 opinions
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