UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE

U.S. Supreme Court

Gulf Refining Co. v. Atlantic Mut. Ins. Co., 279 U.S. 708 (1929)

Gulf Refining Company v. Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company

No. 506

Argued April 17, 1929

Decided May 27, 1929

279 U.S. 708

CERTIORARI TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT

1. In adjusting a general average loss upon cargo insurance under a valued policy, the insured is co-insurer to the extent that the sound value of the cargo at the time of contribution exceeds the agreed value in the policy, and recovers that proportion of his loss which the agreed value bears to such sound value. P. 279 U. S. 709.

2. The co-insurance principle, long and consistently applied in the case of particular average losses under both open and valued policies, gives a reasonable and equitable effect to the stipulation fixing value, consonant with principles generally applicable to marine insurance. It may be applied to general average contributions with like effect and with added consistency and harmony in the law. P. 279 U. S. 712.

3. The application of the agreed value to the adjustment of the insurance loss does not depend on estoppel. P. 279 U. S. 712.