Granco Steel, Inc. v. Workmen's Compensation Appeals Board

Graneo Steel, Inc. (Graneo), a California Corporation, brought this proceeding before the Workmen’s Compensation Appeals Board (Board) in order to determine whether it was covered by workmen’s compensation insurance on the date of an industrial injury to one of its employees. The referee determined that Graneo was not so covered and dismissed from the proceeding the alleged insurer, the Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company (Hartford). 1 The Board denied reconsideration, and we granted a writ of review. (Lab. Code, § 5950 et seq.)

Graneo was incorporated on November 1, 1965. On November 23, 1965, Aaron Hillman, Graneo’s vice-president, made arrangements regarding general liability, workmen’s compensation, and other insurance with Ben J. Weiss, a general agent representing Hartford, as well as other insurance companies. Weiss provided oral binders in order to afford immediate coverage, and in January 1966 Hartford issued to Graneo a ‘ ‘ comprehensive general-automobile liability policy” and a workmen’s compensation policy—both policies effective as of November 23, 1965. Apparently these policies *194 were sent to Weiss but were not immediately delivered by him to Granco.

In…