In the Matter of the Life and Fire Insurance Company of New York v. The Heirs of Nicholas Wilson was a case heard before the United States Supreme Court in 1834. At issue was whether or not an insurance company had to pay out on a policy taken out by Nicholas Wilson, who died shortly after taking it out. The court found that since there had been no fraud involved in obtaining the policy, and since all conditions were met for payment at time of death, then his heirs were entitled to receive payment from the insurance company as per their agreement with Mr. Wilson when he took out his policy. This decision established precedent that insurers must honor policies even if they are taken out close to death so long as all other conditions have been met for coverage at time of death.

In the Matter of the Life and Fire Insurance Company of New York v. The Heirs of Nicholas Wilson, Chief Justice Taney delivered a dissenting opinion in which he argued that the Court should not have granted summary judgment to the plaintiffs. He reasoned that there were material facts in dispute regarding whether or not Nicholas Wilson had been legally bound by his signature on an insurance policy issued by the plaintiff company. Furthermore, Taney noted that it was unclear if any consideration had been given for this contract and thus it could be voidable at law due to lack of mutual assent between parties. As such, he believed further proceedings were necessary before a final decision could be made as to who held legal title over property insured under said policy.