There may be a partial loss for an injury which was repaired, and has been paid for by the insurers; and then a subsequent total loss for which they would be liable without the right of deducting for the amount paid on the partial loss. (n) 1 In this way insurers may become liable for more than a total loss; and so they might be for expenses incurred, which were justified by some provision of the policy, (o) or by contribution for average. The general rule, however, in case of partial loss, and subsequent total loss, is that the partial loss is merged in the total loss, limiting the liability of the insurers to the total loss, unless some expenses were incurred before the total loss, on which a distinct claim could be founded. (p)