Kansas City Life Faces Major Legal Setback Over Insurance Policies
In a significant ruling out of Missouri, the Kansas City Life Insurance Company has found itself in hot water after the Missouri Court of Appeals upheld a jaw-dropping $28.4 million verdict against the insurer. The case centers on accusations that the company was charging undisclosed fees to holders of its universal life insurance policies.
The Basics of the Case
So, what’s the fuss all about? Universal life insurance policies are a bit different from traditional life insurance policies because they provide both a death benefit and an investment component that grows over time. This means the policyholder isn’t just paying for coverage; they are also investing in something that could potentially increase in value. However, these contracts come with fees based on factors like mortality rates, which are standard practice in the industry.
However, in this case, it seems that Kansas City Life was not playing fair. According to the plaintiffs—represented by the law firms Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP and Schirger Feierabend LLC—the company made deductions that were not clearly communicated to customers. They argued successfully that Kansas City Life had used hidden factors to determine fees, leading to charges that far exceeded what was allowed.
The Court’s Decision
The Missouri Court of Appeals took a close look at the details and determined that the terms of the contracts were ambiguous enough that they did not allow Kansas City Life to make the deductions it had been applying over the span of 40 years. As if that wasn’t enough, the court also granted policyholders the right to prejudgment interest. When you add that to the post-judgment interest, the total damages could spiral to approximately $47.2 million!
What’s Next for Policyholders?
Patrick Stueve, from Stueve Siegel, expressed optimistic sentiments, stating, “We are continuing to fight the good fight for our Missouri policyholders. To date, our efforts to settle with Kansas City Life have been unsuccessful, but hopefully this complete victory on appeal will help finally get policyholders the relief they deserve.”
As the situation develops, it’s worth noting that there are two other similar cases making their way through the courts in California and Maryland. The outcome of these lawsuits could further impact Kansas City Life and its practices.
Kansas City Life Responds
In response to the ruling, Kansas City Life released a statement indicating they were aware of the decision but felt there were “a number of errors” in the Appellate Court’s opinion. The company is currently exploring options to appeal the ruling and continues to stand its ground in this matter. With new CEO Walter “Web” Bixby stepping in last year, the company hopes to navigate these troubled waters as smoothly as possible. Walter took over from his brother, R. Phillip Bixby, who retired after a lengthy career but still serves as chairman.
The Bigger Picture
This case is just one of many in the ongoing discussions about transparency and accountability within the insurance industry. Policyholders are entitled to know exactly what they are being charged for and to understand how their policies work. This court ruling could be seen as a step towards greater fairness in the insurance market, ensuring that companies disclose all fees associated with life insurance policies clearly.
As Kansas City Life continues to encounter roadblocks in this legal battle, it brings to light the importance of standing up for customer rights. For anyone holding universal life insurance policies with this company, or others, this case serves as a reminder to carefully review the terms of your contracts and to pursue clarity on any fees that may not be obvious.
