Section 4.6 Doctrine of Reasonable Expectations

• Library: Insurance Practice 2015

The reasonable expectations doctrine provides that, regardless of whether the language employed is ambiguous or unambiguous, a policy of insurance, being a contract of adhesion, will be given effect according to the reasonable expectations of the parties. Robin v. Blue Cross Hosp. Serv., Inc., 637 S.W.2d 695, 697 (Mo. banc 1982); Estrin Constr. Co. v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co., 612 S.W.2d 413 (Mo. App. W.D. 1981); Spychalski v. MFA Life Ins. Co., 620 S.W.2d 388 (Mo. App. W.D. 1981). In applying this standard, the courts may consider any extrinsic evidence that may help them to determine the reasonable expectations of the parties, including ambiguity of the...