Section 5.23 Punitive Damages

• Library: Insurance Practice 2015

Liability of an insured for punitive damages.

The word “damages” in Missouri does not include amounts that the insured is obligated to pay for fines or penalties for violations of law. Thus, policy language covering liability for “damages” has been construed as applying only to compensatory damages and not to punitive damages. Crull v. Gleb, 382 S.W.2d 17 (Mo. App. E.D. 1964). See also Schnuck Mkts., Inc. v. Transamerica Ins. Co., 652 S.W.2d 206 (Mo. App. E.D. 1983). Despite that fact and despite the old...