$28.4 Million Awarded to Kansas City Life Insurance Policyholders
After two hours of deliberations, a unanimous Jackson County, Missouri jury awarded $28.4 million to a class of Missouri owners of universal life insurance products issued by Kansas City Life. Stueve Siegel Hanson served as lead trial counsel in the case, which at the time was one of five state-wide class actions being prosecuted by the firm and Miller Schirger LLC against Kansas City Life. It was also the first of three successful class action trial wins against the insurer, with the firms securing subsequent verdicts in favor of policyholders in May 2023 and September 2023.
The class action was brought on behalf of more than 8,000 current and former policy owners for overcharges to the cash values of their universal life insurance policies that in addition to death benefits provided an interest-bearing component that accumulates value over time.
Trial commenced on December 5, 2022, and on December 9, the jury returned a verdict awarding full damages on all three counts of breach of contract claims against Kansas City Life after determining that Kansas City Life charged higher fees based on factors that weren't disclosed to clients.
The full announcement is available here: Jury Awards $28.4 Million to Kansas City Life Policyholders
