Greene County Jury Delivers Defense Verdict in Vexatious Refusal Case

Suzanne Bruss obtained a defense verdict for Consumers Insurance Company on a first party property damage claim in Greene County, Missouri. The jury found that Consumers did not breach the insurance policy when it refused to pay for an upgraded engine to the insured’s vehicle after the vehicle was accidentally backed into a lake. The evidence showed that the insureds had authorized the installation of a Jasper engine at twice the cost of the repair estimate without notifying Consumers. The jury also found for Consumers on the plaintiff’s claim for vexatious refusal.