Billingsley v. Farmers Alliance Mut. Ins. Co.

Appellant Billingsley challenges (1) an adverse summary judgment on his petition to collect insurance or recover premiums after a fire loss, and (2) respondent Farmers' counterclaim judgment against him for prima facie tort based on Billingsley's complaint to Missouri's Department of Insurance. We affirm the former and reverse the latter.

Background

In late 1983, Billingsley, a Kansan, bought two adjacent Springfield rental *3houses and engaged Carol Martin to manage them, then almost immediately warranty-deeded both houses to his sister, Joanna, a Springfield attorney.1 In 1986, a fire policy…