Shocklee v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance

This case arises out of a “vanishing premiums” insurance policy where the premiums never actually vanished. The insurance policy at issue in this case is unambiguous on its face, and the plaintiffs’ claims fail as a matter of Louisiana law. Therefore, the judgment of the district court dismissing the case is AFFIRMED.

I. BACKGROUND

In 1985, an agent for the company now known as Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”) 1 per suaded Sanford and Marilyn Shocklee to purchase a $25,000 whole life insurance policy. In the course of selling the policy, the agent provided the…