Geico argued that the auto policy only applied to bodily injuries arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of the auto and that the plaintiff's alleged damages have no nexus to the ownership, maintenance or use of the covered auto. (Credit: NATHAPHAT NAMPIX/Adobe Stock) Geico argued that the auto policy only applied to bodily injuries arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of the auto and that the plaintiff's alleged damages have no nexus to the ownership, maintenance or use of the covered auto. (Credit: NATHAPHAT NAMPIX/Adobe Stock)

On June 7, 2022, a Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed a $5.2 million judgment award in favor of a woman who contracted a sexually-transmitted infection after having sexual intercourse with a man who owned a car insured by GEICO. The decision made national news, with some of the headlines conflating the holding with a determination that GEICO must pay the woman $5.2 million.  A holding that an automobile insurance policy covers damages arising from sexual activity should understandably concern insurers and create unforeseen exposure, but despite misleading headlines, that is not what a court has ruled, . . . at least not yet.

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