Reasonable Expectations Doctrine

The Reasonable Expectations Doctrine is a legal concept that protects consumers by ensuring that the terms of an insurance policy reflect what a typical person would reasonably expect them to mean. If there’s a dispute over a policy, courts often consider how an average person would understand the coverage based on the policy language and context. This doctrine helps prevent insurance companies from denying claims based on obscure or confusing language that might mislead the policyholder about their actual coverage or benefits. Essentially, it aims to uphold fairness in the interpretation of insurance agreements.