Opinion ID: 1934281
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Heading: Missouri Contract Construction Law

Text: Missouri courts construe insurance policies in accordance with the same principles of construction that apply to all contracts. See, e.g., Peters v. Employers Mut. Cas. Co., Mo. Supr., 853 S.W.2d 300, 302 (1993) ( en banc ). Missouri courts give effect to the intent of contracting parties. That intent is discerned from the contract language. General American. Life Ins. Co. v. Barrett, Mo.Ct.App., 847 S.W.2d 125, 132 (1993). If insurance policies are unambiguous, the rules of construction are inapplicable, and absent a public policy to the contrary, the policy will be enforced as written. Krombach v. Mayflower Ins. Co., Mo.Supr., 827 S.W.2d 208, 210 (1992) ( en Banc ).