Opinion ID: 2387279
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Endorsement X

Text: Lee next claims that Endorsement X to his auto policy clearly imposed a dues obligation on him. The dues, he contends, were in the nature of a condition of insurance which violated Ark.Code Ann. § 23-79-112(b)(8). Endorsement X reads: As a condition precedent to your purchase of this policy and your maintenance of insurance hereunder, you must make application to be a member of and maintain your membership in the applicable local county Farm Bureau agricultural organization and affiliated state Farm Bureau agricultural organization (hereinafter collectively Farm Bureau Federation). Your failure to apply for membership and maintain your membership with the applicable Farm Bureau Federation as our sponsoring organization, including but not limited to your failure to pay the required membership dues to said Farm Bureau Federation, shall require the cancellation or non-renewal of your policy by us. Dues payable to Farm Bureau Federation are in consideration of membership in Farm Bureau Federation and other agriculture related services from Farm Bureau Federation and are not premiums, are not consideration of coverage under this policy, and are not payable to us. This issue appears to be essentially the same issue raised under Point I, albeit dressed in different clothing. But, in addition, the relevancy of Endorsement X to the instant case is highly questionable in that the endorsement was added to Lee's auto policy after his lawsuit was filed. Members of the class were those Farm Bureau members who purchased auto insurance between January 25, 1989, and January 25, 1994  the date the class-action complaint was filed. Changes in insurance policies made after the litigation was commenced would seem to have no bearing on the class as defined. Lee's contention regarding Endorsement X has no merit.