A Taste Of His Own Medicine

A cigar smoker bought several hundred expensive cigars and had them insured against fire.  After he'd smoked them all, he filed a claim, pointing out that the cigars had, in fact, been destroyed by fire.

The insurance company refused to pay, and then the man sued.  The judge ruled that because the insurance company had agreed to insure the cigars against fire, it was legally responsible.

The company had no choice but to pay the claim.  Then, when the man accepted the money, the company had him arrested for arson.

- submitted by Don Maddox to Parables, Etc. (October 1996)