An insurance policy is a contract: the insured promises to pay premiums and the insurer promises to indemnify the insured for specified loses.  If an insured breaches the contract, an insurer’s remedy includes cancellation of the policy or denial of coverage.  If an insurer breaches the contract, an insured’s remedy can include not only performance of the contract but also punitive damages.  Pennsylvania law includes this punitive damage component to encourage insurers to satisfy their obligations to their insureds.

What constitutes insurance bad faith is not specifically defined in Pennsylvania statutory law, but our courts have determined that bad faith generally includes situations where an insurer acts with a dishonest purpose, breaches a known duty to its insureds (such as its obligation to act in good faith and fair dealing), or acts in an unreasonable manner out of self-interest or ill will.  Acts of negligence or bad judgment alone are not enough to establish bad faith.  Most insurance bad faith claims arise from an insurer’s failure to pay benefits when due or promptly investigate claims.  Common examples of insurance bad faith include terminating medical benefits under an automobile insurance policy without following proper review procedures, alleging arson on the part of a home owner or landlord without evidence of arson, and delaying the payment of benefits on a claim to force its insured to compromise the claim.  

If you believe that your insurer has treated you in less than good faith and fair dealing, contact us for a free consultation.  We may be able to compel your insurer to fulfill its obligations under the insurance bad faith law.  To learn more about representation, meet our personal injury attorneys.  To discuss insurance bad faith representation, contact us at (800) 509-1011 or request a free consultation.