An Examination Under Oath is a tool available to property insurers in adjusting Oklahoma insurance claims. The more typical term is the acronym (sometimes called “EUO”). Like many industries, insurance adjusters need to be able to communicate quickly. Just try saying “examination under oath” three times really fast while gulping some hot coffee and see how it works out for you!

We classify an EUO as a tool for insurers because it is a means to obtain information. An adjuster must gather the facts to be able to make the right decision. The Oklahoma Supreme Court has said that an insurance company has a legal duty to investigate claims. Without solid facts, then the wrong decision can be reached. This isn’t good for the insured or for the insurer.

Attorneys not experienced in the insurance industry tend to think an examination under oath is the same as a deposition. It is not. The confusion is because there are some similarities in that the typical examination under oath involves using a court reporter.

The policyholder or insured is placed under oath and sworn to tell the truth. The attorney for the insurance company then asks questions. There can be severe penalties for not telling the truth in an examination under oath. The consequences include losing the right to be paid for the claim and sometimes criminal charges with jail time. Perjury, or not telling the truth while under oath, is a bad idea. So, attorneys who really aren’t familiar with examinations under oath naturally fall back to calling the procedure a deposition.

The procedure has been around for well over 100 years in the insurance industry. In an examination under oath, the insurance company, usually through an attorney, can ask the insured questions about the loss, damages, and get to the details. This is typically important for exclusions or policy defenses. The insured is required to provide honest answers to the questions. Therefore the insurance company can find out the answers required to determine coverage.

An examination under oath can also be used in claims where the damages are not completely clear to the adjuster. The policyholder can be asked to explain the damages or what is being claimed. In certain claims, this is a way to filter through the loss to reach the proper amount of payment to make.

The United States Supreme Court specifically recognized the purpose of these examinations in Claflin Commonwealth Insurance Company, 110 U.S. 81, 94-94; 3 S.Ct. 507, 515; 28 L.Ed. 76, 82 (1984).

The Supreme Court stated :

The object of the provisions in the policies of insurance, requiring the assured to submit him-self to an examination under oath, to be reduced to writing, was to enable the company to possess itself of all knowledge, and all information as to other sources and means of knowledge, in regard to the facts, material to their rights, to enable them to decide upon their obligations, and to protect them against false claims. And every interrogatory that was relevant and pertinent in such an examination was material, in the sense that a true answer to it was of the substance of the obligation of the assured. A false answer as to any matter of fact material to the inquiry, knowingly and willfully made, with intent to deceive the insurer, would be fraudulent.

Examinations under oath can be conducted nearly anywhere. The most common location is usually an attorney’s office or a conference room at a court reporter’s place of business. However, using the courthouse is another venue that we have observed numerous times.

Many insurance companies overlook the availability of EUOs as an investigative tool.  It is a recognized and approved means to find out valuable and important information during the claim process when depositions, subpoenas, and the typical discovery tools used in litigation are not available.

Policyholders with valid claims should not fear the process as it is a proper way for an insurer to ask questions and learn additional information.  Although insureds may want to have their own legal counsel present for advice about the process and their legal rights. The decision of a policyholder to attend the EUO with independent legal counsel should not be viewed with suspicion by the claim examiner.

Many people in unfamiliar circumstances consult with professionals and it is appropriate to do so. Everyone in an insurance claim has a legal right to have an attorney represent them. It’s also not unusual to see the lawyers drop out of the claim once the EUO is finished. The attorneys are used for the formal part of the questions, then the adjusters make a decision. This is also true for policyholders. The attorney attends the examination under oath, then the insured asks the attorney to step aside until the claim is resolved.

The frequency and use of examinations under oath really vary in the insurance claims business. Some insurers make frequent use of EUOs. We have run across adjusters with 20 plus years of service that have never asked for an examination under oath. We tend to find them most often used in fire claims.

In a fire loss claim, the circumstances may point to possible arson or fraud concerns. An examination under oath allows the insurance adjuster to find out important details. If arson is involved then Oklahoma law bars payment. In other words, the law is favorable for an insurer to deny paying the claim if arson occurred.

Using an Oklahoma lawyer with actual experience with examinations under oath can be a huge time-saver and also a good way to ferret out the facts. Although an attorney is not required, it makes sense to hire one. Once the claim reaches the point that the EUO is necessary, then having an attorney involved can really help.

If you need legal representation with an insurance claim or an examination under oath, feel free to give us a call! 918-940-2222.

A first time real estate investor (REI) in a hurry to close the deal can make a costly insurance mistake. You wouldn’t think that it would happen, but it does. No one calls the insurance agent and makes arrangements for the insurance coverage.

In some instances, it’s simply overlooked.  At other times, the thought is nothing’s going to happen for the next day or so. You shouldn’t deceive yourself, it’s Murphy’s law. Go a day without the insurance protection that you need and that’s the day a claim will occur.

You don’t have to be a new real estate investor to make this mistake. Experienced real estate investors sometimes forget that water lines break, fires start, and the calamities that you never expect to happen will often come at the most unexpected time. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking to yourself “what are the odds” something will take place.

Many policies provide an endorsement for newly acquired properties. Usually this coverage is extended for 30 days for new purchases that a real estate investor makes. But, you have to read the fine print as there can be exceptions. You can also run into issues if you have an LLC that owns the old property, but you purchase the new property in the name of a different LLC.

In working in insurance claims and litigation, we’ve seen those unexpected claims and losses happen the first week of ownership more times than we can count.

We have also known some underwriters at insurance companies who received the unpleasant news that the profits were wiped out the first week the policy was in force. The point is that experienced underwriting departments can’t tell when a claim is going to take place. If they could, then the insurance company would decline to write the policy until after the claim occurred.

Insurers do their best to make sure that risks are suitable to begin with. If an experienced underwriter can’t predict when a claim will occur, then you shouldn’t either. The solution for the real estate investor is to make sure there’s coverage arranged at the time of closing.

Hope the tip saves you a costly insurance mistake.

It’s crucial to consult with an Oklahoma lawyer with experience in bad faith law in the initial stages of your claim.  Oklahoma uses bad faith lawsuits to protect its citizens from inappropriate claim practices.  Bad faith lawsuits are the tool used by the courts to correct unfairness.  As the first sign your claim appears headed for disagreement, then you really should be talking to a bad faith lawyer licensed in Oklahoma.

History of Bad Faith

Bobby Christian’s Story

The first bad faith lawsuit in Oklahoma was the case of Bobby Christian.  The claim involved a disability policy.  For Bobby, life was pretty good.  He worked for Dow Chemicals.  Dow was a big company and the job paid well.  The company offered perks and some important employee benefits.  If Bobby became disabled, then the insurance policy was supposed to pay the benefits.  The contract was simple.  The terms and conditions were fair.

As the primary breadwinner, Bobby’s income was essential for his household.  A lengthy illness or injury taking him from the job would cut off the income he needed.  This was the reason Bobby had disability coverage.

In a sudden and unexpected turn, Bobby’s life changed all at once.  He was injured in a devastating accident which left him totally disabled.  The injuries were permanent.  The doctors said he wouldn’t really recover.  Since he was unable to work, the wages from his job ended.

With Bobby incapable of doing his job, he was faced with the loss of his paycheck.  It wasn’t a pretty picture so he really needed financial help.  Bobby never intended to make a claim under the disability insurance policy.  Although the premiums had been paid, you always hope accidents won’t happen.

Disability Insurance

The purpose of disability insurance is to provide relief in the event of loss of income due to disability.A company called American Home Assurance had sold the coverage.  The face amount of the insurance policy was $50,000.00, which back in 1977 was quite a lot.    As such, it made sense to turn in a claim and make use of the coverage.  Since Bobby’s financial situation was dire, the insurance money would really help out.

Bobby’s Claim Denied

The insurance company refused to pay Bobby and didn’t give a reason.  American Home just withheld the benefits, leaving Bobby in a real bind.  The denial was a surprise to Bobby so it seemed very unfair.

Bobby located a lawyer familiar with insurance coverage.  He wasn’t an Oklahoma bad faith lawyer.  The Oklahoma courts had never let a lawyer sue for bad faith.  But, he read over the insurance policy and said it seemed pretty straightforward.  In the event of a disabling accident, the insurance company was supposed to pay.

Since Bobby’s doctors said he wasn’t going to recover and go back to work, payment was due.  Therefore, American Home’s refusal to pay the claim just didn’t make sense.  Bobby was permanently disabled.  The lawyer was really bothered by the insurer’s refusal to honor the contract.

The Lawsuit

The attorney sued American Home for not keeping its promise to pay Bobby the $50,000.00 like they were supposed to do.  By the middle of the trial, it was really clear to everyone that the insurance company didn’t have a reason for refusing to pay the claim.  The denial was just because the adjuster didn’t want to pay Bobby the money.

After all of the hearings in the lower courts, the case continued on appeal to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.  This is the highest court in the state.

The Supreme Court Was Frustrated

The Supreme Court didn’t like the idea that the insurance company refused to pay the claim.  It was obvious to anyone that Bobby was totally disabled for the rest of his life.  The contract wasn’t hard to understand.  The company had agreed to pay in the event Bobby became unable to work.  The denial of the claim and refusing to give Bobby the benefits wasn’t a mistake.  So, American Home had made a conscious choice to make Bobby fight.  In some respects, it looked like the company hoped Bobby would get tired and give up.

We’ll Fix This Problem

The Supreme Court said this kind of bad faith conduct should’ve never happened.  It was just downright wrong!  Not only was Bobby mistreated, but the situation brought extra emotional distress.

If you only get what you’re owed, years later, insurance doesn’t really help.  If you have to hire lawyers and sue, the amount is reduced by the litigation costs.  The Supreme Court knew that ordering American Home to pay the amount owed wasn’t the answer.

Bobby was out his lawyer fees so he would still lose.  He had been emotionally upset resulting in loss of the emotional security that he purchased.  If you don’t get the coverage at the right time, then what’s the point in buying it?

Not paying legitimate claims also meant American Home could earn profits while honest insurers were keeping their promises.  A dishonest insurer can lower its premiums and drive the competition out of business by not paying claims.  It was bad business all the way around.

So, the court ruled that Bobby could get the $50,000.00 face amount.  Additionally, Bobby was going to receive money for his emotional damages for the hard-fought years of the lawsuit.  Additionally, all of Bobby’s legal fees and court costs were going to be reimbursed.

This was the first bad faith lawsuit in Oklahoma.  Bobby’s lawyer became the first Oklahoma bad faith lawyer in state history.  As a result, the case caused quite a stir in the insurance industry.

Special Relationship

The Supreme Court explained that the relationship between the insurance company and the customer was based upon trust.  Bobby paid the premiums in advance because he needed protection if something bad happened to him.  This unique trust was more than just a contract.  It was a special relationship that required good faith and fairness in Bobby’s claim.

In a normal contract, a broken promise is more of a commercial transaction.  In the context of insurance, the insured places an extraordinary amount of trust in the insurer.  You don’t pay premiums so you can wind up in a lawsuit.  The premiums are paid under the belief the company will be there for you in an emergency.

Think of it like the advertising slogans that many insurance companies use.  Maybe you have heard the marketing along the lines of you’re like a good neighbor or even part of their family.  In short, the company’s got your back when you need a helping hand.

Differences In Size

The Oklahoma appellate courts also consider the bargaining power of the parties.  The typical insured has very small financial backing compared to an insurance company.  Although Bobby had a good job, his wages were tiny compared to American Home’s assets.  As a result, this places the customer at a distinct disadvantage in terms of negotiating the terms.

It’s generally more difficult to fight a larger opponent.  Like the account of David and Goliath, the odds aren’t good for the little guy.  The financial disparity between Bobby and American Home resulted in an unlevel playing field.  The insurer obviously held the upper hand with far more resources.

Dire Financial Circumstances When There’s A Claim

Another reason behind bad faith lawsuits is the extraordinary circumstances faced.  The policyholder, when a claim is made, has suffered some kind of loss.  With a permanent disability, the last thing Bobby needed was a bunch of legal problems and having to deal with lawyers.  As the already weaker party in the deal, he was less able to protect his rights.  Because he was now disabled, he was even more vulnerable.

The court considered it significant that (even without knowing anything would ever happen) the insured had paid for protection against a loss.  So, it meant Bobby’s predicament required good faith by the insurance company.

Implied Duty Of Good Faith And Fair Dealing

In looking at these points, the Supreme Court made a decision.  The court said all insurance policies have an implied duty.  There’s words that are part of the contract.  The language may not be spelled out in a way that you can read, but the duty is still there.  In other words, the written language in the insurance policy may not say it, but the court will read an implied duty into it.

This invisible clause in the contract says that claims will be adjusted fairly and in good faith.  You may not be able to read the actual words in the policy, but the obligation is there just the same.

Harm Caused Or Damages

In order for things to turn out fair, Bobby would have to receive a court judgment for far more than the $50,000.00.  He was already due the benefits.  The court observed there needed to be compensation for the emotional distress.  The peace of mind that Bobby bought when the coverage was purchased wasn’t provided.  So, the court ruled that Bobby could recover for his emotional damages in addition to the policy benefits.

The court further stated that punitive or examplary damages could be given to make an example of the misconduct and discourage it from happening again in the future.

Oklahoma Supreme Court Isn’t Out To Get The Insurance Industry

You might think the Oklahoma courts don’t like insurance companies.  We don’t want you to conclude our courts are out to get insurers.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court (and all of the appellate judges in the various divisions) work extremely hard.  The judges want there to be fair and just outcomes.  Bad faith lawsuits have to be proven with genuine evidence.  As an insurer, you shouldn’t have to be afraid of a false accusation of bad faith.  The courts recognize there are people who might try to take advantage of the law.  So there has to be evidence for an insured to prevail.  Without proof of bad faith, the case isn’t going anywhere.

Screening Mechanism For Frivolous Bad Faith Cases

The appellate courts want the insurance industry to thrive and earn reasonable profits.  Bad faith awards are only given for really bad conduct.  Before cases go to trial, the insurance company has the right for an initial review by the judge.

A motion, known as a motion for summary  judgment, asks the trial judge to review all the evidence.  If the bad faith isn’t really there, then the court is going to rule for the insurance company without a full-blown jury trial.

The summary judgment procedure is designed to keep legitimate disputes from becoming bad faith cases.  The courts look to see if there’s sufficient evidence to go to a jury.  If not, then the insurer wins.

As an insurer, you sometimes find yourself in a sincere disagreement about paying a claim.  There can be differences of opinion over the amount owed, questions over insurable interests, and exclusions in the policy language.

The Supreme Court made the point that just because you litigate a dispute doesn’t mean it was done with an evil intent.  The court wants insurance companies to feel comfortable in challenging coverage, the amount owed, fraud, arson, etc.  Any legitimate concerns can be litigated without fear.  The scales of justice are for everyone, not just the insureds.

Gatekeeper

The trial judge is the gatekeeper for cases that shouldn’t go to trial.  Not only does it protect insurance companies from going through trial on bogus bad faith cases, it also saves judges (and tax payers) the time and expense of a wasteful jury trial.

Oklahoma trial judges are hardworking men and women dedicated to handing out justice.  They do everything possible to make proper decisions and follow the law.  Frivolous cases are dismissed.  Disreputable claimants aren’t allowed to abuse the bad faith law.

Oklahoma bad faith law requires damages to be provenDamages Must Also Be Proven

As any competent Oklahoma bad faith lawyer will tell you, there must be evidence of actual harm in order to recover for bad faith.  Without admissible evidence of harm, no damages will be awarded.  The importance of evidence should not be overlooked.  As an insurer, you have every right to contest the evidence.  Evidentiary challenges can block any mention of irrelevant things to ensure the trial is fair.

Even though there’s not bad faith, the benefits of the policy can still be recovered.  Bad faith and insurance coverage are distinct, separate matters.  In many bad faith lawsuits, the insured sues for two things.  The suit filed by the Oklahoma lawyer is to collect coverage (breach of contract) plus the damages allowed for bad faith (tort).

In addition to compensatory damages, in certain circumstances the courts will allow punitive damages.  These are also known as exemplary damages. An award of punitive or exemplary damages is to punish any misconduct and to prevent similar misconduct in the future.  We discussed this earlier in the post.

A Person Must Also Prove Punitive Damages

It’s not enough to just make a demand for punitive damages.  In other words, the courts won’t allow punitive damages without proper evidence. The time and place for exemplary damages is for really egregious situations.  The proof offered is required to meet a higher standard for certain levels of punitive damages.

In a bad faith case, the person filing suit will usually ask for the coverage purchased, compensatory damages for bad faith, and sometimes punitive damages.

Remittitur Is Another Safety Valve

Remittitur is a fancy legal word that means you have to give the money back.  In short, in cases where there is actually too much money awarded by a jury, the money has to be returned.  If there’s a big bad faith award that isn’t fair, the amount is reduced by the courts.

The Oklahoma courts are not interested in running a “lawsuit lottery”, and rightfully so!  Oklahoma needs and wants the insurance industry.

Attorney Fees and Awards

If successful in the lawsuit, there will likely be a follow up request for attorney fees and costs. The issue of attorney fees is normally a separate stage after a trial.  The court cannot award attorney fees until a person proves the case and prevails at trial.

The hearing on attorney fees is usually before a judge with no jury.  The hearing is typically abbreviated and lasts anywhere from a couple of hours to a day.

Much of the evidence is given to the court in paper records.  These show the hours billed and the amounts charged.  The award in bad faith litigation is considered fee shifting under Oklahoma law for the reimbursement of lawyer costs.

It’s important for you to understand just a little bit about fee shifting rules.  You see, the courts don’t want lawyers running up the bill because someone else is paying it.  (Would you think a lawyer would do that anyway? Wink, Wink!)

The courts have used various analogies to describe fee shifting.  The idea is that you can have any lawyer you want, even the most expensive Oklahoma bad faith lawyer in the State.  But, you can only make the other side pay for a reasonably priced one.  One court explained the winning party was entitled to travel to the courthouse in a Chevrolet, not a Cadillac or Mercedes.

Although the fees may be okay because they have the right to drive an expensive luxury car, the extravagance can’t be shifted to the losing side.  The courts are only going to award fees that should be reasonably shifted to the losing party.  You can give your own lawyer a bonus if you want, but don’t think the court’s going to make the other side pay for it.

Insurers Can Remove A Bad Faith Case

If you’re an insurer with headquarters outside of Oklahoma, maybe you don’t want our state courts deciding the case.  Since you aren’t from here, then leaving the decision to local folks may be a little scary.  In other words, you may be worried about what lawyers sometimes call “Hometown Cookin’!”

You have the option to move the case from the state court to Federal court.  The removal to Federal court is a decision that has a very short deadline.  While there are exceptions, you generally have to file the removal pleadings within 30 days.  Otherwise, the Federal courts won’t have jurisdiction.

Removal to Federal court can have advantages as well as disadvantages.  If you’re sued for bad faith, then the decision should be discussed with a reputable Oklahoma bad faith lawyer as soon as possible.

The scope of removal is far too broad for this post, but all that’s really required is diversity of citizenship and an amount in controversy exceeding $75,000.00 exclusive of costs and interest.

Bad Faith Law Applies To Nearly All Insurance

Bobby Christian’s case was over non-payment of a disability policy.  However, bad faith applies to all types of insurance.  Every policy of insurance written in the State of Oklahoma includes the implied duty.  The only real exception is insurance the Federal government regulates.

Oklahoma lawyers who aren’t really familiar with bad faith insurance law fall into this trap.  If the lawyer mistakenly assumes the bad faith laws will apply, then it’s a shock to find out the United States Congress passed laws that trump the Oklahoma courts.  The legal term is called “preempting the field” and a lawyer considering filing a bad faith action in Oklahoma should be aware of this exception.

If Federal law controls, then the implied duty of good faith isn’t there.

We aren’t going to try to give an exhaustive list, but here are some categories of insurance claims that are usually subject to bad faith:

  • Homeowners’ claims
    • fire
    • hail
    • wind
    • tornado/storm
    • theft
  • Business losses
    • theft
    • fire
    • business interruption
    • storms
  • Uninsured motorist claims
  • Underinsured motorist claims
  • Liability accidents where the insurer is defending the insured
  • Disability claims not regulated by Federal law
  • Health insurance claims not regulated by Federal law

You almost have to be an Oklahoma lawyer with years of real life experience in the bad faith arena to readily tell what is subject to bad faith.

Technically, The Term Is Not “Bad Faith”

Bad faith is really a shorthand used because the actual duty is rather lengthy to say.  If you want to say it using the correct verbiage, then first take a deep breath.  It’s actually the “implied duty to adjust insurance claims in good faith and with fair dealing”.

Now you see why the nickname “bad faith” is used by Oklahoma lawyers.  If the technical name was used during a bad faith trial, it would take a whole extra day to finish the case.

Bad Faith Lawsuits

As every lawyer knows, you can write any words you want in the legal papers.  In fact, some lawyers draft 50-60 page pleadings filled with all kinds of supposed wrongs.

As the case progresses, judges toss out count after count for lack of evidence.

We personally like straight answers.  It’s like going to a C.P.A. who tells you to take all these deductions.  You don’t want to find out 3 years later in an audit the deductions weren’t legit.  Not everyone sees it that way.  Some lawyers in Oklahoma waste years in bad faith cases that don’t pan out.  We find this distasteful.

Our comments aren’t intended to leave the impression that the plaintiff lawyer should know everything at the start.  No lawyer has a crystal ball.  The second phase of a lawsuit is called discovery where facts come out that you didn’t know.  So just because the case ends in favor of the insurance company doesn’t necessarily indicate the attorney did something wrong.

The author has been litigating bad faith cases since 1984.  The Bobby Christian case was decided in 1977.  Having the ability to watch each Supreme Court case come down in real time has definitely made it an easier learning curve.

A number of the appellate opinions bear our firm name.  Others were litigated with our firm actively consulting in the appeal briefs filed at the court.  But, with all this experience and a genuine interest in bad faith cases, we don’t pretend to know it all.  Bad faith is a fluid, changing legal theory that is in some ways more like an art than a science.

Don’t Wait To Talk To An Oklahoma Bad Faith Lawyer

You need quick legal advice in the claim now.  One of the biggest mistakes we see is delay in speaking with a lawyer knowledgeable about bad faith claims in Oklahoma.

You also need good legal advice.  Oklahoma law doesn’t let a lawyer say that he “specializes” in bad faith.  Legally speaking, any licensed attorney can legally file or defend a bad faith case.  While experience in insurance claims is helpful, more is needed in our opinion.  We’ve seen plenty of adjusters who became lawyers.  The insurance background was obviously beneficial.  But, bad faith law involves far more than insurance claim principles.  It’s a niche area of law in which relatively few are really considered to be an Oklahoma bad faith lawyer.

In over 30 years of bad faith litigation, we suggest it’s a plus to have someone who’s already been down the road you’re traveling.

The number of attorneys who really practice in the bad faith arena are few.  In comparison, there’s large numbers of divorce, criminal, bankruptcy, probate, real estate, patent, and other types of law practices.

If you need to talk with an Oklahoma bad faith lawyer, give us a call.  Coffee’s free and we’ll make sure the brief initial consultation won’t be a waste of your time!

Experienced insurance adjusters know the phrase “bad faith”. The term is a short hand way to describe a lawsuit filed for the alleged violation of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing. It is the legal duty imposed by operation of law. The shorthand “bad faith” is a lot easier to say.

The implied duty sounds like one duty. But, the obligation carries two parts; good faith and fair dealing. The two parts combine into a fluid concept to form the basis for the proper adjustment of a claim.

Good faith and fair dealing involves subjective honesty combined with the objective reasonableness of the actions by the insurer. The central focus is on the information known to the insurance company at the time of the claim. The Oklahoma courts seem fond of the phrase “at the time performance was requested”. The phrase is really just a different way of saying information known while the claim was being adjusted.

It is important to observe the courts can also focus on information not known, but that could have been reasonably discovered. In investigating a claim, adjusters need to ask questions. Ignorance of the facts is not a defense if the information could have been learned with reasonable effort.

Therefore, an insurance company’s knowledge during the claim is the focal point. If the insurer had a good faith belief, then the courts will not hold the insurance company responsible for bad faith. No insurer is held to the standard of perfection.

The courts expect to see a good faith belief and an honest intention. The person suing for bad faith has the burden of proof. A bad faith claim can be successfully fought off by the insurer affirmatively showing that good faith and fair dealing were used during the claim.

Claims of bad faith should be reviewed with knowledgeable, experienced Oklahoma legal counsel. The bad faith law has been evolving for the past 30 years. It pays to have an attorney familiar with the nuances and fine details of the ever changing dynamics.

Steven V. Buckman has been engaged in bad faith litigation for over 33 years. Give him a call if you have questions!

 

Oklahoma bad faith law applies to storm, tornado, wind, and hail damage.

Insurance covers all kinds of damaging events. Many people think about their home, car, boat, lake house, disability policy, life insurance, or business. However, insurance is available for all sorts of other things.

For instance, professional athletes insure their hands. Entertainers and music stars insure the ability to sing or play an instrument while actors and actresses buy insurance against disfigurement. Doctors buy malpractice coverage. Rodeo and concert events are insured against weather cancellation. Farmers purchase crop insurance while ranchers obtain coverage for their hay and livestock. Racing syndicates buy all kinds of insurance for valuable race horses. The list goes on and on.

Continue Reading Oklahoma Bad Faith Law Applies To Hail, Storms, Tornado, Theft, Ice, Fire, Water Damage, Etc.

For the filing fee of approximately $250, anyone can file a bad faith lawsuit. Just saying an insurance company acted in bad faith is not proof. Words are easy to say. Some people jump to the conclusion that there is bad faith when there isn’t any. There is a significant difference in filing papers at the courthouse and actually winning a trial. Filing a bad faith lawsuit means writing words on a legal document. Proving bad faith in a trial means providing evidence to the court of the bad faith.

In order to prove bad faith there must be admissible evidence.

Not all evidence is admissible. For example, courts generally do not allow hearsay evidence.  As another example, evidence that is not relevant is excluded from trial. Judges look at the information you want to give the jury, then make legal decisions about the admissibility.

To prove bad faith, the person who sued typically must have evidence to show:

Continue Reading Bad Faith Must Be Proven With Evidence Per Oklahoma Law

Bad faith is when the insurance company wrongfully refuses to pay a valid insurance claim. It is not a simple mistake during the claim. It is not a genuine dispute over the coverage or damages.

Bad faith isn’t present just because the claimant wants more money.

The courts in Oklahoma (and courts in other states) have identified misconduct that is bad faith. Although not a complete list, actions declared to be bad faith include:

Continue Reading Bad Faith in Oklahoma Is Truly Bad Conduct

Oklahoma bad faith law protects the public from unscrupulous claim practices. The courts apply the common law precepts of good faith and fair dealing in order to fashion remedies. The laws balance the unequal bargaining position of the parties.

An insurance company has the greater financial resources and usually a lot more sophistication in claims. To the contrary, the insured policyholder may be in a poor financial position at the time of a loss. Due to the imbalance, the courts require the insurer to act in good faith in paying claims.

The public extends to homeowners, businesses, families, and even other insurers. Generally, Oklahoma bad faith laws are in place to make sure insurance claims are promptly paid. If an insurance company acts in bad faith, then damages can be awarded.

Continue Reading Oklahoma Bad Faith Law – Protecting The Public

Bad faith under Oklahoma law only applies in certain situations. Not every dissatisfied claimant is entitled to sue under Oklahoma bad faith law.

Oklahoma bad faith is NOT:

* action by the underwriting department while underwriting a policy

* the activity of an insurance agent in selling the coverage

* the action of an adjuster handling Not every dissatisfied claimant can sue under Oklahoma bad faith law.a third party claim

* just because some lawyer uses the phrase “bad faith”

* an honest mistake by the claim department or adjuster

* simply paying less than an amount that makes the claimant happy

* the use of litigation to resolve disputed facts and circumstances

* litigation of novel and unsettled points of law including matters of first impression

It always makes sense to involve an experienced attorney early in the claim if issues of bad faith may be present.

In Oklahoma, an insurance company has a legal duty to fairly pay claims. This duty is technically to act in good faith and with fair dealing. An insurance company that refuses to fairly pay claims can be sued for bad faith for not complying with the law. The insured policyholder can claim emotional distress, financial losses, etc., caused by the bad faith.

It is good to keep in mind that the term bad faith is a short hand version of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. However, most adjusters and insurers use “bad faith” to describe this type of litigation. In everyday communication, saying breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing is a mouthful. Bad faith is a whole lot shorter and easier to say.

Continue Reading Oklahoma Bad Faith – What Is It?