An apartment complex sustained a fire loss to its business and hired a public adjuster to assist in preparing the property damage claims. Subsequently, the apartment complex assigned its interest in the bad faith claims against the insurance company and insurance agency to the public adjusting company and, in turn, the public adjuster filed suit alleging bad faith. The insurance company and agent filed motions for summary judgment in the trial court and prevailed. The public adjuster appealed.
On appeal, the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals found that the trial court properly granted summary judgment and held:
1) summary judgment for the insurer was appropriate because a bad faith claim arises from a tort and, under Oklahoma law, a tort cause of action is not assignable; and
2) summary judgment for the insurance agency was appropriate because, under Oklahoma law, an insured cannot bring a bad faith claim against an insurance agency or its agent because they are not parties to the insurance contract.
, 2013 OK CIV APP 67, 307 P.3d 400.
United Adjustment Services, Inc. v. Professional Insurors Agency, LLC