While the November 8, 2018 Court of Appeal of Texas, Fort Worth Division opinion reverses a trial court’s judgment on grounds of legal insufficiency and standing, the court’s analysis and application of current Texas bad faith law is of much more interest. The trial court judgment held that Old American Insurance Company violated both the Texas Unfair Settlement Practices and the Prompt Payment of Claims Acts by failing to promptly pay benefits owed under the life insurance policy assigned to Lincoln Factoring, LLC (assignee of beneficiary’s policy benefits). But the appellate court reversed, concluding that as a matter of law Lincoln could not recover damages on the claims it plead. Old Am. Ins. Co. v. Lincoln Factoring, LLC, No. 02-17-00186-CV,…
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Fort Worth Court of Appeal Reverses Judgment Awarding Bad Faith Damages Against Insurer
Posted in Bad Faith
Texas Supreme Court to Decide Whether a Policyholder Can Recover Damages When The Carrier Does Not Breach the Policy
According to both the appellant and the appellee, the Texas Supreme Court already decided this issue. Each, of course, finds a different answer. Cause No., 14-0721, USAA Texas Lloyds Co. v. Gail Menchaca, in the Texas Supreme Court, arises from an unusual fact pattern and some unusual jury findings. Trial plaintiff Gail Menchaca suffered damage to her home as a result of Hurricane Ike. USAA investigated the loss and found some covered damage, but concluded that the repair costs fell below the applicable deductible and therefore issued no payment. Menchaca then sued USAA, asserting claims for breach of contract and several extra-contractual claims, including a failure to adequately investigate her loss. However, Menchaca alleged no damage from those extra-contractual claims,…
