Avoiding Bad Faith When Handling Catastrophe Claims

Insurance bad faith exposure is always in the background of claim handling. This is never more true than in situations involving the handling of catastrophe claims. Handling these claims is different from handling other claims, however, and insurance bad faith law is one reason.

There are causes of action or legal claims available under many statutes and at common law. The reference point in most jurisdictions is ordinarily a version of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners 1972 Model Act relating to unfair methods of competition and unfair and deceptive practices in the business of insurance. The following observations spring from experience with enactments of variations of that model act, from both Florida and other states. However, we will note that one of the major components of handling catastrophe insurance claims consists of partnering with people who know and understand local insurance law.