1.Civil actions.
A person injured by any of the following actions taken by that person's own insurer may bring a civil action and recover
damages, together with costs and disbursements, reasonable attorney's fees and interest on damages at the rate of 1 1/2% per
month:
A. Knowingly misrepresenting to an insured pertinent facts or policy provisions relating to coverage at issue; [1997, c. 621, §1 (RPR).]
B. Failing to acknowledge and review claims, which may include payment or denial of a claim, within a reasonable time following
receipt of written notice by the insurer of a claim by an insured arising under a policy; [1997, c. 621, §1 (RPR).]
C. Threatening to appeal from an arbitration award in favor of an insured for the sole purpose of compelling the insured to
accept a settlement less than the arbitration award; [1997, c. 621, §1 (RPR).]
D. Failing to affirm or deny coverage, reserving any appropriate defenses, within a reasonable time after having completed
its investigation related to a claim; or [1997, c. 621, §1 (RPR).]
E. Without just cause, failing to effectuate prompt, fair and equitable settlement of claims submitted in which liability has
become reasonably clear. [1997, c. 621, §1 (NEW).]
[
1997, c. 621, §1 (RPR)
.]
2.Without just cause.
For the purposes of this section, an insurer acts without just cause if it refuses to settle claims without a reasonable
basis to contest liability, the amount of any damages or the extent of any injuries claimed.
[
1997, c. 621, §1 (RPR)
.]
3.No limitation on other cause of action.
Nothing in this section prohibits any other claim or cause of action a person has against an insurer.
[
1997, c. 621, §1 (NEW)
.]
4.Application.
This section does not apply to workers' compensation claims.
[
1997, c. 621, §1 (NEW)
.]
SECTION HISTORY
1987, c. 291, §2 (NEW).
1997, c. 621, §1 (RPR).
Data for this page extracted on 10/16/2012 08:29:52.