Opinion ID: 171942
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Answer and Amended Answer

Text: Following the filing of Mr. Lopez’s state court complaint, his counsel sent a letter to United Fire on November 11, 2005, referencing the accident and asking for a copy of the insurance policy and declarations. On November 21, 2005, Ron Reihmann, a claims representative for United Fire, responded with a letter 5 Because Mr. Lopez was an insured under the contract, this was a first-party breach claim. See Farmers Group, Inc. v. Williams, 805 P.2d 419, 429-30 (Colo. 1991) (Vollack, J., dissenting); see also Travelers Ins. Co. v. Savio, 706 P.2d 1258, 1274-76 (Colo. 1985). -6- briefly describing the policy coverage and enclosing an application for PIP benefits and medical and wage-loss information authorization forms. The case was removed to federal district court on December 22, 2005. The certificate of compliance accompanying the notice of removal asserted the complaint had been served on American Family and United Fire on December 8, 2005. United Fire filed its answer in federal court on December 28, 2005, generally denying the majority of the allegations therein and stating it had been unable to complete its internal investigation because Mr. Lopez had not yet submitted an insurance claim. United Fire also filed a counterclaim seeking a declaration that its liability for PIP coverage was subject to a $200,000 cap under the policy. On February 6, 2006, United Fire amended its answer to admit it would not be able to prove that enhanced PIP coverage had been properly offered and the insurance contract would have to be reformed to include that coverage.