Court Opinion

ID: 9730609
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 15:17:23.501492+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:07.724905
License: Public Domain

SULLIVAN, Judge,
concurring.
I concur and write separately merely to voice the opinion that this case reflects the dilemma which is inherently present when the same insurance company has two poli-cles-one on the tortfeasor and one on the plaintiff for an underinsured motorist claim. There is a tension which may arise in the handling of the two separate claims when the settlement of one such claim negatively impacts the insurer's liability upon the second policy.
Even if there is no conflict of interest in the actual handling of the two claims, an appearance of impropriety may surface. The subtleties of the relationships among and between those involved is magnified when, as here, the same claims supervisor has responsibility with regard to the two separate claims.
Be that as it may, I agree that, as a matter of law, Allstate did not breach a duty of good faith dealing with Brady and was therefore not liable for punitive damages.