Court Opinion

ID: 9735907
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 18:36:34.415419+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:27:02.779655
License: Public Domain

WUEST, Chief Justice
(concurring in the result).
I concur in the result, but not in the following language of the majority opinion which appears to hold bad faith as a matter of law:
It seems clear LeMars ignored its duty of good faith for the purpose of protecting its own interest. It also seems readily apparent to this court that the conduct of LeMars prior to the suit against Helm-bolt was nothing more than gamesmanship. To allow a company to take the posture LeMars assumed, would at best violate the public policy of this state, not to mention the settled law which requires an insurance company to settle and negotiate in good faith. Furthermore, Le-Mars’ conduct in this case was tantamount to a unilateral revocation or termination of mandatory coverage. On its face, that is a conduct in bad faith.
However, in my opinion there was sufficient evidence for the jury to find bad faith.
I am authorized to state that FOSHEIM, Retired Justice, joins in this concurrence in result.