Morris v. American Family Mutual Insurance Co.

SIMONETT, Justice.

We decide that a private party does not have a cause of action against an insurer for a violation of the Unfair Claims Practices Act, and we reverse the court of appeals.

Plaintiff-respondent, Vera Ann Morris, sued defendant-appellant, American Family Mutual Insurance Company, for basic economic loss no-fault benefits arising out of an auto accident that happened in September 1982. Later, plaintiff Morris moved to amend her complaint to add a second count, alleging defendant American Family violated the Unfair Claims Practices Act, Minn. Stat. § 72A.20 (1984), by refusing to…