Sobieski v. American Standard Insurance Co.

OPINION

JOHNSEN, Judge;

¶ 1 A motorcyclist was badly injured when he slammed into a car that had stopped abruptly in front of him. Although the driver of the car was uninsured, the motorcyclist had uninsured motorist coverage. The motorcyclist’s insurer denied the claim, however, because it concluded the motorcyclist was solely at fault in the accident. We affirm a judgment against the insurer for breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, but, in the absence of evidence linking its denial of coverage to an improper motive, we vacate the award of punitive damages.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL…