Williams v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance

WHICHARD, Judge.

Prior to commencement of this action, plaintiff owned a mechanic and body shop, and defendant State Farm operated a claims adjustment service, in Durham. Defendants Cox and McKinney were employed by defendant State Farm as claims agents.

In February 1980 a dispute arose between plaintiff and defendants over the repair of an automobile. The owner called plaintiff and told him to take the automobile to his shop. Plaintiff did so, and prepared an estimate on the cost of repairs. The automobile was insured by defendant State Farm, however, and it refused to accept the estimate.…