Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance v. Merck

Cooper, Judge.

Appellee sued Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company (“Georgia Farm”) based on its denial of collision coverage after appellee’s car was damaged in an accident. Georgia Farm denied coverage after concluding that the loss was the result of an accident in which the driver was charged with racing. The matter was tried before a jury which awarded appellee his property damage, bad faith penalties and attorney fees. This appeal followed.

The record reflects that appellee owned a 1988 Ford Mustang GT, which was fully insured with collision coverage by Georgia Farm. On the evening…