Emanuelsen v. State Farm Auto. Ins. Co.

This is an appeal from a directed verdict in favor of State Farm Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm) on a complaint alleging a bad faith refusal to pay an insurance claim.

In July 1987, Peder Emanuelsen filed a complaint against State Farm, alleging a breach of contract and a bad faith refusal to pay an insurance claim. Emanuelsen sought compensatory and punitive damages, plus interest and costs. Emanuelsen amended his complaint to allege that State Farm had engaged in a pattern and/or practice of failing or refusing to pay the proper amounts due on its insurance policies, and requested…