Templates Demand Letters Insurance Bad Faith Demand Letter - Colorado
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INSURANCE BAD FAITH DEMAND LETTER

State of Colorado


[LAW FIRM LETTERHEAD]

PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
SETTLEMENT COMMUNICATION - FOR RESOLUTION PURPOSES ONLY
PROTECTED UNDER CO RULES OF EVIDENCE AND F.R.E. 408


VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
AND VIA EMAIL TO: [ADJUSTER_EMAIL]

Date: [DATE]

[INSURANCE_COMPANY_NAME]
[CLAIMS_DEPARTMENT_ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]

Attention: [ADJUSTER_NAME], [ADJUSTER_TITLE]
Re: FORMAL BAD FAITH DEMAND - COLORADO LAW
Insured: [INSURED_NAME]
Claimant: [CLAIMANT_NAME]
Policy Number: [POLICY_NUMBER]
Claim Number: [CLAIM_NUMBER]
Date of Loss: [DATE_OF_LOSS]
Policy Limits: [POLICY_LIMITS]
Response Deadline: [RESPONSE_DEADLINE] (This is a Time-Limited Demand)


Dear [ADJUSTER_NAME]:

I. INTRODUCTION AND NATURE OF DEMAND

This firm represents [CLIENT_NAME] ("our client") in connection with the above-referenced insurance claim arising under the laws of Colorado. This letter constitutes a formal demand for payment of policy benefits wrongfully withheld and serves as notice of [INSURANCE_COMPANY_NAME]'s ("the Company" or "[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME]") bad faith conduct in handling our client's claim under Colorado law.

As a seasoned insurance litigator with decades of experience representing policyholders against major carriers in Colorado, I am well aware of the Company's obligations under Colo. Rev. Stat. Title 10 and Colorado common law. The Company's conduct in this matter constitutes a textbook example of bad faith claims practices that Colorado courts routinely punish with substantial damages.

This is a time-limited demand. The Company has until [RESPONSE_DEADLINE] to tender the full amount owed of $[DEMAND_AMOUNT] and resolve all claims arising from this loss. Failure to do so will result in immediate litigation seeking all available remedies under Colorado law.


II. COLORADO BAD FAITH LAW

A. Legal Standard

Colorado recognizes first-party bad faith. Insured must prove: (1) insurer acted unreasonably under circumstances; and (2) insurer knew or recklessly disregarded that conduct was unreasonable. Goodson v. American Standard Ins. Co., 89 P.3d 409 (Colo. 2004). Reasonable basis for denial defeats bad faith.

B. Available Damages Under Colorado Law

Under Colorado law, our client is entitled to recover:

Covered loss, general damages, and statutory penalties under C.R.S. 10-3-1116

C. Punitive Damages Standard

Willful and wanton conduct (doubled damages under statute)

D. Attorney's Fees

Recoverable under C.R.S. 10-3-1116 for unreasonable delay/denial


III. POLICY INFORMATION AND COVERAGE

A. Policy Details

Item Information
Named Insured [INSURED_NAME]
Policy Number [POLICY_NUMBER]
Policy Period [POLICY_PERIOD_START] to [POLICY_PERIOD_END]
Policy Type [POLICY_TYPE]
Applicable Coverage [COVERAGE_TYPE]
Per-Occurrence Limit [PER_OCCURRENCE_LIMIT]
Aggregate Limit [AGGREGATE_LIMIT]
Deductible [DEDUCTIBLE_AMOUNT]

B. Coverage Analysis

The policy provides coverage for [DESCRIBE_COVERED_LOSS_TYPE]. The loss clearly falls within the policy's insuring agreement under Colorado law interpretation principles.

[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME] has acknowledged coverage by [DESCRIBE_COVERAGE_ACKNOWLEDGMENT]. Having accepted coverage, the Company is obligated under Colorado law to:

  • Conduct a thorough, fair, and objective investigation
  • Evaluate the claim in good faith
  • Promptly pay all amounts owed under the policy
  • Communicate honestly and transparently with the insured
  • Avoid unreasonable delays in claim handling
  • Refrain from compelling litigation through unreasonable conduct

IV. FACTUAL BACKGROUND AND CLAIM HISTORY

A. The Underlying Loss

On [DATE_OF_LOSS], [DESCRIBE_LOSS_EVENT_IN_DETAIL].

[ADDITIONAL_LOSS_DETAILS]

B. Chronological Timeline of Bad Faith Conduct

Date Event Bad Faith Indicator
[DATE_1] [EVENT_1] [INDICATOR_1]
[DATE_2] [EVENT_2] [INDICATOR_2]
[DATE_3] [EVENT_3] [INDICATOR_3]
[DATE_4] [EVENT_4] [INDICATOR_4]
[DATE_5] [EVENT_5] [INDICATOR_5]
[DATE_6] [EVENT_6] [INDICATOR_6]

V. SPECIFIC BAD FAITH CONDUCT

[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME]'s handling of this claim violates both the express and implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing recognized under Colorado law:

A. Unreasonable Delay

The Company has unreasonably delayed the investigation, evaluation, and payment of this claim in violation of Colorado law:

  • [DESCRIBE_SPECIFIC_DELAY_1]
  • [DESCRIBE_SPECIFIC_DELAY_2]
  • [DESCRIBE_SPECIFIC_DELAY_3]

B. Inadequate Investigation

[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME] failed to conduct the thorough, fair, and objective investigation required under Colorado law:

  • [INVESTIGATION_FAILURE_1]
  • [INVESTIGATION_FAILURE_2]
  • [INVESTIGATION_FAILURE_3]

C. Unreasonable Settlement Offers

The Company's settlement offers have been grossly inadequate:

Date Offer Amount Actual Value Discrepancy
[DATE_A] [OFFER_A] [VALUE_A] [DISCREPANCY_A]
[DATE_B] [OFFER_B] [VALUE_B] [DISCREPANCY_B]

D. Misrepresentation of Policy Provisions

[DESCRIBE_MISREPRESENTATIONS]

E. Failure to Communicate

[DESCRIBE_COMMUNICATION_FAILURES]


VI. STATUTORY VIOLATIONS

A. Colorado Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act

[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME]'s conduct violates C.R.S. 10-3-1104, which prohibits:

  • Misrepresenting pertinent facts or insurance policy provisions relating to coverages at issue
  • Failing to acknowledge and act reasonably promptly upon communications with respect to claims
  • Failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation of claims
  • Refusing to pay claims without conducting a reasonable investigation
  • Not attempting in good faith to effectuate prompt, fair, and equitable settlements of claims in which liability has become reasonably clear
  • Compelling insureds to institute litigation to recover amounts due under an insurance policy by offering substantially less than the amounts ultimately recovered
  • Attempting to settle a claim for less than the amount to which a reasonable person would have believed he or she was entitled
  • Failing to promptly provide a reasonable explanation of the basis in the policy for denial or inadequate offer

B. Colorado Prompt Payment Requirements

[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME] has violated C.R.S. 10-3-1115/1116 - Unreasonable delay or denial subjects insurer to 2x covered benefit plus attorney fees by:

  • [SPECIFIC_PROMPT_PAYMENT_VIOLATION_1]
  • [SPECIFIC_PROMPT_PAYMENT_VIOLATION_2]
  • [SPECIFIC_PROMPT_PAYMENT_VIOLATION_3]

VII. DAMAGES

A. Contract Damages

Category Amount
Policy Benefits Owed $[AMOUNT]
Less Amounts Paid ($[AMOUNT_PAID])
Net Policy Benefits Due $[NET_AMOUNT]

B. Consequential Damages

Category Amount
[CONSEQUENTIAL_CATEGORY_1] $[AMOUNT_1]
[CONSEQUENTIAL_CATEGORY_2] $[AMOUNT_2]
[CONSEQUENTIAL_CATEGORY_3] $[AMOUNT_3]
Total Consequential Damages $[TOTAL_CONSEQUENTIAL]

C. Emotional Distress Damages

[DESCRIBE_EMOTIONAL_DISTRESS_IF_RECOVERABLE_UNDER_CO_LAW]

D. Punitive/Exemplary Damages

Under Colorado law, punitive damages require: Willful and wanton conduct (doubled damages under statute)

The Company's conduct meets this standard because [DESCRIBE_AGGRAVATING_FACTORS].

E. Statutory Penalties

Under Colorado law, our client is entitled to:

[STATE_SPECIFIC_STATUTORY_PENALTIES]


VIII. DEMAND

Based on the foregoing, we hereby demand that [CARRIER_SHORT_NAME]:

A. Monetary Demand

Pay the total sum of $[TOTAL_DEMAND_AMOUNT] as follows:

Component Amount
Policy Benefits $[POLICY_BENEFITS]
Statutory Interest/Penalties $[STATUTORY_INTEREST]
Consequential Damages $[CONSEQUENTIAL_DAMAGES]
TOTAL DEMAND $[TOTAL_DEMAND_AMOUNT]

B. Settlement Terms

In addition to the monetary payment:

  • Full and complete release of all claims by [CARRIER_SHORT_NAME] against our client
  • Confidentiality agreement regarding settlement terms (optional)
  • Correction of any adverse information reported to industry databases

IX. TIME-LIMITED NATURE OF THIS DEMAND

THIS DEMAND EXPIRES AT 5:00 P.M. [TIME_ZONE] ON [RESPONSE_DEADLINE].

Consequences of Non-Response

If [CARRIER_SHORT_NAME] fails to accept this demand by the deadline:

  1. Litigation will be filed immediately in Colorado seeking all available remedies

  2. This demand will be withdrawn and our client will seek:
    - Full policy benefits plus prejudgment interest
    - All consequential and emotional distress damages
    - Punitive damages without limitation
    - Attorney's fees and costs
    - All statutory penalties under Colorado law

  3. Regulatory complaints will be filed with:
    - Colorado Division of Insurance, 1560 Broadway, Suite 850, Denver, CO 80202
    - National Association of Insurance Commissioners


X. DOCUMENT PRESERVATION NOTICE

This letter constitutes formal notice to preserve all documents and electronically stored information related to this claim, including but not limited to:

  • The complete claim file, including all versions and drafts
  • All internal communications regarding this claim
  • All communications with the insured/claimant
  • Adjuster notes, diaries, and activity logs
  • All documents received from or sent to the insured/claimant
  • All photographs, videos, and inspection reports
  • All expert reports, estimates, and evaluations
  • Claim handling guidelines, manuals, and procedures
  • Training materials relevant to this type of claim
  • Reserve information and reserve change documentation
  • Supervisor notes and approvals
  • Quality assurance or audit reports

XI. CONCLUSION

[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME]'s handling of this claim represents precisely the type of conduct that Colorado bad faith laws were enacted to prevent and punish. We strongly encourage the Company to use this opportunity to resolve this matter fairly under Colorado law.

Please direct all communications regarding this matter to the undersigned.

Respectfully submitted,

[LAW_FIRM_NAME]

By: _______________________________
[ATTORNEY_NAME]
[BAR_NUMBER]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], CO [ZIP]
[PHONE]
[FAX]
[EMAIL]

Counsel for [CLIENT_NAME]


ENCLOSURES:
- Policy declarations page
- Relevant policy provisions
- Claim correspondence chronology
- Damage documentation
- Expert reports (if applicable)

CC:
- [CLIENT_NAME]
- Colorado Division of Insurance, 1560 Broadway, Suite 850, Denver, CO 80202 (via complaint filing)


COLORADO LAW QUICK REFERENCE

Element Colorado Law
Bad Faith Type Common Law and Statutory
Governing Statute Colo. Rev. Stat. Title 10
Unfair Practices Act C.R.S. 10-3-1104
Prompt Payment C.R.S. 10-3-1115/1116 - Unreasonable delay or denial subjects insurer to 2x covered benefit plus attorney fees
Punitive Standard Willful and wanton conduct (doubled damages under statute)
Attorney Fees Recoverable under C.R.S. 10-3-1116 for unreasonable delay/denial
DOI Address Colorado Division of Insurance, 1560 Broadway, Suite 850, Denver, CO 80202
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Insurance Bad Faith Demand Letter - Colorado

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