INSURANCE BAD FAITH DEMAND LETTER

State of Illinois

[LAW FIRM LETTERHEAD]

PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
SETTLEMENT COMMUNICATION - FOR RESOLUTION PURPOSES ONLY
PROTECTED UNDER IL 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 - ILLINOIS 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 Illinois. 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 Illinois law.

As a seasoned insurance litigator with decades of experience representing policyholders against major carriers in Illinois, I am well aware of the Company's obligations under 215 ILCS and Illinois common law. The Company's conduct in this matter constitutes a textbook example of bad faith claims practices that Illinois 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 Illinois law.

II. ILLINOIS BAD FAITH LAW

A. Legal Standard

Illinois provides statutory remedy under 215 ILCS 5/155 for vexatious and unreasonable delay or denial. No common law bad faith recognized. Must show insurer's conduct was vexatious and unreasonable - not mere denial or delay. Cramer v. Insurance Exchange Agency, 675 N.E.2d 897 (Ill. 1996).

B. Available Damages Under Illinois Law

Under Illinois law, our client is entitled to recover:

25% of claim amount or $60,000 (whichever less) plus attorney fees and costs under 215 ILCS 5/155

C. Punitive Damages Standard

Vexatious and unreasonable conduct

D. Attorney's Fees

Recoverable under 215 ILCS 5/155 if vexatious delay found

III. POLICY INFORMATION AND COVERAGE

A. Policy Details

B. Coverage Analysis

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

[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME] has acknowledged coverage by [DESCRIBE_COVERAGE_ACKNOWLEDGMENT]. Having accepted coverage, the Company is obligated under Illinois 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

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 Illinois law:

A. Unreasonable Delay

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

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

C. Unreasonable Settlement Offers

The Company's settlement offers have been grossly inadequate:

D. Misrepresentation of Policy Provisions

[DESCRIBE_MISREPRESENTATIONS]

E. Failure to Communicate

[DESCRIBE_COMMUNICATION_FAILURES]

VI. STATUTORY VIOLATIONS

A. Illinois Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act

[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME]'s conduct violates 215 ILCS 5/154.6, 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. Illinois Prompt Payment Requirements

[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME] has violated 215 ILCS 5/154.6 - Unfair claims practices by:

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

VII. DAMAGES

A. Contract Damages

B. Consequential Damages

C. Emotional Distress Damages

[DESCRIBE_EMOTIONAL_DISTRESS_IF_RECOVERABLE_UNDER_IL_LAW]

D. Punitive/Exemplary Damages

Under Illinois law, punitive damages require: Vexatious and unreasonable conduct

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

E. Statutory Penalties

Under Illinois 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:

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 Illinois 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 Illinois law

3. Regulatory complaints will be filed with:
   - Illinois Department of Insurance, 320 W. Washington Street, Springfield, IL 62767
   - 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 Illinois bad faith laws were enacted to prevent and punish. We strongly encourage the Company to use this opportunity to resolve this matter fairly under Illinois law.

Please direct all communications regarding this matter to the undersigned.

Respectfully submitted,

[LAW_FIRM_NAME]

By: _______________________________
[ATTORNEY_NAME]
[BAR_NUMBER]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], IL [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]
- Illinois Department of Insurance, 320 W. Washington Street, Springfield, IL 62767 (via complaint filing)

ILLINOIS LAW QUICK REFERENCE