Templates Demand Letters Insurance Bad Faith Demand Letter - Oklahoma
Ready to Edit
Insurance Bad Faith Demand Letter - Oklahoma - Free Editor

INSURANCE BAD FAITH DEMAND LETTER

State of Oklahoma


[LAW FIRM LETTERHEAD]

PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
SETTLEMENT COMMUNICATION - FOR RESOLUTION PURPOSES ONLY
PROTECTED UNDER OK 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 - OKLAHOMA 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 Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma law.

As a seasoned insurance litigator with decades of experience representing policyholders against major carriers in Oklahoma, I am well aware of the Company's obligations under Okla. Stat. Title 36 and Oklahoma common law. The Company's conduct in this matter constitutes a textbook example of bad faith claims practices that Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma law.


II. OKLAHOMA BAD FAITH LAW

A. Legal Standard

Oklahoma recognizes strong bad faith tort. Implied duty of good faith requires insurer to deal fairly with insured. Bad faith is unreasonable, bad faith conduct, including failure to timely pay. Christian v. Am. Home Assur. Co., 577 P.2d 899 (Okla. 1978). Clear and convincing standard for punitive.

B. Available Damages Under Oklahoma Law

Under Oklahoma law, our client is entitled to recover:

Compensatory damages, consequential damages, emotional distress, and punitive damages

C. Punitive Damages Standard

Clear and convincing evidence of reckless disregard for insured's rights or intentional wrong

D. Attorney's Fees

Recoverable as element of consequential damages in bad faith


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 Oklahoma law interpretation principles.

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

A. Unreasonable Delay

The Company has unreasonably delayed the investigation, evaluation, and payment of this claim in violation of Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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. Oklahoma Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act

[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME]'s conduct violates 36 O.S. 1250.1 et seq., 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. Oklahoma Prompt Payment Requirements

[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME] has violated 36 O.S. 1250.5 - Unfair claims settlement practices 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_OK_LAW]

D. Punitive/Exemplary Damages

Under Oklahoma law, punitive damages require: Clear and convincing evidence of reckless disregard for insured's rights or intentional wrong

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

E. Statutory Penalties

Under Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma law

  3. Regulatory complaints will be filed with:
    - Oklahoma Insurance Department, 400 NE 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
    - 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 Oklahoma bad faith laws were enacted to prevent and punish. We strongly encourage the Company to use this opportunity to resolve this matter fairly under Oklahoma law.

Please direct all communications regarding this matter to the undersigned.

Respectfully submitted,

[LAW_FIRM_NAME]

By: _______________________________
[ATTORNEY_NAME]
[BAR_NUMBER]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], OK [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]
- Oklahoma Insurance Department, 400 NE 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 (via complaint filing)


OKLAHOMA LAW QUICK REFERENCE

Element Oklahoma Law
Bad Faith Type Common Law
Governing Statute Okla. Stat. Title 36
Unfair Practices Act 36 O.S. 1250.1 et seq.
Prompt Payment 36 O.S. 1250.5 - Unfair claims settlement practices
Punitive Standard Clear and convincing evidence of reckless disregard for insured's rights or intentional wrong
Attorney Fees Recoverable as element of consequential damages in bad faith
DOI Address Oklahoma Insurance Department, 400 NE 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
AI Legal Assistant

Insurance Bad Faith Demand Letter - Oklahoma

Download this template free, or draft it 10x faster with Ezel.

Stop spending hours on:

  • Searching for the right case law
  • Manually tracking changes in Word
  • Checking citations one by one
  • Hunting through emails for client documents

Ezel is the complete legal workspace:

  • Case Law Search — All 50 states + federal, natural language
  • Document Editor — Word-compatible track changes
  • Citation Checking — Verify every case before you file
  • Matters — Organize everything by client or case