INSURANCE BAD FAITH DEMAND LETTER
State of Tennessee
[LAW FIRM LETTERHEAD]
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
SETTLEMENT COMMUNICATION - FOR RESOLUTION PURPOSES ONLY
PROTECTED UNDER TN 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 - TENNESSEE 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 Tennessee. 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 Tennessee law.
As a seasoned insurance litigator with decades of experience representing policyholders against major carriers in Tennessee, I am well aware of the Company's obligations under Tenn. Code Ann. Title 56 and Tennessee common law. The Company's conduct in this matter constitutes a textbook example of bad faith claims practices that Tennessee 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 Tennessee law.
II. TENNESSEE BAD FAITH LAW
A. Legal Standard
Tennessee provides statutory remedy under Tenn. Code Ann. 56-7-105 for bad faith refusal to pay. If insurer refuses to pay and it appears refusal was not in good faith, insurer liable for 25% penalty plus attorney fees. Also common law bad faith for punitive damages.
B. Available Damages Under Tennessee Law
Under Tennessee law, our client is entitled to recover:
25% penalty plus attorney fees under 56-7-105; punitive damages under common law for egregious conduct
C. Punitive Damages Standard
Intentional, fraudulent, malicious, or reckless conduct for punitive damages
D. Attorney's Fees
Recoverable under Tenn. Code Ann. 56-7-105
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 Tennessee law interpretation principles.
[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME] has acknowledged coverage by [DESCRIBE_COVERAGE_ACKNOWLEDGMENT]. Having accepted coverage, the Company is obligated under Tennessee 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 Tennessee law:
A. Unreasonable Delay
The Company has unreasonably delayed the investigation, evaluation, and payment of this claim in violation of Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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. Tennessee Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act
[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME]'s conduct violates Tenn. Code Ann. 56-8-104, 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. Tennessee Prompt Payment Requirements
[CARRIER_SHORT_NAME] has violated Tenn. Code Ann. 56-8-104 - 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_TN_LAW]
D. Punitive/Exemplary Damages
Under Tennessee law, punitive damages require: Intentional, fraudulent, malicious, or reckless conduct for punitive damages
The Company's conduct meets this standard because [DESCRIBE_AGGRAVATING_FACTORS].
E. Statutory Penalties
Under Tennessee 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:
-
Litigation will be filed immediately in Tennessee seeking all available remedies
-
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 Tennessee law -
Regulatory complaints will be filed with:
- Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, 500 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243
- 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 Tennessee bad faith laws were enacted to prevent and punish. We strongly encourage the Company to use this opportunity to resolve this matter fairly under Tennessee law.
Please direct all communications regarding this matter to the undersigned.
Respectfully submitted,
[LAW_FIRM_NAME]
By: _______________________________
[ATTORNEY_NAME]
[BAR_NUMBER]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY], TN [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]
- Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, 500 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243 (via complaint filing)
TENNESSEE LAW QUICK REFERENCE
| Element | Tennessee Law |
|---|---|
| Bad Faith Type | Statutory (Tenn. Code Ann. 56-7-105) |
| Governing Statute | Tenn. Code Ann. Title 56 |
| Unfair Practices Act | Tenn. Code Ann. 56-8-104 |
| Prompt Payment | Tenn. Code Ann. 56-8-104 - Unfair claims settlement practices |
| Punitive Standard | Intentional, fraudulent, malicious, or reckless conduct for punitive damages |
| Attorney Fees | Recoverable under Tenn. Code Ann. 56-7-105 |
| DOI Address | Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, 500 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243 |