Insurer Did Not Deny Hailstorm Damage Claim in Bad Faith, La. Appellate Court Rules

SHREVEPORT, La. — An insurer did not act in bad faith by refusing to pay a hailstorm claim until after an appraisal award had been issued, a Louisiana appellate court has affirmed, reasoning that the insurer reasonably adjusted the claim and provided ample evidence that the damages were not covered.

On Nov. 23, a majority of the Louisiana Court of Appeal, 2nd Circuit, concluded that the insurer reasonably relied upon its adjusters’ findings that the home sustained minimal wind damage and no hail damage.

Following a March 2013 hailstorm, James and Sheila Cooper filed a claim with their homeowners’ insurer, …