Pennsylvania Requires Clear and Convincing Evidence of Bad Faith
State Farm provided automobile insurance to Barry and Kimberly Shaffer which provided medical payments and UIM coverage. Barry was involved in a head-on collision which resulted in multiple serious injuries to his neck, back, eyes, and knees. At that time, Barry was on Social Security and military disability for several physical ailments. Shaffer underwent back surgery and six months later asked State Farm to assign a UIM adjuster. The Shaffers settled their liability claim with the adverse driver for roughly $28,000 below that driver’s liability limit. After a $250,000 UIM settlement demand was met with a $10,000 settlement offer, the Shaffers filed suit more than four years after the accident. The District Court granted State Farm’s motion for summary judgment on the bad faith claim and thereafter the UIM breach of contract claim was tried, which resulted in a $250,000 award in favor of the Shaffers. The Shaffers appealed the bad faith summary judgment, which was affirmed by the Third Circuit.