Bad Faith Blog
July 11, 2011
Insured Cannot Circumvent Unfair Insurance Practices Act in California
Summary: The District Court dismissed Plaintiffs’ claims for negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress and unfair business practice in violation of the California Unfair Competition Law statute. The District Court held that the Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”) claim was legally barred because it attempted to enforce a provision of the Unfair Insurance Practices Act (“UIPA”) that does not give rise to a private cause of action. The District Court also held that California law does not allow negligence claims to be asserted against insurers relating claims handling.