Bad Faith Blog

Summary: Hurricane Katrina damaged the Hoover’s house and cabana. The usual question was whether the damage resulted from a covered wind loss or an excluded storm surge. The trial court’s directed verdict on part of the contract damages was reversed, but the directed verdicts disallowing the mental anguish, emotional distress, and punitive damages claims were affirmed. In addition, the plaintiffs’ expert’s roof structure testimony was allowed under Mississippi’s Daubert standard.

Summary: The District Court granted partial summary judgment in favor of insurer on bad faith claim regarding roof damage. The District Court found there was a bona fide dispute whether coverage applied, but that the insurer had not acted in bad faith by relying on its experts’ reports which concluded that the damage was not caused by Hurricane Ike.