Breach of Contract Required to Sue for Bad Faith
Post 4975
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Foremost Insurance Company Grand Rapids, Michigan (“Foremost”) moved the court to dismiss in C & S Properties – I, LLC v. Foremost Insurance Company Grand Rapids, Michigan, Civil Action No. 24-462, United States District Court, E.D. Louisiana (January 10, 2025)
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Damages from Hurricane Ida caused insurance claims concerning three properties owned by Plaintiff. The properties were each covered by separate insurance policies issued by Foremost when they were damaged by Hurricane Ida in August 2021.
Plaintiff alleged that, while Foremost has been in possession of sufficient evidence of the losses or had the opportunity to fully apprise itself of the actual losses and damages, it has failed to pay the amount due under the policies required by Louisiana law.
Plaintiff sued Foremost in Louisiana state court asserting claims under Louisiana law for breach of contract and bad faith damages. Foremost removed the matter to the USDC on the basis of diversity jurisdiction.
Foremost moved to Dismiss Plaintiff’s claims based upon the improper cumulation of claims and because the suit did not state a claim for which relief can be granted.
LEGAL STANDARD
Joining Claims
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 18 provides that, “[a] party asserting a claim . . . may join, as independent or alternative claims, as many claims as it has against an opposing party.”
Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6), a defendant can seek dismissal of a complaint, or any part of it, for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. To survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, “a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’”
Dismissal is appropriate when the complaint on its face shows a bar to relief.
ANALYSIS
Regarding the insurance policies attached by Foremost, the Court found that those are referenced in Plaintiff’s state court Petition and are central to Plaintiff’s claims and thus may be rightfully considered by the Court.
Cumulation of Claims
The Court found that Plaintiff properly included its claims concerning each of the three properties in one lawsuit pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 18(a).
Failure to State a Claim
The allegations in the Petition are insufficient to support a breach of contract claim. The Petition contains only vague and conclusory allegations and does not refer to specific actions or omissions by Foremost.
Plaintiff alleged that Hurricane Ida caused substantial amounts of damage to the exterior, interior, roof, and other structures of the Insured Properties, that Plaintiff provided timely notice of the loss event to Defendant. The Court found that Plaintiff’s Petition failed to state a breach of contract claim against Foremost.
The Court reached the same conclusion with respect to Plaintiff’s bad faith claim. The Petition merely sets forth the legal standard applicable to Louisiana bad faith claims, without providing factual support for Plaintiff’s allegations that Foremost acted in bad faith.
Leave to Amend
In its Opposition brief, Plaintiff requested leave to amend its Petition if the Court agrees with Foremost that the Petition is deficient.
While Plaintiff has failed to explain how it would amend its Petition Plaintiff shall have fourteen (14) days to file an amended petition addressing the deficiencies raised as to the sufficiency of its breach of contract and bad faith claims.
The Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to Federal Rule 12 was granted.
Plaintiff was granted fourteen (14) days from the date of this Order to file an amended pleading that addresses the deficiencies raised in the Motion to Dismiss regarding the sufficiency of its breach of contract and bad faith claims. Failure to amend will result in dismissal.
ZALMA OPINION
The USDC requires proper, detailed and effective pleading when suing for breach of contract or the tort of bad faith, not just a parade of horribles alleged against the defendant with the statutory requirements without supportive facts. The USDC spend much of its opinion explaining to the Plaintiff what is required to plead a viable complaint against Foremost if the facts exist.
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Interpleader Protects All Claimants Against Life Policy and the Insurer
Who’s on First to Get Life Insurance Proceeds
Post 5184
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Interpleader Protects All Claimants Against Life Policy and the Insurer
In Metropolitan Life Insurance Company v. Selena Sanchez, et al, No. 2:24-cv-03278-TLN-CSK, United States District Court, E.D. California (September 3, 2025) the USDC applied interpleader law.
Case Overview
This case involves an interpleader action brought by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (Plaintiff-in-Interpleader) against Selena Sanchez and other defendants (Defendants-in-Interpleader).
Key Points
Plaintiff-in-Interpleader’s Application:
The Plaintiff-in-Interpleader...
A Claim by Any Other Name is not a Claim
Post 5182
It is Imperative that Insured Report Potential Claim to Insurers
Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/gfbwAsxw, See the full video at https://lnkd.in/gea_hgB3 and at https://lnkd.in/ghZ7gjxy, and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5150 posts.
In Jeffrey B. Scott v. Certain Underwriters At Lloyd’s, London, Subscribing To Policy No. B0901li1837279, RLI Insurance Company, Certain Underwriters At Lloyds, London And The Insurance Company, Subscribing To Policy No. B0180fn2102430, No. 24-12441, United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit (August 25, 2025) the court explained the need for a claim to obtain coverage.
Case Background:
This appeal arises from a coverage dispute under a Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance policy. Jeffrey B. Scott, the plaintiff-appellant, was terminated from his role as CEO, President, and Secretary of Gemini Financial Holdings, LLC in October 2019. Following his termination, Scott threatened legal action against Gemini, and ...
A Claim by Any Other Name is not a Claim
Post 5182
It is Imperative that Insured Report Potential Claim to Insurers
Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/gfbwAsxw, See the full video at https://lnkd.in/gea_hgB3 and at https://lnkd.in/ghZ7gjxy, and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5150 posts.
In Jeffrey B. Scott v. Certain Underwriters At Lloyd’s, London, Subscribing To Policy No. B0901li1837279, RLI Insurance Company, Certain Underwriters At Lloyds, London And The Insurance Company, Subscribing To Policy No. B0180fn2102430, No. 24-12441, United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit (August 25, 2025) the court explained the need for a claim to obtain coverage.
Case Background:
This appeal arises from a coverage dispute under a Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance policy. Jeffrey B. Scott, the plaintiff-appellant, was terminated from his role as CEO, President, and Secretary of Gemini Financial Holdings, LLC in October 2019. Following his termination, Scott threatened legal action against Gemini, and ...
Barry Zalma: Insurance Claims Expert Witness
Posted on September 3, 2025 by Barry Zalma
The Need for a Claims Handling Expert to Defend or Prove a Tort of Bad Faith Suit
© 2025 Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE
When I finished my three year enlistment in the US Army as a Special Agent of US Army Intelligence in 1967, I sought employment where I could use the investigative skills I learned in the Army. After some searching I was hired as a claims trainee by the Fireman’s Fund American Insurance Company. For five years, while attending law school at night while working full time as an insurance adjuster I became familiar with every aspect of the commercial insurance industry.
On January 2, 1972 I was admitted to the California Bar. I practiced law, specializing in insurance claims, insurance coverage and defense of claims against people insured and defense of insurance companies sued for breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. After 45 years as an active lawyer, I asked that my license to practice law be declared inactive ...
The Need for a Claims Handling Expert to Defend or Prove a Tort of Bad Faith Suit
© 2025 Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE
When I finished my three year enlistment in the US Army as a Special Agent of US Army Intelligence in 1967, I sought employment where I could use the investigative skills I learned in the Army. After some searching I was hired as a claims trainee by the Fireman’s Fund American Insurance Company. For five years, while attending law school at night while working full time as an insurance adjuster I became familiar with every aspect of the commercial insurance industry.
On January 2, 1972 I was admitted to the California Bar. I practiced law, specializing in insurance claims, insurance coverage and defense of claims against people insured and defense of insurance companies sued for breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. After 45 years as an active lawyer, I asked that my license to practice law be declared inactive and became a consultant and expert witness for lawyers representing insurers and lawyers ...
APPRAISAL AWARD SETS AMOUNT OF DAMAGES RECOVERED FROM INSURER
Post 5180
See the full video at https://rumble.com/v6yd2z0-evidence-required-to-prove-breach-of-contract.html and at https://youtu.be/2ywEjs3hZsw, and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5150 posts.
It’s a Waste of Time to Sue Your Insurer if You Don’t Have Evidence
Evidence Required to Prove Breach of Contract
Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/evidence-required-prove-breach-contract-barry-zalma-esq-cfe-rfelc, see the full video at https://rumble.com/v6yd2z0-evidence-required-to-prove-breach-of-contract.html and at https://youtu.be/2ywEjs3hZsw, and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5150 posts.
It’s a Waste of Time to Sue Your Insurer if You Don’t Have Evidence
In Debbie Beaty and Jonathan Hayes v. Homeowners Of America Insurance Company, No. 01-23-00844-CV, Court of Appeals of Texas, First District (August 26, 2025) Debbie Beaty and Jonathan Hayes filed a claim under their homeowner’s insurance policy with Homeowners of ...
