Abstract
This article summarizes the development of the tort of bad faith against first-party insurers, with particular attention to the standards of culpability that have been adopted by the courts to determine whether an insurer has fulfilled its duty of good faith and fair dealing toward its insured. The author discusses new areas and types of conduct, beyond that of claim processing, for which insurers have been held to have acted in bad faith. A critical examination of issues regarding causation and types of harm that should be required before the tort is recognized is also provided. Finally, developments in the area of punitive damages are reviewed, not only as they apply to the tort of bad faith, but for tortious conduct in general.
How to Cite
37 Ariz. L. Rev. 1153 (1995)
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