The plaintiff brought a motion for summary judgment against his insurer for the theft of a $550,000 heirloom ring and a gold chain while on vacation in the Dominican Republic.
The insurer denied the claim, alleging insufficient proof and lack of cooperation, but expressly declined to plead fraud.
The court found the plaintiff had fully cooperated and proven his loss.
The court granted summary judgment for the value of the ring and chain, and awarded $50,000 in punitive damages due to the insurer's bad faith conduct in stringing the plaintiff along after secretly deciding to deny the claim.
