Delay in Paying Claim

Delay In Paying Claim – The Difference Between 541 and 542

May 3, 2025 | Mark S. Humphreys

Slow payment of an insurance claim can create a claim for extra monies under the Texas Insurance Code. An opinion from a 2025, Fifth Circuit case is an important read on this issue. The opinion is styled, Sterling Senechal v. Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company.

This is a summary judgment opinion wherein claims were made for delays in paying the claim under Texas Insurance Code, Sections 541 and 542.

Allstate had eventually paid the claim but Senechal sued because of the slow payment. The Facts of the case can be learned from reading the opinion. The distinctions between the two sections are set forth here.

Delays In Paying Claims And The Statute Of Limitations

January 4, 2025 | Mark S. Humphreys

Insurance claims, like all claims, have time periods within which lawsuits must be filed, otherwise, the statute of limitations will run. This is illustrated in a 2024 opinion from the Corpus Christi Court of Appeals. The opinion is styled, Jessica Galvin v. RVOS Farm Mutual Insurance Company.

The facts of this case are unusual and a reading of the facts helps to understand the ultimate ruling by the Court. This is a summary judgment case decided in favor of RVOS.

The controlling question in this case is when Galvan’s claims accrued. Generally, a claim accrues, and limitations begins to run, “when the defendant’s wrongful conduct causes the claimant to suffer a legal injury, which gives the claimant the right to seek a judicial remedy.” That is, a claim accrues “when injury occurs, not afterward when the full extent of the injury is known.” According to the Texas Supreme Court, “Generally, a cause of action accrues when a wrongful act causes a legal injury.”

Late Payment Claims And Death

December 7, 2024 | Mark S. Humphreys

Insurance claims that are not timely paid and in violation of the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act, do those claims survive the death of the insured? This topic is discussed in a 2024 opinion from the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division. The opinion is styled, Brenda barron, Temporary Administratrix Of The Estate Of Larry Barron, Deceased v. Century Surety Company, d/b/a Century Insurance Group.

The issue here is whether an insured’s claim for statutory interest and attorney fees under chapter 542 of the Texas Insurance Code survives their death. In February 2021, Larry Barron’s commercial building was damaged by a winter storm. The building was insured by Century. After Century refused to pay all of Barron’s claim, he sued Century for breach of contract, statutory bad faith, and statutory interest and attorney fees under chapter 542. Following the parties’ motions for summary judgment, the court dismissed his claim for bad faith.

Sadly, Larry Barron passed away on December 17, 2023. Brenda Barron replaced him in this lawsuit as the administratrix of his estate. In Century’s present motion for summary judgment, it argues that none of the insured’s extra-contractual claims survive his death. In response, Barron says that at least the claim for statutory bad faith should survive. But because that claim has already been dismissed, the undersigned only needs to address the remaining extra-contractual claims for statutory damages and attorney fees under chapter 542.

Prompt Payment Of Claims Statute – Other Issues

July 24, 2023 | Mark S. Humphreys

The Texas Prompt Payment of Claims statute is helpful to claimants when an insurance company drags it feet on paying a claim. This statute is found in the Texas Insurance Code, Sections 542.051 – through 542.061.

When an insurance company reasonably requests information from a claimant, deadlines are postponed until the insurance company receives the requested information.

In contrast, the statute does not expressly extend any deadlines while the insurance company awaits information from third parties. However, if the insurance company cannot accept or reject a claim because it is still waiting for such information, Section 542.056(d) allows the insurance company a one-time, 45 day extension.

Late Payment Of Claim – Can The Insurance Company Get Away With It

July 22, 2023 | Mark S. Humphreys

The Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act is found in the Texas Insurance Code, Section 542.051 thru 542.061. When an insurance company fails to timely pay a claim, are there ways they can escape liability under the Prompt Payment of Claims Act?

If the insurance company cannot accept or reject the claim by the initial deadline, the statute lets the insurer notify the claimant that it cannot accept or reject a claim by the deadline. This is found in Section 542.056(d). This notification has to be sent before the original deadline, and the notice must state the reason why the insurance company needs additional time. The insurance company then has 45 additional days to accept or reject the claim.

The insurance company’s good faith – or its lack of bad faith – is no defense. This is discussed in the 1997, United States 5th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion styled, Higginbotham v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. In reaching this conclusion, the court noted that precedents under the predecessor statute, article 3.62, held that an insurance company’s good faith in denying a claim did not relieve them of liability for penalties. The court concluded that an insurance company that denies a claim takes the risk that it will have to pay additional damages allowed by the statute.

Bad Faith Lawyers – Be Aware How Insurers Can Get Around Prompt Payment

July 8, 2023 | Mark S. Humphreys

The Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act has lots of helpful law for insured when an insurance company doesn’t pay a claim timely. However, there the Act also has a lot of benefits for the insurers that might help them avoid liability. Here are a few.

a. Being an eligible surplus lines insurer extends the deadlines for acknowledging receipt of the claim, commencing the investigation, and requesting information. This is found in section 542.055(a).

b. Also, being a surplus lines insurer extends the deadline for paying a claim from five business days to 20 business days after the insurer notifies the claimant that the claim will be paid, or after the claimant performs any condition imposed on payment of the claim. This is found in section 542.057(c).

Insurance Company Delay In Paying A Claim

May 22, 2023 | Mark S. Humphreys

When an insurance company delays in paying a claim, there are often times remedies. Each case has to be looked at to determine what can be done. This issue is discussed in a 2023 opinion from the Southern District of Texas, Victoria Division. The opinion is styled, Naomi Odom v. Central Mutual Insurance Company.

This is a case wherein Odom suffered hurricane damage and made a claim for benefits. Central Mutual made an initial payment and then two additional payments. Later, another payment was made.

Odom was unsatisfied and eventually filed suit alleging breach of contract and other extra-contractual claims. Central Mutual invoked appraisal and upon completion of the appraisal, paid substantially more money on the claim.

Claims for Late Payments – Insurance

March 11, 2023 | Mark S. Humphreys

Insurance claims for late payment are a frequent issue when someone sees an insurance lawyer about the way they have been treated in an insurance claim. This late payment issue is addressed in a 2023 opinion from the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. The opinion is styled, Craig Collins v. State Farm Lloyds.

In this case the insured suffered damages from a tornado. A claim was made immediately and State Farm sent out an adjuster. The initial found some damages and paid the damages. Collins asserted there were more damages and another adjuster investigated the claim and found more damages and paid those damages. Collins asserted there were still more damages and a third adjuster came out and additional damage was found and the damages were paid.

Collins sued for various causes of action including violations of the “duty of good faith and fair dealing,” Texas Insurance Code damages under Section 541, and finally for damages under Section 542. A reading of the case shows a discussion of the first two and here is the discussion under the Section 542, Prompt Payment of Claims.

Delay In Paying Insurance Claim – What The Lawyer Should Know

October 10, 2022 | Mark S. Humphreys

Bad Faith Insurance Attorneys need to read this 2022, opinion from the 14th Court of Appeals. The case is styled, Texas Fair Plan Association v. Adil Ahmed.

The Blog from October 8, 2022, sets forth the law related to this Texas Prompt Payment of Claims fight. The facts and procedural history of the case can be obtained from the opinion.

This is an appeal from summary judgment.