A Georgia state court has ordered State Farm to pay their policyholder
$40,508 after a jury found the insurer had breached its contract and
acted in bad faith.
The suit stemmed from the insurer’s denials and underpayment of approximately $4,000 in the costs for repairs being performed by Hernandez Collision Center in Savannah, Ga.; the shop was a witness in the case. The judgment included $5,508 for breach of contract, $5,000 as a bad faith penalty and $30,000 in attorney’s fees for a total verdict of $40,508.
“It’s refreshing to see the results in this case and know that a jury of our peers awarded Mrs. Roberts for the hardship caused by her insurer,” said April Hernandez, AAM of Hernandez Collision. “While Hernandez Collision Center gladly works with all insurers, our responsibility is to our customers to ensure all damages to their vehicle are repaired properly and thoroughly. We feel it is also our professional responsibility and moral obligation to help customers like Mrs. Roberts when they’re treated unfairly. We congratulate Mrs. Roberts on her courage and conviction and are thankful that we could help her in this endeavor."
