Bad-Faith Insurance
When an insurer treats you unfairly, Florida law provides a remedy — but the 2023 reform made bad-faith claims harder to bring. Here is where the line now sits.
What "Bad Faith" Means
Insurers owe a duty to handle claims fairly and in good faith. Under § 624.155, when an insurer unreasonably refuses to settle, delays, or lowballs a valid claim — exposing its own insured to an excess judgment — it can be liable for bad faith, potentially for amounts beyond the policy limits.
The 2023 HB 837 reform raised the bar: it made clear that mere negligence by the insurer is not enough, and added requirements around the claims process and the insured’s and claimant’s own conduct.
How These Claims Work
- Setting up the claim — giving the insurer a fair opportunity to settle within limits.
- The "civil remedy notice" that Florida law requires before filing.
- Documenting the insurer’s conduct — delays, denials, and communications.
- The post-HB 837 standards, which insurers now invoke aggressively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue my insurance company for bad faith in Florida?
Did HB 837 change bad-faith claims in Florida?
Charged Under This Statute?
A statute on a page is not the same as your case. Talk to an attorney who has handled these charges — free, confidential.