Case Number: CSM-23-867104
Court: Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco
Filing Date: July 17, 2023
Case Type: Auto Accident – Insurance Bad Faith Claim (Small Claims)
Case Summary
This case involves a small claims action filed by Plaintiff Gregory Luc Dingle against Bridger Insurance Services, alleging improper claims handling, bad faith insurance practices, and financial loss resulting from delays and denials connected to an auto accident claim. The plaintiff sought $10,000, the maximum recoverable under the policy limits.
According to the filings, Plaintiff’s parked vehicle was struck by a driver insured through Bridger Insurance Services on September 1, 2022, resulting in $17,914.71 in repair costs. Plaintiff alleges that Bridger Insurance:
- Failed to acknowledge the claim within the required 15-day statutory period (acknowledgment occurred on 9/29).
- Initially denied the claim with no explanation.
- Reversed the denial only after Plaintiff independently obtained accident video footage and provided it to the insurer.
- Continued to delay payment by requesting documentation already in Bridger’s possession from all known involved vehicles.
- Failed to pursue DMV records to identify additional parties, despite referencing a police dispatch transcript that Plaintiff himself supplied.
- Prolonged its “investigation” in a manner Plaintiff asserts was intended to push the matter past the statute of limitations and avoid payment.
Plaintiff further claimed 30 hours of lost income—calculated at $200/hour, his professional rate—due to the time spent investigating the accident and disputing the insurer’s decisions.
Judgment & Court Findings
On September 18, 2023, after trial in Department 506:
- Judgment was entered in favor of Plaintiff Gregory Luc Dingle.
- Plaintiff was awarded:
- $3,750.00 in principal damages
- $160.00 in court costs
- Total judgment: $3,910.00
The court found that Bridger Insurance Services was negligent, particularly in a manner that caused Plaintiff loss of income.
A 30-day stay of execution was ordered. No exhibits were filed with the court.
Notes
- Case Type: Small Claims – Insurance Bad Faith / Negligence
- Claimed Amount: $10,000 (policy limit)
- Court Link: Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco — Small Claims Division
- This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or express any view on the merits of the case.
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