Michael Murphy
Murphy Schmitt Hathaway PLLC
Board-Certified Specialist: Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation
Prescott, Arizona • Serving Yavapai County
About Michael Murphy
Michael Murphy is an insurance law attorney at Murphy Schmitt Hathaway PLLC serving clients in Prescott, Arizona. Arizona insurance law is codified in Title 20 of the Arizona Revised Statutes and overseen by the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, covering bad-faith claims handling under Noble v. National American Life, coverage disputes, agent and broker liability, and the state's Unfair Claims Settlement Practices regulations. Contact details appear below.
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Education
- Law School: Arizona State
Common questions about Insurance Law in Arizona
Answered by Arizona Attorney Search Network
What are punitive damages in an Arizona insurance bad-faith case?
Punitive damages punish the insurer and deter similar conduct in egregious cases. Arizona requires clear and convincing evidence of an 'evil mind' - either intentional misconduct or such conscious disregard of rights that intent can be inferred. Punitive damages are not subject to a statutory cap but are constrained by federal due-process limits roughly equivalent to a 1:1 to 9:1 ratio with compensatory damages.
Can I sue my own insurance company in Arizona?
Yes. Insurance disputes are commonly litigated in Arizona Superior Court. Common claims against an insurer include breach of contract (denied or underpaid claim), bad faith (unreasonable handling), and statutory violations. Punitive damages may be available in cases of intentional bad faith. Most policies contain ADR provisions but courts will enforce them only if they are not unconscionable.
How long does an insurer have to respond to a claim in Arizona?
Arizona's Unfair Claims Settlement Practices regulations (Ariz. Admin. Code R20-6-801) require insurers to acknowledge claims within 10 working days, complete investigation within 30 days (with extensions), and either pay or deny coverage in writing with explanation. Repeated or unreasonable delays can support a bad-faith claim and DIFI complaints.
Q&As answered by Michael Murphy
Practice Areas
Notable Case Results
Office Location
Murphy Schmitt Hathaway PLLC
121 E GOODWIN ST
Prescott, AZ 86303
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