This matter comes before the court on defendants’ preliminary objections in the form of a motion for a more specific pleading, a demurrer, and various motions to strike. Plaintiffs filed the original complaint in trespass and assumpsit, to which defendants filed preliminary objections. Thereafter, an amended complaint was filed containing nearly identical averments. Defendants renewed their objections bringing the matter before this court. We note that the court has been aided in the resolution of this matter by the well-prepared briefs of both parties.
The critical issue in defendants’ preliminary objections is whether plaintiff has stated a cause of action in trespass. Accordingly, we will address ourselves to defendants’ demurrer to count two of the complaint, the action in trespass. For purposes of a demurrer, all well-pleaded facts are deemed admitted: Lynch v. Gates, 433 Pa. 531, 252 A.2d 633 (1969); Madara v. Commonwealth, 13 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 433, 323 A.2d 401 (1974).
The underlying action here is an insurance claim premised on an insurance contract. It is possible, of course, to have a tort claim arise out of a contractual relationship: the negligent performance of a duty created by a contract gives rise to a cause of action in trespass: Henry Bower Chemical Mfg. Co. v. Selas Corp. of America, 85 Montg. 217 (1965): fraudulent performance of a contract is grounds for a tort action: Universal Film Exchanges, Inc. v. Hirsch, 21 D. & C.2d 154 (1960); bad faith on the part of one party to the contract may give rise to an action in negligence: Epstein v. Erie Indemnity, 39 D. & C. 117, aff’d per curiam
While the above is not exhaustive, it is illustrative. It is not an answer to the case at bar, however. To determine if an action in trespass lies, it is necessary to review the elements of such a claim.
“The essential elements of a prima facie case based on negligence are (1) the act or omission to act where there is an affirmative duty to do so (Ebbert v. Philadelphia Elec. Co., 330 Pa. 257 (1937)); (2) the establishing of some duty owed by defendant to plaintiff; (Stevens v. Reading St. Ry. Co., 384 Pa. 390 (1956)); (3) the breach of that duty by defendant’s act or omission to act (i.e., defendant’s conduct has in some manner fallen short of the duty of care owed to plaintiff) (Stevens v. Reading Ry. Co., supra); (4) proof that defendants’ acts are the actual cause of harm to plaintiff (Whitner v. Lojeski, 437 Pa. 448 (1970)); and (5) a legal demonstration that the policy of the law extends the responsibility for the conduct to the consequences which have, in fact, occurred, i.e., whether in law defendants’ actions are the proximate cause of plaintiff’s injuries; whether the duty owed extends to the particular plaintiff.” Behrend v. Bell Telephone Co., 53 D. & C.2d 421, at 425.
A key issue for determination is whether defendant insurance company and its agent owed a duty to its insured which has been breached. An insur-
Insurance policies have a deserved reputation for incomprehensibility. As the insurance policy is drawn by defendant, plaintiff-insured reasonably relies on the interpretation of that policy by the agent of insurer. Additionally, the Unfair Insurance Practices Act of July 22, 1974, P.L. 589, 40 P.S. §1171.1 et seq., imposes a duty on insurance carriers to not misrepresent policy coverage, to adopt reasonable standards for investigation of claims, and to provide a reasonable explanation for the denial of a claim. The mere fact that there has been a breach of duty does not establish liability, however. There must also be a showing that defendant’s acts are the actual cause of harm to plaintiff.
In those cases in which the insured is falsely informed that his policy will protect him when, in fact, it does not, the resulting loss to plaintiff is
Plaintiffs’ brief relied on § 552 of the Restatement of Torts for a theory of liability in this case. This section, which deals with negligent misrepresentation, has been adopted in Pennsylvania: Renn v. Provident Trust Co., 328 Pa. 481, 196 Atl. 8 (1938). However, a review of the case law shows that this section has been applied only when plaintiff has relied on information supplied by defendant for use in plaintiffs’ business dealings with a third party. That is not the case here. Moreover, even if this section were to be applied to the facts of this case, there is no showing that the misrepresentation caused any damages to plaintiffs.
At argument plaintiffs’ counsel suggested an alternative theory of liability. He suggested that insurance companies, as a regulated business in the Commonwealth, owe a greater duty to the public than that imposed by the insurance contract with the insured. Plaintiffs suggest that defendant is under a duty to disclose that the insured has a right of action against the insurer if the insurer
The duty to disclose has been developed most strongly in the securities market. However, in this field the duty has been imposed by statute or as an outgrowth of the common law of fraud. In the latter case the law has required a knowing concealment by the person who has superior knowledge before liability has been imposed.
Our limited research has revealed only one case which is relevant to plaintiffs’ theory. In Behrend v. Bell Telephone Co., supra, plaintiff was denied a listing in the phone directory. After various attempts to challenge the exclusion were dismissed for improper form or forum, plaintiff finally brought suit in trespass. The court cited the extensive regulation of defendant by the Public Utility Commission, and the duty in law to provide directory service. “[T]he obligation of the telephone company to furnish service is more than a contractual obligation; it is a duty upon the public utility to provide service to those who request it and pay their charges.” 53 D. & C. 2d 421, at 430. The case at bar is similar in that insurance companies are subject to extensive regulation in the Commonwealth. Further, the Unfair Insurance Practices Act of July 22, 1974, P.L. 589, 40 P.S. §1171.1 et seq., imposes certain obligations upon the insurer. Among the unfair practices set forth in § 1171.5 (a) (10) of the act are misrepresentation of facts relating to policy coverage, failure to adopt reasonable standards for prompt investigation of claims, failure to act in good faith, and failure to provide reasonable explanation of the basis for the denial of a claim. In that case, however, plaintiff claimed damages for which there was no alterna
Accordingly, we enter the following
ORDER OF COURT
And now, December 22, 1976, defendants’ preliminary objections in the form of a request for a more specific pleading, a demurrer, and motions to strike are granted in their entirety. Plaintiffs are given leave to file a second amended complaint in accordance with the foregoing opinion within 20 days from the date hereof.
