Pacific Life Must Face Contract Breach Claim Tied to Partnership

The beneficiary of two life insurance policies purchased to fund a partnership buy-sell agreement can pursue a breach of contract claim against Pacific Life Insurance Co., a federal district court ruled.

The US District Court for the Middle District of Georgia tossed Ronald Blalock’s bad faith claim, however, writing in a Tuesday order that the carrier had reasonable grounds to contest his insurance claim.

The $1 million policies were issued in 2022 and covered the life of Jimmie Long, Blalock’s business partner. Long died in a collision with a drunk driver in May 2022, which was within the policies’ ...