California does not recognize a cause of action by a third-party claimant for alleged bad-faith by an insurer. A third-party claimant's only recourse for alleged bad-faith is a DOI complaint.The exception is a bad faith claim brought against an insurance company by a third-party claimant. Many states (if not all - I haven't checked) now impose statutory duties of good faith and fair dealing with third party claimants. Egregious violations could result in a bad faith lawsuit by the claimant.