If you are dealing with the traumatic consequences of a car accident, work injury, natural disaster, or emergency to your home, the last thing you need to worry about is your insurance company treating you unfairly and refusing to live up to their obligations. Dealing with insurance bad faith is stressful and upsetting, and requires the assistance and prompt action of an attorney experienced in dealing with insurance disputes. The insurance bad faith attorneys at Clear Counsel Law Group understand this and are prepared to fight for the fairness and respect you deserve from your insurance company. They are knowledgeable and experienced and will evaluate your situation to help you understand if you have been the victim of insurance bad faith.
WHAT IS INSURANCE BAD FAITH?
Insurance is supposed to be peace of mind. It’s supposed to leave you feeling comforted in the knowledge that if the unthinkable happens, you’ll be protected. When you agree to the policy provisions set forth by your insurance company and pay your premiums, you enter into a contract with your insurance company that leaves them duty bound to honor the provisions of your policy. However, it doesn't always work out that way and all too often, insurance companies are looking for ways to increase their profits, rather than honor their promises. When an insurance company fails to live up to the commitments set forth in your policy, they are said to be acting in “bad faith.”
Once you enter into a contract with an insurance company to provide protection and coverage, they have an obligation to act in good faith when dealing with you. Good faith includes prompt adjustment of a claim, whether it is denied or paid, prompt attention and response to pertinent letters, phone calls, and other communication, and specific written details as to why they denied or underpaid on a claim.
But sometimes, instead of being treated with fairness and consideration, you are given the run-around and are left feeling like even more of a victim. You may be wondering if you have been the victim of insurance bad faith. Dissatisfaction with how your insurance company valued your claim doesn't always rise to the level of insurance bad faith.
Clues that your insurance company may be acting in bad faith include:
- Non-disclosure or misrepresentation of policy benefits
- Ignoring or delaying a response to pertinent inquiries, letters, and phone calls
- Using unfair claims settlement practices
- Undervaluing your claim
- Requiring unreasonable or unnecessary paperwork to complete your claim
- Failing to pay on your claim in a timely manner
- Refusing to specify why a claim was denied
- Failing to promptly or effectively investigate a claim
- Treating the insured in a hostile manner once a claim is made or an attorney is retained
Insurance is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States, and as a money making business, they rely on paying less on claims to make their money. As a result, insurance companies clearly know every trick in the book to avoid paying a full and fair settlement.
HOW AN INSURANCE BAD FAITH ATTORNEY CAN HELP YOU
If you feel like you have been treated unfairly by your insurance company, you should consult one of the experienced insurance bad faith attorneys at Clear Counsel Law Group. The law regarding insurance bad faith varies widely from state to state and can be very complex. The law limits the amount of time you have to bring a claim against your insurance company and insurance bad faith cases can be very hard to prove and win at trial. Having a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who is not afraid to take on the insurance companies is invaluable in protecting your rights. If you have an insurance coverage dispute, contact Clear Counsel today for a free evaluation of your case.
