Bad Faith Insurance Claim Attorney
Bad Faith Insurance Claim Attorney
When you pay for insurance, you trust that your insurer will keep its promises when you need help. Unfortunately, some insurance companies act in bad faith, making it harder for you to get the payout you deserve. This can happen when they deny a claim without a good reason, offer less than you are owed, or drag their feet in processing your claim. A bad faith insurance claim occurs when your insurance company does not honour its contract, leaving you in a tough spot. They might refuse to pay for medical bills, property damage, or other losses that should be covered under your policy. These unfair practices can put you in financial strain when you need help the most.
Every state in the U.S. has laws to protect policyholders from bad faith insurance practices. Insurance companies are required to handle claims fairly, investigate them properly, and pay legitimate claims according to the policy terms. Unfortunately, some insurers use bad faith tactics to avoid paying what they owe, leaving policyholders struggling to recover their losses. If you are dealing with an insurer who is acting in bad faith, a bad-faith insurance claim attorney can step in. These lawyers understand how insurance companies try to avoid paying claims and know how to fight back. Whether it is health, auto, homeowners, or disability insurance, a lawyer can work to get you the compensation you are owed.
Bad faith insurance occurs when an insurer unfairly denies, delays, or underpays a valid claim, breaching their duty to treat policyholders honestly. This can happen with various types of insurance, including auto, home, health, life, business, and disability policies. A Bad Faith Insurance Claim Attorney helps policyholders fight back when an insurance company unfairly denies, delays, or underpays a claim. Insurance companies have a legal obligation to act in good faith by promptly investigating and paying legitimate claims. Therefore, if you are being treated unfairly, it is important to get legal help as soon as possible. A skilled bad-faith insurance lawyer can help you navigate the process, negotiate a fair settlement, and take legal action if needed to make sure you get the payment you deserve. Reach out today to protect your rights and get the compensation you have been waiting for.
Who Is A Bad Faith Insurance Attorney?
A bad faith insurance attorney is a lawyer who helps people when their insurance company does not live up to its promises. Insurance companies are supposed to treat their customers fairly and pay out claims when they are needed. But sometimes, insurers wrongfully deny claims, offer less money than what is owed, or take too long to process claims.
A bad faith insurance attorney understands the laws that protect you as a policyholder and knows how to fight back against these unfair practices. They help people who are having trouble getting their claims paid, whether the insurance company is refusing to pay, offering too little, or making things unnecessarily complicated.
If your insurance company is treating you unfairly, a bad faith insurance attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve. They can guide you through your options and take legal action if needed to make sure the insurer honours the policy.
READ: Cost of Legal Malpractice Insurance California
When Should I Hire A Bad Faith Insurance Attorney?
You should think about hiring a bad faith insurance attorney if your insurance company is not treating you fairly or is refusing to pay a claim that you believe should be covered. Here are some situations where it makes sense to get legal help:
- Claim Denied for No Good Reason
If your insurance claim gets denied and you don’t understand why or feel it’s unfair, a bad faith attorney can help you fight that denial.
- Unnecessary Delays
Also, If your insurer is taking too long to process your claim or keeps delaying it without a good reason, it could be a sign of bad faith.
- Offered Less Than You Are Owed
If the insurance company offers you a lower payout than what you deserve, a lawyer can help you make sure you get the full amount you are entitled to.
- Misunderstanding Policy Terms
However, If your insurer is twisting the terms of your policy to avoid paying out, an attorney can ensure the policy is properly interpreted.
- Unreasonable Requests or Complications
If your insurer is making things unnecessarily complicated or asking for things that do not make sense, it is a good idea to consult a lawyer.
Examples of Bad Faith Insurance
Bad faith insurance practices are most commonly seen in motor vehicle accident claims. Under Georgia law, insurance companies are required to handle claims fairly and in good faith, but many fail to do so. There are two primary ways insurers engage in bad faith:
- Unjustified Claim Denial
An insurance company may wrongfully reject a valid claim, even when the policy provides coverage. In some cases, insurers offer a false or irrelevant reason for the denial. One extreme example involved an insurer refusing to cover a policyholder’s medical expenses, claiming there was no “accident” because the at-fault driver hit them intentionally.
- Partial Claim Payment
Instead of denying a claim outright, an insurer may refuse to pay the full benefits owed under the policy. For instance, if an injured person incurs $20,000 in medical expenses after a car accident, but the insurer only pays $5,000, despite the policy allowing up to $40,000 in coverage, this constitutes bad faith.
In both situations, policyholders have legal rights and may be able to hold the insurer accountable through a bad faith insurance claim.
Bad Faith Insurance: When Insurers Violate Their Obligations
As always, policyholders must remain vigilant and ensure they meet all contractual obligations under their policy. Failure to comply could result in losing the right to pursue a bad faith lawsuit. Insurance providers can face bad faith and contract violation lawsuits under the following circumstances:
- Unjustly rejecting coverage despite receiving a valid claim.
- Refusing to issue payment without conducting a comprehensive investigation—whether for the policyholder or a third-party claimant filing against the insured policy.
- Neglecting to settle a claim when liability is obvious (often referred to as the “take it to court” approach).
- Ignoring a policy limits demand by failing to respond within the specified timeframe.
- Withholding information on available coverage and the exact limits of each policy.
READ: Cost Of Attorney Malpractice Insurance
Notable Bad Faith Insurance Attorneys
Below are some notable bad faith insurance attorneys that can help you with your claims:
Ryals D. Stone, a fifth-generation attorney and partner at Stone Law Group Trial Lawyers, LLC in Rome, Georgia, specializes in personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, accidents, unsafe premises, faulty products, insurance bad faith, and civil RICO cases. With over $150 million in settlements, he is recognized with awards, a “Superb” Avvo rating, and active seminar participation.
- Le’Asa Otey
Attorney Le’Asa Otey is the founder and managing attorney of the Law Office of L.M. Otey, based in College Park, Georgia, within the Atlanta metropolitan area. Her practice focuses on civil litigation, business law, and estate planning.
- Monica K. Gilroy
Ms. Gilroy, founding principal and managing partner of The Gilroy Firm LLC, has 31 years of experience in real estate litigation, handling cases like property management, title insurance, foreclosure, and mortgage fraud. She has served as counsel for national banks and taught real estate and litigation. A recognized expert and frequent speaker, she’s earned numerous honours, including being named one of Georgia’s Top 50 Women Lawyers in 2017
How To File Bad Faith Insurance Claim
If you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith, Follow the steps below to claim the compensation you are owed:
- Review Your Policy
Start by carefully reviewing your insurance policy to understand coverage. This helps you know if the insurer is unfairly denying or undervaluing your claim.
- Document Everything
Keep records of all communications with your insurance company, including emails, letters, and phone log
- Understand Your Rights
Research your state’s laws on bad faith insurance practices. Understanding your rights will help you recognize if the insurer is breaking the law.
- File a Complaint
You can file a complaint with your state’s insurance department, which may investigate the issue and intervene if needed.
- Try to Resolve the Issue
Before legal action, consider sending a demand letter to the insurer, explaining your situation. Sometimes this leads to a resolution.
- Hire a Bad Faith Insurance Attorney
If you can not resolve it, consult an attorney experienced in bad faith insurance. They can negotiate for you and take legal action if necessary.
- File a Lawsuit
If negotiations fail, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit. A court could award additional damages for the harm caused by the insurer’s actions.
If you are having trouble with an insurance company that’s being unfair, it’s important to take action. A Bad Faith Insurance Claim Attorney can protect your rights and make sure you get the compensation you are owed. Whether through negotiation or legal action, a good attorney will work hard to hold the insurance company accountable for their unfair behaviour. I hope the provided information is helpful, share your thoughts below in the comment section.
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