While it’s obvious that the insurance industry revolves around money (and big, big money at that), it also revolves around contracts, promises, that can lead to enormous conflict when broken. And there are many different types of insurance that are vital to our financial survival. While insurance companies may think little of delaying investigations, offering payment on a claim or denying one altogether, their actions can have devastating consequences to you as the policyholder—as well as your family, business, and professional life.
You may be in the dark at first regarding bad faith practices; after all, you probably have little reason to expect any problems, and you may not have ever filed an insurance claim before, much less had to worry about suing an insurer for dubious denial or delay of claims. After a lifetime of no problems with insurance, it may be extremely difficult to swallow the fact that they want to hold out on paying for a homeowner’s claim, or one for car insurance, life insurance, or more.
Your first inkling that there is something strange going on is that well, nothing may be going on. Most insurers are quick to get an adjuster on the job, with them calling to ask about injuries, damages, and more. There may also be delays, occurring without any good reason. Beyond that, an insurer acting in bad faith may begin putting the responsibility on you to provide voluminous amounts of information—much of which may seem difficult to connect to the claim you have filed. In many cases, this is a form of intimidation meant to wear you down in hopes that you will give up and they will not have to pay out a large sum of money.
Other intimidation tactics may include verbal abuse or humiliation on the phone or during interviews, suggestions that you should take the settlement offered or you will get nothing, as well as accusations regarding fraud or other allegations. You may also find yourself being offered a settlement, but it may be unreasonably low. Because insurance companies are in many cases quite wealthy—and powerful within their own realm—they are used to being able to push around consumers who may be in dire straits financially after an accident or a catastrophe. When filing a serious claim, do not try to go it alone against the insurance company!
If you need help reviewing your insurance policy, or if you suspect your insurance company may be denying your claim in bad faith, contact the attorneys at the Bolender Law Firm. If a dispute over a claim cannot be easily resolved through a call or written communication, our attorneys will advocate on behalf of policyholders through litigation, arbitration, or non-binding mediation. Our attorneys are experienced in representing clients in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate level. Call us at 310-320-0725 now or submit an easy consultation request online. We are here to help!