After a car accident, no matter how mild or severe, you expect your insurance company to be there to help without having to enlist legal representation. This is exactly what they are paid to do, after all—and paid well according to ongoing statistics that show billions of dollars of profits pouring into the insurance industry annually. You are probably already aware that the insurance industry is definitely set in the favor of massive corporations living off consumers who many times are living paycheck to paycheck but still invest in insurance for the peace of mind in having protection of assets, even if that just means one or two cars.
The point is that we would all like to see everyone treated fairly by insurance companies, but that is not always the case—and without a skilled injury attorney or insurance lawyer, you may not receive the same level of respect from the insurance adjuster, who has a lot of power in the claims process.
Most of us are aware of our responsibilities before a car accident occurs. As policyholders, we are expected to pay our premiums, keep up with the details in our policies and uphold what we promised, and we are supposed to act in good faith, being honest and factual in the case of a claim. Most policyholders are very good about this from beginning to end, but unfortunately, insurance companies have become famous for giving the average consumer the short end of the stick.
On receiving a claim, the general idea is that the insurance company will act in good faith, take all the information into consideration, and generate a fair payment for any damage that is covered under a policy, settling a claim expediently. Sadly, even the best insurance agencies may drag their feet or delay or even treat a policyholder poorly if there is a substantial claim at hand and no legal representation. This is because insurance companies are fixated on the bottom line—not your best interests. If you are out there operating on your own—hoping to beat an insurance company in the legal system—you may be in for a very rude awakening, and especially if there is a substantial claim hanging in the balance. Remember: an insurance adjuster’s goal is to open and shut the case as soon as possible, with as little time and money expended on you as possible.
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!