Tag: Bad faith insurance law

adjusters

Be Very Careful What You Say to Adjusters in Confidence

Posted by Jeffrey Bolender on with 0 Comment

If you have had to file a claim, dealing with insurance adjusters is probably just exacerbating all the ills you may feel after being hit by another car, or a truck, or in having to find a way to have major home repairs made as quickly as possible. Those are only a couple of examples, obviously, as there are so many different types of insurance to be purchased—to include business liability insurance, health and life insurance, professional insurance policies, and the list goes on.

After being injured due to the negligence of another party, you may be shocked to hear how fast that phone starts ringing regarding your case. The adjuster for the other side will probably want to get down to brass tacks fast, and this means getting as many facts about the accident out of you as possible. While you may give them some basic information, remember that in no way are these people your friends. They may seem incredibly friendly, charming even, but it is their job to be smooth about many things—from extracting information from you to trying to get you to agree to a low-ball offer as quickly as possible.

You may also be told that anything you tell them is completely confidential. This can get tricky, however, and especially if you are roped into giving them a statement, or if you admit that anything was your fault. Keep in mind too that even if you think you are offering a description of the full scope of your injuries, there may be more than you know about if you have not had X-rays or a complete medical workup yet. The best rule is to consult with an injury attorney and upon working with them, let them do what they do best, which is communicating with the insurance companies. If bad faith is suspected, please contact our office as soon as possible. Do not go it alone!

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!

low ball settlement

Do Not Be Pressured into a Low Ball Settlement

Posted by Jeffrey Bolender on with 0 Comment

The game of insurance can be a difficult one, and unfortunately, that may be exactly what you feel like you are caught up in if you are having trouble getting a claim paid and being asked to take a low ball settlement. This is frustrating for so many consumers who have paid their claims on time, kept up their end of the agreement in terms of their policies, only to be given a hard time when they needed the insurance company to follow through on their promises.

You may start to wonder if you are in the wrong yourself when accused of fraud or other concerns that cause a claims payment to be delayed; in fact, some policyholders could even find themselves on the other end of an investigation when they have done nothing wrong; for example, if you have had a fire in your home and need to file a homeowner’s claim, you may be horrified to find yourself on the other end of an arson investigation.

Such measures allow insurance companies to hold out on paying off big claims though. While there are often valid reasons for questions to arise or for a claim to be delayed, if the insurer is acting in bad faith there are red flags to watch for—whether you are dealing with your own insurer or that of another party. You may find yourself being asked to fill out repetitive paperwork or come up with voluminous amounts of documentation. Other forms of intimidation may be more aggressive such as unnerving witnesses or using tactics to persuade you to take whatever settlement they offer. Producing a low-ball offer and then making it sound like it is the only one you are going to get, in a now-or-never stance, is one of the most common tactics seen by bad faith insurers, and you should not be dealing with such behavior alone! With good legal advice and a skilled attorney behind you, there is a much better chance of getting the settlement amount you deserve.

Other more glaring bad faith tactics are changing the details of your policy without you knowing (apparently) or translating them different all the sudden, delaying payment without any valid reason, and of course—denying your claim outright.

Speak with an attorney from the Bolender Law Firm to review your options. We will advocate on behalf of clients 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!

preference beneficiary clause

Preference Beneficiary Clause: Understanding Life Insurance

Posted by rainmakereditor on with 0 Comment

You may have heard the saying that life insurance is for the living; however, if beneficiaries are not set up correctly, that could prove futile. Many of us would rather not think about having to buy any type of insurance, and especially when it forces us to examine our mortality further, along with what can sometimes be a challenging chore in dividing up assets. Life insurance can be an excellent investment tool though, allowing you to help your kids and other family members later. They may have college tuition to pay for, along with other necessary expenses. Your surviving spouse may need help getting by without your income after you die. Debt and taxes often need to be paid off—and the burden of the funeral and burial expenses should be taken care of too.

Once life insurance is in the process of being paid out by the insurer you chose, you won’t be around to doublecheck, which is why it is critical to make sure all the details are correct when it comes to your beneficiaries. If one or more is not specifically chosen, a clause such as the preference beneficiary clause will take over, giving preference to a list of provided names on the policy. In most cases, naming your beneficiary should be a simple task—along providing a contingent beneficiary who only receives funds if the primary beneficiary is no longer alive at the time that the life insurance claim is filed.

Insurance companies are expected to act in good faith when paying a life insurance claim, but in some cases, there may be challenges for beneficiaries when it comes to receiving their money. Because life insurance often involves large amounts of money, an insurer acting in bad faith may do everything possible to see the policy rescinded—especially if they can prove details on the application were erroneous or fraudulent, or if premiums had lapsed for one or more payments. Other signs of bad faith include lack of investigation or no processing of the life-insurance claim, long delays with no real explanation, low-ball offers, and complete denials of claims.

If you need help reviewing your life 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!