We put so much of our trust in insurance companies: homes, cars, health—even our very lives are insured. So much of the quality of life of ourselves and our families can ride on insurance. A good policy can make all the difference when dealing with a catastrophic occurrence, such as a vehicle collision or a house fire. Having a trustworthy insurance company can make or break you during these situations. It’s such a shame, then, that some insurance companies don’t take their responsibility to be trustworthy seriously and instead take advantage of people who are in their most vulnerable state. If you feel like your insurance company is acting in bad faith, know that there are some steps you can take to address the situation, and a bad faith insurance attorney can help.
What is Bad Faith?
Bad faith insurance situations are situations where your insurance company acts in a dishonest or underhanded manner, resulting in you being denied the full claim you should be entitled to. A bad faith insurance attorney ( Actslaw.com/bad-faith-insurance-attorney ) can help you with a number of situations, including being denied a claim you’re entitled to, being low-balled on a claim, having unrealistic time limitations imposed on your claims, being subjected to an unduly rigorous process (such as investigation without justification), having vague language in your policy that can be interpreted multiple ways, or having a lawyer that fails to disclose any part of your policy before you sign it. These are just a few examples. There are numerous ways an insurance company can act in bad faith, all of which can have devastating results during a difficult situation.
What Can Be Done
What can you do if you find yourself in a bad faith insurance situation? There are a few steps you should follow to get the claim you’re entitled to, including hiring a bad faith insurance attorney.
The first is to try negotiating and dealing with the insurance company directly. It’s possible that what looks like a bad faith insurance situation may just be a mistake or misunderstanding, so approach them with an opportunity to fix it. Even if their intent was malicious, if you are assertive enough, they may back down to avoid trouble. If that doesn’t work, call a bad faith insurance attorney. Yes, adding a lawyer ( Actslaw.com/about-us ) to the situation may seem like you’re just adding more paperwork, more complicated legal language, and more hassle for you to deal with, but it will be worth it in the end when you are awarded your full claim. And remember that your lawyer is on your side. He or she will work with you and won’t try to make an already difficult situation even more complicated. Finally, once the case is closed and your claim is paid out, it’s time to look for a new insurance provider. It can be a hassle to wiggle free from your old provider, but, an insurance company that puts you in a bad faith insurance position once will more than likely do it again. If they are making it difficult to break your policy, lean on your bad faith insurance attorney for help.
Bad faith insurance situations are devastating, but they’re not worth accepting, no matter how exhausting they are to fight. Know your rights and do all you can to get the claim you deserve, and consult a bad faith insurance attorney for help.