How Can an Insurance Bad Faith Lawyer Help You?
When you purchase an insurance policy, you expect your insurance company to uphold its end of the bargain. Usually, this means honoring valid claims, processing them promptly, and paying out compensation you are entitled to under the policy. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes, insurance companies deny, delay, or underpay claims for reasons that are not genuine. For example, after an unexpected car accident in Florida, you may file a claim with your insurer to recover compensation for medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and other losses. If your insurance company unreasonably refuses to pay or drags its feet without a legitimate reason, it may be acting in bad faith.
If you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith, it is in your best interests to retain a skilled insurance bad faith lawyer. An insurance bad faith attorney can help protect your rights. Read on to learn how an insurance bad faith lawyer can help you.
Who Is an Insurance Bad Faith Lawyer?
An insurance bad faith lawyer is a legal professional trained in representing individuals or businesses when their insurance companies treat them unfairly or are dishonest during the claims process. They hold insurance companies accountable when they engage in unfair practices, also known as bad faith conduct.
Bad faith in insurance arises when an insurance company;
- Delays payment without a valid reason
- Unreasonably denies a valid claim
- Offers an unreasonably low settlement
- Denies coverage without conducting a proper investigation
- Fails to communicate adequately with the policyholder
- Misrepresents policy terms or coverage
- Demands excessive information or documentation
If you believe your insurance company has engaged in bad faith conduct, retaining a skilled insurance bad faith attorney is vital.
How Can an Insurance Bad Faith Lawyer Help You?
Here is how an insurance bad faith law can help you;
- Reviewing Your Insurance Policy
An insurance bad faith attorney will scrutinize your insurance policy to determine what is covered, any exclusions, deadlines, and if your insurer followed the policy terms. This can help identify any breach and build the foundation for a legal claim.
- Investigate Your Insurer’s Conduct
Your lawyer will review how your insurance company handled your claim, including how it conducted investigations, communicated with you, and the reasons for delays or denial. They will do this to identify any misconduct.
- Collect Evidence
If you proceed with a bad faith claim, you will need evidence to prove that your insurer acted unreasonably or failed to uphold its end of the deal. An attorney can help you gather key evidence like claim documents, medical records, repair estimates, and internal insurer communications.
- Negotiate With the Insurance Company
An experienced insurance bad faith lawyer can help you negotiate with your insurance company. With solid evidence, an attorney can convince your insurer to settle fairly, avoiding the need for court intervention.
- File a Lawsuit and Represent You in Court (If Necessary)
If negotiations fail, a bad-faith insurance lawyer can sue for bad faith and represent you in court, if necessary. If your attorney succeeds, you may recover several damages, including the full value of the claim, legal fees, and, depending on the specifics of your case, punitive damages.
Contact a Tampa Insurance Bad Faith Lawyer
If you believe your insurance company has engaged in bad faith conduct, contact a skilled Tampa insurance bad faith lawyer at Gunn Law Group, P.A. at 813-228-7070 for legal help.
Source:
law.cornell.edu/wex/punitive_damages
