Warning Signs That Your Insurance Company Might Be Acting in Bad Faith
When you are injured in an accident, you expect your insurance company to come through for you and cover your expenses. Unfortunately, you might be shocked that the insurance company is not on your side. Like any other business, insurance companies must protect their profits, even if it means acting in bad faith to limit or deny your claim. The same company that promised support might now fail you when you need them. To help you recognize such tactics, here are some common warning signs of bad-faith insurance practices.
Delays, Delays, and More Delays
If the insurance is consistently delaying the processing of your claim without giving a reasonable explanation, that’s a red flag of acting in bad faith. It is usual to experience reasonable delays, for instance, if the insurance company has a lot of workload. However, in such cases, they explain the reason and give a timeline for processing your claim. If you encounter excessive delays, this can indicate that the insurance company is either trying to avoid payment or wants to drag the process so that when finally presented with an offer, you hurriedly take it, even if it might be lower than you deserve.
Unreasonable Denials
If your claim is outright denied without a clear explanation or one that is unreasonable, this may be a warning sign that the insurance company wants to make it challenging for you and that, “hopefully,” you will accept the denial and move on. You should note that you have the right to appeal if you receive a denial, and an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you to appeal your claim successfully.
Ignoring Your Claim
When you have faithfully paid your insurance premiums, you expect your insurer to uphold their end of the agreement when you file a claim and sort you out promptly. Unfortunately, a common sign of bad faith is their refusal even to acknowledge your claim. This can happen when you send numerous emails or even leave voicemails, but all you get is complete silence. Some dishonest insurers employ this tactic to wear policyholders down, hoping they’ll give up out of frustration.
Excessive Claim Requirements
While insurers can request information to process claims, excessive or irrelevant demands often signal bad faith. For instance, if you are asked to provide years of maintenance records for a totaled car, this is unreasonable and may be designed to frustrate you into abandoning your rightful compensation.
Claiming Others Are Responsible for the Damage and Should Pay You
In Florida, a no-fault state, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers damages up to your policy limit. So, if you are involved in an accident, your insurance company should cover the costs. If you have significant losses exceeding PIP coverage, that’s when you can pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance through additional claims or lawsuits. Therefore, if the insurance company is claiming others should pay you, it could be a bad faith tactic.
Contact Gunn Law Group P.A. Today for Legal Assistance
If you suspect your insurance company is acting in bad faith, contact our experienced Tampa insurance bad faith lawyer at Gunn Law Group P.A. today to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Source:
flsenate.gov/publishedcontent/session/2012/interimreports/2012-132ju.pdf
