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What is Insurance Bad Faith?

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Whenever you suffer a loss that is supposed to be covered by your insurance provider, you hope that they will properly adjust your claim and abide by the terms of your policy. After all, you pay a monthly premium, often amounting to thousands of dollars each year for protection in the event of you suffer an injury or property damage.

Unfortunately, there are many problems that may arise during the handling of your claim, which may result in the insurance company wrongfully denying your claim or handling it in an improper manner. Whenever you have a valid insurance claim, you expect your insurance company to protect you and to handle your claim in prompt manner, and settling your claim in a fair and reasonable manner. When your insurance company does not do so, there may be potential legal action for an insurance bad faith lawsuit.

At Berthold Law Firm, PLLC, we’re well equipped to help with insurance bad faith litigation because we recognize the various tactics these large companies use against claimants. We’re ready to help you understand what to look for, and what to expect throughout the process.

If you’ve had your claim wrongfully denied, call us today at (304) 605-2040.

The Acts of Bad Faith

Whenever you file a claim with your insurance provider, they must take necessary steps to ensure they’re making the right decision regarding acceptance or denial. However, far too often, these steps are skipped, and a claim is improperly denied. Here are some of the things you should know about bad faith insurance and how it happens:

  • Investigation: When making a decision, insurance companies need to make sure they’re doing what they can to investigate the validity of the claim. If they deny the claim without investigating it, or they take too long to investigate your claim, they’re acting in bad faith.
  • Settlement: Insurance companies are businesses and they are often willing to go to extraordinary lengths to protect their profits. This can also mean offering an inadequate settlement during a time when you need it most, taking advantage of your vulnerable situation. They may take improper deductions and not pay you the proper value for your items.
  • Delays: If the insurance company delays the settlement to you for an unreasonable time, this is also bad faith because they know that you need funds during this difficult time. The delay, if unreasonable, may be something for which they can be held accountable. Additionally, if after the delay, they try to deny your claim improperly, this is something for which they may be held accountable.

Insurance bad faith can occur in numerous ways whether you’re filing an auto accident claim, a homeowner’s insurance claim, or even for disability. As you pay your monthly premium, you expect that the insurance company will live up to their promises. When they don’t, you’re left in a difficult position, and need to figure out what comes next.

Our Charleston Insurance Bad Faith Attorneys are Here to Help

At Berthold Law Firm, PLLC, we know that insurance companies often use unscrupulous tactics to get away with claim denials. They’re not always willing to help you in a time of need, and when they don’t, you deserve to hold them accountable for their actions.

With our team on your side, you’re putting more than 75 years of combined experience in your corner. We work hard with your rights and best interests in mind because we truly care about getting the results you need and deserve. We’re not afraid of large insurance companies, especially when your well-being is at stake.

If you need to discuss your potential bad faith claim, we offer free consultations so you can speak with a member of our team and better understand your rights before making a commitment. Your best interests remain a top priority for us, and we’ll go the extra mile to safeguard them during this time.

Call our firm today at (304) 605-2040 and speak with a legal professional about the details of your claim. We’ll work to obtain the fair and just outcome to help you move forward.

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