As a policyholder in North Carolina, you expect your insurance company to act in good faith when you file a claim. Unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes engage in bad faith practices, leaving you feeling frustrated and helpless.
Our Angier bad faith insurance lawyers at Whitley Law Firm can help you determine if your insurance company is acting in bad faith. An experienced Angier personal injury lawyer can help you start building a strong case. Our team has over 120 years of combined experience that we can apply to your case.
Common Examples of Insurance Bad Faith in Angier
You may encounter insurance companies that engage in bad faith practices, which can take many forms. For instance, they might deny your valid claims, misrepresent the terms of your policy, or drag their feet when it comes to resolving your claim.
Denial of Valid Claims
Denial of valid claims is a common manifestation of bad faith insurance practices, where insurance companies wrongfully reject legitimate claims, leaving policyholders in a lurch. You may have submitted a claim that meets all the policy requirements, but the insurer still denies it, citing obscure insurance loopholes or minor technicalities.
If you suspect that your insurer is acting in bad faith, it’s important to consult with an experienced bad faith insurance lawyer in Angier who can help you handle the situation and fight for your rights.
Insurance Policy Misrepresentation
Insurance policy misrepresentation is another egregious example of bad faith insurance practices. In this case, insurers deliberately mislead policyholders about the terms, conditions, and coverage of their policies. This can occur when you’re buying a policy, and the insurer fails to disclose information about policy exclusions or misrepresents the coverage.
Application omissions are another common example of policy misrepresentation. Insurers may ask you questions about the application but fail to disclose the significance of your answers. For instance, if you omit information about a pre-existing condition, the insurer might later claim that you intentionally withheld information and deny your claim.
Delaying Claim Resolution
Delays in claim resolution are a hallmark of bad faith insurance practices, where insurers intentionally drag their feet to avoid paying out legitimate claims. You may experience claim stagnation, where your claim seems stuck in limbo with no progress being made.
This can be a frustrating and stressful experience, especially if you’re relying on the insurance payout to cover expenses. Insurers may employ various tactics to delay claim resolution, including requesting unnecessary documentation, conducting excessive investigations, or simply ignoring your communications.
Signs You Need an Angier Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer
You’re likely dealing with bad faith insurance practices if you’ve experienced delayed or denied claims, received unfair settlement offers, or faced aggressive tactics from your insurance company.
Delayed or Denied Claims
Following a serious accident or injury, it’s not uncommon for policyholders to experience frustration and financial strain when their insurance claims are delayed or denied. You may have followed the claim procedures in the letter and provided all necessary documentation, but your claim is still stuck in limbo or rejected outright.
Insurance companies often cite policy exclusions as reasons for denying claims. However, these exclusions may be ambiguous or open to interpretation. A bad faith insurance lawyer in Angier can help you handle these challenges and determine if your claim was unfairly denied.
Don’t take the insurance company’s word for it, consult with a bad faith insurance lawyer who can assess your case and provide guidance on the best course of action. By doing so, you can receive the compensation you’re entitled to under your policy.
Unfair Settlement Offers
Insurance companies often use unfair settlement offers as a tactic to minimize their financial liability, leaving policyholders with inadequate compensation for their injuries or damages. You may receive a lowball offer that is substantially lower than what you are entitled to.
This is not an accident; it’s a strategy to take advantage of your desperation or lack of knowledge. Be cautious if you’re being pressured to accept an offer quickly without having time to review it thoroughly or consult with a lawyer.
If you’re unsure about the fairness of a settlement offer, it’s important to consult with a bad faith insurance lawyer. We can help you evaluate the offer, identify any potential biases, and negotiate on your behalf to help you receive fair compensation.
Aggressive Insurance Tactics
One tactic they might use is insurance surveillance, where they gather evidence to dispute your claim. This could include monitoring your social media activity, tracking your daily routine, or even hiring private investigators to follow you.
Another aggressive tactic is policy cancellation. If you’ve made a legitimate claim, the insurance company might try to cancel your policy, citing a minor technicality or discrepancy. This can leave you without coverage when you need it most.
For a free legal consultation with a bad faith insurance lawyer serving Angier, call (800)785-5000
Proving Bad Faith in Angier Insurance Claims
To prove bad faith in an insurance claim, you’ll need to demonstrate that the insurer’s actions were unreasonable, unfair, or deceptive. This requires showing that the insurer breached its fiduciary duties, which include acting in good faith and dealing fairly with policyholders.
To establish bad faith, you’ll need to gather evidence that supports your claim. This can include documents, records, and testimony from witnesses. You may also need to hire experts, such as actuaries or insurance industry professionals, to analyze the insurer’s actions and provide testimony.
If you’re successful in proving bad faith, you may be entitled to punitive damages. These damages are intended to punish the insurer for its wrongful actions and deter similar behavior in the future. Punitive damages can be substantial, often exceeding the original claim amount.
Angier Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer Near Me (800)785-5000
Contact an Angier Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer Today
You’ve taken the step of recognizing the need for an Angier bad faith insurance lawyer. Remember, insurance companies have experienced lawyers; it’s important to level the playing field with a seasoned bad faith insurance lawyer from Whitley Law Firm who can help you handle the claims process and seek justice.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Call (800)785-5000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form