Kinston Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer
In the grand scheme of things, paying your monthly premiums does more than keep your insurance policy active: it grants peace of mind that in the event of a hurricane or another disaster, you have coverage. Yet, there’s nothing more frustrating than to keep up your end of the bargain, only to have an insurer employ bad faith practices and stall the claims process.
If this situation sounds familiar, you could benefit from partnering with a Kinston bad faith insurance lawyer from Whitley Law Firm. Whether your claim involves a waterfront estate or homeowner’s association, we’re ready to step in and hold an insurer accountable. We invite you to start a free case review when you call (919) 785-5000.
Our Kinston Lawyers Can Evaluate Whether You Have a Case for Bad Faith
Insurance companies have an obligation to deal with your policy fairly. This means responding in a timely manner, making an honest attempt to evaluate your losses, and being truthful about the terms of your policy. When insurance companies act in bad faith, we can help.
There are many examples of bad faith practices, some of which include:
- Refusing to respond to your claim
- Delaying your claim for an unreasonably long time
- Intentionally undervaluing your loss
- Lying about your policy’s terms
- Failing to investigate your claim
- Lying about the availability of repairs
- Making threats regarding your coverage
When it comes to bad faith insurance claims, you should trust your gut. You can tell if you have been treated unfairly. If you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith, now is the time to reach out to a Kinston bad faith insurance attorney from our firm.
Our Kinston Attorneys Can Help With Your Bad Faith Claim
There are benefits that come with hiring Whitley Law Firm. Our team has advocated for our friends and neighbors since 1974. With more than 80 years of combined experience, we know what it takes to hold insurance companies accountable when they act in bad faith.
From start to finish, our team will handle every aspect of your case. Along the way, we will answer all of your questions and return every phone call within 24 hours. With our law firm’s support, you can trust that:
Our Attorneys Can Gather Evidence of Bad Faith
Bad faith claims are about more than feeling mistreated or being unhappy with the outcome of a case. Your case requires evidence. Proving that the insurance company acted in bad faith can be tricky, but we know what to look for. We can compile all of the useful evidence in your case, including suspect communications from the insurance company or evidence that it repeatedly ignored your claim.
We Can Communicate With the Insurance Company, So You Don’t Have To
No one wants to deal with insurance companies. At Whitley Law Firm, we make sure you never have to. We are your advocates, and we will always deal directly with the insurer on your behalf. This prevents their adjusters from using bullying tactics against you. It also frees you up to focus on what is important in your life.
Our Firm Can Evaluate Your Losses
Damages are a key part of any bad faith claim, and we can help determine what your case is worth. While no attorney can promise you a specific settlement amount, we can guide you on the compensation you should seek from the insurance company based on your situation.
We Can Pursue a Settlement on Your Behalf
Most people prefer to settle these cases as soon as possible. After all, a bad faith lawsuit is only necessary when insurers refuse to fulfill their obligation to you in the first place. We can work with the insurance company to help you negotiate a settlement that is fair and reasonable.
Our Team Can Pursue Litigation When Needed
Our goal is to resolve your case by securing the best possible outcome. Sometimes, litigation is necessary to recover what you are owed. We can handle every aspect of a bad faith lawsuit while constantly pushing for an out-of-court settlement with the insurance company.
Our Bad Faith Lawyers Seek Fair Compensation for Your Property’s Damage
If your bad faith insurance case is successful, the insurance company must provide you with the compensation for your underlying claim that it originally treated in bad faith. This could include all manner of damages from your property loss, including the cost of repairing or rebuilding.
These are not the only possible damages, however. Under North Carolina’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, you might also be entitled to something known as “treble damages.” Treble damages are punitive. That means instead of helping you recoup your losses, they are designed to penalize the insurance company for its conduct. Treble damage awards are three times the cost of your losses from your insurance claim.
When you connect with our team, we can explain what damages we can pursue. Dial (919) 785-5000 to begin.
What Can I Do to Strengthen My Bad Faith Claim in Kinston?
While your attorney is responsible for building a winning case for compensation, there are steps you can take to protect your claim. There are also missteps that could jeopardize your recovery.
Handle your case carefully. Any misstep—even one that seems minor at first—could come back to haunt you. Our attorneys suggest you take the following steps to protect yourself:
Avoid Discussing Your Case at All
Venting on social media can be cathartic. It can also be detrimental to your bad faith case. Anything you say about your case, either in person or on social media, could eventually come back to bite you. Claims adjusters monitor social media, and they are not afraid to take something you post or say out of context to hurt your case.
Document as Much as Possible
Proving bad faith requires evidence. Our team has found that the strongest evidence usually comes in the form of communications from the insurance company. That said, the strongest evidence in these cases might not be obvious at first glance. Your best bet is to document everything and let our firm evaluate your potential evidence.
In addition to keeping communications with the insurance company, it is also a good idea to document your claim as much as possible. This starts with taking photos or videos of the damage to your property. The more details you can provide your attorney, the better.
Mitigate Your Damages Whenever Possible
You also have obligations when it comes to your insurance claim. One of those obligations is to mitigate your losses. In other words, you must limit any further damage to your property whenever possible. This may involve:
- Boarding up windows
- Installing a dehumidifier to reduce mold growth
- Placing tarps over holes in the roof
- Bringing outdoor furniture inside
- Disposing of any spoiled or rotting food
- Installing rat traps to prevent infestations
Your insurer is not obligated to pay for the damages that you could have prevented following your initial loss. So, you should do everything possible to prevent further damage from befalling your residential or commercial property.
Talk to a Bad Faith Insurance Attorney From Our Firm
The biggest mistake you can make is handling a bad faith claim on your own. Insurance policies are complicated, and the burden of proof in bad faith cases is high. A single mistake could be costly. Rely on our team to handle every aspect of your case.
Act Quickly: Delays Could Hurt Your Bad Faith Claim’s Chances of Success
Delaying your case is dangerous. Every day you wait to speak with an attorney is another day the insurance company has to cover its tracks or come up with a defense. The sooner you speak with a Kinston bad faith attorney with our firm, the sooner we can get to work for you.
Like with most civil cases, the statute of limitations applies to bad faith lawsuits. If you wait too long to act, the court could not only dismiss your case but prevent you from ever filing it again. We can help you prevent this worst-case scenario.
Another reason to avoid any delay in this process is that bad faith cases take time. While our firm will work tirelessly to get you the recovery you deserve as soon as possible, some delays are unavoidable in the legal system. We can keep you updated on the status of your case and work proactively to avoid these delays, but it is a good idea to get started with your case right away.
Call a Kinston Bad Faith Insurance Attorney Today
Bad faith insurance cases are complicated. After all, not every low offer or denied claim is evidence of bad faith. You need evidence that shows the insurance company refused to treat you fairly from the start. The team at Whitley Law Firm could help you collect that evidence and use it to build a strong case for compensation.
Delaying your case will only work against you. Contact a Kinston bad faith insurance lawyer as soon as possible to get started. Dial (919) 785-5000 to begin.
