Resolving Problems Related to Bad Faith Insurance Practices
Just because you submit a claim to an insurance company doesn't mean they have to pay it. Claims are denied for legitimate reasons all the time, but it's the illegitimate reasons that can get an insurer into trouble for bad faith settlement practices or coverage decisions.
If you need legal advice about your rights under the terms of an insurance policy, discuss your situation with lawyers who understand just what an insurer can and can't get away with. Contact the South Bay law firm of Baker, Burton & Lundy in Hermosa Beach.
Our law firm advises clients in the Beach Cities, Greater Los Angeles and Orange County about their rights under both first-party casualty claims and third-party liability claims. California law implies what's knows as a "covenant of good faith and fair dealing" into every insurance policy, which means that you're protected against certain unfair practices under auto insurance policies, homeowners policies and other insurance coverage.
It's hard to say what constitutes bad faith on the part of an insurer without taking a look at the facts of the whole situation, but the following are indicators that could add up to unfair practices that the law can correct:
- Unreasonable delay in acknowledging a claim
- Unreasonable delay in investigating a claim
- Inadequate settlement offers
- Unexplained rejection of documentation for a claim
- Denial of claims on the basis of misinterpreted policy language, including conditions, exclusions or riders
- Repeated requests for information that you've already supplied
- Threats to cancel coverage unless you accept an inadequate offer
With decades of experience analyzing policy language and settling claims on behalf of consumer and business insureds, the attorneys of Baker, Burton & Lundy can give you a good idea of your legal rights as against an insurance company.
For additional information about our ability to advise you about your alternatives if you run into problems with an insurance company, contact our office in Hermosa Beach.
Call 310-421-4952 to Protect Yourself From Insurance Bad Faith
