Los Angeles Bad Faith Insurance Claims

Los Angeles Bad Faith Insurance Claims Lawyer

Los Angeles Bad Faith Insurance Claims Lawyer

Most people have more than one type of insurance. Between auto and homeowners’ insurance alone, it’s easy to rely on insurance to ensure that you don’t face significant financial responsibility if something should happen. These policies are meant to keep you safe and help you to financially overcome any crises you may face.

Unfortunately, the reality of insurance is not always so positive. Insurance companies are ultimately businesses and often do everything that they can to avoid paying costly settlements. Many policyholders have a difficult time getting their insurance to pay or face higher premiums after they’ve made a claim. This is simply how the insurance world works.

However, sometimes insurance companies can act illegally by ignoring a claim or denying a claim when there is no valid reason to do so. These are called bad faith claims, and you have the right to take legal action if one should happen to you. With an experienced attorney by your side, you can fight your insurance company and make sure that you get the settlement that you rightfully deserve.

Winthrop Law Group: Your Los Angeles Bad Faith Insurance Claims Attorneys

When you begin to look for a bad faith insurance claims lawyer in Los Angeles, look no further than the experts at Winthrop Law Group. For many years, our group has been protecting the people of Los Angeles from predatory insurance companies and illegal insurance activity. We understand the industry better than anyone, and we give you the best chance of earning what you’re owed after a bad faith claim. Insurance companies are meant to help their customers, and we are here to defend you if they don’t.

Our strong history of success in this area gives you an advantage in the courtroom. We offer you a safe and effective way to seek justice from your insurance company through compassionate, reliable legal counsel.

What Are Bad Faith Claims With Insurance?

Insurance claims occur when an individual needs to use their policy to pay for something that has happened. For example, after a car accident, most people make an insurance claim so that their insurance will pay for the damages. This way, you don’t have to pay out of pocket when an emergency occurs.

Insurance companies don’t always approve claims. Sometimes, there is not enough evidence to suggest that the accident was covered by your policy. In other instances, such as purposeful destruction, they won’t pay because you caused damage with intent. However, most claims are approved. Though you may have to pay a deductible, many times, your insurance will pay a significant amount of the damages after an accident or injury.

Bad faith insurance claims encompass situations when your insurer will not pay for a claim, despite the fact that it’s covered by your policy and you’ve provided the proper documentation. Insurance companies aren’t allowed to deny claims without cause. If you’ve submitted a claim that should be covered and your insurance company continually denies it, you can create a bad faith insurance case and take them to court.

Bad faith insurance claims also include situations in which an insurance company refuses to pay for a third party’s damages when they should. For example, in at-fault states, the guilty party in an accident must pay for the damages. If they have insurance, their insurance may cover that liability. If it does and the insurance company pays for the policyholder and not the third party, it constitutes a bad faith claim. If you file a claim and your insurance company ignores you or doesn’t respond, it falls under a bad faith claim as well.

Why Do I Need an Bad Faith Insurance Attorney?

It’s difficult to face insurance companies in court. These businesses have an incredible number of resources, and they have highly trained attorneys on staff to defend them. Bad faith claims are one of the most common cases brought against insurance companies, so their attorneys know how to handle them.

If you don’t have an attorney, you have no way to refute what the insurance company attorneys say in court. They may claim that they were in the right to deny your claim, and unless you can provide a legally sound reason why they’re wrong, you won’t win. These professionals twist situations in the company’s favor, so the court won’t hesitate to side with them if you aren’t able to provide an argument.

It’s also worth noting that these cases are very stressful. Often, a significant amount of money is on the line, and defendants are facing injuries, accidents, and other complications. This is why they’re going to court in the first place. To act as your own legal representation while dealing with these factors can be extremely taxing, and stress does not improve your chances of winning.

Types of Bad Faith Insurance Claims

It’s important to remember that every bad faith insurance claim looks a bit different because all insurance claims are different. These can happen in any area of insurance and with any type of claim. Though car insurance and health insurance claims are most common, bad faith claims can occur with:

  • Business insurance
  • Consumer General Liability insurance
  • Auto insurance
  • Homeowners insurance
  • Renters insurance
  • Life insurance

Essentially, any policy you have is liable to bad faith insurance claims. Even the most reputable insurance companies can commit these crimes.

Taking Action for a Los Angeles Bad Faith Insurance Claim

One of the most difficult parts of any legal scenario is taking action. It can be difficult to know whether you have a case, and your insurance company will likely try to intimidate you into signing away your rights.

If you file an insurance claim that is denied but you believe should have been covered under your policy, take the following steps:

  • Find your insurance policy and contract.
  • Collect all documentation surrounding the claim, including bills, written correspondences with your insurance, etc.
  • Call your insurance company and ask again why the claim has been denied. In some cases, the second person you speak with can properly explain why the claim is being denied. In other situations, there’s no valid reason for it. Note who you speak with and what they say. Do not agree with them nor argue with them. Simply gather information.
  • Call your Los Angeles bad faith insurance claims lawyer

Gathering information is really the best thing you can do during this process. Don’t sign anything from your insurance company, and try to keep your contact with them to a minimum after you verify why your claim has been denied. Your attorney will be able to look at your documents and information and help you determine if you have a real chance in court.

Settlement vs. Litigation in a Bad Faith Insurance Claim Case

In some scenarios, the case will go to court. A judge or jury will listen to both sides’ arguments and come to a decision about what should happen. In some scenarios, the court decides that the insurance company must cover your claim, as well as additional damages incurred in the lawsuit. In other scenarios, the court sides with the insurance company and rules that they do not have to pay. A middle-ground compromise may occur as well.

It’s also possible that your case won’t go to court. If the two sides agree on a proper resolution or compromise outside of court, there may be no need for a lengthy legal process. Settlements occur when both sides’ attorneys agree on a proper compromise or outcome without the help of a judge or jury. This often happens in situations where one side is clearly in the wrong or lacks the evidence to support their claim.

What to Expect From Your Los Angeles Insurance Bad Faith Claim Lawyer

Seeking justice for your bad faith insurance claim can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never sought legal help before. It can be difficult to discern what you can reasonably expect from an attorney. Though these cases may be frightening, it’s important to remember that your attorney is on your side. Their job is to seek justice for you. To do that, they must understand the situation completely and truthfully. Because of this, you must be able to trust your attorney and feel as though you can speak freely with them. If you can’t, or if they make you feel intimidated or nervous, you should keep looking for a different attorney.

You can also expect that your attorney will help you stay on top of deadlines and paperwork. When a case goes through the court system, there are strict rules and regulations, and you must be punctual with all correspondence and paperwork. If you navigate the process alone, you must understand what’s expected and meet the deadlines alone.

You should trust that your attorney has the experience, understanding, and training to properly defend you. If they don’t, it’s okay to find different representation.

Contact Winthrop Law Group, PC

If you’re facing a bad faith insurance claim lawsuit in the Los Angeles area, we are here to help you. We have the experience to fight your case and give you the best chance of winning the settlement that you deserve.

Contact us today for more information.