Clearwater Insurance Bad Faith Lawyer
When you purchase an insurance policy, you are entering into a contractual agreement with an insurance company whereby you make payments in exchange for coverage should you need it. While most contracts involve parties who strive to uphold their duties and responsibilities per the terms of the contract, in some cases, an insurance company may not act with integrity. If you are pursuing an insurance claim and you believe that your insurer is not upholding the duty owed to you per the terms of your policy, you may have a bad faith claim. Our Clearwater insurance bad faith lawyers can assist you in navigating the process and upholding your rights.
What Is a Bad Faith Claim?
Insurance companies are obligated to process claims in a certain manner in our state, and to operate based on the provisions of an insurance contract. When an insurance company fails to do this, a policyholder may bring forth a bad faith claim against the insurer. More specifically, an insurer is required to:
- Recognize your claim;
- Investigate and begin processing your claim in a timely manner;
- Respond to any inquiries or communications you make within a timely manner;
- Provide you with a reason for a claim denial should your claim not be approved; and
- Attempt “in good faith to settle claims when, under all circumstances, it could and should have done so” had the insurance company acted fairly and honestly (Florida Statute Section 624.155(b)(1)).
An insurer may be guilty of acting in bad faith if there is any evidence that the insurer failed to properly investigate the claim, misrepresented the claim or the insurance contract, failed to give a reason for claim denial, or failed to properly communicate with the insured.
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Your Rights as a Claimant
If you are a party who is seeking damages via an insurance claim and you believe that the insurer has committed an act of bad faith, you have rights. The first thing that you should do is make sure that you document all of your interactions with the insurer and any evidence you have of bad faith. Then, you should call an experienced Clearwater bad faith insurance lawyer who can help you to understand your legal rights and guide you through the process of bringing a bad faith claim. If necessary, the state board can investigate your claim of bad faith and take action against the insurance company, including assessing a fine against it.
Our Clearwater Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers Are Here to Serve You
At the law offices of The Pawloski//Mastrilli Law Group, our insurance bad faith lawyers are here to provide you with high-quality legal services when you are navigating the claims process. Working with an attorney from the get-go may be one of the best ways to mitigate a bad faith claim; however, if you have started the process without an attorney and now believe that the insurer is acting in bad faith, we can help. Please reach our law office by phone or online to request more information and schedule a free consultation.
