When you have been mistreated by an insurance company while they were handling a claim you filed against your automobile, homeowners, disability or life insurance policy, it would be considered to be acting in “bad faith.” Every year there are many bad faith claims filed because of the insurance companies’ wrongful actions toward clients who file claims. When denying, underpaying, or delaying a claim doesn’t make sense and you are getting the run-around, schedule an initial case evaluation with Scottsdale’s experienced insurance bad faith lawyer Nathaniel B. Preston (“Nate”).
Here are some examples of how an insurance company might mistreat you:
- Fraudulent or deceptive behavior when handling claims
- Denying a claim outright
- Your claim is unreasonably denied
- An investigation regarding your claim isn’t conducted timely
- The insurer doesn’t act reasonably when handling your claim
- Requiring unnecessary paperwork unreasonable for claim processing
- Insurance policy provisions or important facts are misrepresented
- Making an offer to settle for a low amount and not explaining why
- A claim is valid, but the insurer fails to promptly pay
- Failure to settle a claim within your insurance policy’s limits
- If you are involved in a lawsuit, failure to represent you
- The insurance agent or broker acts negligently
In Arizona, all kinds of insurance companies are required to act in good faith while dealing with those who purchase insurance coverage from them. Clients pay for insurance coverage from the company they choose. In turn, the insurance company must treat you properly in return for your payment. Treating clients fairly is also referred to as “good faith.” Good faith is something a client can expect their insurer to provide for them all the time. “Implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing” is the legal responsibility of an insurance company in Arizona. If the insurance company you deal with doesn’t meet the particular duty they are required to provide, any mistreated client has the right to proceed with legal action because of “bad faith.”
How Should I Proceed After Being Mistreated by An Insurance Company?
Unfair treatment by an insurance company gives you the right to take action. Act promptly and accordingly, contact the office of experienced Scottsdale insurance bad faith attorney Nathaniel B. Preston for help. He will help you file a formal complaint with the Arizona Department of Insurance against your insurance provider. Nate will take the time to scrutinize all the documents contained within your insurance policy. He will also thoroughly go over any and all communications that have been transferred between you and your insurance company. By going over all the documents, Nate can accurately determine if your insurance company has acted improperly and if you have reason to proceed with a claim against your insurance company for bad faith.
If My Insurance Company Acts in Bad Faith are They Require to Pay Me?
If your insurance company has been acting in bad faith, you could be eligible to seek legal remedy while requesting damages from your insurance broker because of acting inappropriately. This bad faith claim would be filed separately from your initial claim that was filed against your insurance company initially. If your information shows that your insurance company has acted in bad faith, you will receive the compensation you are entitled because of initial claim, but you will also receive compensation for litigation expenses, attorney’s fees, and possibly punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed as a form of punishments for the insurance company and also to keep other insurers from acting in bad faith.
Free Case Evaluation— Call Scottsdale Insurance Bad Faith Attorney Warnock MacKinlay Law Today
Nate will fight for you to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your damages. Your initial case evaluation is completely free of charge. Plus, you don’t have to pay anything unless you receive money for your claim.
If a Scottsdale insurance company hasn’t treated you right, contact Warnock MacKinlay Law today to schedule your free consultation for your case by filling out our online contact form or by calling 602-600-6427.
