The Associated Press recently reported that nearly 71,000 insurance claims have been filed in relation to the tornadoes that swept through Oklahoma last month. Insurance adjusters are likely working overtime to get claims reviewed. Under the law, your insurance company has certain duties to treat your fairly. There are deadlines for responding to claims. The law reflects the understanding that policy-holders are typically at the mercy of their insurance companies. The insurance company has to respond to your claim within a reasonable amount of time. By law, your insurance company has to pay for any damages due under your policy in a timely fashion.
Policy holders may not be aware of their legal rights when they file an insurance claim. Your insurance company has a legal duty to ‘act in good faith.’ Claims are usually filed after life-altering events. You may be in the hospital after a car wreck, or you may be rebuilding your house after a natural disaster. Victims may not be able to get on with their lives until their claims have been reviewed and paid. If your insurance company isn’t treating you fairly, you may be entitled to an additional settlement to cover damages.
Signs Your Insurance Company May be Acting in Bad Faith
- Failure to respond to a claim within a reasonable amount of time
- Unreasonable delays
- Failure to pay
- Offering unfair ‘low-ball’ settlements
- Unfairly denying coverage
- Misrepresenting the facts
- Threatening cancellation or rate increases to force an unfair settlement
Insurance companies have a duty to act in good faith, because policy holders may be facing difficult financial situations when they file claims. Unfortunately, unscrupulous insurance companies have the ability to take advantage of potentially desperate situations. Victims may not know how to protect their legal rights. When claims aren’t handled in good faith, it’s time to contact an attorney. Victims who are out of work and devastated by natural disasters can’t have their claims unfairly delayed or denied. They are counting on the money from their settlements. Policy holders deserve to have their claims handled in a timely and professional manner.
If you’re not being treated fairly, contact an insurance claim attorney immediately. A skilled insurance lawyer can evaluate your claim to determine if your insurance company is acting in good faith. Call the experienced attorneys at the Altman Legal Group at 940-761-4000 for a free consultation.