West Palm Beach Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer

West Palm Beach Bad Faith Insurance Attorney

Whether you’re in a car accident on Okeechobee Boulevard, slip and fall on someone’s property, or sustain damage to your property, your case will likely start out as an insurance claim. Insurance companies are primarily concerned with their bottom lines, and that often leads to deceptive strategies known as bad faith practices. If you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith, a West Palm Beach bad faith insurance lawyer can help.

Ideally, the insurance company should review your claim, collect evidence of your injuries and damages, request receipts of your costs, and pay you a fair settlement to cover your losses. However, the reality of insurance claims is often far from ideal.

Acting in Bad Faith in Insurance Claims

Bad-faith practices are prevalent in Florida, with over 23,400 residential policyholders filing complaints against their insurers. When insurance companies fail or refuse to honor their obligation to act fairly, they are acting in bad faith. Bad faith tactics can include any of the following practices:

• Unjustified claim denials: When a company denies your valid claim or doesn’t explain the reason for a denial, they may be acting in bad faith.
• Unnecessary delays in payments: Once your insurance company approves your claim, it has 20 days to pay out. Delaying that payment without reason is a bad-faith practice.
• Lowball settlement offers: Some insurance companies care more about their bottom line than offering a fair payout, and they may try to get away with a lowball settlement.
• Misleading policyholders about their coverage: Insurance companies might try to lie about the details of your policy or mislead you about the types of damages they cover.

Reach out to a West Palm Beach bad faith insurance attorney if you suspect your insurance provider of any of these practices. Our lawyers at The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A. have the experience and knowledge to investigate your case and fight for the coverage benefits you deserve.

How to Spot an Insurance Company Acting in Bad Faith

With so many ways insurance companies can act in bad faith, it’s important to know how to identify these practices. Poor communication is a huge red flag, especially if the company is slow to respond to questions for clarification about your policy or a payout they offered. Similarly, delays in issuing payments can be signs of a problem, especially if the company delays without reason.

Another tactic to be aware of is a quick claim denial. Oftentimes, this means the company didn’t take the time to properly investigate the matter. Alternatively, the company may use high-pressure tactics to get you to settle your claim quickly, often for less than you deserve.

The agent may use language like “this offer expires soon” or “you have X amount of days to agree” to coerce you into accepting a low offer. An attorney from our firm can help you identify these tactics and push back against them.

Your Rights When Filing an Insurance Claim in West Palm Beach

To protect yourself from bad faith insurance practices, you should know your rights when you file a claim. Whether you’re a policyholder or third-party claimant, you have the right to be treated fairly. The insurance company has a responsibility to fully investigate your claim, inform you of the reasoning for a denial, and pay out a fair amount in a timely manner for valid claims.

Why You Should Hire a Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer at Our Firm

Bad faith practices are a serious problem in Florida. Estimates suggest that third-party bad-faith costs were up to $7.6 billion from 2006 to 2017. If you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith, an experienced attorney can help.

Our team at The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A. is familiar with Florida’s insurance laws, with two of our attorneys having worked for insurance companies in the past. We can put our 30 years of combined legal knowledge to work to protect you. Our attorneys can review your claim, collect additional evidence to support it, and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.

FAQs

What Constitutes a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in West Palm Beach, Florida?

In West Palm Beach, insurance companies act in bad faith when they do not treat claimants fairly. These practices can include delaying payments, denying claims without cause or explanation, pressuring you to accept a lower amount than you deserve, and lying about the protections in a policy. It could be difficult to identify bad faith from your insurance company alone, so you should contact our firm for assistance.

How Long Does My Insurance Company Have to Respond to a Claim in Florida?

As outlined in Florida Statutes 627.70131, insurance companies have 14 days to acknowledge receipt of a claim and begin their investigation. After receiving the claim, they have 90 days to complete their investigation and either approve or deny the claim. If they approve the claim, they must submit payment within 20 days.

How Can I Prove My Insurance Company Acted in Bad Faith?

To prove your insurance company acted in bad faith, you must show that they unreasonably denied, delayed, or underpaid a claim. To do this, you will need evidence like call records, emails or text messages, receipts or bills showing your expenses, and possibly expert witness testimony. You should consult a bad-faith insurance lawyer for assistance to prove your case.

What Types of Insurance Claims Can Involve Bad Faith?

Any claim you file with an insurance company can be subject to bad faith practices. This includes claims for car accidents, property damage, life insurance, health insurance, homeowners’ insurance, and business insurance. Any time you feel the insurance company is treating you unfairly, it is worth investigating if they are acting in bad faith.

Contact The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A.

When insurance companies act in bad faith, it goes directly against everything they’re meant to stand for. You pay for your insurance policy so that you have the protections you need whenever an unexpected event arises. You shouldn’t have to contend with their deceptive business practices.

Hire a bad faith insurance lawyer from The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A. to fight for the compensation or coverage you deserve. Contact us to schedule your free initial consultation.