Types of Bad Faith Insurance Claims
When you are faced with a bad faith denial of an insurance claim, working closely with an attorney who will explain clearly all rights, options and consequences can help to ensure that you make decisions that are in your best interests. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with an experienced attorney.
Answers to Your Bad Faith Questions
Do you think that you may have an insurance bad faith claim? If your insurance company is not providing you with the protection you deserve, it is time to talk to an experienced lawyer. At the The LePley Law Firm, our attorneys protect the rights of insurance bad faith victims across Washington. We can answer your questions and help you evaluate your options today.
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We are a litigation firm. We prepare every case for trial and we have the resources and experience to handle the most complex insurance bad faith claims. We are not afraid to take on big insurance companies and hold them accountable for their failure to fulfill their duties in full. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation, and we can start preparing your claim.
If you are not getting the protection you deserve from your insurance company, you may feel like you have no way to hold them responsible. By filing an insurance bad faith claim, you may be able to increase the value of your claim and recover additional compensation for attorney fees. No one should have to fight to get insurance protection, but when you do, we will be there to help. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Types of Bad Faith Insurance Claims
A bad faith denial of an insurance claim is a breach of the insurer’s duty to exercise good faith and fair dealing, which is an implied covenant assumed to be part of every insurance contract. There are a number of ways an insurance company may act in bad faith. For more information about bad faith claims, talk to an experienced lawyer at The LePley Law Firm in Bellevue, Washington.
First-party bad faith
The following acts by an insurer are examples of first-party bad faith:
Inadequate claim processing — the failure to properly process a claim can constitute bad faith. Generally, the following steps should be taken by an insurer when processing a claim:
- Verify the insured’s proof of loss
- Investigate the claim and inspect the site of the loss
- Determine the coverage (including limits and exclusions)
- Appraise the amount of the loss
- Pay or deny the claim
Improper/inadequate claim investigation — an insurer’s failure to sufficiently and properly investigate a claim can give rise to a bad faith claim. For example, an insurer closes its file without investigating a homeowner’s claim for water damage due to a burst pipe because it believes the homeowners’ association, not the homeowner, is the insured party. In this situation, the insurer should have determined which party was actually covered. In addition, an insurer’s overzealous or intrusive investigation can amount to bad faith.
Delay in payment — an insurer’s delay in paying a legitimate claim may constitute bad faith. For example, a one-year delay between investigation of a fire in an insured’s home and denial of the claim, where there was evidence about the cause of the fire available much earlier in the process and the insured fully cooperated in the investigation, could be considered bad faith.
Unreasonable denial of claim — if the insurer acts unreasonably when denying a claim, it will likely be considered bad faith.
Third-party bad faith
The following acts by an insurer are examples of third-party bad faith:
Failure to settle — an insurer’s failure to settle an underlying suit against the insured can constitute bad faith. A number of bad faith claims arise from the situation in which the insurer has failed to settle an underlying claim against the insured within policy limits, which then subjects the insured to excess liability. Courts have generally imposed an obligation on the insurer to take the interests of the insured into account when engaging in settlement negotiations. A failure to tell an insured about settlement demands may also be considered bad faith.
Failure to defend — many insurance policies include provisions that require an insurer to defend an insured in an underlying action by a third party. If the insurer wrongfully fails to defend the insured, it may be considered bad faith.
Bad faith/negligent handling of the defense — an insurer who undertakes the defense of an insured, but handles that defense negligently or inadequately may be liable for bad faith. For example, an insurer may be negligent by failing to hire appropriate counsel to defend the insured in an underlying lawsuit.
Talk to an insurance lawyer
If you are wrongfully denied payment on a covered insurance loss, you have a right to seek recovery based on the legal concept of bad faith. Talk to an experienced insurance attorney at The LePley Law Firm in Bellevue, Washington, about your legal options.
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.