Insurance Bad Faith Attorneys in San Bernardino – Serving Southern California
Did you file a claim with your insurance company only to get denied, or have your claim treated unfairly? If so, you may need to involve an attorney. The answer is yes—especially if you believe your insurer acted in bad faith.
If you feel like your insurance company has wronged you or acted in bad faith towards you as its policyholder, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced San Bernardino bad faith attorney at William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., immediately. Our lawyers will help you determine if filing a lawsuit is right for you and guide you through the entire legal process. With our attorneys on your side early in the dispute, you can ensure that your rights are protected at every turn.
What is Insurance Bad Faith?
Insurance bad faith occurs when an insurance company fails to act in good faith towards its policyholders. This includes failing to investigate or process a claim promptly, misrepresenting the terms of coverage, denying a legitimate claim without sufficient evidence, and failing to pay out on a valid claim.
When insurers put their interests ahead of their policyholders’ best interests, they should be held accountable. It’s essential to understand what constitutes bad faith, so you know your rights if you ever find yourself in this situation.
Insurance bad faith typically falls into three categories:
- Breach of contract. A breach of contract occurs when an insurer fails to honor their end of the bargain with the policyholder; this includes refusing to pay valid claims or delaying payment for too long.
- Tortious breach of contract. A tortious breach occurs when an insurance company intentionally acts in bad faith by misinterpreting policy terms or making false promises to the insured party.
- Violation of state laws. Finally, state laws violation occurs when an insurer has violated consumer protection regulations set out by a particular state’s legislature.
Can You Avoid Bad Faith?
The best way to avoid being taken advantage of by your insurance provider is by reading and understanding your policy before signing it. Make sure you know all the benefits and coverage included in your plan and what procedures must be followed should you submit a claim.
Additionally, you must keep detailed records throughout the process, including dates and names associated with any communication regarding your claim. Having these documents on hand can help ensure that you receive fair compensation if something goes wrong with your claim and it goes through litigation due to insurance bad faith.
Why You Need an Attorney for Bad Faith Claims
If you believe that your insurer has acted in bad faith, call our San Bernardino insurance lawyers immediately. Our attorneys understand the nuances of insurance law and can help you navigate the claims process. We have extensive knowledge about California state and federal laws related to insurance bad faith claims. We can provide valuable advice about whether or not filing a lawsuit is in your best interest. Additionally, our bad-faith lawyers know how to build strong cases against insurers who have wronged their clients. We do this by collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and representing clients in court.
No one wants to have their rightful compensation delayed or denied due to their insurer acting in bad faith—but unfortunately, it happens more often than you think. The best way to protect yourself from becoming a victim of insurance bad faith is by understanding exactly what constitutes bad faith and familiarizing yourself with all the details included in your policy agreement before signing it. With some knowledge and preparation, you can minimize the chances that your insurer won’t live up to their end of the bargain if something goes wrong with your claim down the road.
Time is of the essence
There are specific time requirements and mandates that apply to certain claims depending on the type of claim being made, age of the claimant and who the claim is being made against. We urge you to contact counsel to find out what applies to your situation. Failure to make, serve and/or file a timely claim or complaint will bar even the chance of recovery thus we urge anyone seeking to make a recovery, to immediately retain counsel without delay.
Contact Our Inland Empire Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers Today
The San Bernardino insurance bad faith attorneys at William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. serve clients in the Inland Empire and throughout Southern California. We can help you seek justice when an insurance company acts in bad faith or wrongfully denies an insurance claim. Call our law firm immediately if your claim was denied unfairly or you believe your insurer acted in bad faith. We work quickly to help you hold those bad-faith insurers accountable. We can help you collect the money you deserve and ensure your rights are protected throughout the legal process.
Call our law firm at (909) 890-1000 or fill out our confidential contact form today. We offer FREE initial consultations and reviews, so you can quickly get the answers you need.
