Unfortunately, accidents happen. Whether you have sustained an injury while at work or in a car accident, filing a personal injury claim with your insurance company can be a stressful process. You have a right to expect timely compensation according to the insurance policy you have purchased.
However, there are times when insurance companies fail to hold up their end of the bargain. Here are some of the signs to look out for if you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith.
What is bad faith insurance?
Insurance companies have greater expertise, greater bargaining power, and more resources at their disposal than their policyholders during a claim negotiation. According to the Texas Insurance Code, “insurance companies have a ‘special relationship’ with policyholders and owe them a duty of good faith and fair dealing in regards to insurance claims.” An insurance company is said to be acting in bad faith if their conduct is unlawful or inappropriate when handling an insured person’s claim.
Signs of bad faith
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- Avoiding your phone calls, questions, and inquiries – An insurance company that avoids communicating with their customer after they have filed a claim may be trying to avoid paying out the claim. Your insurance company has a responsibility to provide you with documentation about your claim, as well as to answer your questions in a timely manner.
- Rejecting a valid claim – An insurance company may try to deny coverage for your claim in the hopes that you will not pursue further action. Of course, not all claims filed with an insurance company result in compensation; however, if you are denied coverage without reason on a valid claim you have the right to challenge the decision.
- Slow to investigate – Another sign an insurance company may be acting in bad faith is if they drag their feet during an investigation. If your insurance company refuses to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of your accident claim, you may have a bad faith claim.
- Low Settlement Offer – It is reasonable to expect your insurance to propose a “low-ball” settlement. However, if they refuse to budge from their first offer during the negotiation process, or pressure you into accepting an offer that is lower than what your policy should cover, they may be acting in bad faith.
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Get the help you need from knowledgeable Texas personal injury attorneys
If you have sustained an injury in an accident you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. The claims process can be intimidating, especially if you are having trouble getting your claim approved. Let the experienced personal injury attorneys at Burwell Nebout Trial Lawyers advocate for you.
Contact us online or call (281) 645-5000 to book a free consultation today.
