What is insurance bad faith and when is an insurance company acting in bad faith? What should you do if your insurance company has acted in bad faith in San Diego or southern California? What is the difference between insurance bad faith and a principled dispute between the insured and their own insurance company? The Watkins Firm has more than 40 years of experience in these cases and works to protect your interests against insurance companies and to ensure the benefits of the policy at issue in your case.
When is an Insurance Company Acting in Bad Faith
When is an insurance company acting in bad faith? California has strict laws governing insurance companies and their responsibilities to you as a policy holder. In general terms, your insurance company may be acting in bad faith if they have:
- Attempted to settle your claim for far less than what is fair
- Denied coverage when the policy actually provides for the issue at hand
- Failed to provide timely response to a valid claim or reasoning for denial of a coverage for your claim
- Mislead you regarding what your policy actually covers
- Refused to pay a valid claim or act in “good faith” or offer a fair settlement
- Attempted to influence you not to hire an attorney
How Can The Watkins Firm Help With Your Insurance-Related Dispute?
The experienced insurance coverage analysis and insurance bad faith attorneys at the Watkins Firm protect you if your insurance company is acting in bad faith or failing to act in good faith. Our experienced attorneys will review the policy and coverage in question. When an insurance company is acting in bad faith we can hold them financially accountable in a breach of contract lawsuit. We will pursue all legal avenues to enforce their legal responsibilities under the policy. We seek financial damages for insurance bad faith to restore any losses you have sustained as well as compensation for the anguish and frustration they have forced you to endure.
In extreme cases which involve fraudulent actions of the insurance company or their representatives California law provides for substantial “punitive” financial damages. These cases have a high legal bar but involve actions involving malice or outright fraud.
San Diego Insurance Bad Faith Attorney
When is an insurance company acting in bad faith and what if it is simply a valid dispute between the parties? There are times when an insured party has a genuine dispute with their insurance company. We help to quickly and cost-effectively resolve these disputes on a regular basis. However, we are disappointed by the number of times when an insurance company acts in bad faith to avoid their legal and financial responsibilities under the policies they themselves have provided.
The good news is California law provides specific protections for those who purchase insurance in our state. The Watkins Firm has more than 40 years of experience in these cases and is prepared to step in on your behalf and make sure they hold up their end of the contract (policy).
If you are concerned about the actions of your insurance company or if you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith we invite you to review the strong recommendations of our clients and contact the Watkins Firm or call 858-535-1511 for a complimentary consultation today.
