Insurance bad faith claims arise when insurance providers unreasonably and unfairly handle any policyholder’s claims. These actions breach the legal duty of good faith and fair actions or dealing, which can exist between insurance agencies and those they insure.
When bad faith is suspected, you have the right to work with an experienced personal injury attorney, sue the insurance company for violating the law, and collect monetary damages for financial losses, emotional distress, and legal fees. Contact a Jackson insurance bad faith claims lawyer if you have questions or need help with your case.
Some examples of bad faith claims include:
When insurance companies violate their contractual obligations, policyholders can sue for compensation to cover their losses.
The case must establish the existence of the essential elements of bad faith claims to win an award for damages, which include:
Other possible examples of bad faith include misrepresenting the insurance policy’s terms and failing to communicate with policyholders. Finally, using coercion or intimidation to pressure them into accepting low settlement amounts is a valid reason for pursuing damages.
Policyholders can take some steps to prepare for legal action. First, they can document everything and keep records of communications and mailings received from the insurance company, including phone calls, letters, and email communications, which can help prove liability.
Second, policyholders can take notice of potential bad faith practices, such as offering settlement amounts too low to cover the losses. After reviewing the case specifics, a Jackson insurance bad faith claims attorney can help determine if there is valid cause for legal action.
State laws prohibit insurance agencies from misrepresenting policy coverage, how the coverage works, or conditions and limitations. Under Mississippi Code Annotated § 83-5-35, insurance providers may not falsely advertise or give misleading statements regarding coverage amounts, deductibles, premiums, or policy renewal provisions. Further, they cannot misrepresent their financial stability or use policy titles or names that misrepresent the true nature of the coverage the policy will provide them.
Defense against bad faith claims successfully requires strong insurance industry knowledge to carefully interpret the policy provisions and determine if they broke state laws. An insurance bad faith claims lawyer in Jackson could review the policy thoroughly to assess fairness and negotiate with the provider to reach a fair outcome and settlement amount. If they cannot get a reasonable agreement, they could take the insurance provider to civil court to hold them legally and financially accountable.
People purchase insurance policies and make payments to protect themselves from losses when specific issues occur, such as car accidents, fires, or flooding during storms. Unfortunately, not all insurance providers act with integrity and engage in bad faith practices, which can leave customers with financial losses and lasting negative consequences.
If you believe an insurance agency intentionally acts in bad faith, you must hold them responsible. Call an experienced Jackson Insurance bad faith claims lawyer today to schedule an appointment and learn more.
(601) 624-7460