Insurance Bad Faith Attorneys Serving Los Angeles and Southern California

In times of trouble, insurance companies promise to be there when we need them. We pay costly premiums year after year to buy peace of mind so that in the event of an accident or unforeseen disaster, we will be protected financially.

But sometimes, insurance companies don’t live up to their end of the bargain. Insurance companies exist to make money just like any other business. Their primary purpose is to collect as much as possible from their policyholders while paying out as little as possible on claims to maximize their profits. There is nothing inherently wrong with this as long as they don’t take advantage of their customers’ misfortune. Unforttuantely, this isn’t always the case.

What is Insurance Bad Faith?

Insurance bad faith is a legal term that describes a claim that an injured person may have against an insurance company for its bad acts.

When we purchase insurance from an insurance company, we are entering into a legal contract with them. This contract contains what is called an “implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing,” which says that neither party will intentionally injure the rights of the other to receive the benefits of the agreement. California law states that an insurance company’s failure to live up to this implied covenant should subject the company to additional liability.

If an insurance company breaks this law, the policyholder may be able to collect punitive damages in addition to what is contractually owed under the policy.

Some Examples of Unreasonable or “Bad Faith” Claim Handling:

• Taking too long to pay or deny an insurance claim.
• Refusing to provide an insurance attorney to defend you or your business if you are sued.
• Refusing to pay a valid insurance claim.
• Refusing to pay the full value of your claim under the insurance policy.
• Failing to timely, thoroughly and fairly investigate your insurance claim in a timely, objective manner.
• Failing to authorize necessary medical treatment that you are entitled to under a health insurance policy.
• Failing to comply with California’s “Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations.”
• Refusing to pay your insurance claim after the California Department of Insurance determines that you have a valid claim.

Not every wrongful denial of a claim equates to bad faith. The delay or denial of benefits must be shown to be unreasonable or without proper cause or otherwise outrageous or malicious in otder for damages beyond the policy benefits can be recovered in court.

You Need Someone to Fight for Your Rights

Insurance companies have huge teams of experienced lawyers to fight you in court. They have vast resources to spend litigating your case to avoid paying you more than they have to. You need to retain the services of an experienced, tenacious Insurance Bad Faith Attorney who will fight these goliaths to get you what you are entitled to. The attorneys at Hakimfar Law PLC will represent you, usually on a contingency (no cost) basis to make sure you get the settlement you deserve. Your legal fees are paid when your case is successfully settled.

Contact an experienced insurance attorney at Hakimfar Law today for a free consultation to discuss your case.