When Do You Need an Insurance Claims Attorney?

What Are the Responsibilities of an Insurance Company?

In exchange for the payment of premiums an insurance company agrees to the following:

• Provide all coverage described in the specific policy
• Communicate clearly when a claim is filed
• Act fairly, promptly, and in good faith toward policyholders
• Consider the interests of policyholders, and not merely its own financial interests
• Deliver a prompt investigation for all claims and offer a monetary valuation
• Uphold and honor policies and pay on your claim 
• Defend policyholders. Insurance companies may have a responsibility to defend you or provide legal representation against third parties.

An insurance policy is a binding contract between a policyholder and an insurance company. When your insurance company delays or refuses investigation, they are acting in bad faith.

What Can You Do If You’re Denied Insurance Claims?

Delayed or refused claims are not uncommon, and they leave many policyholders wondering why they have insurance in the first place. Insurance companies sometimes do all they can to find reasons not to pay on certain claims, or intentionally delay payment for as long as possible.

Policyholders may even get so frustrated that they give up and pay out of pocket. That is playing right into the hands of the insurance companies, who benefit and profit from paying out on as few claims as possible.

If your claims are denied, however, and an insurance company is breaking their contract, you can contact a bad faith insurance specialist at (513) 381-2333 to help you engage the offender.

Our attorneys at The Lyon Firm have experience in handling delayed, underpaid, or denied claims on behalf of policyholders. We are ready to fight for you.

What Are Common Types of Bad Faith Behavior by Insurers?

Insurers may assign fault to avoid payment, may attempt to unfairly increase premiums, and deny your claims without justification. In some cases, you may have a good case and can file a bad faith lawsuit.

If you believe your insurance company has handled your claim unethically, unfairly, or illegally, contact an insurance bad faith attorney to review your case. Our attorneys have extensive experience filing insurance dispute lawsuits and have the resources to pressure insurance companies in honoring valid claims.

The most obvious type of bad faith from an insurance company is the outright denial of payment from a valid claim. The company or agent may cite a vague reason for the denial or avoid discussing the situation directly until a policyholder takes legal action against them. Other forms of bad faith include the following:

• Unreasonably Delayed Payment— Claims can be delayed so long that policyholders cannot wait to fix serious damage and have to pay for repairs and costs out of pocket.
• Lack of Attention and Investigation— Insurance companies may fail to properly investigate or defend a claim.
• Underpayment of Claim— Insurance companies frequently pay the insured less than the policy stipulates. If an insurance company underpays insurance claims without a good reason, and ignores obvious costs and estimates, it may be acting in bad faith.

Policyholders most likely have very busy lives and cannot spend months negotiating with insurance companies over a settlement. They often are forced to take low-ball offers or nothing at all… unless they contact an experienced attorney to assist in recoveries.

What Are Unfair Company Practices by Insurance Agencies?

Insurance companies may employ one or more of the following tactics to limit your benefits:

• Offer you a settlement that does not reflect the true extent of your damages
• Pressure you into settling before consulting with an attorney
• Pressure you into signing waivers, statements, or releases which limit your ability to recover future compensation
• Shift fault for the accident to you in order to reduce or deny a claim

If you suspect you’re being treated unfairly, a free consultation with a bad faith insurance lawyer can help advise your actions (the first piece of advice: don’t sign anything until it’s reviewed by an attorney).

Hiring an experienced lawyer to handle the insurance negotiations can increase your compensation to full and fair coverage.

How Can You Be Sure You’ve Received Fair Insurance Compensation?

While most insurance companies claim in their marketing and promotional material that they thrive in coming to the aid of victims after an accident, storm or disaster, the goal of insurance companies is to maximize profits.

The easiest way for insurance companies to maximize profits is by charging high premiums and limiting the benefits they pay policyholders.

The Lyon Firm has experience engaging insurance companies and recovering damage claims. If your car, home, or business has been damaged, and you have questions about the legal remedies available to receive fair compensation from an insurance company, contact The Lyon Firm for a free and confidential consultation. You will speak directly with Mr. Lyon at (513) 381-2333, and he will help you answer your critical questions.