Long Beach Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer for Victims of Fires
What If the Insurance Company Wrongfully Denies Your Claim?
The recent storm of fires plaguing California has left thousands of residents stranded. Some will have homes to go back to, others will not. In the unfortunate event that your property has fallen victim to fire damage, you will have a lot of questions.
What Happens Next?
What can you do when you return home, only to find that there is nothing left?
Your answer: The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV. With all of the emotional and physical obstacles in your way, the smartest thing you can do is get someone on your side. With everything else that is happening in your life, the last thing you want to do is fight with your insurance company.
If your home and property have been damaged in a wildfire, you have a lot of paperwork to worry about. When you signed up for your policy, you hoped to have adequate fire insurance. You assume that everything will be taken care of. But what happens when your insurance company refuses to cover most of the damage? What happens when they refuse your claim altogether?
What Does Bad Faith Look Like?
Insurance companies owe their clients a duty to act in good faith, which means they must handle claims in a fair and open manner. If the insurance company fails to act in good faith, you have the right to pursue legal action for breach of contract. Examples of bad-faith practices include:
- Misrepresenting facts of the case.
- Delaying or failing to provide a reasonable cause for the denial.
- Failing to conduct an adequate investigation or not performing one altogether.
- Denying a claim purely on suspicion, without any direct or substantial circumstantial evidence to prove wrongdoing on the part of the policyholder.
- Not attempting to settle the claim in a fair manner or to offer a reasonable settlement despite evidence justifying the damages.
- Deliberately misleading a client on the statute of limitations and/or relevant policy provisions.
- Acting in a threatening or aggressive manner if the client notifies the insurer of his or her intent to seek legal counsel.
These are just some examples of what insurers have done to unjustly deny legitimate claims, or submit lowball settlement offers to their policyholders. Call Joseph H. Low IV if you feel like you are getting the run-around regarding your fire insurance claim.
Get a Long Beach Attorney at The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV in Your Corner
The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and their intimidating lawyers. The insurance company will try and reason with you; they will try to make you sign forms and paperwork that could ultimately strip you of your rights. The most important thing to remember is that you should never sign anything without consulting your fire insurance dispute lawyer first.
You should never fight your insurance company alone. Insurance battles are hard to win, so call our Long Beach injury attorneys today at (888) 454-5569 for your free consultation. We will answer your questions, help you sort everything out, and make sure you receive the compensation that is legally owed to you so you can get your life back on track.
Additional Information
- Tips for Protecting Your Home from Wildfires
- Office of the State Fire Marshal
- Wildfire Resources - CA Department of Insurance