When policyholders are denied fair treatment under their insurance policies, they may be able to seek compensation and legal remedies through the court system. Bad faith insurance claims hold insurance companies accountable when they breach their contracts with insured individuals. An experienced Oklahoma City bad faith insurance lawyer from the Oklahoma Injury Law Firm can review your situation during a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Is Insurance Bad Faith?
Insurance companies have a duty to protect policyholders based on their contractual agreements with them after a vehicle accident. In exchange for making premium payments, you are entitled to be treated fairly when you have to file an insurance claim. Additionally, the insurance company has a duty to defend you if a claim is filed against your liability insurance. If the insurance company breaches its duty to you, bad faith insurance may occur.
Bad faith is not a matter of mere negligence. Instead, it involves acts on the insurance company’s part or its employees’ part that demonstrate that the insurance company failed to negotiate with a policyholder in good faith. To prove a bad faith insurance claim, you must show that you filed a valid claim and that the insurance company denied or delayed it in bad faith.
Common Examples of Insurance Bad Faith
Many acts can potentially constitute insurance bad faith practices, including the following:
- Failing to properly investigate a claim
- Denying a reasonable claim without adequate cause
- Failing to disclose a logical reason to deny a claim
- Issuing blanket denials for all or most claims
- Unnecessarily delaying insurance claims
- Misrepresenting facts or policy language to avoid paying claims
- Refusing to defend a policyholder
- Underpaying legitimate claims
- Failing to provide payment for a claim within a reasonable timeframe
If you believe that your insurance provider has not treated you fairly while dealing with a claim, an experienced bad faith insurance lawyer can review your case during a free consultation.
Damages Awarded in Insurance Bad Faith Claims
The damages that can be awarded in bad faith insurance claims under Oklahoma law include the following:
- The full amount that was due under the policy that was initially denied or delayed
- The additional costs you incurred due to the denial or delay
- Attorney fees and legal costs associated with presenting your case
- Emotional distress, mental anguish, embarrassment, or inconvenience caused by the insurer
Each bad faith insurance case is different – as are the potential damages that can be awarded. An experienced OKC personal injury attorney from our law firm can carefully review your case and determine if the insurance company’s misconduct rises to the level of bad faith. If it does, we can pursue the full damages allowed under the law.
Seek Justice – Contact Our OKC Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers Today
If you suspect that your insurance company has treated you in bad faith, you should contact an experienced bad faith insurance lawyer. The Oklahoma Injury Law Firm can review your situation and denial documents, advise you of your legal rights and options, and explain how we can help. Contact us today or call (405) 310-8800 to get started with your free case review.