A car careened into the display window of your local business. Damage is everywhere throughout the front of your office. Shattered glass strewn about, office furniture and equipment scattered in heaps and pieces, and puddles of coffee throughout due to the shattered coffeemaker.
For years, you have dutifully paid for property insurance. And now is the time that you need the support of your insurance company to help you restore your business. But it balks, and the hesitation bewilders and frustrates you. Why does your insurance company decide not to pay? In denying your claim, it contradicts your agreement. This may be a situation that calls for filing a bad faith claim.
Delays investigation, changes your policy
Denying your claim, failing to investigate or being slow to act on your case are grounds for a bad faith insurance claim. The following represent examples of how insurance companies act in bad faith:
- Does not explain the details of your policy and how it applies to your insurance claim.
- Denies your claim, citing questionable and unclear rules even though your policy declares that coverage is justified.
- Relies on procrastination, delaying your claim.
- Changes the policy soon after you file an insurance claim.
- Ignores protocol and performs a shoddy and incomplete investigation. This stage must be done in a timely matter.
- Unexpectedly cancels your insurance policy.
- Gives you the runaround, making uncalled for and unnecessary demands such as making additional doctor visits and providing duplicate copies of documents.
You should not have an uneasy relationship with your insurance company. However, sometimes, what you thought was your ally turns out to be