Unfair Insurance Practices

Los Angeles Attorneys Fighting for the Rights of Insurance Policyholders

You buy insurance coverage to protect yourself against losses that you could not handle on your own. An insurance policy is supposed to provide the peace of mind that you will be covered against catastrophic events. You buy auto insurance to protect you in the event of an accident causing injury or property damage. You buy health insurance to pay for treatment of illness and disease. Disability insurance is to support you and your family in the event you can't work. Life insurance is designed to protect your loved ones after you die. General liability insurance is designed to protect you and your business against a number of claims which might be made against you.

Has your disability insurance claim been denied? Has your homeowner's insurance company failed to investigate your claim for damage caused by a storm, fire, or other accident? Has payment of your claim under your auto policy been unreasonably delayed? Did your insurance company fail to defend you against a claim under your policy? Did your liability insurance company fail to settle a lawsuit against you or your business within your policy limits?

If your insurance company failed to live up to the promises it made to protect you, it may be guilty of bad faith and unfair insurance practices. You may be able to sue them for the benefits you are entitled to, along with other damages caused by their wrongful actions. Contact BIREN|KATZMAN by e-mail or call us at 866-604-5887.

Types of Unfair Insurance Practices in California

Bad faith laws require insurance companies to treat policyholders fairly and in good faith. All types of insurance contracts require the insurance company to act in good faith, including disability insurance, auto insurance, homeowner's insurance, life insurance, liability insurance and medical insurance.

There are an infinite number of ways that insurance companies can breach the obligation of good faith and fair dealing. Some examples of bad faith handling of an insurance claim include:

• Improperly denying a valid insurance claim
• Unreasonably delaying payment of a claim
• Failing to offer the fair value of a claim (lowballing the insured)
• Withholding important information about benefits
• Failing to defend a policyholder against a claim
• Refusing or failing to settle a claim within the policy limits
• Committing other wrongdoing when handling a claim

If your insurance company has acted in any of these ways, it may be guilty of unfair insurance practices and liable for damages in bad faith insurance litigation.

Damages in Bad Faith Insurance Claims in California

An insurance company that commits bad faith is liable not only for the contract benefits (the monies due under the insurance contract or compensatory damages), but also can be liable for consequential damages; damages that occur as a result of being deprived of the contract benefits. Insurance companies who act fraudulently or maliciously may also be held liable for punitive damages. At BIREN|KATZMAN Trial Lawyers, we have extensive experience working with our clients and clients who are referred to us to maximize their recovery in bad faith insurance claims.

Victims of insurance bad faith can be individuals or businesses. Often times, insurance bad faith cases raise very complex issues. If you or your business has sustained a significant financial loss when your insurance company failed to deal fairly with you on your claim, you should contact the law office of BIREN|KATZMAN for a free consultation.