The purchase of an insurance policy is supposed to give you protection in emergency situations. You should have the peace of mind that your provider is going to issue your benefits swiftly if you need access to them.
This is essentially the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. California law states that, when you enter into a contractual agreement with your insurer, the insurer is obligated to do nothing that would deprive you of the benefits of your contract. If your insurer does act in bad faith and unfair dealing by breaching this contract, you will be able to seek compensation for your damages.
Breach of Contract
You may be unsure about what constitutes a breach of contract in comparison to a fair denial of benefits. A claim that has been denied fairly should have been thoroughly investigated by the insurance adjuster, including a complete review of your contract to determine when benefits should be dispersed and whether you are involved in a situation that is excluded from your policy.
However, a breach of contract occurs when an adjuster has deliberately misled or lied to you about what coverages apply in your contract.
Other circumstances in which an insurer could have breached your contract and acted in bad faith include unnecessarily delaying your benefits, failing to investigate your claim before a denial is sent, settling your claim for less than your policy is supposed to cover, and any other decision that puts the importance of the insurance company’s profits above the needs of a deserving policyholder.
Recovering Damages
When the insurer has breachedits end of the contract and acted in bad faith, you are entitled to seek compensation for the damages you’ve suffered as a result of this breach.
Bad faith insurance losses can include recovery of the benefits you should have received based on your contract, damages to your income as a result of the delay, late fees and damage to your credit score, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and any other areas the insurer’s act of bad faith impacted.
Call a California Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer
If you believe you have been a victim of an insurance company that broke the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, speak with a California bad faith insurance lawyer at Haffner Law today. Our attorneys have years of experience dealing with bad faith insurers and can help you secure the funds you need to continue with your life.
Schedule your free claim evaluation today by calling 1-844-HAFFNER (423-3637) or filling out the form below.
