Insurance isn’t inexpensive—for many families, it is one of the largest monthly expenses they have. Knowing that, you would expect insurance companies to handle customers’ claims promptly and efficiently. That isn’t always the case.
When insurance companies wrongfully deny claims, try to force consumers to give up on their claims, or otherwise engage in bad faith, you may need to bring in an Orange County insurance bad faith attorney to access the benefits of your policy.
Working with an attorney that knows the insurance companies in your area is important, as they know how different local companies will handle claims or treat consumers. We have verified that each attorney on this list is based in Orange County, so you can feel confident about choosing a local lawyer.
You may wonder why you would need an Orange County insurance attorney if the terms of your contract are spelled out in black and white. Unfortunately, insurance companies will take advantage of consumers, since many consumers are unable to interpret the language used in insurance policies. Furthermore, many consumers don’t know their rights under federal and California state law. Insurance providers take advantage of this by denying legitimate claims.
Insurance lawyers can help consumers with issues regarding their policies and how their claims are handled. Additionally, insurance lawyers can be hired by insurance companies to justify how their claims are handled and managed.
As a consumer, you may hire an attorney to:
Bad faith insurance refers to a situation where an insurance company fails to fulfill its contractual obligations or acts unfairly towards its policyholders. When an insurance company acts in bad faith, it means that they have intentionally and unreasonably denied, delayed, or undervalued a legitimate insurance claim made by the policyholder.
Examples of bad faith insurance practices can include:
When an insurance company acts in bad faith, the policyholder may have legal recourse to pursue a bad faith insurance claim with the assistance of an Orange County law firm. This can involve seeking additional compensation beyond the initial claim amount, as well as potential legal penalties and damages for the insurer’s unfair practices.
Insurance companies of all types may engage in bad faith behavior that harms consumers, including car, home, renters’, and health insurance providers. Some of the legal issues your attorney may take on include:
California is known for its strong consumer protection laws, a trend that carries into the area of insurance. State law says that insurance companies have a duty to defend and indemnify their customers. Insurance companies must investigate claims in good faith, with the intent of paying for an incident covered in the insurance policy.
When an insurance provider does act in bad faith, California law allows for a variety of damages, including your attorney’s fees, amounts you paid to the insured party, and emotional and mental stress. In some cases, the court will also award punitive damages.
California statutes outline some types of bad faith behavior:
If you’re looking for an Orange County insurance lawyer, your search starts here. Use our listings to discover which attorney is right for your claim.