After an accident, many things that once were simple may take on a new level of complexity. Depending on the extent of one’s injuries, routine tasks like getting dressed and personal hygiene may be impossible to accomplish without help. The last thing a California accident victim needs is more complications from dealing with insurance companies.
Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for accident victims to face the delay or denial of a valid claim when an insurance company acts in bad faith. Bad faith is a term that means the insurer has no intention of meeting its obligation to a policyholder even when that policy is up to date and the claim is legitimate. Some examples of bad faith insurance include the following:
- Failing to respond to a claim in a timely manner
- Misrepresenting the terms of the policy
- Failing to disclose to the policyholder or claimant the provisions or exclusions of the policy
- Delaying an unreasonable length of time before beginning or completing the accident investigation
- Ignoring evidence that would justify a claim or overstating factors that may invalidate a claim
- Denying a claim that is reasonable and covered by the policy
Any of these may have as its goal protecting the bottom line of the insurer instead of meeting the obligations of the policy. However, those in California who have suffered injuries in an accident can seek assistance from a skilled and tenacious attorney instead of dealing with insurance companies on their own. An experienced attorney will recognize and hold accountable an insurance company acting in bad faith.