Bad things happen sometimes; that’s why you have insurance in the first place. Collecting compensation after an accident should not be difficult, but many see their insurance companies ignore their circumstances or mislead them into accepting less than they are due.
Insurance companies have a responsibility to “act in good faith” when it comes to responding promptly to your claims, and acting in “bad faith” can mean that you could file a lawsuit.
We’ve written an extensive article on how to determine if you insurance provider is acting in bad faith. If you feel that you have grounds for an insurance bad faith lawsuit, here are a couple of steps for how to proceed.
1. Collect documentation
If you believe your insurance company is acting misleadingly, it’s important to keep written documentation from every aspect of your claim. This means medical records, accident reports, and any correspondence you’ve had with your insurance company about the incident.
Try to avoid talking on the phone with your insurance company. Instead, ask for any correspondence to be in writing for the sake of keeping records.
2. Contact an experienced attorney
An attorney that is familiar with insurance bad faith lawsuits can be a great ally. They can help you determine how much you should be owed for your accident and whether or not your insurance company is actually acting in bad faith. If you do decide to file a lawsuit, an experienced attorney will be able to represent you to the full extent of the law.