Bad faith is a term used to describe actions that are designed to deny benefits or deny coverage. These types of claims can be difficult to prove, but when they do happen, it can lead to a wrongful denial of benefits claim against your insurance company. Personal injury lawyer in Okotoks will discuss what bad faith behavior looks like and how you can protect yourself from it.
What Is Bad Faith Behavior?
Bad faith is a legal concept that refers to acts of dishonesty and unfairness by someone who has a duty of trust or confidence. The term can be used in the context of insurance contracts, contracts between business partners, and other types of relationships where there is an expectation that one party will act reasonably with another.
Bad faith behavior may include:
● Fraud
● Breach of fiduciary duty
● Breach/violation/infringement/violation upon implied covenant
Bad Faith Claim Denial
A bad faith denial of benefits occurs when an insurance company denies a claim or otherwise shows an intent to deny coverage because it does not want to pay for the claim. It’s important to know that this type of denial is illegal and can result in serious consequences, including lawsuits against both parties involved in the dispute.
Failure To Investigate
Before you can file a claim, you must first notify your insurance company of the incident.
If the insurance company doesn’t respond within 30 days, then you are allowed to file a formal complaint with their state regulator. Once they receive your complaint and investigate it in good faith, they will decide whether or not there is enough evidence for them to pay out on your behalf.
In order for them to determine if there was negligence involved in any way during this event (like hitting someone while driving), they will need all available information including photos/videos taken by witnesses who saw what happened as well as other medical records related back then when things occurred.
Unreasonable Delay
Unreasonable delay is a claim that the insurance company took too long to make a decision. The insurance company must act in good faith and in a timely manner, so if you can prove that they didn’t, then you may be able to get your money back.
Bad Faith Verdicts and Settlements
If your insurance company denies a claim, it’s a good idea to file a complaint with the Insurance Commissioner. If they don’t pay up, you can sue them in court.
If all else fails, there are lawyers out there who specialize in fighting bad faith cases—they’ll help you get what’s coming to them!
Make Your Insurance Work for You
If you have insurance, it’s important to make sure that your policy is right for you. Ask questions of your agent or broker if you’re not sure how much coverage will cost or what kind of benefits could be provided. You should also take advantage of any discounts available on certain plans, as some companies offer them more often than others (and they may even require proof).
In the end, all of this is about protecting your assets and making sure that you get what’s yours. If an insurance company won’t give you the benefits that are rightfully yours, then it’s time to take action.