Dealing With Bad Faith Insurance: How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Protect Your Rights

Dealing With Bad Faith Insurance: How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Protect Your Rights

Did your auto insurance company deny a claim following a recent accident because your policy lapsed before the crash took place? Even a knowledgeable and experienced car accident lawyer in Queens, NY, probably can’t convince your auto insurance company to reverse its decision in this case.

However, you should consider calling on a bad faith insurance attorney if you suspect your auto insurance company may have acted in bad faith by denying your claim. Bad faith claims filed against insurance companies have reportedly risen in recent years — and you could cash in on this trend with the right lawyer by your side.

Explore the idea of filing a bad faith claim against your auto insurance company with assistance from a reputable Queens, NY, attorney.

What Is Bad Faith in the Auto Insurance Industry?

When you file a claim with your auto insurance company in the aftermath of a car accident, the company can deny it under certain circumstances. For example, the company may deny your claim if:

  • Your claim exceeds the coverage your policy provides
  • Your claim contains inaccurate or fraudulent information
  • Your claim wasn’t submitted in a timely fashion

But your auto insurance company cannot deny your claim just to protect its own interests. When an insurance company acts in bad faith, it delays, undervalues, or denies a claim outright for unreasonable, unfair, or unethical reasons.

What Makes Auto Insurance Companies Act in Bad Faith?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 85% of American drivers have valid auto insurance policies. They sign up for them because it’s the law in many states, but they also do it to protect themselves in case they’re ever in car accidents.

The average car accident involving injuries costs at least $25,000, and it isn’t uncommon for some bad car accidents to cost over $100,000. Many Americans can’t cover accident-related expenses this large, so they invest in auto insurance policies to foot the bill.

Auto insurance companies tell customers they’re in business to protect them. But some act in bad faith to improve their bottom lines. They’ll deny claims to avoid covering medical bills, auto repairs, and other expenses for customers.

What Is an Example of an Auto Insurance Company Acting in Bad Faith?

Did you know an auto insurance company might act in bad faith without you even realizing it? An insurer will often mask its actions to prevent you from becoming suspicious and contacting a bad faith insurance attorney.

Let’s say you were involved in a bad car accident and filed a claim through your auto insurance company, expecting seamless approval. But when you finally hear back, you’re greeted with a claims denial. A representative for your auto insurance company tells you it has a coverage dispute and won’t provide the coverage you expected.

You respond by checking your policy, but you’re instantly confused by all the fine print. This stops you from proceeding any further, and your auto insurance company ends up saving money on your claim by acting in bad faith.

You might not think an auto insurer would engage in these unfair practices, but some will take this approach and hope you don’t notice what they’ve done. This is why it’s wise to schedule a consultation with a bad faith insurance attorney to discuss your case.

How Do You File a Claim Through a Bad Faith Insurance Attorney?

Do you believe your auto insurance company may have acted in bad faith? Set up a consultation with an experienced attorney to see whether you should file a claim against your insurer.

Your bad faith insurance attorney can assist you by:

  1. Reviewing your auto insurance policy to see whether your claim should have been denied
  2. Reading through your communications with your auto insurance company
  3. Sending a demand letter to your auto insurer asking it to pay a claim
  4. Submitting a complaint about your auto insurer to your state’s Department of Insurance
  5. Filing a bad faith lawsuit against your auto insurance company

How Long Do You Have To File a Bad Faith Claim Through an Insurance Lawyer?

You won’t have forever to file a bad faith claim against an auto insurance company through an insurance lawyer. If you think an auto insurer acted in bad faith, you will only have six years in New York to file a claim.

If you wait too long to initiate litigation, you might miss out on the opportunity. A bad faith insurance attorney can put the legal proceedings in motion after an alleged breach of contract on your insurer’s part.

Contact Us To Begin Working With a Bad Faith Insurance Attorney

No one wants to believe their auto insurance company may have acted in bad faith, but it happens more often than Americans realize. Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates, PC can set you up with a bad faith insurance attorney. Call us at (718) 205-1010 to embrace the benefits of hiring an auto accident lawyer.

FAQs

Discover the answers to commonly asked questions about bad faith claims below.

Is It Hard To Win a Bad Faith Claim Against an Auto Insurance Company?

It’s hard to win a bad faith claim against an auto insurance company without the proper legal representation. Ensure you bring the right bad faith insurance attorney on board to handle your case.

How Can You Prove a Bad Faith Claim Against an Auto Insurance Company?

You can prove a bad faith claim against an auto insurance company by keeping records of all your communications with your insurer. This should include phone calls, emails, and letters. You should also collect other evidence like police reports, medical records, and photographs and videos of your accident scene.

What Is Your Bad Faith Claim Against an Auto Insurance Company Worth?

Your bad faith claim against an auto insurance company could be worth tens of thousands and sometimes even hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the circumstances surrounding your case. An experienced bad faith insurance attorney can maximize the value of your claim.