If you have ever had to file a car insurance claim, you probably know insurance companies are often looking for ways to get out of paying compensation. Many policyholders face delays, unnecessary paperwork and misleading statements. Sometimes policyholders cannot even find out why their claim was denied.
Unfortunately, these kinds of things are often par for the course when dealing with insurance companies. However, these types of practices may be against the law, as insurance companies are prohibited from acting in bad faith.
Unsure if the insurance company has been breaking the law in its handling of your claim? The experienced Phoenix-based auto accident lawyers at Phillips Law Group are ready to help. We have decades of experience dealing with insurance companies that look for any way to deny or undervalue claims, and have helped numerous crash victims secure compensation for damages.
Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about our services.
When a driver purchases insurance, he or she is entering a contract with the insurance company agreeing to pay the insurance company so it will cover damages caused by an accident.
As Arizona is an at-fault state, crash victims typically file claims against the liability insurance of the at-fault driver. These can also be referred to as third-party claims. The at-fault driver’s insurance company is still required to act in good faith when you file a claim.
Acting in good faith means treating you fairly. The insurer should attempt to resolve things promptly, answer your questions and not create unreasonable delays.
Arizona’s Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Act prohibits insurance companies from engaging in a variety of bad faith practices such as:
Even if you have good reason to suspect an insurance company is acting in bad faith, it can be difficult to try to manage the situation alone. Insurance companies are not concerned about crash victims filing lawsuits on their own.
By bringing in an experienced attorney with a track record of success, the insurance company may be more likely to take your claim seriously. Insurance companies often want to avoid the courtroom, as there is no telling how much a jury may award. The insurance company is likely to pay out less in a settlement than they would have to pay out because of a jury verdict.
It all boils down to money. Insurance companies do not want to pay out compensation. If they can find a way to avoid paying compensation or find a way to pay much less than a claim may be worth, they will do it.
Insurance companies know you need money during this difficult time. If they delay the resolution of your claim, you may accept whatever lowball offer they make. They also know delaying a settlement helps run out the clock on the statute of limitations, giving you less time to try to file a lawsuit if the insurance company denies the claim or makes a lowball offer you do not want to accept.
Insurance companies also know most crash victims do not know their rights, particularly as it pertains to insurance companies acting in good faith. Which is why having an experienced attorney on your side is important to help protect your rights.
This is a question best answered by a licensed attorney. However, once you bring an attorney on board, it may not be necessary to file a bad faith claim to get the money you need for your crash claim.
If the insurance company tells you hiring a lawyer is a bad idea, consider the reasons why they may be saying that. They probably know injury victims represented by attorneys often recover more compensation compared to those who go it alone.
There is often a lot of uncertainty after a car crash. There is one thing you can be sure of: the insurance company will be looking for some way to avoid paying fair compensation.
Seeking legal representation can be one of the most important things to do after a crash. An experienced lawyer from Phillips Law Group is ready to deal with the insurance company on your behalf. Our firm has obtained millions on behalf of crash victims, and we know how to deal with insurance companies.
We do not charge upfront fees for our services and the initial consultation is free of charge.
Contact us today for help with your claim: 602-222-222 .
