By law, insurance companies have a duty to their policyholders to act in good faith. This means the insurance company has an obligation to not do anything to injure the policyholder’s right to receive benefits under the policy. A breach of this duty is called “bad faith.” Unfortunately, in practice, insurance companies occasionally act in bad faith by, for example, denying a claim without a reasonable basis or failing to properly investigate a claim. When this happens, the policyholder may bring a claim for bad faith against the insurance company.
At Thomas Braun Bernard & Burke, LLP, we have helped numerous South Dakotans with all types of insurance issues and claim disputes. Our Rapid City insurance attorneys possess the experience, resources, and skills to deal with an insurance company's bad faith and help you fight for the insurance benefits you paid the insurance company to provide.
If you believe your insurance company has acted in bad faith feel free to contact our office online or call 605.348.7516 now for a free consultation regarding your dispute.
Bad faith insurance practices may come in many forms but often look like:
- Claims being delayed, denied, or ignored without a reasonable basis
- Failure of the insurance company to conduct a timely and complete investigation
- Offering less money than a claim is worth
- Misrepresenting the law or policy language to deter or confuse clients
- Putting the insurance company’s interests above the policyholder’s
Third-Party Bad Faith
Bad faith is not limited to your own insurance company's conduct. For example, if you are injured by another party (sometimes referred to as a third-party) and his/her insurance company does not fairly seek to resolve the case because the insurance company puts its own interests in front of its insured’s (i.e., the third party), the insurance company may be liable for bad faith for failing to settle the claim.
Free Consultation: Discover Your Rights in a Bad Faith Insurance Claim
Mistakes happen. However, when an insurance company acts in bad faith, they can—and should—be held accountable.
At Thomas Braun Bernard & Burke, LLP, we are passionate about standing up for those who have not been treated fairly. Whether your claim has been delayed, denied, or otherwise mishandled, we will help you secure the benefits to which you are entitled.
Call 605.348.7516 or contact us online to learn more about how we can help you protect your rights under your insurance policy. We offer free consultations and same day appointments.
