Bad faith in insurance is the intentionally dishonest act of not fulfilling obligations, misleading another, or entering into an agreement without the intention or means to fulfill it. When an insurance company acts in bad faith, its actions violate the basic standards of dealing with others.
A publication from Notre Dame Law School states that “every contract contains an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing which prohibits any contracting party from injuring another party’s right to receive the benefits of the agreement.” Under Florida Statute § 624.155, it is your right to pursue civil action if your insurance company failed to honor your policy in regards to the standards of good faith.
If you needed to file a homeowner’s insurance policy claim, chances are you have enough stress. The added shock and surprise of discovering your insurance company is dishonest or misleading only makes your situation worse.
Ways an Insurance Company Can Act in Bad Faith
Insurance companies have legal and contractual obligations. When they intentionally enter into an agreement without the intention or means to fulfill it, they may have breached their contract. There are several ways an insurance company may act in bad faith in regards to your coverage.
An Insurance Company May Utilize Confusing Policy Language
Understanding the language of your policy is very important. Your insurance company may act in bad faith by:
- Failing to disclose exclusions and limitations of your policy before you purchase it.
- Misrepresenting the language of the policy in an intentional act designed to avoid paying a claim.
A lawyer can help you understand the language in your policy.
An Insurance Company May Make Unreasonable Demands
When an insurance company makes unreasonable demands, it is often guilty of acting in bad faith. An unreasonable demand to prove a covered loss is not fair and may qualify you for a civil claim.
You faithfully paid your insurance premiums, trusting that your policy would be there for you in the event you need it. If you experienced significant property loss and your insurance company is not helping, but rather hurting your recovery efforts, you may need to secure legal representation.
How the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Can Help You
Bad faith in insurance is one of the most taxing things a person can go through. The last thing you have time to deal with after a significant loss of property is a difficult insurance company. At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, our legal team has the knowledge necessary to take on insurance companies who act in bad faith.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that want to protect their bottom line by paying as little as possible on property claims. No one should have to pay out of pocket for expenses or repairs clearly covered in their policy.
We aggressively represent your interests to help you receive compensation. If you experienced serious property losses and your insurance company is fighting you on the terms of your policy, contact us for a free case evaluation.
Our legal team works on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we collect damages for you. You have nothing to lose by reaching out to our offices today.
If you suffered serious property losses and your insurance company is violating your rights under Florida Statute § 627.7142 or your insurance policy, we can help. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine now: 1-800-747-3733.
