Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers | Munley Law

When Insurance Companies Act in Bad Faith

When your insurance company fails to meet its duty to its policyholder, you may need to file a bad faith insurance claim.

Insurance policies are meant to protect us in the case of catastrophic and life-changing events. Whether an insurance policy covers unforeseen circumstances regarding an automobile, a house, or even our lives, we pay for policies trusting that we’ll have coverage in our most complex and challenging times. This is why it can come as a shock when the insurance company delays or denies a claim altogether.

Was Your Insurance Claim Denied?

When your insurance company refuses to honor a valid claim, they are acting in what’s called “bad faith.” In such circumstances, you will need experienced bad faith claims lawyers to help you collect the compensation you and your family deserve.

The Pennsylvania bad faith insurance lawyers at Munley Law represent those whose insurance companies failed to provide the coverage specified in their insurance policies. If you believe your insurance company has acted in bad faith towards your personal injury claim, our insurance bad faith attorneys are ready to fight for you today. Our services will not cost you a penny unless we recover for you what you deserve. Call (570) 338-4494 or use our online form to speak to our experienced staff right now.

Bad Faith Claims Lawyer Will Help Get Compensation You Deserve

The bad faith insurance claims attorneys at Munley Law can help when your insurance claim is wrongfully denied. We have helped many people obtain maximum compensation from their insurance companies.

Insurance policies are supposed to be there for your peace of mind. Whether you are involved in an automobile accident, a house fire, a burglary, or another unexpected disaster, insurance policies are meant to protect you, your family, and your belongings. In many cases, such as with home and auto insurance, consumers are required by law to carry insurance.

When your insurance company refuses to pay out on a valid claim, or only agrees to pay a portion of your claim, you need a team of experienced attorneys who understand the insurance business. At Munley Law, our bad faith claims attorneys are well-versed in the tactics used by insurance companies to force you to settle for less than what you deserve. We have over 60 years of experience helping clients fight large insurance companies in bad faith claims, bringing you the compensation you deserve.

At Munley Law, we won’t charge a fee unless we win your case. To date, we have won more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts.

Determining Bad Faith Insurance Claims

When your insurance company refuses to pay, you may need a bad faith insurance lawyer.

When a catastrophic event occurs, such as a car accident, house fire, or even untimely death, we expect that our insurance companies will follow through on their contractual obligations to pay. Insurance bad faith happens when the insurance company doesn’t hold up their end of the bargain, either by not paying, delaying payment, or paying less than the policy’s full amount.

If you are unsure if your insurance company is acting in bad faith, contact our team of bad faith claim attorneys today for a free consultation. You may not only be owed the money from your policy claim, but additional compensation as well, including for any money you had to pay because your claim was denied. The consultation with a bad faith lawyer is free, and it may be the first step toward getting the full, fair payment you deserve.

Know Your Rights as an Insurance Policyholder

According to the Insurance Information Institute, state laws regulate insurance companies, guaranteeing that they are licensed, remain solvent and that their rates remain regulated.

In addition, insurance companies have several duties they must uphold to their policyholders. Failure to uphold these duties may be considered acts of bad faith.

• Duty To Investigate – One of the primary duties of an insurance company is to investigate your claim and offer a monetary valuation. When your insurance company delays or refuses to investigate, they are acting in bad faith.
• Duty To Uphold the Policy – Your insurer has a duty to honor their obligations as stated in your policy. An insurance company is acting in bad faith if they do not uphold your policy or payout your claim as listed in your policy.
• Duty To Defend – Your insurance company may have a responsibility to defend you or provide legal representation against third parties and even to pay out judgments.
• Duty Of Good Faith – Your insurance company may not act in bad faith. Such a duty is implicit in all insurance policies.

If your insurance company fails in its “duty to policyholders” in any way, contact the attorneys at Munley Law. We know how to bring you the compensation you deserve. And we don’t take a penny unless we win your case.

What Constitutes a Bad Faith Insurance Claim

A bad faith claim is one in which the insurance company attempts to underpay or deny a valid insurance claim. This is different from a legitimate denial. If you believe your claim falls within your policy guidelines, and yet it was denied or unreasonably delayed, you may have a bad faith claim.

How can someone tell if an insurer’s conduct is unreasonable and the company acts in bad faith? There are some telltale signs in many cases, and a bad faith claims lawyer can walk you through them. However, the following examples may help you better identify bad faith insurance:

• Unreasonable Delays – If you are in a car accident and submit a claim to your insurance provider, you have the right to receive a response from them within a reasonable timeframe, usually between 15 and 60 days. If an unreasonable amount of time has gone by without reply from your insurer, you should contact a bad faith claims lawyer.
• Failure to Complete an Investigation – If your insurance company fails to complete a fair and accurate investigation of your accident or damage claim, you may need a bad faith claims attorney.
• Denial – Unreasonably denying a claim when liability is clear and damages are present.
• No Explanation of Denial – If your insurer denies your claim and fails to offer detailed explanation or documentation of why the claim was denied, they may be acting in bad faith.
• Deception – When you file a claim with your insurance company, your insurer has a duty to inform you of all of the proper deadlines as well as the appropriate paperwork that needs to be filed. Should your insurer fail to do so, you should contact an attorney immediately.

There are many other examples of denial of coverage. A bad faith claims attorney at Munley Law can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation.

How to Prove Insurers Acted in Bad Faith

A bad faith claims lawyer can negotiate with your insurance company and obtain proper compensation for you.

When your insurance company acts in bad faith, you have two choices. You can accept the denial of your claim, or you can contact an attorney. At Munley Law, our team of experienced bad faith claims lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.

When you file an insurance company lawsuit, you may be eligible for several different types of compensation, depending on your bad faith insurance claim. The bad faith claims attorneys at Munley Law can help you receive the compensation you deserve, which may include:

• The original claim under your policy
• Interest on the claim
• Punitive damages in cases where the bad faith act was especially egregious
• Court costs and legal fees

In Pennsylvania, there is no requirement of malicious intent to prove an act of bad faith has taken place. “Malicious intent” refers to a situation in which a person or company acted with intent to do harm. This means that, in Pennsylvania, it is not necessary to prove that the insurance company intended to cause the insured harm in denying their claim. One need only prove that the claim was unreasonably denied or delayed. There is a two-pronged test to determine an act of bad faith: It must be proven through clear and convincing evidence that the insurer did not have a reasonable basis for denying benefits, and that the insurer knew or disregarded its lack of reasonable basis in denying the claim.

If you believe that your insurance company acted in bad faith, Munley Law can help. Whether you face a coverage denial, deceptive practices, failure to investigate, or other bad faith acts, you need a bad faith claims attorney to fight for you. At Munley Law, our experienced attorneys know how to win insurance company lawsuits. Call today for a free consultation. We don’t receive a penny unless you win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Faith Insurance Claims

We understand that you may have many questions about your current situation. Following is a list of the most frequently asked questions regarding bad faith insurance claims. Contact us toll-free at (570) 338-4494 for a free consultation.

Q: What can I do to protect myself from bad faith claims?

A: Your best course of action is to document everything. Make a record of every conversation with your insurer and what you discussed. Keep all written and email correspondence. Keep photos of any property damage, and save all of your receipts or cost estimates for repairs. Likewise, make a record of all medical treatment and corresponding bills. This evidence will be very important when pursuing a bad faith insurance claim.

Q: Why should I hire an attorney for my bad faith insurance claim?

A: In order to file a bad faith insurance lawsuit and collect the full amount of compensation you are owed, plus the damages you suffered as a result of their bad faith actions, you will need an experienced lawyer. A qualified bad faith insurance lawyer will have years of experience working with insurance companies and will know how to protect you from unfair or unlawful tactics. At Munley Law, we can help you navigate the legal complexities involved in insurance company lawsuits.

Q: How much does it cost to hire a bad faith lawyer?

A: At Munley Law, we work on a contingent fee basis. This means that we do not collect a fee for our services unless we win you the compensation you need. The contingent fee agreement protects you from financial risk in pursuing justice; instead, we take on all of the risk, and if we do not obtain compensation for you, you owe us nothing.

Q: How long does a bad faith lawsuit take?

A: The timeline for every bad faith case is different. In some cases, your bad faith attorney may be able to obtain a payout from your insurance company by issuing a demand letter. If your insurance company responds in good faith, they may reverse their previous decision and pay what you’re due. However, if the company refuses, the case may go to court, which entails a process that can take months.

When an act of bad faith on the part of your insurer keeps you from moving forward, you need a bad faith claims lawyer who can fight for you. Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation.

When your insurance company fails to protect you the way they should, you need a bad faith claims lawyer who can fight to bring you the compensation you deserve. If your claim was denied without reason or otherwise wrongfully delayed, Munley Law can help.

For more than 60 years, Munley Law has been the go-to law firm for people who suffered harm because of another person or company’s wrongdoing. The bad faith claim attorneys at Munley Law are recognized nationwide as the best at what they do. Our firm wins big while keeping our focus completely on you. Find us in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton or other locations.

At Munley Law, we believe that cost should not stand in the way of justice for the injured. Therefore, we do not collect a fee for our services unless we recover benefits for you.