“Bad faith” occurs whenever an insurance company fails to perform its contractual duties. Under California state law, insurance companies are required to act in good faith and to employ fair claims practices. Various forms of bad faith include:
- An unreasonable denial of policy benefits.
- A misrepresentation of facts.
- A failure to respond in a timely manner.
- A failure to either approve or deny claims within a reasonable time frame.
- A refusal to make a good faith effort to fairly settle claims.
- An attempt to reach a settlement for an unreasonable amount.
- Any threatening act that may compel the insured to accept a settlement less than what was won during arbitration.
- A failure to provide justification for denying a claim.
- Any action suggesting that a claimant not seek legal counsel.
- Any action that misleads a claimant as to the deadline for filing a legal claim.
Fighting For You
With the seasoned assistance of Hales & Associates, Attorneys, you may be able to recover bad faith damages, including those necessary to recoup economic losses, emotional distress and legal expenses. You may also seek punitive damages if you can prove that your insurer acted fraudulently and/or maliciously.
Call Hales & Associates, Attorneys at Law
If you have any questions regarding bad faith insurance claims in California, please contact Hales & Associates, Attorneys for your complimentary consultation. With over two decades’ experience representing Murrieta and Temecula clients, we are uniquely equipped to help you secure the outcome you deserve.