Ocala Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer

Ocala Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer

You expect the insurance company to come through when things go wrong. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always act in good faith. If you suspect something is wrong, call an Ocala bad faith insurance lawyer to learn about your legal rights.

Our team is committed to maximizing your compensation. We handle all types of cases, including Ocala business disputes, Ocala medical malpractice, Ocala Workers’ Compensation, premises liability, product liability, wrongful death, and other practice areas. We can assess your specific situation and provide appropriate legal advice.

At the Allen Law Firm, P.A., your first consultation is always completely free. Contact our Ocala office today to get legal advice you can trust. Our attorneys are available 24/7 at (352) 351-3258

Learn More About How An Experienced Lawyer Can Help With Your Bad Faith Insurance Case

Learn More About How An Experienced Lawyer Can Help With Your Bad Faith Insurance Case

Most people deal with the insurance company for the first time after getting hurt in a car accident or sustaining property damage. If you’re like most people, you might have heard stories about how frustrating the claims process can be.

That’s largely because the insurance company’s goal is always to pay the least amount possible. Whether you’re filing a claim after a truck accident, dog bite, or slip and fall, to the insurance company, your settlement is a loss. If the insurance agent can get you to drop the claim or accept less than you deserve, that’s a win for the insurance company.

Many insurers do work in good faith to help people in need. Unfortunately, others try to bend the rules to maximize their own bottom line. If you suspect you’re suffering as a result, an experienced Ocala personal injury lawyer can help by holding the insurance company financially accountable. 

Our injury attorneys will:

  • Investigate to determine whether you have a valid claim for breach of your insurance contract
  • Find out whether the insurance company violated Florida insurance regulations
  • Dig into the facts of your underlying claim to prove it should have been covered under the terms of your policy
  • Handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company
  • Argue on your behalf at trial, if necessary

At the Allen Law Firm, P.A., we’ve been helping clients across Central Florida for more than 20 years. Collectively, our firm has 70+ years of legal experience and 100+ years of experience working inside the insurance industry. 

That makes us uniquely positioned to help you explore every legal option available in your case. That means we’ll help you recover full and fair compensation for your injuries or damages–and we’ll fight to hold the insurance company accountable for their unfair practices.

To learn more about bad faith insurance, call to speak with one of our attorneys in Ocala today. Your consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose by reaching out.

What is Bad Faith Insurance?

Insurance is a heavily regulated industry in Florida. Florida laws are designed to protect consumers from unfair insurance practices. 

Under Florida bad faith insurance law, an insurance company can be held liable for damages if they:

  • Don’t attempt to settle claims in good faith when, under all the circumstances, it could have done so had it acted honestly and fairly toward the insured
  • Made claims to an insured or beneficiary without a statement identifying the coverage under which the payments are made
  • Fail to promptly settle claims when the obligation to settle becomes reasonably clear under one portion of the insurance coverage in order to influence settlements under another portion of the coverage

Bad faith practices can be hard to identify. Fortunately, our legal team knows precisely what to look for, and we’ll help you move forward with a claim.

Examples of Bad Faith Insurance Practices

Some common examples of circumstances that might give rise to a bad faith insurance claim include:

  • Refusing to investigate your claim in a timely manner
  • Requesting unreasonable documentation or information without justification or explanation
  • Denying your claim without an explanation
  • Misrepresenting facts about your insurance policy
  • Misrepresenting the law
  • Making threatening statements
  • Canceling your policy without a valid reason

When an insurance company fails to act in good faith, they can be sued for damages. However, these cases can be complex. It can be difficult to get the proof you need to hold the insurance company accountable. Even identifying a bad faith insurance practice can be tricky.

At the Allen Law Firm, P.A., our bad faith insurance attorneys have the resources and experience you need in your corner to succeed. 

We handle all types of bad faith insurance claims, including those involving:

  • Car insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Homeowners insurance
  • Flood insurance
  • Commercial property insurance
  • And more

We’re here to investigate your case. If you’re ready to get started, just call our offices for a free case review.

Are There Valid Reasons For Denying My Insurance Claim?

Insurance companies aren’t required to pay compensation for every claim that comes across their desk. In some cases, there might be a valid reason why your insurance claim was denied. 

Sometimes, insurance companies just don’t have all the information needed to process your claim. Other times, their requests can be unreasonable–and are really just disguised delay tactics. That’s why it’s a good idea to reach out and ask a lawyer for help if you suspect something’s wrong.

 Some examples of legitimate reasons for denying a claim include:

  • You failed to pay your premiums on time
  • The injury or damages involved wasn’t covered under the terms of the insurance contract
  • You share in the blame for causing the accident or damages
  • There isn’t enough evidence to establish whether the insurance policy covered your losses
  • You missed a deadline
  • The coverage was for something experimental or untested

If the insurance company does deny your claim, you have the right to ask for a written explanation. You may also be entitled to appeal the decision. If you have any questions about whether your insurance claim was properly denied, don’t hesitate to reach out and arrange a free consultation with our attorneys. 

How Do I Know Whether the Insurance Company Was Acting in Bad Faith?

Most people don’t have to deal with insurance companies on a regular basis. Because of this, it can be tough to know whether your insurance agent is doing something wrong. There are signs that your insurance company might be acting in bad faith. 

Some of those include:

  • Failure to acknowledge receiving your insurance claim
  • Denying your claim without offering a reasonable explanation
  • Failing to release your payment within a reasonable time frame
  • Avoiding your phone calls, emails, and attempts at contact
  • Trying to pressure you into accepting a settlement that doesn’t seem fair

Insurance companies have virtually unlimited resources. The thought of challenging the insurer’s actions might seem overwhelming. However, if you’ve experienced any of these actions, you might have the right to significant compensation. The insurance company might also be on the hook for fines and penalties.

You don’t have to let the insurance company off the hook. Our lawyers at the Allen Law Firm, P.A. are happy to arrange a consultation to discuss your options. All you have to do is call our law offices or reach out to us online.

What Should I Do if I Suspect Bad Faith Insurance Practices?

Speaking with an experienced bad faith insurance attorney is always a smart first step. 

To protect your legal rights down the line, you should also:

  • Check your insurance policy to make sure you haven’t missed any deadlines
  • Gather any written documentation related to your claim, including medical records, accident reports, appraisals, etc.
  • Try to write down the details of your communications with the insurance company, including dates you called, details of conversations, etc.

The law governing bad faith insurance in Florida is particularly complex. Insurance companies have teams of defense lawyers to protect them against allegations of bad faith practices. Even the smallest error can cause you to lose your right to compensation.

Having an experienced lawyer in your corner can even the playing field. At the Allen Law Firm, P.A., we have seven insurance adjusters on our staff. We’re familiar with the strategies and tactics insurance companies will use to deny or delay your claim. Let us put that experience to work for you.

Statute of Limitations in Florida Bad Faith Insurance Cases

Bad faith insurance claims in Florida have a five-year statute of limitations. Once five years have passed, you lose your right to hold the insurance company accountable for its unfair acts.

The bad faith insurance law itself requires you to give the insurance company 60 days notice of the violation. That notice has to contain specific details about the bad faith insurance practices you suspect.

It’s always best to act quickly to preserve your rights. Delays in insurance payouts can lead to serious consequences. Your injuries or property damage can become worse if they aren’t addressed in a reasonable timeframe. An experienced lawyer can work to preserve your rights and settle your claim as quickly as possible.

Call a Trusted Ocala Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer For a 100% Free Consultation Today

Standing up to insurance companies can be frustrating and overwhelming. An experienced Ocala bad faith lawyer at the Allen Law Firm, P.A. can protect your interests throughout the entire legal process. We’ve handled cases like yours before–and we know how to fight back against insurance company tactics.

If you’d like to learn more about the civil process for holding your insurance company liable, reach out to our law firm today. As always, your initial consultation is completely free of charge.

Our personal injury law firm in Ocala, FL also provides:

Visit Our Law Office in Ocala, FL

112 S Pine Ave,
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258

Ride there with Uber