Insurance Claims Lawyer Coral Gables, FL
If you invest in insurance as a means of protection and for peace of mind, then as a Coral Gables, FL insurance claims lawyer from Perez Mayoral, P.A. knows, you reasonably expect your insurance company to be there when you need it most. But what happens if your insurance provider denies your claim, leaving you to go without the money you rightfully deserve? You may have bad faith insurance litigation on your hands, and here our law firm answers some questions to explain what you can do about it.
To understand bad faith, it is imperative to understand that your insurance policy is a binding contract between you and your insurance company. That being said, if you are in good standing with the provider, have consistently made payments correctly and on time, and your claim is valid, your insurance provider has to accept your claim. But sometimes this doesn’t happen. For whatever reason, insurance companies have a tendency to deny valid claims, which means they are acting in bad faith. A bad faith litigation is when you take legal action against the insurance provider. There are other ways of acting in bad faith such as:
- Delaying a claim
- Withholding information about your claim with no due cause
- Lowballing a claim, i.e offering the policyholder a settlement that is much less than what they originally asked for
Above anything else, if you feel that your insurance provider is being less than truthful with you, go for a consultation with a Coral Gables insurance claims lawyer. Contact a lawyer as soon as your claim is denied, simply because bad faith insurance litigation cases are timely. Plus, speaking to a lawyer is a great way to determine if you have a case as insurance policies are notorious for having multiple legal loopholes. Once you have a consultation, then you’ll know where you stand on filing a claim and what your next steps should be. Compile as much evidence as possible to bring to your consultation. This means any bank statements that show you consistently paid your policy, any insurance documentation about the denial/delay, and any photos if they pertain to the case. For example, if you were in a car accident, photos of the resulting damage would be helpful.
Many people wonder what their case is worth, and this is a popular question, and unfortunately it is hard to predict as the worth of your case depends on a bunch of factors. At the very least your lawyer will fight for the original compensation you would have received if the original claim went through. If a settlement is offered, you are not legally obligated to agree to the first offer. If you do not think the amount represents what you are entitled to, feel free to discuss with your lawyer to see if you can create a counter offer.
Help When Your Insurance Claim Has Been Denied
It can be disheartening to feel like you are paying for something every month just to have it not be there when you need it. Many people have found that they need help from their insurance company in a difficult situation just to be left high and dry, forced to pay for certain things out of pocket. There are many reasons that an insurance company may deny your claim, some of them legitimate. It’s always okay to be wary of why an insurance company denies your claim. You should look at any letter they send denying a claim with a critical eye, ensuring they have provided legitimate reasons. They may state that:
- You did not file your claim in enough time as outlined in your policy and the state’s laws
- The insurance policy claim you are under excludes the types of damages you are requesting compensation for
While these may be legitimate reasons, they may also not apply to you or there may be other issues at hand. When that is the case, it is imperative that you reach out to your insurance claims lawyer to get help for your case.
What is there to do when an insurance company denies a claim?
When an insurance company has denied your claim, there are a few steps to take.
- Get it in writing. Whatever reasons your insurance company had for denying your claim must be in writing. You should have a very clear outline regarding why they denied your claim. This is important to show your lawyer.
- File an appeal. If your lawyer believes you have a case, you can proceed with filing an appeal. It is crucial that you do this as soon as possible because you will only have a certain amount of time in which you can file your appeal. Your insurance policy will have an appeal process and will provide a length of time that you have to file it. Your lawyer will provide as much evidence as possible when submitting this appeal.
- Wait to hear back. In Florida, an insurance company is given 14 calendar days to look over your appeal and begin the review process.
While it may seem like all hope is lost, this is not the case. Many people who find that their insurance company has denied their claim think that there is nothing more that they can do. This is not the case. The law allows you to appeal and your lawyer will determine if you have what is necessary for doing so. You should not feel that you will never get the compensation you are owed when you pay for this kind of coverage.
While there are perfectly legitimate reasons that an insurance company may deny your claim, it is also possible that an insurance agent denied your claim in bad faith. Do not be afraid to confront your insurance company, especially when you have the Perez Mayoral, P.A. team by your side. Give our office a call to see what we can do to help you.
If you have any additional questions concerning being a victim of a bad faith insurance practice, do not hesitate to contact our lawyers today for a consultation. We are here to help you and will navigate the legal pathway of bad faith insurance litigation for you. Reach out to a Coral Gables insurance claims lawyer from Perez Mayoral, P.A. as soon as you can for help.
Insurance Claim Denial Reasons
Insurance is a means of protection against unexpected events that could lead to financial loss, but sometimes you need to work with a Coral Gables, FL insurance claims lawyer due to denied claims. Just because you have insurance doesn’t guarantee that your claim will be approved. In some cases, insurance companies may deny a claim for a variety of reasons. If you are having troubles with your claim, contact Perez Mayoral, P.A. for help.
Failure to disclose all relevant information
When applying for insurance, it’s important to be truthful and provide all relevant information. Failing to disclose important information can result in your claim being denied. For example, if you don’t disclose a pre-existing medical condition when applying for health insurance, your claim could be denied if the insurance company discovers the condition. Sometimes there are certain things you may not even think to mention, which is why it is a good idea to have a lawyer help you file claims.
Policy exclusions
Insurance policies typically contain exclusions, which are specific situations that the policy will not cover. For example, a homeowner’s insurance policy may not cover flood damage, or a car insurance policy may not cover damage caused by a driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It’s important to read your policy carefully and understand what is and isn’t covered. If your policy was misrepresented to you, then it is time to contact a Coral Gables insurance claims lawyer for help.
Filing a claim for an excluded event
If you file a claim for an event that is specifically excluded from your policy, your claim will be denied. For example, if your car insurance policy doesn’t cover damage caused by hail, and you file a claim for hail damage, your claim will be denied. Other examples of this can include types of flood damage, wind damage, etc.
Failure to meet policy requirements
Insurance policies often include requirements that must be met in order for a claim to be approved. For example, a health insurance policy may require you to get pre-authorization for certain medical procedures. If you fail to meet these requirements, your claim could be denied. Insurance companies can be very picky about this, to the point where it hurts your claim. A lawyer can represent your case and prove why your claim should be accepted.
Fraudulent claims
Insurance fraud is a serious crime that can result in fines and even imprisonment. If an insurance company suspects that a claim is fraudulent, they will investigate the claim thoroughly. If fraud is discovered, the claim will be denied, and the policyholder could face legal consequences. Do not try to lie to the insurance companies, as they want to protect their bottom line so they heavily research each claim. If they accuse you of fraud but you are not lying, contact a lawyer.
In conclusion, insurance is an important tool for protecting yourself against unexpected events that could lead to financial loss. However, it’s important to understand that insurance companies may deny claims for a variety of reasons. To ensure that your claim is approved, it’s important to be truthful when applying for insurance, read your policy carefully, and meet all policy requirements. If you have any questions about your policy or a claim that has been denied, it’s important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to discuss the issue. If your insurance company is not cooperating, contact a Coral Gables insurance claims lawyer at Perez Mayoral, P.A. for help.
