Insurance providers are required by law to conduct fair investigations and honor valid claims. When they fail to do so—whether by denying a legitimate claim, offering insufficient compensation, or using delay tactics—you have the right to challenge their actions. If you’ve encountered such issues, pursuing a bad faith insurance claim with the help of a Modesto bad faith insurance claim lawyer could help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Bad faith insurance is the practice of an insurer reneging on its obligations to its policyholders, whether by refusing to pay a justified claim, offering less than the claim is worth, or by unreasonably delaying payments. Insurance companies are obligated to pay claims and process them fairly in ‘good faith.’
At Asbill Law Group in Modesto, California, we fight for the rights of policyholders to a fair process in assessing their claims. Natalia D. Asbill-Bearor represents individuals and businesses on claims for policyholder bad faith for the following types of policy coverage:
If you have a matter involving insurance litigation, you’re going to need a professional with an understanding of insurance law. Natalia D. Asbill-Bearor of Asbill Law Group brings a unique mix of experience to navigate the complexities of California’s bad faith insurance law. Our firm represents exclusively the policyholder and only the policyholder.
Knowing what counts as a bad faith insurance practice will help you know if you’ve been wronged by your insurer in Modesto. Bad faith includes acts such as:
Asbill Law Group vigorously represents policyholders in bad faith insurance litigation. The initial consultation will determine whether there are good grounds for a claim and advise the client as to his or her options. Next, a claims evaluation will examine the particulars of the claim and how the insurer handled it to see if bad faith is present.
We are there for you throughout the claims process by representing you in negotiations and in court, when necessary, in order to protect your rights. In court, we seek damages and fight to recover the absolute maximum available under your policy – including attorney fees and bad faith damages for the wrongful conduct of the insurance company.
If you suspect that your insurance company is acting in bad faith, it is crucial to take immediate action to protect your rights. Here are some steps you should consider:
A: If you want to bring a bad faith claim in California, gather all the documents relating to the claim, including your insurance policy and the correspondence with the insurer. Then, consult with an attorney who has experience handling bad faith claims, file a bad faith complaint with the insurer, and if necessary, you can file an actual lawsuit against the insurer, seeking damages.
A: Three ways an insurer can be held liable for bad faith are if they (1) ‘unreasonably fail to pay’ an otherwise legitimate claim; (2) delay payment ‘without reasonable justification’; or (3) make a ‘lowball offer’ substantially below the settlement value of the claim.
By violating the insurer’s duty to faithfully and fairly deal with policyholders, these actions make an insurer liable for bad faith.
A: A claim of bad faith might be justified when an insurance company fails to carry out its duties under the policy without good cause, such as denying a claim, delaying payment, offering a diminished settlement, or misrepresenting policy language that harms a policyholder financially.
A: In California, the deadline to file a bad faith insurance claim is generally two years from the date of the wrongful act by the insurer, but it could be four years if filed as a breach of contract. You should take the time to consult an attorney immediately to avoid forfeiting your rights by failing to file the claim in a timely manner.
Insurance disputes can be complex and challenging. For a professional evaluation of your rights and options, call Asbill Law Group or contact us online to arrange a consultation.