You may contribute monthly to your homeowners’ insurance plan in preparation for a worst-case scenario should your property incur serious damage. But right when you need your insurance the most, the company may greatly disappoint you. That is, they may offer little to no help in ensuring your claim is effectively addressed. If you believe this to be the case, you may go as far as accusing them of bad faith practices. With that being said, please follow along to find out whether your insurance company is operating under bad faith and how a proficient Miami bad faith insurance claim lawyer at the Law Offices of Gonzalo Funes, PA, can help you get justice out of the matter.
What should I know about a bad faith insurance claim?
In the context of insurance companies, bad faith practices may be seen as wrongful tactics to delay, reduce, or eliminate rightful payouts to policyholders. This is unfortunately more commonly practiced than one would hope because, at the end of the day, these are businesses looking to meet their bottom line. And so, rather than prioritizing helping their customers, they may prefer to maximize their profits. Not only is this unfair, but it is most certainly illegal.
How can a lawyer help me handle a bad faith insurance claim?
As a homeowner who pays insurance premiums to protect your home in the event of a disaster, you should know that you are protected under Florida laws. Namely, Florida Statute 624.155 holds that a policyholder may pursue legal action against their insurance company that does not settle their claim in good faith. With this, your employed lawyer may investigate your insurance claim and confirm whether your provider has acted intentionally in bad faith or recklessly enough to disregard your given rights as a policyholder.
In addition, your lawyer may assist you in filing a Civil Remedy Notice of Insurer Violation before your bad faith insurance claim. This is because state law requires you to submit this notice to the Florida Department of Financial Services, along with your insurance company, before initiating a legal case. This is so you may give your provider 60 days to resolve their bad faith actions. And if they fail to respond, your lawyer may step up to commence your legal proceedings against them.
In a best-case scenario, you may recover damages beyond what you initially sought in your insurance claim. Specifically, you may receive compensation for the financial losses directly associated with this delay or denial in receiving your insurance payout, along with your lawyer’s fees, legal fees, and possibly even non-economic losses (i.e., the undue stress and anxiety of not having a habitable house for an extended period).
Do not let your legal initiatives stop after reading this blog. The next action you should take is calling us at the Law Offices of Gonzalo Funes, PA, and retaining the services of a talented Miami property damage lawyer. Rest assured, we will take the reins from here on out.
