Maryland Insurance Bad Faith Attorneys
Bad Faith Insurance
Few insurance analysts would disagree that today’s insurance system is in many ways broken. If you or a family member has been wrestling with an uncooperative insurance company, you may be able to fight back and get monies owed by filing an insurance bad faith claim. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about this process.
1. What is the difference between a first party claim and a third party claim?
A first party insurance claim is a claim against your own insurance company. A claim to your insurance company to receive benefits from uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, providing that you purchased it, would be a first party claim. A third party insurance claim is against another’s insurance company. In a situation where you were somehow at fault in a motorcycle accident that caused personal injury or property damage to another driver, their claim against your insurance company for damages would be a third party claim.
2. If an insurance company provides you an offer that’s ridiculously low or otherwise unfair, can you make an insurance bad faith claim?
The answer depends on the nature of the accident and the discrepancy between the offer made and what's generally considered to be fair according to the industry standard. Also, your agreement with the insurance company will help set the parameters of fairness. In general, your company must abide by its contract or risk punitive actions in a bad faith insurance lawsuit.
3. If you settled a claim and then your insurance company committed an act of Bad Faith, when you file suit, do you sue only to recoup the money originally owed to you or can you ask for even more because of the unfairness and inconvenience?
Yes, depending on the circumstances of the bad faith insurance claim. If an insurance company acted particularly egregiously in dealing with your contract or case, you can ask for what are known as Punitive Damages. These are awards that go above and beyond the initial compensation, and they are designed specifically to punish negligent companies.
4. If the language in your insurance contract is ambiguous, how will the court likely rule?
In general, the court will rule for the plaintiff (you!). In other words, unless the contract explicitly spells out why someone in your circumstance should be denied compensation or coverage, you’ve a very good chance of collecting.
5. I’m not sure whether I have a Bad Faith insurance case and I can't comprehend the language used in my contract. What do I do?
First of all, don’t wait around. The statutes of limitation for action in bad faith insurance cases can be brief. Your best bet is to speak with an attorney who’s familiar with Bad Faith insurance situations. Steve Heisler, a Maryland personal injury attorney, has dealt with many diverse and critical cases regarding motorcycle accident safety and insurance. To get a free consultation with respect to your bad faith insurance questions, dial toll free at 1 877-228-4878 or email us for help through our website.