Indianapolis Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers

Insurance policies offer peace of mind in case the unfortunate happens. For coverage on everything from house fires to car damage, Indiana residents rely on insurers to help them when they need it most. However, far too many insurance companies refuse to honor their obligations when a policyholder files a claim.

If you need help with an insurance dispute, trust the professionals at Gerling Law Injury Attorneys. Our Indianapolis bad-faith insurance lawyers know all the tactics insurers use to avoid liability. We are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve.

What is Bad Faith Insurance?

Bad faith occurs when an insurance company fails to honor its obligations under a policy and is often a violation of Indiana law.
Some examples of bad faith insurance practices include:

• Misrepresenting policy terms—twisting the meaning of policy terms to avoid coverage and deny claims;
• Unreasonable demands for documentation—asking for excessive or irrelevant paperwork to make claiming difficult;
• Failure to communicate—ignoring your calls, emails, or questions after filing a claim;
• Threatening tactics—using scare tactics to pressure you into accepting a low offer and taking advantage of your lack of legal knowledge;
• Canceling or changing policy terms—claiming that your policy terms don’t cover a claim to avoid liability;
• Denying coverage based on technicalities—using minor details that don’t matter and exploiting loopholes in the policy; and
• Ignoring vital portions of the claim—focusing only on parts of your claim that benefit them and ignoring important details that support your case.

Contact Gerling Law Injury Attorneys if you experience any of these examples. Our Indianapolis bad-faith insurance lawyers are ready to review your case to see if you have a valid claim.

What Are Common Bad Faith Insurance Practices?

Insurers use a range of tactics to avoid their responsibilities. Many of their methods are hard to detect and might go unnoticed by policyholders.

However, most bad faith conduct appears through one of three practices.

Denying Valid Claims

One of the telltale signs of bad faith insurance practices is the unjust denial of valid claims. These often happen even if policyholders fulfill all requirements and submit legitimate claims.

In many cases, the insurer will say that the claim falls outside of your policy or that you didn’t file it correctly. However, these excuses are often misleading and sometimes completely false.

These denials can leave you feeling frustrated and vulnerable, especially when you need funds for repairs.

Delaying Payment of Claims

Another sign of potential bad faith insurance practices is the unjustified delay in payment of claims. When policyholders submit valid claims, they expect their insurer to investigate the matter and provide compensation promptly.

However, some insurance companies may intentionally drag out the claims process. Delays in payment without valid reasons can disrupt individuals’ lives, causing added stress and hardship.

Offering Lower Compensation Than You Deserve

A clear indication of potential bad faith is when an insurance company offers you an early lowball settlement.

When you pay for insurance, you expect your insurance provider to evaluate your claim fairly. They should offer compensation that aligns with the terms of their policy. However, some insurers intentionally provide unfair offers and try to pressure policyholders into accepting these deals.

These offers may sound appealing at first, but they often provide lower compensation than what the policyholder deserves. Worst of all, you may limit your ability to take legal action if you accept these unjust offers.

Why You Need an Indianapolis Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer

Navigating the complexities of bad-faith insurance claims can be overwhelming. Insurers seem to hold all the power. They know how to pressure policyholders into accepting unfair deals.

That’s where an experienced Indianapolis bad-faith insurance attorney becomes invaluable. We have the knowledge and resources to advocate for your rights and hold insurance companies accountable.

Claim Preparation and Appeals

Our lawyers can assist you with filing a claim, ensuring that it has the correct documentation and meets all of the insurance company’s deadlines and requirements. If the insurer denies your claim, we will help you with the appeal and explain why your policy covers your case. Working with an attorney can significantly increase the likelihood of a successful claim and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Trained Negotiators

Insurance companies use pressure and other tactics to minimize payouts or deny valid claims. Our bad-faith insurance lawyers know how to counter all of these tricks. We will negotiate with your insurer, explaining their legal obligations and pushing for a fair settlement.

Trial Advocacy

If negotiations don’t resolve your dispute, our firm will file a bad-faith insurance lawsuit in court. We will spend hours crafting persuasive arguments and building a strong case.  In addition, your lawyer will present evidence and relevant law that make it clear why you deserve compensation.

Damages Available in a Bad-Faith Insurance Claim

You may be eligible for compensation if your insurer engages in bad faith. In a successful bad-faith insurance claim, the following damages may be available:

• Policy proceeds. Policyholders can receive the full proceeds of their insurance policy, including any benefits wrongfully withheld by the insurer due to bad faith practices.
• Consequential damages. These damages aim to compensate the policyholder for the losses incurred due to the insurer’s bad-faith actions.
• Punitive damages. Awarded as a form of punishment, these damages help deter the insurer from engaging in future bad faith practices.

Gerling Law Injury Attorneys can help you determine which damages are available in your claim and how much compensation you may be owed.

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