Is Your Insurer Acting in Bad Faith? Look for These Five Telltale Signs
1. Do they neglect to return your calls?
If a representative from your insurance company fails to respond to a claim, or to an inquiry about a claim within 24 hours, it could be a sign that they are acting in bad faith. The reason? The longer the company waits before paying out your claim, the more money they make on the premiums you’ve already paid.
2. Has your claim been unfairly denied?
If your insurer claims that your situation is not covered under its policy, or if they claim you failed to pay premiums or were not covered at the time of the incident for another reason, it may be a red flag that you’re working with a bad faith insurer.
3. Has your claim been settled too quickly?
An insurer that offers an immediate settlement or bullies you into settling is often offering much less than you rightfully deserve. Consult an4. Has the insurer asked for excessive documentation?
Sometimes, insurance companies act in bad faith by asking for undue documentation, including copies of items that are irrelevant to the claim. When using this tactic, they may deny your claim if you are unable to supply the documents requested.
5. Has the insurer used threats?
If your representative warned you of skyrocketing rates, or that you’ll experience other adverse consequences if you move forward with a claim or refuse to settle, he or she is acting in bad faith.