Skilled Negotiation and Litigation for Denied or Delayed Claims

When individuals file insurance claims, they expect the insurance company to act in good faith. Unfortunately, many insurers act in bad faith by mishandling claims, failing to properly investigate or making low offers. If an insurer’s bad faith practices have affected your life, it can be challenging to understand your legal rights and what steps you can take to remedy the situation.

Barry Deacon Law is a San Antonio law firm dedicated to helping clients with their insurance litigation matters. Our highly experienced insurance claim attorney and legal team have a proven record of helping clients obtain favorable outcomes. If you believe that an insurer’s bad faith played a role in your claims process, contact our law office immediately to schedule a free and secure in-depth case evaluation.

How Does an Insurance Claim Attorney Help Clients?

Most San Antonio policyholders faithfully pay their insurance premiums, believing that if they ever need coverage, their insurance company will pay them what their claims are worth. It is important to remember that insurance companies prioritize their bottom line for shareholders and often seek ways to minimize or deny claims whenever possible.

If you have been offered a low settlement or your claim has been denied, the most strategic approach is to hire an insurance claim attorney who will determine your legal options. When you seek help from an attorney, they will review your insurance contract to determine what coverage it promises to provide.

The Texas Insurance Code, which regulates the insurance industry, can be challenging to navigate without the help of a skilled attorney. Many insurers count on claimants accepting low settlements or denied payments, but it is essential to know that you have legal rights that protect you from bad faith insurance practices.

If you are unsure about the benefits of hiring an insurance claim attorney, contact our law firm, and we will gladly answer your questions.

What Should I Do if my Insurance Claim is Denied or a Settlement Offer is too Low?

If your insurance claim has been denied or the settlement offered seems insufficient, you may be uncertain about your legal options. When insurers fail to make good on their promises, policyholders are left to try to figure out their next steps. For example, many property owners depend on their insurance providers to pay them what their policies promise so they can rebuild their lives. In other cases involving denied health insurance claims, policyholders are often left with expensive medical bills they cannot afford to pay.

Your first step after a denial or low settlement offer should be to seek legal representation immediately. Policyholders have the right to appeal an insurance company’s decision or to reject an insufficient offer and negotiate a higher settlement. If your attorney believes that the insurance company operated in bad faith, they will work to build a strong case to help you receive a fair settlement.

Regardless of the type of claim, your attorney can file an appeal with the insurer to try to have the company pay the claim and hold them accountable for their bad faith insurance practices. If the insurance company is unwilling to act in good faith, then your attorney can take the case to court to help you obtain the compensation you were promised. With insurance companies’ legal teams focused on limiting payouts, professional legal representation is essential to protect your rights.

What is a Bad Faith Insurance Claim?

The Texas Insurance Code allows claimants to file a bad faith insurance claim. Under the law, insurance bad faith refers to when an insurer engages in unethical or unfair practices, which include:

• Unreasonable denial: When an insurance provider denies a claim without providing a valid reason
• Intentionally undervaluing a claim: Offering a claimant a settlement that does not fairly reflect the extent of the damages sustained
• Failure to conduct a thorough investigation: The insurance company fails in its legal obligation to investigate the claim fairly
• Unreasonable delays: Intentionally engaging in unjustified delays in processing or paying a claim without legitimate grounds to do so
• Fraudulent misrepresentation: Intentionally misleading the policyholder about what their policy covers or what the law requires

Steps You Can Take if You Suspect Bad Faith Practices

If you believe your insurance claim was denied in bad faith, there are several steps you must take to protect yourself, including:

• Contact an insurance claims attorney immediately so they can guide you through the legal process involved with dealing with an insurance bad faith claim
• Gather critical evidence, including all correspondence with the insurance company, your policy, and the claim form
• Keep detailed records of all communications with the insurance provider, including dates, times, and the names of the representatives you spoke with
• Do not sign any insurance paperwork until you have had your lawyer review it and you are sure of the final settlement amount being offered

What is the Time Limit to File a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Texas?

If you suspect that your insurance company has engaged in unfair insurance practices, you generally have up to two years to file a lawsuit. The two-year statute of limitations for a bad faith insurance claim starts on the date the improper practice was discovered, or the incident of bad faith occurred. You should note that your insurance provider may also specify deadlines within your policy guidelines for disputing a claim.

As with any legal dispute, failing to file your insurance claim before the deadline passes can result in your case being dismissed. Once your case has been dismissed, you can no longer pursue compensation or dispute the claim. Time is of the essence in filing insurance bad faith claims. So, you must consult a qualified attorney as soon as possible.

Barry Deacon Law is familiar with the legal nuances of filing bad-faith insurance claims. Our law firm understands the stress and frustrations that clients face when their insurance companies fail to meet their legal obligations. Allow us to help you deal with the insurance company so you can feel secure knowing your case is in capable hands.

Contact Barry Deacon Law Today, So We Can Help You Receive the Insurance Benefits You Deserve

Barry Deacon Law is committed to helping clients fight for their legal rights against unfair insurance practices. Attorney Barry Deacon has over 50 years of legal experience, including 20 years as a defense lawyer. Now, Barry uses his skills and legal experience to help clients who are being mistreated.

Our law firm has a proven record of helping homeowners resolve their legal disputes with insurance companies so they can move forward with stability and confidence. Our team also has considerable experience helping clients who are having problems collecting on life insurance policies.

If the insurance company is not handling your claim in good faith, you need a lawyer who is not afraid to fight to help you collect your legal compensation. Contact our San Antonio insurance claim attorney at (210) 985-8398 for English-speaking clients, or (210) 796-4933 for Spanish-speaking clients.