Know Your Rights: The Insurance Company’s Duty of Good Faith to You

When you suffer an accident or other problem, having insurance is a helpful security to get you back in business. At its best, insurance helps people get through difficulties by having enough money to fix their problems. Unfortunately, insurance companies or corporate defendants are all too eager to cut costs wherever they can, and usually that comes from the settlements of customers. The good news is this: you have rights, and so long as you are able to prove that your needs are valid and that the insurance company acted in bad faith, the court is on your side.

You Should Get What You Pay For

While this shouldn’t come as a surprise, insurance policies should be fully disclosed before you start paying for them — not after. The responsibility of the insurance company is to give you the information you need to make an educated decision. If you file for a claim only to find out then that the company would not deliver, that could be grounds for legal penalties.

Good Faith vs Bad Faith

It isn’t hard to distinguish between a company that does business with its customers’ interests in mind and one that does not. However, it is also up to the customer to act responsibly as well. If you file a claim for stolen property you never owned, the insurance company would not be wrong to withhold a settlement. The key is honesty, so if you believe an insurance company has treated you in bad faith, get the help of an experienced Houston insurance claim lawyer to learn more about what you can do.

Making Reasonable Concessions

Just because you pay for an expensive insurance policy does not mean the insurer owes all of it back to you when you submit a claim. When you notify them that you need restitution for your losses, their duty is to get in contact with you quickly and help you get back to your regular life. The insurer needs to get back to clients as soon as possible in order to provide the protection they paid for.

Hiring a Lawyer When Necessary

So we have listed all the ways that insurance companies or corporate defendants can act fairly, but what about when they don’t? If your insurance company is fighting tooth and nail to provide you with the money you need to recover, it is important that you speak with an attorney right away. By getting a head start on your case, you can avoid giving insurance companies or corporate defendants more reason to argue that their actions are fair. An experienced lawyer can help you understand how to protect your interests in cases like these.

Schedule a free consultation with a Houston insurance claim lawyer. Call Daly & Black, P.C. by dialing (888) 777-1839 now to get started.