Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law helps people in Oklahoma City when they file a claim with their homeowners insurance company. Sometimes, insurance companies don’t treat you fairly. What makes it worse is that they are legally required to act “in good faith.” If you think your insurance company is acting in bad faith, our team can help make sure you get what you’re owed. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
Bad faith tactics aren’t just illegal, but very stressful. Most people in Oklahoma City understand that insurance is a necessary part of home ownership, but when your own insurance company tries to use bad faith tactics to get out of paying you what you need, it takes money out of your pocket. But you also have options, and if you don’t know where to start or what your options even are, you probably need a lawyer’s help. That’s where our experienced team can step in and help you by:
- Spotting bad faith tactics – Our lawyers can quickly tell if the insurance company is delaying your claim or offering a low payout in bad faith. They’ll help protect your rights and push back against unfair treatment.
- Getting fair payment – If the insurance company undervalues or denies your claim, we can gather evidence and prove that you deserve more.
- Negotiating a better settlement – Insurance companies often offer less than you’re owed. Your lawyer will negotiate with them to make sure you get a fair settlement.
- Taking legal action – If the insurance company continues to act in bad faith, our lawyers can help you take legal action to take your case before a judge and jury.
Bad faith insurance practices are wrong, and having our lawyers on your side can make a big difference. If you think you’re being treated unfairly, reach out for help today. We’re here to fight for you.
What Are Some Bad Faith Tactics That Homeowners Insurance Companies Use?
When you think about the insurance claims process, it’s pretty easy to see how bad faith tactics on the part of your insurance company can really make things difficult. Not only are you facing repair costs and other losses, but the insurance process only adds to the frustration because it’s so slanted in the company’s favor. They decide what your claim is worth–if they decide to accept it at all.
Part of being prepared for this is understand how they work and what bad faith tactics they might use against you:
- Delaying the process – A lot of the time, insurance companies can intentionally delay processing your claim to pressure you into accepting a lower payout or to wear you down.
- Undervaluing your claim – Most straightforwardly, your insurance company might offer you less money than your damages are worth by ignoring certain parts of your claim or offering a low estimate for repairs.
- Unjustified denials – Insurance companies sometimes deny claims without a valid reason, leaving you without compensation for your damages.
- Misinterpreting the terms of the policy – They might misinterpret or manipulate the terms of your policy to avoid covering certain damages or losses, even if they should be covered.
- Not investigating enough – Insurance companies may fail to investigate your claim thoroughly, ignoring evidence or not sending an adjuster to assess the damage properly.
- Pressuring you – Some companies try to rush you into accepting a settlement that’s lower than what you deserve, using pressure tactics or by giving you a deadline to accept.
- Misleading you – Your insurance carrier may provide false or misleading information about your coverage to make you believe that certain damages aren’t covered when they actually are.
These tactics are incredibly frustrating, and when you consider that an insurance company has vast resources and people behind it, it feels overwhelming. Couple that with the fact that you’re facing mounting costs and losses, and it’s clear why you would need to go up against your own insurance company.
How Can You Challenge Your Insurance Company’s Evaluation of Your Damages?
It’s easy to see why an insurance company would take the above actions–they want to save money. But in very real terms, what these actions do is take money out of your pocket–money that you will use to rebuild your life. The question then becomes: what can you do? The answer depends on your situation, but there are ways that you can fight back and get what you’re owed:
- Review your policy – Carefully go through your policy documents to understand what it covers and any limits that apply. Look for any exclusions the company might be using to deny or reduce your claim.
- Gather good evidence – Document everything related to your claim, especially:
- Photos and videos of the damage
- Receipts for repairs and replacements
- Contractor estimates for rebuilding costs
- Reports from independent inspectors or experts
- Get a second opinion – Working with an independent adjuster or contractor can help provide an unbiased assessment of the damage and prove that your insurance company’s estimate is too low.
- Formally dispute the decision – Write a letter to your insurance company explaining why you believe their evaluation is incorrect. Include evidence such as repair estimates and expert opinions.
- Negotiation – Insurance companies often start with a low offer, expecting you to negotiate. Be persistent and push for a fair settlement based on your documentation.
- File an OID complaint – If your insurance company still refuses to reconsider their decision, you can file a complaint with the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID), which oversees insurance practices and can investigate bad faith actions.
Handling bad faith tactics the right way can make all the difference. Taking these steps will help give you a baseline, and could eventually form the foundation of a further claim. From there, you can rely on our team for guidance and legal support to help you fight for the payment you should get.
Help With Bad Faith Homeowners Insurance Claims in Oklahoma City
When your homeowners insurance company in Oklahoma City acts in bad faith–delaying your claim, undervaluing your damages, or wrongfully denying coverage-it can be frustrating and financially stressful. You’ve paid for your policy, but the insurance company may still try to minimize or avoid paying what you’re owed.
If you believe your claim is being handled unfairly, we’re here to help. Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law can challenge bad faith tactics, negotiate for a fair settlement, and take legal action if necessary. Contact us today for a free consultation to talk about your options.
