When you buy an insurance policy, you may be under the assumption that you’ll be safeguarded when times get tough. However, insurance companies often attempt to avoid paying out valid claims. If an insurance company denies your valid claim, you should contact a bad faith claims lawyer in Des Moines.
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Iowans paid more than $5.6 billion in insurance premiums in 2011. That includes more than $1.6 billion for automobile insurance and more than $572 million for homeowners insurance. After paying such high sums for insurance premiums, Iowans deserve to be compensated in the event of a valid claim.
Insurance agents can be unscrupulous when trying to protect their bottom line — purposefully undervaluing the extent of the damages to avoid paying the true value of a claim. They may even attempt to deny coverage of a valid claim due to a technicality or an obscure provision of the policy. When an insurance company denies a valid claim, the policyholder may be able to sue based on bad faith. An Iowa bad faith insurance lawyer can force the company to stand by the provisions of the policy and pay up. The following may indicate that the insurance company acted in bad faith:
- The insurer denies a valid claim.
- The insurer does not pay in a timely manner.
- The insurer twists the language of the policy to limit their duties.
- The insurer does not thoroughly investigate a claim.
- The insurer undervalues the extent of the losses.
If you suspect that your insurer unfairly denied your personal injury or property damage claim, contact an experienced bad faith insurance lawyer as soon as possible. At Hope Law Firm, P.L.C., our dedicated team has more than four decades of combined experience. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve from your insurance company.