St. Petersburg Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer

Do you suspect that an insurance company wrongfully denied your insurance claim in St. Petersburg, FL? Insurance companies are subject to strict regulation. If you were a victim of unfair insurance practices, a St. Petersburg bad faith insurance lawyer at Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys can help you fight to recover fair compensation for your losses.

Collectively, our lawyers have over 25 years of experience helping clients get justice in cases such as St. Petersburg workers’ compensation, St. Petersburg medical malpractice, St. Petersburg premises liability, wrongful death, bad faith insurance, negligent security, and more. We’ve recovered millions of dollars to hold big corporations accountable over the years.

Our lawyers know how to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call our law offices in St. Petersburg, Florida at (727) 933-0015 to schedule a free consultation to learn more.

How Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys Can Help With a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in St. Petersburg 

How Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys Can Help With a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in St. Petersburg

Often, it seems like insurance companies have all the power. When you file a claim, you expect to be paid. After all, you regularly pay your policy premiums on time. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always act fairly. 

In some cases, unfair insurance practices give the policyholder the right to seek compensation. That said, most people aren’t experienced in handling these types of cases. Insurance companies, on the other hand, have teams of lawyers and experts to protect them.

You deserve an experienced St. Petersburg, FL personal injury attorney in your corner.

At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, we’re committed to helping our clients get justice. Over the years, we’ve been listed among the “Top 40 under 40” in personal injury law and as America’s Top Attorneys.

If the insurance company is taking advantage of you, we can help you fight back by:

  • Reviewing your initial claim and investigating the insurance company’s actions
  • Contacting the insurance company on your behalf
  • Assessing your damages
  • Hiring experts as needed
  • Handling all negotiations and legal aspects of your case

Do you have questions about your options? Call our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers for a free consultation today. 

Overview of the Bad Faith Insurance Laws in St. Petersburg, FL

Insurance companies collect premium payments in exchange for promising to pay your expenses in certain situations. The insurance policy is a contract like any other. If you pay your premiums on time, the insurance company is required to provide the promised insurance coverage.

Insurance companies have a legal duty to deal with insurance claims and policyholders in good faith. An insurance company acts in “bad faith” when they refuse to pay legitimate insurance claims or takes unreasonable steps to delay paying a claim.

How Do I Know Whether I’ve Been a Victim of Bad Faith Insurance Practices?

The Unfair Insurance Trade Practices Act governs insurance companies in the State of Florida. It sets out certain practices that may be considered “bad faith” insurance practices.

You may have been a victim of bad faith insurance practices if the insurance company has:

  • Failed to conduct a proper investigation within a reasonable amount of time
  • Denied your insurance claim without providing the reason
  • Denied your request for documentation or information about your policy
  • Failed to answer your questions or communicate about the claim
  • Reduced the value of your claim without explaining
  • Misrepresented your policy terms
  • Made threatening statements 
  • Misrepresented the facts of your claim to scare you into accepting a lowball offer
  • Settled your claim after changing the facts without your knowledge
  • Changed your policy’s terms after you submit a claim 
  • Tried to pressure you into not consulting an attorney about your claim

This list is not exclusive. There are other types of insurance practices that may also be classified as “bad faith” under the circumstances. 

We know that it can be difficult to tell whether the insurance company is acting in good faith. If you have any questions about your rights or suspect you have been a victim, it’s always a good idea to consult a lawyer. 

At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, we offer free case reviews. Don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a free consultation with an experienced St. Petersburg bad faith insurance attorney today.

When Can the Insurance Company Rightfully Deny My Claim?

Insurance companies do have the right to deny a claim in certain situations.

The insurance company may have a legitimate reason to deny your claim if:

  • You failed to pay your policy premiums, and your policy lapsed
  • The risk involved isn’t covered under your insurance policy
  • The person involved isn’t insured under the policy
  • There is a legitimate dispute about who is responsible for the payment
  • You have failed to respond to reasonable requests for additional information
  • You did not file the claim within a reasonable amount of time or within the time limits set by the insurance policy

The insurance company also has a right to investigate the claim to determine whether it is responsible for paying your damages. They may deny your claim in situations where they have yet to finish their investigation.

We Handle All Types of Bad Faith Insurance Claims in St. Petersburg

Bad faith insurance laws apply to all types of insurance carriers, regardless of whether your case involves a first-party or third-party insurance claim. That’s true regardless of whether you’re required by law to purchase a certain type of insurance, such as auto insurance, or purchase insurance for your own peace of mind.

Our lawyers handle bad faith insurance claims involving all types of insurance in St. Petersburg, Florida, including:

  • Car insurance
  • Health insurance 
  • Life insurance
  • Homeowners’ insurance
  • Flood insurance
  • Wind insurance
  • Fire insurance
  • Hurricane coverage
  • Renters’ insurance
  • Property and casualty insurance
  • Business liability insurance
  • Professional liability insurance, including malpractice insurance
  • Commercial liability insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Boat insurance
  • Other types of specialty insurance

Many people purchase multiple types of insurance to cover similar risks. For example, you may have purchased both homeowners’ insurance and flood insurance. When you file a claim, each insurance company may try to point the finger at the other. Our lawyers can help you resolve these and other complications.

What Is My St. Petersburg Bad Faith Insurance Claim Worth?

The value of a bad faith insurance claim will depend on the specific facts of your case.

Various factors that may be relevant include:

  • Whether you suffered additional damage because of the delayed payment
  • The amount of time that has passed since you filed the claim
  • Whether you spent a significant amount of time trying to resolve the issue
  • Your emotional pain and suffering, especially in cases involving medical or life insurance
  • The nature of the insurance company’s actions

Our lawyers in St. Petersburg have the tools to calculate your case value. To learn more about how much your claim is worth, call our law firm for a free initial consultation today.

What Types of Compensation Are Available to Victims of Bad Faith Insurance Practices in St. Petersburg?

To prove your case value, you’ll have to identify the types of damages you’ve suffered because of the insurance company’s unfair actions. 

Victims of bad faith insurance practices may be entitled to receive:

  • The amount of the initial claim
  • Money for additional damage caused by delays in providing compensation
  • Interest charges you’ve incurred if you paid the expense yourself
  • Attorney’s fees and court costs
  • Pain and suffering 
  • Inconvenience 
  • Punitive damages in especially shocking cases

For example, if your damaged property was further damaged because the insurance payment was delayed, you can seek compensation to cover the cost of repairs. If your medical condition was worsened because your health insurance claim was denied, you can seek compensation to make up for it.

What Do I Have to Prove To Recover Compensation Based on Bad Faith Insurance Practices in Florida?

Bad faith insurance cases are different from personal injury cases. Most of the time, they aren’t based on negligence. 

To recover damages, the victim must generally prove that:

  • A valid insurance policy existed
  • Both the insurance claim and the claimant were covered under the policy at issue
  • The insurance company did not act in good faith when it denied or undervalued your claim

In other words, you’ll have to prove that the insurer did not have a legitimate reason or justification for denying your claim.

How Long Do I Have To File a Bad Faith Insurance Lawsuit in Florida?

Complicated deadlines apply in bad faith insurance cases. Like any car accident case, the victim must take legal action within a certain timeframe. Florida statutes require that victims of bad faith insurance practices give the insurance company 60 days prior to filing a lawsuit. During that 60-day window, the insurance company can fix the mistake and avoid liability.

If the insurance company fails to correct the problem within 60 days after receiving notice, you have five years to file a bad faith insurance lawsuit.

Contact a St. Petersburg Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Do you believe the insurance company unreasonably denied your claim? Are they giving you the runaround and refusing to cover your costs without offering a reason? An experienced St. Petersburg bad faith insurance lawyer can help you fight back. Call Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys today to get the legal advice you deserve.

Visit Our Personal Injury Office in St. Petersburg, FL

Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys
700 7th Ave N Suite B St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 933-0015

We are available 24/7 to take your call; contact us today.

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