The Washington insurance industry is heavily regulated by state law. Whether you have an auto policy or homeowners’ insurance, you have a right to expect that your insurer will honor the terms of your contract and pay out legitimate claims in a timely manner. Insurance companies are essentially in the business of risk management. They need to carefully assess each claim they receive in order to make sure that the benefit they are paying out is adequate and fair. When an insurance company fails to fulfill its obligations to policyholders and beneficiaries, it can be held liable for bad faith practices under the Insurance Fair Conduct Act.
Insurance disputes can be complex and time consuming, which is why many people choose to hire an experienced attorney for assistance. Before hiring an attorney, however, you should try to understand the law governing insurance disputes in Washington. You should also attempt to find an attorney that works on a contingency fee basis and will advance your litigation costs. This will help you avoid paying high hourly rates to an attorney that may not have the experience in insurance disputes that you require.
Some of the most common insurance disputes stem from home and auto insurance policies. In the case of a car accident, a driver who has been injured in an accident may need to file a claim with their own insurance provider, as well as sue the at-fault party for their damages. For homeowners, a claim could result from damage to property from storms or fire, or a loss due to a covered cause of loss like theft, vandalism, or fire.
When an insurance company denies a valid claim, it can be extremely frustrating and even financially devastating. It is crucial for policyholders and beneficiaries to be aware of the laws governing insurance disputes in Washington. A violation of the Insurance Fair Conduct Act or common law bad faith can be grounds for a lawsuit, which could result in additional compensation beyond what is provided by the original settlement offer.
If you have a complaint about your insurer’s handling of your insurance claim, you should contact a bad faith insurance attorney immediately. An experienced attorney will be able to assess your claim and determine if the insurer violated your rights. He or she can also review your insurance policy and look for signs of bad faith.
Many Washington insurance claims companies will allow a period of time (usually up to 30 days) for the policyholder to cancel their contract. This is known as the “free look” period, and it is an important way for consumers to protect themselves from bad faith practices by their insurance providers.
If you are dealing with an insurance dispute, it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. A Washington bad faith insurance lawyer can provide a free case evaluation and start working on your behalf without any upfront costs. This is a great opportunity to get the legal representation you need to fight for your rights.