Insurance Bad Faith Attorney

As our San Francisco, CA bad faith lawyer can explain, you pay your insurance premiums in good faith — often for years. You should be able to rely on your insurance company’s promises to pay your benefits if and when you actually need them.

The great majority of people who pay premiums for disability policies hope and expect that they will never actually need the insurance. Even in the case of medical insurance, you hope that you will not have to use it or use it only sparingly. In the unlikely and usually unforeseen event of a serious illness or injury, the insurance company should honor its promise and live up to its commitment to provide essential benefits. All too often, the insurance company will not.

An Insurance Company Must Fully And Fairly Investigate Your Claim

Under California law, an insurance company acts unreasonably — and, therefore, in bad faith — if it fails to thoroughly and fairly investigate the claim. As the California Supreme Court stated in the landmark case of Egan v. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co. (1979) 24 Cal.3d 809:

“To protect [an insured’s] interests it is essential that an insurer fully inquire into possible bases that might support the insured’s claim… an insurer cannot reasonably and in good faith deny payments to its insured without thoroughly investigating the foundation for its denial.”

Unfortunately, many insurance companies either fail to investigate the claim or attempt to elicit only information that might conceivably be packaged to support a denial.

An Insurance Company Cannot Disregard Evidence That Supports Your Claim

An insurance company acts unreasonably — and, therefore, in bad faith — when it ignores evidence that supports the insured’s claim. As the California appellate court stated in Mariscal v. Old Republic Life Ins. Co. (1996) 42 Cal. App.4th 1617:

“An insurance company may not ignore evidence which supports coverage. If it does so, it acts unreasonably towards its insured and breaches the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.”

Unfortunately, when provided evidence that clearly supports the claim, many insurance companies try to develop all sorts of reasons to disregard or diminish that evidence.

If you feel your insurer has acted in bad faith in handling your claim, you should contact an experienced insurance lawyer who understands your legal rights, can help you understand your rights and, if necessary, help you recover your rightful benefits.

The Law Offices of Bennett M. Cohen, P.C. focuses on insurance bad faith claims throughout the Bay Area and California. We understand the laws and regulations that protect your insurance claim and have the skills, resources, experience and motivation to effectively fight to protect your legal rights.

Visit our testimonials to see what our clients are saying about our services.

Insurance Bad Faith Claims In California

We handle a broad range of insurance bad faith claims, including:

• Denied claims – If your claim is denied, contact our San Francisco bad faith lawyer so we can take legal action and recover the benefits you deserve.
• Delayed claims – If your payment is delayed or paid under a reservation of rights, contact one of our insurance law experts to learn what your rights are.
• Disability Insurance claims: If you have not received your rightful disability benefits or feel you have been underpaid, contact us right away to recover the full amount of your rightful benefits.

Bennett M. Cohen has handled complaints against most of the major insurers. He is familiar with insurance companies, adjusters, and claims representatives, and understands their internal procedures. Through this knowledge and background, Cohen is able to determine the ideal way to handle your particular bad faith claim and, ultimately, recover your benefits.

Insurance Bad Faith FAQs

Insurance claims are meant to provide financial help when something goes wrong. When an insurance company fails to treat a policyholder fairly, it helps to get in touch with a San Francisco, CA insurance bad faith lawyer. At The Law Office of Bennett M. Cohen, we use our over 30 years of litigation experience to help our clients. These frequently asked questions address common concerns people have for their insurance coverage dispute lawyers.

What Does Bad Faith Mean In An Insurance Claim?

Bad faith happens when an insurance company does not handle a claim honestly or fairly. This can include denying a valid claim without a clear reason, delaying payment for no valid cause, or refusing to properly review the claim. Insurers have a legal duty to deal fairly with policyholders. When they put their own interests first and ignore that duty, the claim may fall into this category.

What Is Evidence Of Bad Faith?

Evidence often comes from the insurance company’s actions or lack of action. Examples include repeated delays without explanation, shifting reasons for denial, ignoring documents, or failing to investigate the claim. As your unfair insurance practices lawyer can explain, low settlement offers that do not reflect the policy terms may also point to unfair handling. Written communication, claim records, and timelines usually play a large part in showing how the claim was handled.

What Should I Do If My Insurance Claim Is Taking Too Long?

If a claim is dragging on, the first step is to request a clear status update in writing. Keep copies of all emails, letters, and notes from phone calls. Ask the insurer to explain what is still needed and why the delay exists. If the company does not respond or continues to stall, it may be time to seek legal guidance from a San Francisco insurance bad faith lawyer.

How Long Do I Have To Act Against An Insurance Company?

The time limit depends on state law and the type of policy involved. These deadlines are often called statutes of limitation. Some claims allow only a few years to take action, while others may be shorter. Waiting too long can limit your options, even if the insurer acted unfairly. Acting sooner with your insurance dispute attorney gives more room to protect your rights and gather records while details are still fresh.

What Damages Can I Recover In An Unfair Insurance Claim Case?

Recovery may include the value of the original claim that should have been paid. In some cases, additional damages may be available for financial losses caused by the delay or denial. Courts may also allow recovery of legal costs or other losses tied to the insurer’s conduct. Each case depends on the facts, the policy language, and state law.

Get In Touch With Us Today

When an insurance company does not treat a policyholder fairly, legal support can make a difference. At The Law Office of Bennett M. Cohen, we’ve helped our clients overturn their insurance claim denials to get the care they deserve. we review claim handling, explain available options, and help clients decide next steps. If you believe your insurer has acted unfairly, get in touch with us today to see how a San Francisco insurance bad faith lawyer can make a difference.