Insurance Bad Faith Claims - Fire Victims' Rights | Fire Law Firm

Insurance Company Acting in Bad Faith?

We Make Them Pay for Breaking Their Promise to You

After losing everything in a fire, the last thing you need is your insurance company playing games. We hold them accountable.

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⚠️ WARNING: Insurance companies have teams of lawyers protecting their profits. You need experienced legal representation to level the playing field.

Is Your Insurance Company Acting in Bad Faith?

If you're experiencing any of these tactics, you may have a bad faith claim worth significant damages beyond your policy limits.

⏱️ Unreasonable Delays

Weeks or months pass without updates. They ignore your calls. They keep asking for the same documents. Every excuse to avoid paying your claim.

💰 Lowball Offers

Offering pennies on the dollar for your losses. Using outdated pricing. Ignoring legitimate expenses. Hoping you'll take less than you deserve.

Wrongful Denials

Denying coverage for bogus reasons. Misinterpreting policy language. Claiming exclusions that don't apply. Finding any excuse to say "no."

🔍 Inadequate Investigation

Rushed or biased inspections. Ignoring evidence supporting your claim. Using "preferred" adjusters who lowball damages. Not investigating at all.

📄 Policy Misrepresentation

Suddenly changing what your policy covers. Adding exclusions after the fact. Interpreting terms differently than when you bought the policy.

😤 Harassment & Intimidation

Threatening to drop coverage. Aggressive questioning. Making you feel guilty for filing a claim. Treating you like a criminal, not a victim.

Common Insurance Company Bad Faith Tactics

"Depreciation Games"

They depreciate everything to nothing. Your 5-year-old roof? Worth 10% of replacement cost. Your furniture? Practically worthless. This is often illegal and always unfair.

"The Runaround"

Different adjuster every call. Lost paperwork. Endless transfers. "We're still reviewing." Designed to frustrate you into giving up or accepting less.

"Partial Payment Trap"

Offering small partial payments with conditions. Making you sign away rights. Using checks with "full and final settlement" language. Don't fall for it.

"Blaming the Victim"

Claiming you caused or contributed to the damage. Saying you failed to mitigate losses. Accusing you of fraud without evidence. All to avoid paying.

"Policy Limit Pressure"

Falsely claiming you're at policy limits. Refusing to explain coverage. Not disclosing additional coverages you're entitled to. Keeping you in the dark.

Bad Faith = Damages Beyond Policy Limits

When insurance companies act in bad faith, they can be forced to pay far more than your policy limits.

Contract Damages

The full amount of your legitimate claim, including all benefits under your policy

Consequential Damages

Additional losses caused by their delays: lost business, foreclosure, credit damage

Emotional Distress

Compensation for anxiety, stress, and suffering caused by their bad faith conduct

Punitive Damages

Punishment damages that can be multiple times your actual losses

Attorney's Fees

They pay your legal costs when they act in bad faith

Interest & Penalties

Additional monetary penalties for delayed payments

How We Fight Insurance Bad Faith

1

Free Case Review

We analyze your policy, claim history, and insurance company's conduct to identify bad faith violations.

2

Evidence Collection

We gather all communications, document delays, and build an ironclad case of bad faith conduct.

3

Demand Action

We put the insurance company on notice, demanding immediate payment and bad faith damages.

4

Aggressive Litigation

If they don't pay, we file suit and pursue every available damage, including punitive damages.

Evidence We Use to Prove Bad Faith

  • All written communications with your insurer
  • Phone call logs and recordings
  • Claim file notes and internal documents
  • Timeline of delays and excuses
  • Adjuster reports and estimates
  • Your policy and coverage documents
  • Evidence of similar bad faith conduct
  • Expert testimony on claim handling
  • Financial impact documentation
  • Medical records (for stress claims)
  • Industry standards violations
  • State insurance code violations

Bad Faith Insurance FAQs

Q: How long do I have to file a bad faith claim?

In California, you typically have 2 years from the date of the bad faith conduct, but some cases allow up to 4 years. Don't wait - evidence disappears and memories fade.

Q: Can I still pursue bad faith if they eventually paid my claim?

Yes! If they unreasonably delayed payment, underpaid, or made you fight for coverage you were entitled to, you may still have a bad faith claim for the additional damages you suffered.

Q: What if I already accepted a settlement?

It depends on what you signed. Some settlements only resolve the underlying claim, not bad faith. We'll review your documents to determine your options.

Q: How much are bad faith cases worth?

Bad faith damages often exceed the original claim value. We've seen cases where a $100,000 claim resulted in million-dollar bad faith judgments. Every case is unique.

Q: Do I need a lawyer for a bad faith claim?

Insurance companies have teams of lawyers. Bad faith law is complex. Going alone is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. You need experienced counsel.

Recent Bad Faith Victories

$3.2 Million

Homeowner's claim of $450,000 was denied. We proved bad faith and won $3.2 million including punitive damages.

$1.8 Million

Insurance company delayed payment for 18 months. Jury awarded full claim plus $1.2 million in bad faith damages.

$5.5 Million

Commercial property claim underpaid by 70%. Bad faith suit resulted in full payment plus massive punitive award.