Oklahoma City Bad Faith Insurance Attorney
Insurance companies attract new policyholders through glossy ads and compassionate commercials, but they are private companies with profits as their primary purpose. Unfortunately, insurance companies often prioritize profits over the policyholder’s needs.
Some insurance company tactics are frustrating and may seem unethical; however, when an insurance company’s actions violate the terms of its contracts, the company can be held financially accountable through a bad-faith insurance lawsuit.
If your insurance company has denied, delayed, or undervalued your valid claim, contact an Oklahoma City bad faith insurance lawyer from Dan Davis Law at (405) 930-4210 for a free consultation to explore your legal options for holding them accountable.
Why Choose the Oklahoma City Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers at Dan Davis Law?
Our team of bad-faith insurance attorneys at Dan Davis Law has represented clients in insurance disputes and policy-related claims for over 30 years, with a proven track record that lends your case a strong, well-respected voice.
With Dan Davis Law, you can expect the following advantages:
- Dedicated legal advocates who’ve devoted their careers to defending clients against insurance companies that deny, devalue, or delay claims
- An individualized strategy based on the unique circumstances of your case
- Our Oklahoma City bad faith insurance lawyers have recovered over $400 million for clients
Dan Davis Law offers free consultations to injury victims with contingency-based payment, so you owe nothing until after your bad-faith insurance attorney recovers compensation in your case.
What Are Common Examples of Bad Faith Insurance Practices in Oklahoma City?
Insurance companies often use methods to minimize payouts on claims. These can include any of the following examples:
- Calling on a recorded line and using your words out of context against you
- Delaying by asking for redundant paperwork, failing to return emails, or frequently changing the insurance adjuster assigned to your case
- Wrongfully assigning fault to a policyholder in an auto claim to minimize a payout
- Reaching out with fast settlement offers before you know the full extent of your damages
- Stating that an injury victim’s medical treatment isn’t necessary for their injury
- Homeowner’s insurance companies that fail to pay for weather-event-related roof repair or replacement by stating the damage is cosmetic or caused by normal wear
When an insurer’s actions to avoid paying fairly on a valid claim escalate into a violation of the language of a contract, it is bad-faith practice. A bad-faith insurance lawyer can pursue legal action against the insurance company.
Steps to Take If You Suspect Bad Faith Insurance Practices
There are often early signs that the insurance company you are dealing with isn’t acting in good faith; for instance, if they fail to return phone calls or emails. If you suspect bad-faith insurance practices, it’s helpful to take prompt action. You can help protect yourself by doing the following:
- Keep detailed records of all interactions with the insurance company, including copies of all emails and details of phone exchanges, such as the date, time, and content of the calls
- Ask the insurance company for a written explanation for their denial or the reason for delays
- Carefully re-read your policy to see if the insurance company’s denial violates the language of the policy terms
- Compile evidence supporting your claim, including photos, medical reports, and bills for injury claims, or repair estimates for repair claims
- File a complaint with the Oklahoma Insurance Commission
- Hire an experienced bad faith insurance attorney in Oklahoma City
Obtaining legal counsel helps put you on even standing with a powerful insurance company that’s willing to profit at your expense.
What Can an Oklahoma City Bad Faith Insurance Lawsuit Do for You?
Bad-faith insurance practices in Oklahoma are governed by longstanding case law, such as Christian v. American Home Assurance Co., and by consumer protection statutes, including the Insurance Consumer Protection Act (HB 2114). When an attorney pursues a bad-faith insurance claim against an insurer in violation of its contract with a policyholder, the court can hold the insurance company financially accountable.
A successful lawsuit against the insurance company may not only recover compensation for a client’s initial claim but also additional compensation from the insurance company for its bad-faith actions. Damages awarded in bad-faith insurance claims in Oklahoma include the following:
- Contractual damages for the initial amount owed on the claim
- Extra-contractual damages to compensate for the delays, frustration, and other impacts of the insurance company’s bad-faith practices
- Punitive damages
Punitive damages serve as a punishment and deterrent to the insurance company, making it less likely to violate its contractual agreements in the future.
Contact Our Bad Faith Insurance Attorneys in Oklahoma City From Dan Davis Law
Our team of bad-faith insurance lawyers at Dan Davis Law has decades of experience in defending clients against powerful insurance companies that are not on their side. Contact Dan Davis Law today to speak with an experienced Oklahoma City bad faith insurance attorney and learn more about your options for holding an insurer accountable for violating its contract.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Faith Insurance Practices
When you faithfully pay your insurance premiums each month, you have the right to expect prompt action to cover your damages.
Similarly, after a car accident or injuries caused by a property owner’s negligence, you have the right to expect the at-fault party’s insurer to cover your damages under the state’s modified comparative negligence law, or to cover the other party’s damages if you were at fault for the accident. Unfortunately, many people find themselves questioning the validity of the insurance company’s response.
The following bad faith insurance FAQs address common concerns:
What Is Bad-Faith Insurance?
When an insurance company violates the terms of its contract with a policyholder, it’s an insurance company’s bad-faith practice, often manifesting as an invalid denial, unwarranted delays, or a refusal to investigate.
How Can I Make an Insurance Company Pay Out on My Bad Faith Insurance Claim?
Gather your evidence, including a copy of your insurance contract and any email or written exchanges, and contact an experienced Oklahoma City bad-faith insurance lawyer.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve a Bad-Faith Insurance Claim?
No two cases are identical or take the same amount of time to resolve. First, our OKC bad faith insurance attorneys will request that the insurer review the policy to revisit their decision. Depending on the results of this first step, the case could be resolved with the insurer paying the claim, negotiating a settlement, or standing by the denial, requiring a trial.
Should I Accept a Settlement?
It’s crucial to discuss any settlement offer with your bad-faith insurance lawyer before accepting one. Accepting a settlement requires signing away your right to a lawsuit. Once you’ve hired an Oklahoma City attorney, it’s best to refer all communication with the insurance company to them.