The state of Florida requires you to buy different types of insurance for different situations, such as car insurance for traffic accidents. If you believe that your insurer is acting in bad faith, a lawyer from Ged Lawyers can investigate and hold the insurer responsible for unethical behavior.
Our Florida personal injury lawyer has confronted insurers and other large organizations before. We know how to talk to them, how to field their tactics, and how to fight relentlessly and effectively for a fair deal. Call us today to learn more during a free initial consultation.
Bad Faith Versus Good Faith Behavior From Florida Insurers
Dealing with insurers after an accident or incident is never easy, especially if you have suffered heavy losses or sustained severe injuries. There is, however, a critical difference between a complicated case and deliberate attempts to sabotage your claim.
How Florida Insurers Can Handle Claims in Good Faith
In a good faith claim, the insurer will respond promptly and honestly to your claim. They will send out an insurance adjuster to investigate the incident and come to a fair decision about your case. In short, if the insurer is acting in good faith, you can expect:
- Timely responses to both the initial claim and any follow-up communications
- Reasonable requests for additional information and evidence so they can more accurately assess your right to damages
- A reasonable willingness to enter negotiations or mediation if disputes arise
- Prompt payment if and when your claim is approved
Spotting Bad Faith Behavior From Florida Insurers
By contrast, a bad faith insurer is one that:
- Never responds to your communications or takes an inordinate amount of time to get back to you
- Denies all or part of a valid claim for an unsupported reason, e.g., by claiming your policy does not cover lightning strikes even though such events are explicitly mentioned in your policy
- Offers you an insufficient settlement and then refuses to negotiate further
- Does not tell the truth about your situation, e.g., they say that hiring an attorney will add unnecessary complications to your case
Getting Legal Help to Fight Bad Faith Insurers
Even if you do not suspect your insurer of acting in bad faith, you have the right to hire an attorney to help manage your claim. A Florida bad faith insurance lawyer from Ged Lawyers can make it easier for you to get the money you need by:
- Educating you about your rights: For example, the Florida Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights tells you what to do and what to expect when filing a claim with your homeowners’ insurance provider. We can walk you through whatever rights and responsibilities apply to your situation.
- Determining your case’s value: Once you know exactly what your case is worth and have evidence in hand to prove it, it becomes much harder for the insurer to try to offer a lowball settlement.
- Negotiating for a fair amount: Insurance companies hire experienced negotiators to protect their interests. Our bad faith lawyer will fight for what you need.
- Reviewing settlement agreements: Legal documents are often difficult for a layperson to parse. A representative from our firm can make sure you understand what you are signing and that any agreements work for you.
Suing a Bad Faith Insurer in Florida
When an insurer acts in bad faith, they could do you harm by:
- Causing unnecessary emotional distress, anxiety, and uncertainty
- Forcing you to delay much-needed repairs to your property or medical care
- Depriving your family of the funds to access necessities, like transportation and shelter
Such injuries can do just as much harm as the initial incident that prompted you to file an insurance claim. You may therefore qualify to take legal action against a bad faith insurance company. Our law firm can explain more when you reach out to us.
Getting the Money Your Insurer Owes You
If your attorney from Ged Lawyers decides that suing the insurer is the right choice for you, we can fight to get you:
- The money you asked for in your original claim
- Additional money to cover financial losses you would not have suffered had the insurer acted in good faith
- Additional money to cover physical and psychological harm inflicted by the bad faith insurer
The Kinds of Insurance Policy Coverage Floridians Must Buy
What types of insurance coverage are required under state law, and what types are optional? Below is a list of some of the most common types of insurance and whether or not they are mandatory in Florida:
- Car insurance: Per Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), drivers must be insured for both personal injury protection and property damage.
- Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage: While this type of coverage is not required, you may find it very helpful if you are ever injured by someone who does not have the legally mandated amount of insurance.
- Homeowners’ insurance: Florida does not require you to carry homeowners’ insurance. However, according to the Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO), your mortgage lender may ask that you purchase this coverage as a condition of borrowing money from them.
- Workers’ compensation insurance: Page 4 of a document released by the Florida CFO states that most business owners in the state must carry workers’ comp insurance. This helps injured workers pay for medical care if they are hurt on the job.
We Can Deal With All Kinds of Bad Faith Insurers
Whether the bad faith insurer in your situation deals in car insurance, homeowners’ insurance, or any other kind of coverage, Ged Lawyers wants to protect your rights. We believe that all insurers have a responsibility to treat their clients fairly, and if they fail to do so, we can fight on your behalf for everything you deserve.
Ready to File a Bad Faith Insurance Lawsuit in Florida?
Get in touch with Ged Lawyers today. The bad faith attorneys from our team can speak to your insurer and make sure they offer you a fair deal. We can even file a lawsuit against the insurer if their poor behavior has caused you harm. Ged Lawyers will charge you no attorney’s fees until you get your money.
