Springfield, MO Insurance Lawyers
Bad Faith Insurance Claims in Missouri
Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance provider. In exchange for paying your premiums and abiding by the other terms of the policy, you are entitled to receive compensation for valid claims. If your insurance company fails to uphold its end of the bargain, you could be entitled to take legal action by filing an insurance bad faith claim.
At Potts Law Firm, we help policyholders protect their rights and fight back against wrongful insurance company practices. Whether your claim was unfairly denied, or you cannot get ahold of the insurance company no matter how often you call, we can help. Reach out to our Springfield, MO insurance lawyers today to discuss your legal rights and options during a free and confidential consultation.
You can reach us online using our secure contact form or by phone at (417) 323-6752.
What Is Insurance Bad Faith?
“Insurance bad faith” refers to wrongful (i.e., unlawful) insurance company practices. Such practices may benefit the insurance company, but they often cause significant harm to policyholders and claimants.
Some examples of insurance bad faith include:
- Wrongfully denying a valid claim
- Denying a claim without providing a reason
- Refusing to pay for covered losses
- Delaying payments without justification
- Delaying decisions regarding requests for medical approval
- Delaying or failing to complete a prompt and thorough investigation
- Offering less money than a claim is worth
- Threatening a policyholder or claimant
- Changing a policy or policy’s terms after a claim is filed
- Misrepresenting a policy or policy’s terms
If your insurance company has treated you unfairly or failed to uphold its obligations to you as a policyholder, reach out to Potts Law Firm right away to learn how our team can help you fight back and work to protect your rights.
Can You Sue an Insurance Company for Failing to Pay a Claim?
The simple answer: yes, you can sue an insurance company that fails to pay a valid claim. However, this does not mean that you automatically have a case if your insurance company denies your claim. Some claim denials are valid; the losses may not be covered under the policy, or the claimant may have failed to uphold the terms of the policy.
Under Missouri’s vexatious refusal to pay law, you can sue an insurance company that refuses to pay for covered losses without providing a “reasonable cause or excuse.” In other words, you must prove that the insurance company failed to pay a valid claim and did not provide just cause for doing so.
To successfully sue an insurance company for vexatious refusal to pay, you must prove each of the following elements:
- You had an insurance policy with the defendant
- You filed a claim in accordance with your policy
- The insurance company failed to pay for your covered losses
- The insurance company did not provide a valid reason for denying your claim
You must also wait at least 30 days for the insurance company to pay your claim after you have filed before you can sue for damages. A successful vexatious refusal to pay claim could allow you to recover certain compensatory damages for both economic and noneconomic losses. In rare cases, claimants may also be entitled to punitive, or exemplary, damages.
Schedule your free case evaluation today by calling (417) 323-6752 or by contacting us online.
It's All About Your Recovery
Hear From Our Past Client's
-
I had a wonderful experience with this law firm.
“They were able to complete it in a timely manner and were great at keeping me up to date with communication throughout the entire process. I highly recommend using this law firm if the need arises.”
- Stephen P. -
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him or any of the team at Potts.
“Michael Bins has been extremely helpful in helping us to navigate a situation with an insurance claim on a commercial property. He’s gone above and beyond in moving our case toward a positive resolution that we’re satisfied with.”
- Theo C. -
The Potts Law Firm is a powerhouse of brilliant attorneys.
“They know the law from every angle, dig deep, and will not accept anything less than what was asked in the original suit. The Potts team never backed down until the case was settled in full.”
- Molly H. -
I highly recommend Adam and Potts Law Firm
“From the first meeting, Adam made me feel like he had my best interest at heart and took care of everything. I can't say enough good things about how helpful, professional, and caring Adam was to me.”
- Mary H. -
I would recommend Potts Law Firm for any and all legal matters that come my way in the future!
“The Potts Law Firm answered all of my numerous questions in layman’s terms which is what I needed. I was able to lie back & heal from my injuries knowing full well that my obligations were being handled appropriately.”
- W. Gary
Contact Potts Law Firm Today for a Complimentary Consultation
We offer completely free and confidential consultations to all prospective clients. During your initial case evaluation, we will review your situation and provide our honest opinion on whether we believe you have a solid case. If you do have a case that we believe we can win, we will work quickly to initiate legal action and seek the best possible settlement on your behalf. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are ready to represent you in court.
