When you file a personal injury claim in California, you’re going up against an insurance company. But sometimes, you might have to file a bad faith claim against the insurance company itself. A bad faith claim is:
- A type of claim that holds the insurance company accountable for “bad faith” tactics. You file one of these claims if they deny your valid claim for false reasons.
During this process, you’re going to hear a lot of terms that don’t always make sense at first. That’s where Maison Law’s California personal injury comes in—we can walk you through what everything actually means and how it applies to your situation. If you want to talk it through, you can set up a free consultation anytime.
When Can I File a Bad Faith Claim?
Under the law, insurance companies have to handle your claim honestly, fairly, and without unnecessary delays. When they don’t, you may have the right to file a bad faith claim against the company itself—not the at-fault driver, property owner, or anyone else involved.
A bad faith claim comes into play when the insurance company crosses the line with its usual tactics, like:
- Taking way too long to move your claim forward and can’t give you a real reason why
- Denying your claim even though it should be covered under the policy
- Ignoring important evidence that shows how seriously you were hurt or what you lost
- Skipping key steps in figuring out what actually happened
- Coming back with an offer that’s nowhere close to what your claim is really worth
- Pushing you to take a quick, low offer just to get the case off their desk
It’s true that most insurance companies are going to always use these tactics, and it takes a lot of evidence and information to prove that an insurance company knowingly acted in bad faith. That’s when you need to think about getting help–particularly if you’re also dealing with an injury claim.
Do I Need to Get a Lawyer for a Bad Faith Claim in California?
Handling an injury is tough enough on its own. When the insurance company adds to the stress by dragging out your claim, denying it without a real reason, or throwing out a lowball offer, it can feel like you’re fighting two battles at once. California law requires insurers to treat you fairly, but not all of them live up to that standard—especially when your claim is strong.
If you’re dealing with delays, denials, or pressure tactics, having Maison Law on your side can make a real difference. We can help by:
- Quickly spotting bad-faith tactics because we deal with these situations every day.
- Getting the medical records, estimates, and other evidence that shows the real impact of your injuries.
- Handling the back-and-forth with the insurance company so you’re not pushed into an unfair settlement.
- Taking your claim to court to hold the insurance company accountable.
You shouldn’t have to shoulder the added burden of an insurance company that isn’t playing by the rules. If you’re worried that your claim isn’t being handled fairly, our California personal injury lawyers are here to walk you through your options and stand up for you every step of the way. Set up a free consultation to learn more about your options.
