Bolingbrook Denied Insurance Claim Lawyer | Bolingbrook Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer
Will County Denied Insurance Claim Lawyer
If you have been offered an unfair settlement or had your claim denied by your insurance provider, you may feel helpless to do anything to fight back. A Bolingbrook bad faith insurance lawyer knows how to deal with these situations and can help make sure you are not taken advantage of by your Bolingbrook insurance company.
What is a Bad Faith Insurance Claim Rejection?
There are a variety of ways in which an insurance subscriber can be mistreated by the insurance company with whom they hold a policy. A Bolingbrook Insurance claim may be wrongfully rejected, the company may make unreasonably slow payment, the investigation may be improper, or the company may make only partial payment. When any of these things occurs, the insurance company has acted in bad faith. Insurance companies are in the business of making money. Their goal is to accept premiums while paying out on as few claims as possible. Call a Bolingbrook bad faith insurance lawyer to help you fight back!
Bolingbrook, IL Bad Faith Insurance Law
In Will County, an insurer has the responsibility to deal with its insured with a high standard of care. This means that the insurance company must treat the policyholder with a duty of care and loyalty by dealing fairly, honestly, and in good faith at all times. If the insurance company breaches its contract with the policyholder, the policyholder may have a cause of action, which, in Illinois, is called a "Insurance Bad Faith Claim." Bad Faith Insurance Claims include actions against insurance companies where the company has unjustifiably:
- Failed to compensate the insured for loss covered under the policy
- Unreasonably delayed making payments
- Failed to adequately pay a claim
- Conducted an improper investigation
If you are a Bolingbrook area policyholder and your insurance company has acted in bad faith with regard to your policy benefits, please do not hesitate to contact a Bolingbrook, Illinois bad faith insurance lawyer or a Bolingbrook bad faith insurance attorney today to discuss your case.
What protections does Illinois law provide against abuses by insurance companies?
Illinois Statutes require all insurance companies to treat insurance claims from customers in good faith and within time limits. If an insurance company is wrongfully denying your claims or taking too long, contact a Bolingbrook Insurance Bad Faith Attorney today.
-
Illinois allows for extra damages by statute where the insurance companies decision not to pay was "vexatious and unreasonable."
Sec. 155. Attorney fees.
(1) In any action by or against a company wherein there is in issue the liability of a company on a policy or policies of insurance or the amount of the loss payable thereunder, or for an unreasonable delay in settling a claim, and it appears to the court that such action or delay is vexatious and unreasonable, the court may allow as part of the taxable costs in the action reasonable attorney fees, other costs, plus an amount not to exceed any one of the following amounts:
(a) 60% of the amount which the court or jury finds such party is entitled to recover against the company, exclusive of all costs;
(b) $60,000;
(c) the excess of the amount which the court or jury finds such party is entitled to recover, exclusive of costs, over the amount, if any, which the company offered to pay in settlement of the claim prior to the action.
(2) Where there are several policies insuring the same insured against the same loss whether issued by the same or by different companies, the court may fix the amount of the allowance so that the total attorney fees on account of one loss shall not be increased by reason of the fact that the insured brings separate suits on such policies. - This statute applies in the instance of first party lawsuits. When an insurance company fails to pay a claim by a third party (someone who does not have a policy with the insurance company), there is no limit on punitive damages. Central Bank-Granite City v. Ziaee, 188 Ill.App.3d 936, 947 544 N.E.2d 1121 (1989).
Insurance companies are expected to do the following:
- Communicate often and quickly with you.
- Pay all of the benefits allowed under the policy within a reasonable time.
- Settle when there is a reason to settle.
- Investigate the claim thoroughly.
- Take into account your interests.
- Start investigating quickly.
Punitive Damages:
Punitive damages are a legal device designed to help both the public at large and the people injured by an insurance company's bad faith actions. Punitive damages are extra money paid by the insurer to the injured person. They are not intended to pay the injured person back for any loss they have incurred and are different from pain and suffering damages. The purpose of these damages is to prevent others from doing the same bad things that the defendant did. The Bolingbrook, IL statute on punitive damages requires the victim to prove that the defendant was acting with malice, fraudulently, or in an oppressive way.
|
First American Title Insurance Company 440 Quadrangle Drive Bolingbrook, IL 60440 (630) 759-9090 Encompass Insurance Co 9022 Heritage Parkway Woodridge, IL 60517 (630) 972-5550 |
Selective Insurance Co 312 Plumtree Court Bolingbrook, IL 60440 (630) 226-5507 Bond Safeguard Insurance Co 900 South Frontage Road Woodridge, IL 60517 (630) 495-9380 |
Allstate Insurance Co 9022 Heritage Parkway Downers Grove, IL 60517 (888) 237-4154 Amica Mutual Insurance 2443 Warrenville Road Lisle, IL 60532 (800) 242-6422 |
Bolingbrook insurance lawyers encounter bad faith insurer practices in the following areas:
Disability Insurance
Unum Provident, for example, is notorious for failing to pay claims or raising one silly little "point" to stall paying you your disability money when you need it the most. There are certain notice requirements that must be met and there are many medical conditions that are built into the contracts that exclude some coverage.
Bolingbrook insurance claims attorneys know the technical terms of those complicated insurance contracts, and therefore have the tools to challenge an insurance company's denial of a claim. If you have questions about your disability policy, contact one of the Bolingbrook disability insurance attorneys listed above today.
Life Insurance Policies
If your life insurance policy has been wrongfully canceled or if they have not paid you for a life insurance claim, please contact a Illinois Life Insurance Policy Lawyer today.
Auto Insurance Claims
Uninsured - Underinsured Clause Denials:
If you have an underinsured or uninsured clause in your auto insurance policy, the insurance company has a duty to compensate you for any loss you have suffered, which is not covered by the insurance policy of the person or entity causing your injury or damage. Insurance companies tend to fight these underinsured/uninsured claims aggressively. Illinois generally requires all drivers to carry Uninsured Motorist (UM) insurance. If you are injured in a car accident and the other person does not have insurance or does not have enough to cover the cost of your injuries, Uninsured Motorist insurance should pay for your damages. It is important that you contact a Bolingbrook Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your rights.
Contact one of the qualified Bolingbrook insurance attorneys listed on this page today for an initial free consultation.
Serving clients throughout Northeastern Illinois, including Aurora, Bartlett, Batavia, Bolingbrook, Burbank, Calumet City, Carol Stream, Channahon, Chicago, Chicago Heights, Cicero, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Hammond, Homer Glen, Joliet, Lockport, Morris, Naperville, New Lenox, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Oswego, Romeoville, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Tinley Park, and other communities in Dupage County and Will County.