Oregon law requires insurance companies to act in good faith. This means handling claims with reasonable promptness, conducting thorough and unbiased investigations, and providing clear and honest communication. When an insurer fails in these duties, our legal team steps in to correct the imbalance, ensuring that our clients receive not only the benefits they deserve but also compensation for the insurer’s bad faith actions.
At Kantor & Kantor, we represent policyholders across Oregon who have been mistreated by their insurance companies. Our team has decades of experience holding insurers accountable. We know what it is like to be on the other end of a phone call, trying to explain your situation to someone who does not seem to care.
If you suspect your insurer is acting in bad faith, you do not have to face it alone. Contact our Oregon bad-faith insurance attorneys at 818-886-2525 for a free consultation. We will review your situation, explain your rights, and help you figure out the next step. You have already been through enough. Let us take it from here.
We are ready to fight the bad-faith practices of your insurance company.
What is a Bad Faith Insurance Claim?
Insurance is meant to provide peace of mind and a safety net for individuals in times of need. Insurance companies are legally obligated to act in good faith in the handling of your claim. However, when an insurance company fails to fulfill its obligations in good faith, it can lead to devastating consequences for policyholders. Insurance bad faith is a legal term that refers to the improper conduct of an insurance company toward its policyholders. When an insurance company acts in bad faith, it violates its duty to deal fairly and honestly with its customers, often resulting in significant harm to the policyholder.
An integral part of an insurance company’s duty is to seek evidence supporting the insured’s claim for benefits diligently. When the opposite occurs, and insurance companies attempt to deprive policyholders of the benefits and protections they are entitled to, they act in bad faith. If you suspect that your insurer acted in bad faith, consult our Oregon bad-faith insurance attorneys.
Bad Faith Insurance Practices
Here are some of the most common ways insurers act in bad faith:
1. Delayed, Improper, or Absent Investigation
Insurance companies are obligated to promptly and thoroughly investigate claims made by their policyholders. However, bad faith may arise when an insurer fails to conduct a proper investigation or unreasonably delays the process. This could involve:
- Ignoring crucial evidence related to the claim
- Failing to interview witnesses or obtain necessary documentation
- Disregarding medical reports or expert opinions relevant to the claim
- Dragging out the investigation process without valid reasons.
2. Denial Based on Incomplete or Inaccurate Justification
A hallmark of bad faith is when an insurance company denies a legitimate claim without providing adequate justification or reasoning. Examples of this include:
- Rejecting a claim without providing a clear explanation or citing ambiguous policy language
- Denying benefits based on incorrect interpretations of policy terms
- Using biased or misleading information to support the denial of a claim
- Failing to communicate the specific reasons for denial to the policyholder.
3. Underpayment of Claims
Another tactic used by insurers engaging in bad faith is underpaying valid claims, often to minimize their financial obligations. This may involve:
- Offering a settlement amount far below the actual value of the claim
- Disregarding the full extent of damages suffered by the policyholder
- Employing tactics to undervalue medical treatments, property damage, or other losses
- Delaying payment of the claim in the hope that the policyholder will accept a lower settlement out of desperation.
4. Other Unreasonable Conduct by the Insurer
Beyond outright denial of valid claims, insurers can breach their duty of good faith and fair dealing through various forms of unreasonable conduct, including:
- Intentionally prolonging the claim process without valid reasons, causing undue financial strain on the policyholder
- Providing false information or misleading the policyholder regarding benefits or the claims process
- Attempting to dissuade or obstruct the policyholder from pursuing legal action against the insurer.
Any such behavior that demonstrates a lack of honesty, fairness, or diligence on the insurer’s part may constitute bad faith.
Why Choose Kantor & Kantor?
When you are facing a dispute with your insurance company, the attorney you choose can make a difference. Here is why Kantor & Kantor is the right choice for your bad-faith insurance claim:
- Specialized Expertise: Our attorneys are familiar with the tactics that insurance companies use to deny, delay, or underpay claims. We use this knowledge to build strong cases for our clients, ensuring that all legal avenues are explored and utilized.
- We Fight Hard and We Get Results: Insurance companies know who we are, and they know we do not back down. We have recovered millions of dollars for policyholders whose valid claims were wrongfully denied.
- Track Record of Success: Our firm has a strong record of securing favorable outcomes for our clients, whether through negotiation or litigation. We have successfully resolved claims against large insurance companies, providing our clients with the relief and compensation they rightfully deserve.
- Accessible and Client-Friendly Communication: We prioritize clear and regular communication with our clients. Understanding the legal process and being informed every step of the way is crucial, and we make sure our clients feel supported and knowledgeable about their cases.
How Kantor & Kantor Can Help
When you are up against an insurance company, it can feel like you are fighting a giant with unlimited resources and no concern for what you are going through.
At Kantor & Kantor, we stand up for people who are treated unfairly by their insurance company. We hold insurance companies accountable and to help you get the benefits you were promised.
Here is how we can help:
- Thorough Investigation: Our lawyers thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your insurance claim. We gather evidence, review policy documents, and consult with experts to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Strategic Legal Representation: Once we have assessed your case, we develop a strategic legal plan tailored to your specific situation. We leverage our extensive insurance law knowledge and our experience handling bad faith claims to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Effective Negotiation: Insurance companies often use delay tactics and lowball settlement offers to minimize their financial obligations. We are skilled negotiators who will advocate for our client’s rights. We will work to achieve a fair settlement that fully compensates you for your losses.
- Litigation Strategy: If negotiations with the insurance company are unsuccessful, we will take your case to trial. Our trial-tested litigators have the courtroom experience to present a compelling case before a judge and jury. We will aggressively pursue your claim through every stage of the litigation process, fighting for the best possible outcome.
Talk to a Bad Faith Insurance Attorneys
We believe no one should be left feeling powerless when their insurance company breaks their promises. We know the tactics that insurers use to delay, deny, and confuse. And we know how to hold them accountable.
When you decide to work with us, we are in it together for the long haul. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, ensuring that we are ready for whatever the insurance companies might throw our way.
Our preparation and persistence have resulted in a track record of favorable settlements and verdicts that reflect both the tangible and intangible losses our clients have suffered.
If your insurance company has let you down, it is time to act.
Contact our Oregon bad-faith insurance attorneys at 818-886-2525 for a free consultation. We will review your situation, explain what your options are, and help you decide the best path forward. There is no pressure, and no cost unless we win your case.
Attorney Glenn R. Kantor
Glenn Kantor is a founding partner of Kantor & Kantor LLP. As a young attorney, Glenn saw the injustice of wrongful insurance denials and created a law firm to represent individuals seeking to obtain their rightful benefits. Glenn is committed to ensure that clients receive the benefits they are entitled to under their insurance policies or group health plans. [Attorney Bio]
