Many drivers purchase uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. UM/UIM policies cover your injuries and losses if the at fault driver is either does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance. Words of wisdom: Buy as much UM/UIM coverage as you can afford. It is your safety net when you are in an accident.
Insurance companies owe their insureds, persons who purchase uninsured motorist coverage, a duty of good faith and fair dealings. In common sense terms, that means, treat us fairly. When your insurance company hasn’t treated you fairly, contact Neill Trial Law at 720-443-0324.
You buy insurance and pay your premium on time with the understanding that your insurer will be there for you if your property is damaged or you or a family member has been hurt. But insurance companies employ delay and deny tactics to lowball your just compensation. Delay and deny tactics are unacceptable and Colorado law protects you from unfair insurance practices. In some cases, the conduct of the insurance companies is so egregious that they act intentionally to harm you in bad faith.
If you feel that your claim has been unfairly denied or underpaid by an insurance company, you may have grounds for a delay and denial insurance claim or even a bad faith insurance claim. We are committed to help you recover the full compensation that may be legally owed to you.
Insurance companies have an obligation under state law to act in good faith. Every insurance contract contains an unwritten, invisible, or implied term referred to as the covenant or promise of good faith and fair dealing. If an insurer fails or refuses to do any of the actions below, then your insurance company may have improperly delayed or denied your claim entitling you to compensation under Colorado law.
- Unreasonably delays and denies paying your claim
- Fails to investigate your claim adequately and fully before denying you the insurance benefits you deserve
- Fails to obtain a second medical opinion prior to denying your claim
- Fails to pay you your insurance benefits after receiving adequate evidence that it owes such benefits
- Fails to pay the undisputed portion of your claim
- Fails to pay benefits within the time required by law
- Forces you to litigate your claim without a reasonable basis for the denial of your claim
- Accuses you of fraud without any factual or reasonable basis
- Fails to act in your best interest by using trained and knowledgeable personnel and reasonable claims evaluation standards
Insurance Bad Faith Laws
Insurance bad faith laws protect the insured if the insurance company engages oppressive and unfair claims practices. These oppressive and unfair practices may include:
- Sending a private investigator to monitor an injured person in a private setting such as a Bible study
- Requiring excessive forms and reports well beyond reasonable claims practices
- Canceling coverage because of you make a claim
- Inadequate claim investigation despite overwhelming evidence
- Inadequate claim investigation despite overwhelming evidence
- Denying your claim without explaining why
- Falsely advertising their insurance without follow through
- False and deceptive trade practices