What is Insurance Bad Faith?
In the United States, individuals that have been victimized by the bad acts of their insurance company have the option to pursue a tort claim. This area of the law is known as insurance bad faith. In most jurisdictions, it remains that insurance companies owe their customers a duty of good faith. This means that an insurance contract will automatically act as proof of their promise to deal fairly and honestly.
Should they subsequently fail to uphold this responsibility to the policyholder, that person would have grounds to pursue damages—which could exceed the original value of the existing policy. In the state of Alabama, one may pursue an insurance bad faith claim in either a first party or third party context.
Testimonials From Former Clients
The staff handled my case in a prompt and professional manner. They returned my calls in a timely fashion and was always prepared to answer any questions. Furthermore, Attorney Driggers is a Christian man and first class professional. I am certainly happy that i was represented by this Law Firm.
“I was pleased with their work and the outcome of my case.”
Mr.Driggers is a wonderful Lawyer that knows the law, he helped me when I had no idea in my situation where to start and what to do, he worked with me hands on and got the best results for me in my case. It was a privilege to get to know him as my lawyer and a friend. If you need legal representation call him you will be satisfied.
Hired Joseph Morris to handle my car accident and he did a great job at handling the case and explained the process as the case went. I would highly recommend him.
“Never in a million years did I believe that these attorneys would do everything possible to seek justice.”
Love, love, love these people! When no one out there seems to care, let me tell you that this group right here will fight tooth and nail for you.
I would highly recommend Cory Driggers. He kept me informed all during my case. I never felt left in the dark. He was always straightforward with me. I can’t express how impressed I was with him.
Joey (and his team) was extremely helpful in a time when we did not know what to do. His professional approach gave us assurance while he settled our case.
Attorney Driggers and his team did a wonderful job with my case. They were professional and pleasant. They were patient with me and answered all my questions. They addressed all my concerns from the first conversation to the last. I would highly recommend him to anyone needing an attorney.
Cory was absolutely fantastic. He settled my case beyond what I could even imagine. Not only was he very knowledgeable concerning the law, he was available whenever we needed him, Cory was also so kind and courteous to us at all times. During the time since my case ended I have called on Cory several times to ask questions related to situations I have had going on and he has always been available to help me. I would recommend Cory without a second thought to any friend, family member, co-worker or acquaintance.
Cory Driggers represented my daughter following an car accident. He showed real genuine care for her and the case. He and his staff worked to get all of the medical bills gathered and also to get them decreased. Cory kept us updated and contacted my daughter when decisions needed to be made. Ultimately, Cory got what my daughter deserved for her injuries and my daughter was completely satisfied. I would recommend Cory to anyone that is looking for a good Christian attorney. Thanks Cory for your help!
Cory and his staff are very professional and make you feel at ease whether it is by phone or in person. My case was solved quickly and very efficiently. Thanks for everything!!
“I’ve had Joey take care of three separate cases and two for other family members. The service was always great and he was always there to answer my questions no matter how many times I called. Great m …”
I would recommend Mr. Driggers to anybody needing legal help him and his staff first of all are very nice to you and act like they are very understanding to your needs. He talked to me on the phone like he knew me all my life and that really mattered to me. When we had our hearing he treated me like he had already met me and he hadn’t, I just really loved him and have already been telling people about him and his office.
“Our family is so thankful for Mark, Dan and their entire team. Every step of the way they made sure we were comfortable and understood every aspect of our case. It was apparent that our interest was …”
I would highly recommend Cory Driggers. He kept me informed all during my case. I never felt left in the dark. He was always straightforward with me . I can’t express how impressed I was with him.
Understanding First Party vs. Third Party Claims
In the context of a first party relationship, one must be able to prove that their insurance provider has offered to cover damages for a specific type of property (i.e. an automobile or a home). This would mean that the insurance company has offered to investigate all such claims, as well as to pay the policyholder the appropriate value for their damaged property. Insurance bad faith may occur if they subsequently fail to conduct a proper investigation of the damage or even acknowledge that a claim has been filed in the first place. This may also apply in cases involving health insurance or life insurance, but these instances are very rare.
In the context of a third party claim, one must be able to prove that they had purchased liability insurance. Should the insurance provider fail to adequately defend a lawsuit and/or pay a judgment to cover the cost of the lawsuit, it could be proven that they have not acted in good faith. Additionally, the default rule is that they must also cover all costs associated with one’s defense—regardless of the actual limit of coverage.
Notable Verdicts & Settlements
This area of the law can be quite complex, however, so it is highly recommended that you discuss the circumstances of your case with an Dothan insurance bad faith lawyer before taking any action against your insurance provider. Call (844) 654-6228 today!
How Common Are Bad Faith Lawsuits in the U.S.?
Bad faith lawsuits are, surprisingly, not rare in the United States. In fact, it has been reported that about half of the toxic mold cases that were filed in 2001 were pursued against insurance companies on the grounds of bad faith. These cases had been previously uncommon, and those that had been pursued were usually resolved with relatively low payouts, but this has since changed. In the last decade or so, there have been several notable cases in which the victims of insurance bad faith were awarded tens of millions of dollars in damages. For this reason, you should not hesitate to pursue a claim if you believe that you have been wronged by your insurance provider.
Consult With Our Alabama Insurance Attorney Today
Think that you have a valid insurance bad faith claim? If so, we encourage you to get in touch with a Dothan bad faith insurance lawyer at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC as soon as possible. Our lawyers have earned extensive recognition for their work in the field of personal injury law, including membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, so you can rest assured that our firm is well-equipped to represent your case.
To learn more, simply pick up the phone and give us a call at (844) 654-6228 for a FREE initial consultation.
