Baltimore Insurance Bad Faith Lawyer
When insurance companies deny legitimate claims, delay payments, or refuse to provide the coverage you have paid for, you need an experienced Baltimore insurance bad faith lawyer to protect your rights. At Iamele & Iamele, LLP, we have been serving Maryland residents for over 50 years, fighting against insurance companies that prioritize profits over their policyholders’ legitimate needs. Our two generations of attorneys understand the tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying valid claims, and we are prepared to take aggressive legal action to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Insurance Bad Faith in Maryland
Insurance bad faith occurs when an insurance company fails to deal fairly and honestly with its policyholders. In Maryland, insurers have a legal duty to act in good faith when handling claims, which means they must thoroughly investigate claims, provide reasonable explanations for claim denials, and process claims in a timely manner. When insurance companies breach this duty, they can be held liable for damages that extend far beyond the original claim amount.
Common examples of insurance bad faith include unreasonably delaying claim investigations, denying claims without proper investigation, failing to communicate with policyholders about claim status, offering unreasonably low settlement amounts for valid claims, and misrepresenting policy provisions to avoid paying claims. Insurance companies may also engage in bad faith by requiring excessive documentation, refusing to pay claims based on technicalities, or threatening policyholders who question claim decisions.
The experienced attorneys at Iamele & Iamele understand that insurance bad faith can cause significant financial hardship and emotional distress. We have the litigation experience necessary to hold insurance companies accountable for their unfair practices and ensure our clients receive the full compensation they are owed under their policies.
Types of Insurance Bad Faith Cases We Handle
Our comprehensive insurance bad faith practice encompasses a wide range of insurance disputes across various types of coverage. We represent policyholders dealing with homeowner’s insurance bad faith, including claims for fire damage, water damage, theft, and natural disasters. Many homeowners discover that their insurance companies use tactics such as lowball settlement offers, unnecessary claim delays, and improper claim denials to avoid paying the full amount owed under the policy.
Auto insurance bad faith is another significant area of our practice. When you are involved in a car accident and your own insurance company refuses to provide coverage under uninsured motorist provisions, underinsured motorist coverage, or comprehensive and collision coverage, we can help you pursue a bad faith claim. We also handle cases where insurance companies fail to defend their policyholders against third-party claims or refuse to settle claims within policy limits.
Health insurance bad faith cases often involve insurance companies denying coverage for necessary medical treatments, medications, or procedures that should be covered under the policy terms. We represent clients whose health insurers have unreasonably delayed pre-authorization for treatments, denied claims based on alleged pre-existing conditions, or terminated coverage without proper justification.
Life insurance and disability insurance bad faith claims require particular expertise due to the complex nature of these policies and the significant financial impact on beneficiaries and disabled policyholders. We work to ensure that insurance companies honor their contractual obligations and pay valid claims promptly and in full.
Proving Insurance Bad Faith Claims
Successfully proving an insurance bad faith claim requires demonstrating that the insurance company’s conduct was unreasonable and that it breached its duty of good faith and fair dealing. This process involves thorough documentation of all communications with the insurance company, analysis of policy terms and coverage provisions, and collection of evidence showing the insurance company’s unreasonable behavior.
At Iamele & Iamele, we meticulously prepare each case by obtaining all claim files from the insurance company, reviewing internal company communications, consulting with industry experts when necessary, and building a comprehensive record of the insurance company’s bad faith conduct. Our litigation experience, developed over decades of practice in Maryland courts, allows us to effectively present these complex cases to judges and juries.
The attorneys at our firm understand that insurance companies often have teams of lawyers working to minimize their exposure to bad faith claims. We level the playing field by providing aggressive representation and using our courtroom skills to hold insurance companies accountable. Our track record includes significant settlements and verdicts in insurance bad faith cases, demonstrating our ability to achieve positive results for our clients.
Maryland law allows successful bad faith claimants to recover not only the amount owed under the original insurance claim but also additional damages for the harm caused by the insurance company’s unreasonable conduct. These damages can include consequential damages, emotional distress damages, and in some cases, punitive damages designed to punish the insurance company for particularly egregious behavior.
Baltimore Insurance Bad Faith FAQs
How long do I have to file an insurance bad faith lawsuit in Maryland?
Maryland’s statute of limitations for insurance bad faith claims is generally three years from the date you discovered or should have discovered the bad faith conduct. However, the specific timing can vary depending on the circumstances of your case, so it is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after you suspect bad faith conduct.
What damages can I recover in an insurance bad faith case?
In Maryland insurance bad faith cases, you may be able to recover the original claim amount, consequential damages caused by the insurer’s delay or denial, emotional distress damages, attorney’s fees, and in some cases, punitive damages. The specific damages available depend on the facts of your case and the extent of the insurance company’s misconduct.
Do I need to exhaust my insurance company’s internal appeals process before filing a lawsuit?
While some insurance policies require internal appeals, you are not always required to exhaust these processes before filing a bad faith lawsuit. The requirements depend on your specific policy terms and the nature of the insurance company’s conduct. An experienced insurance bad faith attorney can advise you on the best course of action for your situation.
Can I sue my insurance company for bad faith if they eventually pay my claim?
Yes, you may still have a bad faith claim even if the insurance company eventually pays your claim. If the insurer unreasonably delayed payment, caused you additional damages through their conduct, or engaged in other bad faith practices, you may be entitled to compensation beyond the original claim amount.
What evidence do I need to prove insurance bad faith?
Important evidence in insurance bad faith cases includes all correspondence with your insurance company, claim files and internal company documents, documentation of damages not covered by the delayed or denied claim, expert testimony regarding industry standards, and evidence of the insurance company’s pattern of similar conduct with other policyholders.
How much does it cost to hire an insurance bad faith lawyer?
Many insurance bad faith attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay attorney’s fees only if you recover compensation in your case. At Iamele & Iamele, we offer free initial consultations to evaluate your potential bad faith claim and discuss your legal options.
What should I do if I suspect my insurance company is acting in bad faith?
If you suspect insurance bad faith, document all communications with your insurer, keep copies of all correspondence and claim-related documents, avoid accepting inadequate settlement offers under pressure, and consult with an experienced insurance bad faith attorney to understand your rights and options.
Serving Throughout Baltimore
- Federal Hill
- Fells Point
- Canton
- Inner Harbor
- Mount Vernon
- Hampden
- Charles Village
- Roland Park
- Locust Point
- Little Italy
Contact a Baltimore Insurance Bad Faith Attorney Today
If you believe your insurance company has acted in bad faith, do not wait to seek legal representation. The experienced attorneys at Iamele & Iamele have the litigation skills and courtroom experience necessary to take on insurance companies and fight for your rights. We provide personal attention to each case and are personally involved in all aspects of your legal matter. Our Baltimore insurance bad faith attorney team serves clients throughout Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s counties. Contact us today to schedule your free confidential consultation and learn how we can help you hold your insurance company accountable for their unfair practices.
