Signs Your Insurance Company May Be Acting in Bad Faith

When you file an insurance claim, you expect your insurer to treat you fairly and follow through on the coverage you’ve paid for. But sometimes, instead of helping you recover, insurance companies focus on protecting their own bottom line. If they delay, deny, or underpay your claim without good reason, they may be acting in bad faith.

At Gold, Khourey & Turak, for nearly 50 years we’ve helped clients across Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania hold insurance companies accountable. If something about your claim feels off, it’s worth learning the warning signs.

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Warning Signs of Bad Faith Insurance Practices

If your insurance company isn’t treating you fairly, watch for these red flags:

1. Unreasonable Delays

• Your insurer takes far too long to process your claim or provide updates.
• They repeatedly ask for more paperwork, even after you’ve sent everything they requested.

2. Lowball Settlement Offers

• You receive an offer that’s far below the value of your claim with no clear explanation.
• They pressure you to accept quickly, saying it’s the best offer you’ll get.

3. Denial Without Explanation

• Your claim is denied without a valid reason.
• The explanation you do get is vague, unclear, or inconsistent.

4. Failure to Communicate

• The insurer doesn’t return your calls or emails.
• You’re left without updates or answers about your claim.

5. Misrepresentation of Policy Terms

• They give you incorrect information about your coverage to justify denying or underpaying your claim.
• They say your policy excludes certain things—even when it doesn’t.

6. Inadequate or Improper Investigation

• The insurer doesn’t thoroughly review your claim or ignores key pieces of evidence.
• They rely on incomplete or biased reports to justify their decision.

7. Unnecessary Requests for Documentation

• You’re asked to provide irrelevant or excessive paperwork, causing frustrating delays.
• It feels like they’re stalling instead of working toward a resolution.

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How to Recognize and Document Bad Faith Practices

If something doesn’t feel right about the way your insurer is handling your claim, take these steps:

• Keep detailed records – Write down every conversation you have with your insurer. Include names, dates, times, and what was discussed.
• Communicate in writing – Use email or text to submit the information the insurance company requested from you regarding your claim and to ask questions about your claim.
• Save copies of all documents – Keep your policy, claim forms, medical records, photos, receipts, and anything else you submit.
• Track timelines – Note how long it takes to get responses and how often your insurer follows up (or doesn’t).
• Talk to an attorney – If you’re not sure what to do next, reach out to a lawyer who has experience with bad faith insurance claims.

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How Gold, Khourey & Turak Can Help

If you think your insurance company is acting in bad faith, GKT is here to help. Our attorneys are experienced in identifying unfair practices and building strong cases on behalf of policyholders. We will:

• Review your policy and claim to uncover signs of bad faith
• Collect evidence to support your case
• Handle negotiations with the insurance company
• Take your case to court, if necessary, to protect your rights

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Contact GKT Today

If your insurance company is giving you the runaround, don’t wait. Gold, Khourey & Turak is ready to help you stand up for your rights and get the compensation you’re owed.

We’re available 24/7. Call us at (304) 845-9750, chat with us live online, or fill out our contact form to get started.

Need help? Get help. Get GKT.