Denver Bad Faith Insurance Attorney
The policy you sign with your insurance company is a legally binding contract like any other. When you file a legitimate claim, you have the right to expect that your insurance company will treat you fairly.
If you suspect that you’ve been a victim of bad faith insurance practices in Denver, CO, our attorneys at Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help, call us at (720) 613-9706.
Between us, our lawyers have decades of experience handling complex legal matters. We’ve already recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation awards on behalf of our clients–and we’re ready to fight for you.
An experienced Denver bad faith insurance lawyer can help you cut through the red tape and get the money you deserve. To learn more, contact our law offices in Denver, Colorado, to schedule a free consultation today.
Why Should I Trust Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers for Help With a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Denver?
Insurance coverage is a necessary part of life. Sometimes it’s even required by law. When you pay your premiums on time, you expect the insurance company to give your case the time and attention it deserves when you file a claim.
Unfortunately, insurance companies often engage in tactics to deny or undervalue claims without justification. They’re hoping you won’t fight back. That way, they can maximize their own profits.
At Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers, our Denver personal injury attorneys are passionate about helping clients like you get justice. Over the years, our lawyers have been recognized by Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers.
When you hire us, you’ll have an advocate to:
- Evaluate your insurance contract and determine whether you have a claim
- Compile evidence to build your case
- File a claim for compensation on your behalf
- Handle all negotiations with the insurance companies and defense teams
Your insurance company has the resources to defend themselves. Let our Denver personal injury lawyers stand up for you. You can call anytime to schedule a free initial consultation to learn more.
Overview of Bad Faith Insurance Laws in Colorado
Insurance companies are strictly regulated in the State of Colorado. Broadly speaking, they’re required to deal fairly with policyholders and act in good faith during the claims settlement process.
To mention a few examples, they must generally:
- Explain the terms of the insurance policy
- Promptly conduct an investigation when a claim is filed
- Communicate reasonably with the insured throughout the claims process
- Confirm or deny coverage within a reasonable amount of time after the claim was filed
- Settle claims promptly after determining that the claim is valid
Bad faith insurance practices happen when the insurance company unfairly denies, delays, or undervalues a legitimate claim.
There are three possible types of bad faith insurance lawsuits:
- Common law bad faith claims
- Breach of contract claims
- Statutory bad faith claims
Each type of claim has its own set of requirements.
Common Law Bad Faith Insurance Claims
A common law bad faith insurance claim is based on the fact that the insurance both:
- Acted unreasonably, and
- Knew the actions were unreasonable, or showed reckless disregard for whether the actions were reasonable
Common law claims are generally based on a defendant’s negligent or wrongful acts. If your claim succeeds, you can seek compensation for the full value of your damages.
Breach of Contract
An insurance policy is a contract. When you hold up your end of the bargain, you deserve to expect that the insurance company will do the same. If you satisfied all of the contract’s terms and the insurance company still refused to pay, you may have a valid breach of contract claim.
To recover damages, you’ll generally have to show:
- A valid contract existed
- You performed all duties under the contract (or had a valid reason for not doing so)
- The insurance company breached their duties under the contract by acting in bad faith
- You suffered damages
If successful, you’ll recover the amount of compensation that the insurance company should have paid on your legitimate claim.
Statutory Bad Faith Insurance Claims
Colorado has adopted specific laws governing bad faith insurance practices. If the insurance company violated the law, you have the right to take legal action.
Under Colorado’s insurance statute, you have the right to sue for damages if the insurance company unreasonably delayed or denied your claim.
You’ll generally have to prove that:
- The insurance company denied or delayed your claim
- The claim was valid and legitimate
- The insurance company had no reasonable basis for the denial or delay
You can file both common law and statutory claims for compensation based on bad faith insurance practices.
How Do I Know Whether I Have a Valid Insurance Bad Faith Claim in Denver?
Insurance contracts can be confusing. They often contain exceptions and requirements that aren’t always straightforward. You might not be completely sure that you have a valid insurance dispute.
Many different scenarios can give rise to a valid bad faith insurance claim, including situations where the insurance company:
- Fails to investigate your claim
- Misrepresents the terms of the insurance policy
- Ignores the claim or fails to respond to your communications
- Flat-out denies your claim without offering a reason
- Creates unnecessary delays, including by requesting unreasonable documents or information
- Changes the terms of the policy after you submit a claim
- Authorizes the claim, but fails to pay
- Fails to notify you that they need additional information to process your claim
- Tries to coerce you into accepting an unreasonable settlement
If you think the insurance company is acting unfairly, contacting a lawyer is the best thing to do. At Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers, we offer free case reviews so you can learn about your legal rights without risk. Contact us today to schedule yours.
Can the Colorado Insurance Companies Ever Legitimately Deny My Insurance Claim?
Sometimes insurance companies have legitimate reasons for denying claims. However, when they do deny a claim, they must give the policyholder a reason.
Some examples of why an insurance company might legitimately deny your claim include:
- You failed to pay the policy premiums and allowed the policy to lapse
- The specific risk was not covered under the policy
- The individual was not covered by the policy
- You did not file your claim on time
- You failed to respond to reasonable, good faith requests for information
- There is a legitimate dispute about whether the insurance company is obligated to pay
- The amount of the claim fell below the deductible or exceeded the policy limits
These are all valid reasons to deny a claim. It’s also possible that the insurance company needs more time to investigate.
What Types of Compensation Are Available To Victims of Bad Faith Insurance Practices in Denver?
Under Colorado’s insurance laws, discussed in brief above, you can seek compensation from the insurance company if your claim has been unreasonably delayed or denied.
The statute allows victims of insurance bad faith to pursue compensation for:
- The value of your initial insurance claim
- Two times your covered benefit
- Reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs
In practice, the law allows you to recover three times the value of your insurance claim if the claim was unreasonably delayed or denied. That’s because, as an initial matter, you will first recover the amount of your actual claim because the insurance company breached your insurance contract.
You may be entitled to compensation for things like emotional distress and other non-economic damages if you file a common law claim for damages.
What Is My Denver Bad Faith Case Worth?
The value of your case will depend on the losses you have suffered due to the bad faith practices. It can also depend on the basis for your claim.
Under the Colorado insurance statute, you can recover double the value of your claim. If you also file a common law claim, you can recover the amount of your claim in addition to the value of any other losses you suffered due to the insurance company’s actions.
Every case is different. To learn more about your case value, contact our Denver bad faith insurance attorneys for a free case evaluation.
Our Attorneys Handle All Types of Bad Faith Insurance Cases in Denver, CO
At Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers, our Denver bad faith lawyers often handle claims involving:
- Property insurance
- Car insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Commercial liability coverage
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Business liability insurance
- Disability insurance
- Professional liability insurance
- Fire insurance
- Workers’ compensation insurance
If you suspect your rights have been violated, let our law firm help. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Bad Faith Insurance Lawsuit in Colorado?
Under Colorado law, the statute of limitations in bad faith insurance claims is two years. You have two years from the date you knew or should have known about the insurance company’s unreasonable delay or denial of your claim.
Note that there are exceptions to the two-year time limit in some cases. Contact our law offices as soon as possible to protect your legal right to take legal action.
Contact an Experienced Denver Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Bad faith claims can be extremely complicated. Insurance companies know how to fight your case. You deserve an experienced Denver bad faith insurance lawyer who will level the playing field. Call Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers for the legal advice you deserve today.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Denver, CO
Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers – Denver Office
1610 Wynkoop Street. Suite 120. Denver, CO. 80202
(720) 613-9706
Our Denver, CO personal injury law office also provides:
- Car Accident Lawyers in Denver, CO
- Construction Accident Lawyer in Denver, CO
- Electric Explosion Attorney in Denver, CO
- Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Denver, CO
- Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Denver, CO
- Premises Liability Lawyers in Denver, CO
- Product Liability Lawyer in Denver, CO
- Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Denver, CO
- Truck Accident Lawyers in Denver, CO
- Brain Injury Attorney in Denver, CO
- Bus Accident Lawyer in Denver, CO
- Burn Injury Lawyer in Denver, CO
- Dog Bite Attorney in Denver, CO
- Ski Accident Lawyers in Denver, CO
- Toxic Exposure Attorneys in Denver, CO
- Slip and fall Accident Lawyer in Denver, CO
- Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys in Denver, CO
- Whistleblower Attorney in Denver, CO
- Workplace Accident Lawyer in Denver, CO
- Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Denver, CO
- Wrongful Death Lawyers in Denver, CO