If you've been trying and trying to work with the insurance company to get compensation after an accident, and they haven't been working with you, you might need to try something new - a bad faith claim.
Oregon insurance bad faith claims are meant to ensure that insurance companies cannot take advantage of people. When a person's property is damaged or they receive an injury from an accident, the insurance company is supposed to help pay damages and to help the person through the personal injury process. In many cases, this does not happen because the insurance adjusters are too busy or too concerned about saving money by not giving injury victims the settlements they deserve.
In a few cases, the insurance company and their adjuster will behave so badly that they can be found to be acting in bad faith. An Oregon insurance bad faith claim means filing a claim against the insurance company for not fulfilling the terms of a contract. Here are some grounds for filing an Oregon insurance bad faith claim:
1. Unreasonable demands to ascertain proof of loss
2. Attempts to coerce the insured to contribute to the settlement
3. Failure to fully explain policy provisions and exclusions
4. Intentional misrepresentation of policy to avoid coverage
5. Failure to investigate promptly and properly
6. Deceitful practices to avoid paying claims, including lying or threatening
7. Use of abusive or intimidating behavior
8. Bad faith conduct after a lawsuit is filed
9. Refusal to pay a claim with no reasonable basis for denial
10. Delaying tactics to prevent the insured's compensation
Oregon insurance bad faith claims are governed by both state and federal law to keep insurance companies in check. If you are having any of the above problems with an insurance company or their adjuster, please seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney in Oregon to help you. You deserve compensation and to know your legal rights - don't let the insurance company take advantage of you.