Bad Faith Car Insurance Attorneys

Car insurance is meant to protect you in cases where you have been involved in a car accident. Many expect their insurance company to help them with compensation in the event that they have suffered property damage to their car, or bodily injuries. But, what happens if your car insurance denies your claim? In California, all car insurance companies must act in good faith, or else, failure to do so, will make them accountable in court. 

Our attorneys have decades of experience negotiating with car insurance companies when they have failed to be there for their insureds. In California, you have the right to hold the insurance company accountable for any compensation that they have denied.

What are some examples of bad faith? 

Below are some examples of bad faith a car insurance company could take part in after a car accident: 

• Delaying the investigation of the car accident claim 
• Denying the car accident claim for no valid reason
• Failing to settle the car accident claim with the other party
• Refusing to defend their insured customer in the event the other party has filed a claim with the car insurance company
• Evaluating the claim improperly
• Claiming that the circumstances are not covered under the car insurance policy 

What is comprehensive insurance? 

Comprehensive insurance is a type of car insurance coverage where you are able to file a claim for property damage, even if you were not involved in a car accident. For example, in cases where your car has been stolen, it would fall under a comprehensive car insurance coverage.

What is collision coverage?

Collision coverage is a type of coverage offered by car insurance companies where insureds are compensated in the event of a vehicle accident. 

What are the different types of car insurance claims?

After an accident, there may be several different claims you could file with your car insurance company. Each claim depends on the circumstance of the accident. If you have been in an accident, and you have yet to file a claim with your car insurance company, get in touch with our attorneys immediately. The longer you wait to file a claim after a car accident, the chances of you getting compensated are less likely.

• Property damage claims: Property damage claims deal with damage done to the vehicle you were driving at the time of the accident. If your car was damaged after the accident, you have the right to file a claim with your car insurance company to receive compensation to either repair or replace your vehicle. If the cost of repairing the vehicle is worth more than the vehicle itself, then the insurance company will most likely pay compensation to replace the vehicle.
• Theft claims: If your vehicle was stolen, you should notify the police immediately. Other than the police, you should also notify your car insurance company. Your car insurance company will most likely have you covered under theft policies in order to compensate you for the replacement for the vehicle. 
• Vandalism claims: Your car insurance policy will also likely have vandalism claims covered. in the event that your vehicle was vandalized, you have the right to get compensated for the repair amount.
• Defense from other personal injury claims: When you are liable for the accident, and the other party has filed a claim with your car insurance, your car insurance company is responsible for defending you during this personal injury claim. if your car insurance company does not defend you in good faith, you have the right to hold them responsible for bad faith practices.

What is a first-party car insurance claim? 

A first-party claim refers to a claim made from the insured with their own car insurance company. For example, if you were involved in a car accident with another party, and the other party was responsible for your accident, you would contact your own car insurance company, and not the other parties’.

Usually, first–party car insurance claims are more common than third–party car insurance claims. Many insured drivers feel more comfortable filing a claim with their own insurance rather than getting the other party’s insurance company involved. Oftentimes, the other party’s insurance company may not also cover all the injuries. 

What is Med Pay? 

When dealing with car insurance claims, the term med pay may be used. Med pay is known as medical payments coverage. This type of coverage is meant to cover the injured party for their medical bills, regardless of the responsible party. For example, if you’re involved in an accident, and you caused the accident, you could still get compensated for your injuries from your car insurance company under this med pay coverage.

This is a type of first party coverage that insurance companies could add to their car insurance policy.

Med Pay covers a variety of expenses, including:

• Emergency room bills
• X-rays
• MRIs
• CT scans
• At-home medical equipment
• Physical therapy
• Surgery

Do I need to have Med Pay in California? 

You are not required to have med pay with your car insurance in California. However, it is very common for those that do not have health insurance. This is another way of getting medical coverage in the event of an accident. Med pay could also be used separately for each car accident that you are involved in, and some insurance companies do not place the limit on the number of med pay claims that you could make. 

What is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage? 

Not everyone in California has car insurance, even though it is required. In the event that you have been involved with another vehicle party that does not have car insurance, you could still get compensated for your injuries by filing a claim with your very own insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage deals with circumstances where the other party does not have car insurance, and underinsured coverage deals with circumstances where the other party’s car insurance does not cover all of the losses caused from the accident.

This is typically used in the cases of hit and run car accidents. In the event that the police are not able to locate the hit and run driver, the other party has no choice but to file a claim with their own insurance company to get compensated. 

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage covers bodily injuries and property damage caused by the accident. 

What is a third party car insurance claim?

A third party car insurance claim occurs when the other party files a claim with your insurance company. For example, if you’re responsible for the accident, and the other party filed a claim with your insurance, your insurance will have to compensate the other third party. It is the responsibility of your car insurance company to defend you and represent you, and in the case that you are found responsible, to compensate the other party.

Give our attorneys at Heidari Law a call today to discuss how you could file a claim against your car insurance company or the other party’s car insurance company if they fail to act with good faith. As explained above, there are several different types of coverage and policies that car insurance companies should offer. If you have been involved in an accident, contact our top–rated legal team right away.