When you are the victim of a theft in your home or have had your vehicle stolen, it can be an extremely stressful time. People never expect to find themselves a victim of a theft and struggling to recover the possessions that they have worked so hard to acquire. Many people have theft insurance in their homeowners or auto insurance policies that are designed for just such misfortune. Sadly, many people find that when they pursue a claim for compensation for their loss, the claim is met with skepticism, delay and accusatory allegations. It is not uncommon for a policyholder to be left with the feeling that he or she is the one being treated as the criminal who committed the theft. For many theft victims, the process of seeking compensation is a long arduous process that leaves the insured feeling like they have been victimized all over again. Don’t let this happen to you, schedule a free consultation with an experienced Bennett Law Firm attorney who will fight for your rights.
If your insurance company is ignoring your inquiries regarding the status of your claim, engaging in unreasonable and unexplained delay or denying your claim and refusing to explain why, our experienced Oklahoma bad faith insurance attorneys will diligently pursue your best interest and seek the compensation you deserve. Theft claims require that a verified proof of loss be submitted along with the claim. A proof of loss is a statement made regarding the extent of the claim providing a detailed itemization of the items stolen and their value. Your policy will contain language indicating that your coverage may be void if you fail to submit a proof of loss. Depending on the type of policy, proof of loss might consist of a claim form, written estimates, receipts, sworn statements, police reports, and other evidence.
Your insurance company will look at this documentation very closely to determine its liability under your policy. An insurance company’s policy usually requires that the policyholder in front of a notary under penalty of perjury sign the proof of loss. If you omit items that were stolen or unintentionally provide information that is inaccurate, your insurance company may rely on these inaccuracies to deny your claim or pay less than the value of your actual loss. These errors or omissions may also lead your insurance company to claim that you are engaged in insurance fraud. Some insurance companies will use abusive or intimidating tactics to suggest that a policyholder may be subject to criminal or civil penalties for fraud with absolutely no factual basis for the insurance company’s position. If your insurance company engages in this type of abusive and unethical conduct, the experienced insurance bad faith attorneys at The Bennett Law Firm may be able to file a lawsuit for bad faith and seek punitive damages for your insurance company’s refusal to comply with its duty to deal with its policyholders in good faith.
Most insurance policies have deadlines for providing a proof of loss so it is important that you check your policy and provide your claim in a timely fashion. As a general rule, it is a good idea to file your proof of loss with inventories and estimates of value as soon as possible. Remember, it is critical that the information in the notice of claim be accurate and that you do not omit items that are part of your loss. It is very common in theft cases for insurance companies to delay, undervalue or deny a claim. This tendency is compounded by the fact that most people have items stolen for which they cannot provide receipts. If your insurance company denies your claim or refuses to offer a reasonable value for your claim, you should ask for the provisions in the policy that your insurance company is relying on in denying or undervaluing your claim, which should be provided in writing. Any communication you have with your insurance company regarding your claim and the insurance company’s unwillingness to cooperate should be carefully documented.
An insurance policy is a contract between the insurance company and the policyholder, the person who bought the coverage. Oklahoma law imposes a duty on your insurance company to perform their obligations under your policy in accordance with the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. If your insurance company refuses to treat you fairly and is choosing to stonewall, lowball or deny your claim, our Insurance bad faith attorneys may be able to file a lawsuit for bad faith on your behalf. A lawsuit for bad faith may not only be able to seek compensation for the value of your property loss but also for punitive damages.
Our bad faith insurance attorneys will diligently seek to obtain the fair treatment and financial recovery that you deserve. Whether your insurance company has denied your claim or simply refuses to deal with you fairly and promptly, we can help.
Contact us today for your free no obligation initial consultation! No Recovery No Fee! We will meet with you face to face and can handle cases anywhere in Oklahoma. We can even come to you!