If you suspect you have been a victim of bad faith insurance practices in Harrisburg, PA, contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates today. The insurance company may owe you significant compensation. An experienced Harrisburg bad faith insurance lawyer can help you fight to recover fair compensation to cover your losses.
Our lawyers have over 120 years of experience in personal injury law. We’ve used our experience to recover tens of millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of injured clients across Pennsylvania.
Insurance companies have virtually unlimited resources to fight your claim. To get the legal assistance you deserve, contact our law offices in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at (717) 231-1640 to schedule a free consultation today.
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How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help With a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Harrisburg, PA
People buy insurance coverage for all different reasons. Some types of insurance are required by law. Others are purchased for peace of mind. When you pay your premiums on time, you should be able to trust the insurance company to come through when you need help.
Unfortunately, some insurance companies engage in unfair practices. They might deny your claim without reason or simply fail to respond at all. An experienced Harrisburg personal injury lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help with all of your insurance coverage issues.
Our team will help by:
- Gathering evidence to prove your case
- Evaluating your rights under Pennsylvania law
- Determining how much compensation you deserve
- Hiring experts when needed to back up your claim
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a settlement deal
- Fighting to protect your interests in court
Our Harrisburg personal injury attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers of America and Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars. You can count on us to provide the quality legal representation you deserve. Just call our personal injury law firm to schedule a free case review today.
Overview of Bad Faith Insurance Laws in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Insurance companies in Pennsylvania are subject to strict regulations. Insurance companies in Pennsylvania are required to deal with policyholders in good faith. The Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law gives people the right to sue the insurance company for damages when they don’t act in good faith.
Insurance companies owe their policyholders a fiduciary duty. That duty includes a duty to act in good faith when handling legitimate insurance claims. Pennsylvania statutes do not provide an explicit definition of what it means to act in good faith. Instead, courts often look to prior cases and the plain meaning of the term “good faith.”
Generally speaking, if the insurance company is not reasonable, engages in unfair delays, or denies a claim without legitimate reason, they can be held liable for damages.
How Do I Know Whether I Have a Valid Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Pennsylvania?
To prove bad faith under Pennsylvania law, there are several different things you must prove, including:
- The insurance company did not have a reasonable basis for its actions
- The insurance company knew it did not have a reasonable basis for denying the claim or recklessly disregarded whether it had a reasonable basis
It is not enough to prove the insurance company was negligent or exercised bad judgment to establish bad faith insurance practices. There must be some type of “ill will” or self-interested actions on the part of the insurer.
That said, many different scenarios can give rise to a valid bad faith insurance lawsuit.
For example, you may have a valid bad faith insurance claim if the insurance company:
- Denies your claim without providing any explanation or justification
- Ignores your claim or fails to communicate with you after submitting a claim
- Actively misrepresents the facts of your case to pressure you into an unfair settlement
- Misrepresents the terms of your insurance contract to avoid payment
- Fails to conduct a timely investigation into the legitimacy of your insurance claim
- Creates artificial and unnecessary delays, such as by requesting unreasonable documentation
- Takes steps to unfairly and intentionally delay your settlement payment
- Accepts liability, but offers an unreasonably low settlement amount
Bad faith insurance practices can include actual actions or omissions. In other words, they can be based both on things the insurance company did and things the insurance company failed to do.
If you believe you may have a valid claim for compensation, contact our Harrisburg bad faith insurance attorneys today. At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we review your case for free; call for legal advice today.
Our Experienced Insurance Attorneys Handle All Types of Bad Faith Claims in Harrisburg
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our Harrisburg bad faith insurance attorneys have handled cases like yours before. We know that bad faith insurance practices can occur in many different situations.
We often represent insurance policyholders in cases involving:
- Car insurance
- Property insurance
- Life insurance
- Health insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Business liability insurance
- Commercial insurance
- Flood insurance
- Wind insurance
- Fire insurance
- Professional liability insurance
- Workers’ compensation insurance
If the insurance company is giving you the runaround, contact our lawyers in Harrisburg today. We’ll do everything we can to help you fight for the money you need and deserve.
Can an Insurance Company Legitimately Deny My Insurance Claim in Pennsylvania?
Insurance companies aren’t required to blindly pay every insurance claim they receive. It is possible that the insurance company could have a valid reason to deny your claim.
The insurance company can legitimately refuse to pay your claim if:
- You allowed your policy to lapse by not paying premium payments on time
- There is a legitimate dispute about whether the insurance company is responsible for paying your settlement
- You failed to file the insurance claim in a timely manner, and a deadline in the contract passed
- You did not respond to the insurance company’s reasonable request for additional information
- You submitted an incomplete insurance claim
- The specific risk was not covered under your insurance policy
If the insurance company denies your claim, they should give you a reason. If that reason doesn’t make sense or they fail to provide any justification, contact our legal team for a free case evaluation today.
What Types of Compensation Are Available to Victims of Bad Faith Insurance Practices in Harrisburg?
Pennslyvania’s bad faith insurance statute, found at 42 Pa. C.S. 8371, gives the courts specific authority to award compensation if the insurance company is found to have acted in bad faith.
The court may:
- Award interest on the amount of the claim from the date the claim was made by the insured in an amount equal to the prime rate of interest plus 3%
- Award punitive damages solely to punish the insurance company for its bad faith dealings
- Order the insurance company to pay your attorneys’ fees and cover court costs
Dealing with the insurance company can be frustrating. When insurance adjusters are unfair, the process becomes even more overwhelming. Let our lawyers take the lead and fight to hold the insurance company accountable.
How Much Is My Harrisburg Bad Faith Insurance Case Worth?
It’s important to understand the level of compensation you may be entitled to receive when you take action against the insurance company.
Factors that may be relevant to your case include:
- The nature of the insurance company’s actions
- The amount of your original insurance claim
- The amount of time it takes to receive the compensation you deserve
- The applicable interest rate at the time your case is resolved
- The terms of your insurance contract
The legal basis for your lawsuit can also be important. While the Pennsylvania statute deals strictly with bad faith insurance practices, you may also have a breach of contract claim under common law principles.
Bad faith insurance cases can be difficult to prove. It’s always important to have an experienced attorney in your corner. Our team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates is prepared to help, so call for your free consultation today.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Bad Faith Insurance Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there is much confusion over the deadline for taking legal action in bad faith insurance cases. However, one federal court recently held that, under Pennsylvania law, the insured had only two years to file a lawsuit for damages. The court found that the statute of limitations began to run on the date the insurance company “clearly and unequivocally” denied coverage.
Depending on the legal basis for your claim, it is possible that you could have additional time to sue for damages. However, our lawyers highly recommend speaking with an attorney as soon as possible.
The bottom line is that it’s important to consult a lawyer quickly if you have been taken advantage of. Our lawyers will review the facts of your case and help you preserve your right to compensation.
Contact a Harrisburg Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Bad faith insurance laws in Pennsylvania can be extremely complicated. If you believe you were a victim, contact a Harrisburg bad faith insurance lawyer to learn more about your legal options today. At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, your initial consultation is always completely free of charge.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Harrisburg, PA
Marzzacco Niven & Associates
945 E Park Dr Suite 103, Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 231-1640
