November 28, 2012 — In the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, a growing number of property owners are seeking legal help because their insurance claims were unfairly delayed, denied, or poorly compensated.
According to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, 481 complaints have already been filed, including 17 formal complaints. The formal complaints have been assigned to insurance fraud investigators. Many of the complaints involve insurance companies that are delaying the adjustment of claims.
As an insured property owner, you have rights to a fair adjustment of your claim. Most states have laws requiring your insurance company to act quickly to address your claim, examine property damage, and offer a settlement. Unfortunately, in some cases, insurance companies act in “bad faith” and deny legitimate claims.
If you are the victim of an insurance company acting in “bad faith,” you can contact your state’s insurance commissioner. Every state has a commission of insurance regulators who are responsible for making sure consumers are treated fairly by insurance companies.
You can also contact an insurance attorney. Your lawyer may be able to help you file a formal complaint, which may prompt your insurance company to reconsider their offer. In some cases, litigation may be necessary to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
