Has an insurance company unreasonably delayed processing your claim or denied it in Destin, FL? If you’re getting the runaround after filing a claim, it may be time to call a lawyer.
At Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how frustrating it is when an insurance company delays, underpays, or denies a valid claim. Our Destin bad faith insurance lawyers can step in, stand up for you, and help you demand the money you’re owed. We have over 60 years of combined experience and have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation at (850) 790-0243.
How Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Destin, Florida
You pay your insurance premiums on time. You hold up your end of the deal. When disaster strikes, the last thing you expect is a fight with your insurance company. But sometimes, insurers don’t play fair. That’s where we come in.
At Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, helping people isn’t just our job — it’s our family legacy. We have been recognized by the Florida Justice Association, Avvo, and other legal organizations.
When you hire a Destin bad faith insurance attorney from our firm, we will:
- Review your insurance policy and explain your rights
- Gather evidence showing the insurer acted in bad faith
- Handle all communication with the insurance company
- Negotiate aggressively to get your full payment
- File a lawsuit and fight for you in court if necessary
You don’t have to go through this alone. If you’re ready to take action, our Destin personal injury lawyers are ready to help. Call our law office in Destin, Florida to schedule a free consultation.
What Are Bad Faith Insurance Practices?
Insurance companies are legally required to act in “good faith” when handling your claim. That means they must deal with you honestly, fairly, and promptly.
When an insurer breaks those rules—like delaying a decision for no reason, refusing to investigate properly, or denying a valid claim—it may be acting in bad faith.
Examples of bad faith could include:
- Ignoring evidence that supports your claim
- Offering much less money than your claim is worth
- Refusing to explain why your claim was denied
Bad faith can happen with many types of insurance, including auto, health, homeowners, and business policies. No matter what type of policy you have, you deserve fair treatment.
What Are Florida’s Bad Faith Insurance Laws?
Florida takes bad faith seriously. Under Florida Statute § 624.155, insurance companies can be sued if they don’t settle claims when they should.
Before filing a lawsuit, you usually have to give the insurance company notice and a chance to fix the problem by filing a civil remedy notice with the Florida Department of Financial Services. This notice spells out what the insurance company did wrong.
If they still don’t fix it within 60 days of receipt of the notice, you may be able to sue for both the value of your original claim and additional damages for their unreasonable conduct.
First-Party vs. Third-Party Bad Faith Insurance Claims
Bad faith insurance cases usually fall into one of two categories:
- First-party bad faith happens when your own insurance company mistreats you after you file a claim. For example, if you have homeowners insurance and they deny your claim after a storm, this could be first-party bad faith.
- Third-party bad faith happens when another person files a claim against your insurance, and your company fails to protect you properly. For example, if you’re sued after a car accident and your insurance company refuses to settle when they should, exposing you to a big judgment.
Both types of bad faith are serious and can cause major financial harm.
What Do I Have To Prove To Recover Compensation for Bad Faith Insurance Tactics in Florida?
Winning a bad faith insurance case in Florida means proving a few key things:
- You had a valid insurance claim.
- The insurance company didn’t act reasonably when handling it.
- Their bad faith caused you financial harm.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Our experienced attorneys know how to gather the evidence needed to show that the insurance company violated the law.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Bad Faith Insurance Practices in Destin?
If you win a bad faith insurance case, you could recover several types of damages:
- The original amount your insurance company should have paid
- Interest on the delayed payments
- Legal fees and court costs
- Extra damages caused by the delay, like losing your home or racking up medical bills
These damages are meant to help you recover what you lost and move forward after your insurance company treated you unfairly.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bad Faith Insurance Lawsuit in Florida?
The law sets a deadline for filing lawsuits, called the statute of limitations. In Florida, you usually have five years to file a bad faith insurance lawsuit.
That clock usually starts running when the insurance company commits an act of bad faith, not when you first bought the policy.
But the rules can be tricky, and missing the deadline could cost you your chance to recover anything. That’s why it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as you think something isn’t right.
Contact Our Destin Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Insurance companies are supposed to help you, not make your life harder. If you believe your insurer is acting in bad faith, Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help.
Our Destin bad faith insurance lawyers will listen to your story, explain your rights, and help you take the next step toward getting the compensation you deserve. Your initial consultation is free, and you will pay us nothing unless we win your case.
