What To Know About Insurance Bad Faith in North Carolina

It’s crucial for consumers to have a comprehensive understanding of their rights and the laws in place that govern insurance bad faith. Insurance claims are not something anyone wants to handle, but it’s a necessary thing to consider if you’re trying to recover from an incident. Before jumping into filing your claim or dealing with insurance companies, it’s important you know about insurance bad faith in North Carolina.

What Is Insurance Bad Faith?

Insurance bad faith refers to the deliberate and unreasonable actions of an insurance company when denying or delaying the payment of a legitimate claim. These actions can encompass:

• Denial of coverage
• Prolonged investigations
• Inadequate settlement offers

By recognizing the signs of insurance bad faith, you can better protect yourself from unfair practices and get the help you need when insurance companies treat you unfairly.

Your Rights

As a policyholder in North Carolina, you possess specific rights when it comes to insurance claims. North Carolina’s laws and regulations serve as a safeguard, empowering you to assert your entitlements in the face of insurance bad faith. Understanding these rights is crucial, as it will ensure you are well-prepared if you encounter an insurance company that’s not operating as it should.

Statute of Limitations

It is of the utmost importance that you’re aware of the statute of limitations for filing an insurance bad faith claim in North Carolina. Generally, policyholders have a three-year time limit from the date the insurer acted in bad faith. Acting promptly and seeking legal assistance is critical if you believe your insurance company is engaging in bad faith practices that warrant legal action. Waiting too long can leave you without recourse for your insurance company’s bad faith treatment.

Burden of Proof

The burden of proof falls upon the policyholder to establish that an insurance company has acted in bad faith. This stipulation means that the consumer must provide evidence demonstrating that the insurer’s actions were unreasonable and in bad faith. By diligently gathering and presenting compelling evidence, you strengthen your case against unfair insurance practices.

Types of Damages

You can obtain different types of damages in an insurance bad faith case. These may include compensatory damages to cover financial losses, punitive damages to deter similar conduct, and attorney’s fees incurred during the legal process. It is essential to meticulously document any financial losses resulting from the insurer’s actions to ensure you obtain the fair compensation you’re entitled to.

Insurance bad faith is a significant issue that can have profound consequences for policyholders. By comprehending your rights, staying informed, and seeking legal assistance when necessary, you can safeguard yourself from falling victim to insurance companies acting in bad faith. If you want to avoid insurance bad faith, or you’re interested in combatting a current bad faith case, seek assistance from AmeriClaims. Our home insurance claim adjusters provide the help you need to emerge on the other side of insurance bad faith unscathed.